Since assuming leadership at Acadia Healthcare, Christopher Hunter has prioritized quality improvement and technology adoption as central components of the company’s business strategy. During a presentation at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Hunter outlined how quality drives both clinical outcomes and operational effectiveness.
Acadia Healthcare has established a chief quality officer position on its executive team. The company conducts monthly quality sessions with leaders across its network to support consistent care delivery. Hunter emphasized that the company has invested substantially in people, processes, and technology to strengthen its quality culture.
Technology investments represent another major focus area. Acadia is implementing electronic medical record systems across its acute care and residential treatment facilities. The company has allocated resources toward remote patient monitoring capabilities and staff communication tools designed to improve both patient and employee experiences.
These quality initiatives have generated external recognition. Acadia Healthcare received scores exceeding 99% across all 13 quality measures from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for its comprehensive treatment centers, which provide opioid use disorder treatment. The company also achieved performance metrics two times better than Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services national benchmarks for use of restraints and seclusions.
Hunter stated that continued growth stems from partnerships with organizations that collaborate with Acadia Healthcare because the company offers specialized psychiatric services. Twenty-one such partnerships currently exist, supporting facility development across multiple states.
Treatment Advocacy Center estimates indicate more than 75,000 additional beds are required nationwide to meet optimal behavioral healthcare provision levels. Acadia Healthcare added approximately 1,300 beds during 2024 alone, representing a record expansion year for the company. Hunter noted the tangible impact these facilities have on patients and communities, particularly in areas that have sought access to specialized psychiatric services for extended periods.