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.”
Patrick Hall
Executive Vice President
Dr. Hall joined Valley Hope in 2013 providing clinical supervision at our Norton facility. He has since served in a variety of roles including Corporate Clinical Supervisor, Vice President of Clinical Services, and Vice President of Research before being named Executive Vice President in July 2018. 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 care in an environment marked by compassion, respect, collaboration, and uncompromising safety.
Christopher Wilkins
Interim Director of Administration
Chris brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his role as Interim Director of Administration, where he is responsible for business operations and special initiatives. He is the Founder and President Emeritus of the Loyola Recovery Foundation in Pittsford, New York, where he developed initiatives to help veterans and their families overcome their substance use disorders. Chris launched another initiative to commercialize and proliferate ACHESS (Addiction Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System) on behalf of Dr. David Gustafson in a Type “B” public benefit corporation, CHESS Mobile Health, Inc. Chris currently serves on the SAMHSA’s National Advisory Council. He earned his master’s degree in health administration from Seton Hall University.
Dr. Javier Ley
Chief of Clinical Services
Dr. Ley has served in several positions since coming to Valley Hope in August 2017. Javier originally was Program Director for Valley Hope of Norton, before becoming Executive Director there in early 2018. In June 2018, he was appointed Director of Clinical Programming for the entire continuum. In that role, Javier oversees evidence based practice implementation, clinical professional development, and other clinical programming issues. He is credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor in Kansas and has earned a Doctorate in Professional Counseling, a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.
Tricia Olson
Chief of Staff
Tricia works closely with our Executive Leadership Team to assist in the operations and overall management of Valley Hope. In addition, she has managed several marketing campaigns to help raise awareness of the organization and promote its services. She was Chief of Staff at the Kansas Department of Commerce in Topeka, helping to oversee an agency with more than 200 employees, as well as providing operational support to the Secretary of Commerce. Tricia began her career at Commerce by serving as Executive Assistant under three different Commerce Secretaries. Prior to joining 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.
Dr. Jon Siebert
Medical Director
Dr. Siebert was named Valley Hope’s Medical Director in July 2018 and has spent more than 18 years in medicine. He is board certified in family practice, as well as addiction medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He started his career in 2000 as a family doctor in Atchison, Kansas, before joining our Atchison facility in 2002. As Medical Director, Dr. Siebert will ensure that all Valley Hope facilities maintain good medical care for patients and also will oversee medication assisted therapy when appropriate. Dr. Siebert earned his bachelor’s of science in biology from Kansas State University and a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency program at Smokey Hill Family Practice in Salina, Kansas. Jon considers himself forever a K-State Wildcat.
Susan Warren
Assistant Director of Clinical Services
Susan Warren serves as Assistant Director of Clinical Services. She has been a leader in the behavioral health community with more than 13 years of service to Valley Hope, most recently as Executive Director for the Valley Hope of Chandler, Arizona, residential facility. She was instrumental in developing an online Family Intensive Treatment program in 2010, which gave family members their own treatment option. She is a strong supporter of helping family members seek their own treatment. Susan is a licensed counselor in Arizona who received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Ottawa University, Phoenix, in 2010 and then completed advanced studies in trauma, abuse and deprivation. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cal State University East Bay. Before entering the SUD industry, Susan had more than 25 years’ experience in human resources.
Dawn Johnson
Clinical Director of Residential Services
Dawn became Valley Hope’s Corporate Clinical Director in November 2017 where she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and expertise to the leadership team. She began working as a counselor at Valley Hope of O’Neill in Nebraska in 1999. She fell in love with the state and became a huge fan of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. In July 2007, she was promoted to Program Director at the O’Neill facility. She moved to Norton, Kansas, in November 2010 to join the corporate office as Clinical Supervisor and then Regional Manager. Dawn earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University.
Melissa Kinworthy
Outpatient Clinical Director
Melissa joined Valley Hope in April 2012 as a counselor for Valley Hope of Tempe where she implemented new programming for outpatient services. In December 2015, she was named Outpatient Program Director at the Tempe facility. She was promoted to Outpatient Clinical Supervisor in July 2018 and Outpatient Clinical Director in September 2018, providing leadership and clinical direction for all Valley Hope outpatient facilities. Melissa has more than 10 years of clinical experience in substance use disorder treatment including working with women from SUD and trauma, as well as Native Americans in Arizona. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2007, her master’s degree in Addictions Counseling in 2009, and a second master’s degree in Professional Counseling in 2011, all at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
Ryan Stover
Director of Finance and Accounting
Ryan joined Valley Hope in August 2017 and served as Director of Operations until he was appointed Director of Finance in June 2018. He brings valuable experience in the physical health industry and revenue cycle management. Ryan was formerly the CEO of Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas, and managed 130 employees. Before taking the top job at the hospital, he was chief financial officer for seven years. Prior to his hospital management days, he worked in public accounting and the construction industry. Ryan’s true passion is in health care and helping those in need. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and passed the certified public accounting exam in 1999.
Laurie Cliff
Director of Business Operations
Laurie began working with Valley Hope in 2001 and has held several positions with the organization including Business Manager at the Norton facility for 12 years. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Science in Management degree from the University of Phoenix. In her current role, she acts as liaison to the Business Operations Managers and Financial Counselors and assists with daily operations and patient finance at the facilities. Laurie works to share her deep care and concern for our patients in delivering excellence in patient care through all operations and support staff roles.
Kathy Erbert
Director of Contract Administration
Kathy is a 28-year veteran of Valley Hope, and currently serves as Director of Contract Administration. She is responsible for developing and maintaining national managed care/insurance and self-funded contracts. Kathy also resolves contract and customer service concerns, as well as oversees clinical compliance with all contract requirements. Kathy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska. A proud Cornhusker, she is dedicated to helping those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction find the help they need.
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.
Megan K. O’Connor
Executive Director | Valley Hope Foundation
Megan is responsible for fundraising activities including the Annual Fund Drive, major gift solicitations, special events and stewardship. 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.
Kate Wilkins
Director of Central Admissions
Kate came to Valley Hope in January 2018 and was appointed to her current position in June 2018. In her role, Kate manages the Central Admissions team—fielding calls from those seeking treatment or wanting more information about Valley Hope and the services we offer. Prior to her current position, Kate served as a Business Operations Specialist, visiting different facilities throughout the Valley Hope continuum to provide support to leadership teams, acting as the facility business manager when needed, and hiring and training business managers and financial counselors. Prior to Valley Hope, Kate learned customer service as a coordinator at Wegmans Food Markets in Upstate, NY, a corporation that has been named the “Best Place to Work” in America since 1997. Additionally, she has held positions as a Case Manager (Delphi Drug and Alcohol Council, Rochester, NY) and practice administrator (Loyola Medical Associates). She is a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha academic fraternity. Kate’s key areas of professional service are customer service, patient centered systems of care and efficiency/innovation in health service delivery. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Saint John Fisher College (Pittsford, NY) and a Master’s of Public Administration (Health Care Concentration) from the State University of New York at Brockport.
Board of Directors
Patti Yaussi
Chairwoman Executive Committee Marketing Committee Oversight Committee Term expires 2020
Steve Knuth
Vice-Chairman Executive Committee Development Committee Oversight Committee Term expires 2020
Doug Sebelius
Secretary Executive Committee Scholarship Committee Term expires 2020
Michael Colip, M.D.
Treasurer Executive Committee Compensation/Finance Committee Scholarship Committee Term expires 2020
Jeff Wheeler
Development Committee Nominating Committee Term expires 2020
John McClymont
Nominating Committee Scholarship Committee Term expires 2020
Tom Lolly
Nominating Committee Marketing Committee Term expires 2019
Shad Chandler
Compensation/Finance Committee Development Committee Term expires 2019
Dave Hill
Compensation/Finance Committee Oversight Committee Term Expires 2020
Merlynn Colip, M.D.
Board Member Emiritus
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.
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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