Overview
Doug Leech, founder and CEO of Ascension Recovery Services, discusses the increasing need for quality behavioral health treatment, especially post-COVID, and highlights his company's partnership with Nelson Construction Development. He also shares success stories, including their turnaround work with Claire Matrix and their strategic growth through a partnership with Renovus Capital Partners, which has helped them expand their services and impact across 31 states.
Doug Leech
Doug Leech, founder of Ascension Recovery Services, shares his personal journey from public accounting to overcoming addiction after being prescribed pain medication for an injury. Motivated by his own recovery, Doug founded Ascension to address the lack of behavioral health resources, particularly in treatment deserts like West Virginia, and to help others find a path to recovery.
Ascension RS Mission
Doug Leech, founder of Ascension Recovery Services, explains the company's mission to expand access to comprehensive, high-quality behavioral healthcare across the country. Ascension has grown significantly, starting from Doug's home basement to operating in over 30 states, partnering with hospitals, health systems, and governments to develop and manage successful treatment programs focused on improving patient outcomes and fostering long-term recovery.
Licensure
Doug Leech highlights that Ascension Recovery Services ensures all their treatment centers meet state licensure requirements and go above and beyond by obtaining accreditation from the Joint Commission. This commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care offers families confidence in choosing their programs for their loved ones' recovery.
Grant Funding
Doug Leech explains Ascension Recovery Services' approach to financial stability, emphasizing that they do not rely on grant funding when building financial models for treatment centers. While they apply for and often receive grants, the focus remains on ensuring long-term financial strength, which Leech believes is crucial to maintaining high-quality care and sustaining the mission of each center.
Why Nelson?
Doug Leech discusses Ascension Recovery Services' unique partnership with Nelson Construction Development, which allows them to strategically select locations with the highest need for treatment centers. Unlike typical projects where Ascension works within predetermined sites, this collaboration gives them a "blank canvas" to focus on areas with high demand, favorable conditions, and maximum impact. Leech emphasizes the importance of the partnership's shared mission and values, as well as the benefits of scaling their efforts across the country.
Why Iowa?
Doug Leech shares his surprise at the lack of detox and residential treatment options in Iowa after investigating the state's healthcare resources. Conversations with local hospitals and health systems revealed a desperate need for treatment facilities, as emergency departments were overwhelmed with patients seeking addiction care. Leech emphasizes the state's high demand for services and favorable regulatory environment, which makes Iowa an ideal location for expanding Ascension Recovery Services' programs.
Why Indiana?
Doug Leech shares Ascension Recovery Services' long-standing work in Indiana, which began in 2017 with Columbus Regional Health, where they developed an outpatient behavioral health treatment center. The success of this partnership led to deeper community involvement, expanding services across the state to address gaps in care for addiction and mental health. With Indiana's increasing demand for treatment and improved reimbursement rates, Ascension is committed to further growing their impact in the state.