Debbie Osteen’s career extends beyond corporate leadership roles. Her involvement with national behavioral health organizations has positioned her as a voice for the industry on policy and clinical practice issues. When Board Chairman Reeve B. Waud announced her return to Acadia Healthcare as CEO in January 2026, he selected an executive with deep connections throughout the behavioral health sector.
Osteen previously served as Acadia’s CEO from 2018 to 2022 and remained on the company’s board until 2024.
National Association for Behavioral Healthcare
Osteen has served as an executive committee member of the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare for more than 20 years. Her involvement includes two terms as president of the NABH board, reflecting peer recognition of her leadership within the industry.
NABH represents behavioral healthcare provider organizations and advocates for policies supporting access to mental health and addiction treatment services. Osteen’s leadership role there positioned her to shape industry positions on regulatory, reimbursement, and clinical practice issues.
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
Beyond industry representation, Osteen served on the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. This public-private partnership advances the national strategy for suicide prevention, coordinating efforts across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare providers.
Her involvement with suicide prevention efforts connects directly to Acadia’s clinical mission. The company operates facilities serving patients facing mental health crises, including those at risk of self-harm.
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Industry Recognition
Modern Healthcare magazine has named Osteen among the “Top 25 Women in Healthcare” multiple times, most recently in 2015. She was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Executives in Healthcare in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
These recognitions reflect both her operational achievements and her broader contributions to healthcare leadership. Her career trajectory-from building Universal Health Services’ behavioral health division over 19 years to leading Acadia through growth as CEO-demonstrates sustained impact across major behavioral health organizations.
Return to Acadia
Reeve B. Waud’s announcement selecting Osteen emphasized her role in building Acadia: “Debbie is a mission-driven executive with a commitment to patients who helped transform Acadia into the leading provider of behavioral healthcare in the U.S.”
Her combination of corporate leadership experience and industry organization involvement positions her to represent Acadia both internally and externally during her second tenure as CEO. The board continues conducting a comprehensive search for a long-term successor while Osteen leads the organization.
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