Acadia Healthcare made a notable leadership announcement in January 2026, and the key facts are worth laying out plainly. The company named Debbie Osteen as chief executive, with board chairman Reeve Waud explaining the decision. Here’s what to know.

Who Is Acadia Healthcare’s New CEO?

Debbie Osteen is the company’s new chief executive, effective immediately. She’s no stranger to the job. She led Acadia Healthcare once before, from December 2018 through March 2022.

Her background reaches past Acadia Healthcare. Osteen was previously president of the behavioral health division at Universal Health Services, which gave her decades of experience across the field.

What Did Reeve Waud Say?

Reeve Waud, chairman of the Acadia Healthcare board, called Osteen “a mission-driven executive with a commitment to patients who helped transform Acadia into the leading provider of behavioral healthcare in the U.S.”.

He also explained the timing. Waud said Osteen would lead while the board runs “a comprehensive search for a long-term successor,” which positions her appointment as part of a measured process. Acadia Healthcare, which runs roughly 280 facilities across 40 states and Puerto Rico, gains an experienced leader at the top while it plans ahead.