Mark G. Mishek has transformed Hazelden Betty Ford into a 21st‑century health care leader

Mark G. Mishek, president and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, announced today he will retire in 2021 after 12 successful years at the helm of the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of addiction and mental health care, recovery resources, and related education, prevention and advocacy.

Mishek, the third-longest-serving leader in the organization’s 71-year history and architect of the historic 2014 merger of the Hazelden Foundation and the Betty Ford Center, says he will step down when his successor is hired—likely in the first half of 2021. Until then, he will continue to lead the organization through the pandemic, which has increased demand for Hazelden Betty Ford’s services, and advance the innovation, collaboration and growth that have defined his tenure.

“While I’m excited about the next chapter in my life, I’m equally excited about the future of Hazelden Betty Ford and know that our mission is more important than ever before,” Mishek said. “In this extraordinary time, I remain 100% focused on our employees, the people we serve, and the hope and healing that so many individuals, families and communities need right now.”

During Mishek’s tenure—a period marked by seismic shifts in health care and rapid escalation of the opioid epidemic—Hazelden Betty Ford has more than doubled the number of patients it serves annually to well over 25,000. The organization he inherited has grown from six to 17 sites, and telehealth has expanded its reach and impact nationwide. Mishek empowered that growth by moving away from a mostly self-pay model and instead positioning Hazelden Betty Ford as a quality health care provider whose services are available in-network through most major health plans. Today, almost 95% of Hazelden Betty Ford’s patients access care with insurance benefits.

A pioneer and longtime leader in its field, Hazelden Betty Ford has continued its history of innovation under Mishek’s leadership. In 2012, he and clinical leaders responded to the emerging opioid epidemic by making Hazelden Betty Ford the first major addiction treatment provider in America to integrate the use of medications such as buprenorphine and naltrexone with psychosocial therapies and peer support to create a comprehensive new approach to treating opioid addiction. The approach has since been recognized by policymakers, researchers and health care leaders as a model for improving outcomes and has propelled Hazelden Betty Ford’s larger, ongoing shift from a more programmatic treatment model to an increasingly individualized, person-centered approach that engages patients longer across multiple levels of care.

“Nothing is more fulfilling than talking to one of our many patients who has found freedom from opioid addiction,” Mishek said. “Given how tragic the overdose epidemic continues to be, I only wish we could expand our reach even further and faster.”

One way Hazelden Betty Ford is expanding its reach is through aggressive and strategic collaboration, including development of a first-in-the-field Patient Care Network to ensure more people in more places receive quality addiction care and recovery support. Other notable collaborative efforts include groundbreaking research with Mayo Clinic into genetics and precision treatment and with the American Bar Association into behavioral health needs in the legal profession, and consultative work with Sesame Street in Communities on education and support for children affected by parental addiction—just to name a few. In addition, Hazelden Betty Ford has established itself as one of the most trusted public voices on addiction prevention, treatment and recovery issues. Mishek personally testified before Congress on the need for stronger consumer protections and quality standards in the treatment industry, and has helped mobilize efforts to educate people everywhere about the hope and science of recovery.

“Having planned for several years to retire in 2021, it is gratifying to approach this pending personal milestone knowing Hazelden Betty Ford is as fundamentally strong and healthy as it has ever been, and it’s exciting to continue pursuing so many important priorities. Even amid the challenges of the pandemic, we are growing, innovating and diversifying,” Mishek said. “The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is on a positive strategic course and is now poised for a new leader to step in, build upon our substantial foundation and usher in the next exciting era in the organization’s rich and meaningful history. Until that time, I intend to keep working as passionately and ambitiously as ever.”

To all of you who have stood with the Foundation as a friend, advocate and supporter, Mishek shares: “As I approach this pending personal milestone, I have tremendous gratitude for everyone involved with our mission, pride in all we have accomplished together, and great confidence in the short- and long-term future of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.”

Please join us as we continue to advance many important initiatives to expand our reach; help more individuals, families and communities find healing, hope and the gift of recovery; and build a healthier future for generations to come.