About Us
Valley Hope opened its doors in 1967 in the small town of Norton, Kansas. Today, we operate 16 treatment centers in seven states across the Midwest and have helped thousands of people find recovery from addiction to alcohol or drugs.
As a non-profit organization, we’re dedicated to providing proven, high quality treatment at an affordable price.
OUR LEADERSHIP
We’re led by a highly qualified team who are passionate about our mission and dedicated to helping our patients find a path to long-term recovery.
Pat George
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pat has served on our Board of Directors since 2003 and was appointed CEO in July 2015. He brings a distinguished record of public service to our organization, most recently as Kansas Secretary of Commerce. A member of the Kansas House of Representatives for six years, Pat chaired the Committee on State Employee Pay Plans, was vice-chairman of the Vision 2010 Committee and served on the Committee on Economic Development. In addition to his public service, Pat has a 25-year track record of starting and building successful business ventures, from his family’s automobile dealership to real estate development to professional sports. He is dedicated to helping those suffering from addiction “one person at a time, honorably and respectfully.”
Juanita Gregoire
Special Advisor to the CEO
Juanita has been with Valley Hope since 1979. She was Program Director for our residential facility in Boonville, Missouri from 1984 to 1996. She then moved to our Corporate Office in Norton, Kansas as Clinical Coordinator, where she led efforts to maintain compliance with Joint Commission Behavioral Healthcare standards and state certification standards for all Valley Hope locations. She was appointed Clinical Director in 2004, overseeing clinical programming and supervision for all facilities while continuing with her Joint Commission and state compliance duties. In June 2015, Juanita accepted the position as Chief Operating Officer and has recently accepted the role of Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Patrick Hall
Vice President of Clinical Services
Dr. Hall oversees clinical services for all Valley Hope locations. He joined Valley Hope in August 2013 as a Corporate Clinical Supervisor, providing patient care and clinical supervision at our residential facility in Norton, Kansas. In 2014, Patrick assumed increasing leadership responsibilities as a member of the corporate team and was appointed to his current position in July 2015. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. He has received extensive training at leading health centers including Mt. Sinai Hospital, Edward Hines VA Medical Center, the University of Chicago Medical Center and the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Patrick’s passion is providing industry-leading patient and family care in an environment marked by compassion, respect, collaboration and uncompromising safety.
Dr. Jolene Nichols
Vice President of Operations
Dr. Nichols is responsible for business operations and special initiative oversight. She is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor and attended Colorado State University and Capella University earning a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate Degree in Psychology. Over the last 17 years, she’s held key positions with Valley Hope including Residential Counselor, Admissions Coordinator, Outpatient Counselor, Utilization Review Counselor, Director of AC/ESS Services, Director of Outpatient Services, Corporate Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Director of Valley Hope Tech and, presently, CEO of Valley Hope Technology, a role she maintains alongside that of VP of Administration. With her vast experience and wide-ranging abilities, Jolene is a critical and dynamic member of our leadership team.
Renee Hawks
Director of Information Systems
A native western Kansas farm girl, Renee believes putting in the hard work today will improve all tomorrows. It’s an approach that’s served her well in her career. Renee joined Valley Hope in 2009 as a customer support technician. Since then, she’s taken on increasing responsibility and expanded her knowledge as network administrator and support service technology manager. She understands the vital role technology plays in connecting patients to our programs and she’s excited for what future technologies hold for our patients. Renee attended Fort Hays State University where she studied biology.
Tricia Olson
Chief of Staff
Tricia works closely with our Executive Leadership to assist in the operations and overall management of the organization. She held a similar role at the Kansas Department of Commerce in Topeka after serving as the Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Commerce. Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Tricia was the Executive Assistant for Jeffry J. Larson, District Judge for the Kansas Fifth Judicial District. She attended Emporia State University and is a proud Hornet.
Regina Beikman
Director of Human Resources
Regina leads the HR and administrative functions for all locations across seven states. An employee of Valley Hope for over 19 years, she has extensive experience in human resource management including employee relations, policy design, wage and salary programs, recruitment, compliance reporting, payroll, budget and benefits administration. She shares a vision with all of our staff that patients can climb out of the valley of addiction and become the people they were meant to be.
Kathy Erbert
Director of Reimbursement
Kathy is responsible for developing and maintaining national managed care/insurance and self-funded contracts. She is the contact for resolution of contract and customer service concerns and ensures clinical compliance with all contract requirements. In addition, she oversees the Insurance Department at our corporate headquarters. Kathy brings 25 years of experience with Valley Hope to her role as Director of Contract Administration. Previously, she served as Assistant Marketing Director and National Marketing Director. She remains dedicated to helping those who are suffering from alcoholism and addiction find the help they need.
Megan K. O’Connor
Director of Development
Megan is responsible for fundraising activities including the Annual Fund Drive, major gift solicitations, special events and stewardship. She’s also an editor of Coffee Cup, our quarterly newsletter. After earning a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Oregon State University, Megan began her career as an event planner in the hotel/hospitality industry. She joined Valley Hope in 2003 and was certified as an addiction counselor in 2004. In 2005, Megan was promoted to her current position where her efforts have helped countless patients and their families get the treatment they need. Megan holds a certificate of fundraising management from The School of Philanthropy, University of Indiana.
Dr. Kasey Nichols
Corporate Medical Advisor
Dr. Nichols’ training and experience combines the best of conventional medicine, as well as a variety of alternative treatments including Chinese medicine/acupuncture, botanical medicine, spinal manipulation, mind-body mental/emotional techniques and spinal manipulation. Kasey has completed numerous rotations in drug and alcohol treatment centers throughout Arizona. He earned his medical degree from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine from Tempe, Arizona, and a bachelor’s degree in human biology from the Cleveland University. Kasey is passionate about helping the public understand the vital role Valley Hope plays in helping individuals overcome substance abuse disorders.
Board of Directors
Dave Hill
Chairman
Executive Committee
Term expires 2017
Patti Yaussi
Vice-Chairman
Executive Committee
Compensation/Finance Committee
Scholarship Committee
Term expires 2018
Merlynn Colip, M.D.
Board Member Emiritus
Jeff Wheeler
Development Committee
Nominating Committee
Term expires 2017
Doug Sebelius
Nominating Committee
Scholarship Committee
Term expires 2018
John McClymont
Nominating Committee
Scholarship Committee
Term expires 2018
Michael Colip, M.D.
Compensation/Finance Committee
Development Committee
Term expires 2017
James Arkell
Compensation/Finance Committee
Development Committee
Term expires 2018
Mirta Martin, Ph.D.
Compensation/Finance Committee
Development Committee
Term expires 2019
Shad Chandler
Compensation/Finance Committee
Development Committee
Term expires 2019
Our Foundation
We established the Valley Hope Foundation in 2000 to secure gifts and grants to further our mission. Since then, thanks to the William D. Leipold Endowment Fund and many other donations, we’ve been able to help 10,000 patients find a path to recovery.
More than 23 million Americans experience substance use disorders. Yet only one in 10 receives any form of treatment. Your tax-deductible donation can help us change lives for thousands of people who can’t afford the treatment they so desperately need.
Options for Giving
You may designate your gift for a specific need or treatment center. Alternatively, you may make an unrestricted gift to be used where the need is greatest.
Endowment Fund for Scholarships
Donations to our ‘Doc’ William D. Leipold Endowment Fund support and provide perpetual grants for scholarships generated by the interest earned. It began as the ‘Hug a Bear’ and now helps more than 200 patients per year.
Scholarships – Immediate Use
Funds donated for immediate scholarship are granted within the year received.
Improvements & Capital Projects
One of our goals is to provide a comfortable environment for our patients. We are constantly updating and improving our treatment centers.
Patient Assistance Needs
Donations help with primary and immediate needs for items such as treatment-related books, dental care needs and sober living down-payments.
To make a donation, click here.
Valley Hope Association and Valley Hope Association Foundation are registered 501c(3) non-profit organizations. All gifts are tax deductible
Valley Hope saved my life! I was on a path of dark destruction and could not stop without help.
VALLEY HOPE ALUMNI
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