About Us
OUR LEADERSHIP
We are 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. 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 drug and alcohol addiction. As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing proven, high quality treatment at an affordable price.
Dan McCormick
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dan became President and CEO in June 2019, after a distinguished 35-year career in the health care industry. Most recently, he was a managing partner of The Chancellor Group LLC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a full-service consulting firm that specializes in various strategic, operational, and financial issues within the healthcare industry, focusing on behavioral health, addiction treatment and recovery services. Dan’s previous experience also includes serving as CEO of the Hazelden Foundation, a national addiction treatment organization based in Minneapolis. In addition, Dan was president and CEO of ETR Associates in Scotts Valley, California, a nonprofit leader in behavioral health design providing health education, training, research and consulting solutions to a national clientele. Before that, Dan was Senior Vice President and Executive Director at Phoenix House New England, a behavioral health organization based in Providence, Rhode Island. He earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and a master’s degree in health care administration, both from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Patrick Hall
Sr. Vice President Of Operations – South/West
Dr. Hall joined Valley Hope in 2013 and has served in a variety of roles including vice president of clinical services, vice president of research and innovation, and interim executive vice president. In 2019, Dr. Hall was appointed to the position of senior vice president of operations to oversee the Valley Hope markets in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. Patrick 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.
Dr. Javier Ley
Sr. Vice President Of Operations – Midwest
Dr. Ley has served in several leadership positions since coming to Valley Hope in August 2017. In his current role as Sr. VP of Operations for the Midwest, Javier oversees business and clinical operations in the Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri markets. Prior to Valley Hope, Dr. Ley worked at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, supervising clinical operations of residential addiction treatment in Center City, MN. Javier has also been instrumental in leading projects that introduced evidence-based addiction treatment in Nicaragua, while also influencing its adoption in Honduras. He has served as Co-Chair for the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), the world’s largest credentialing body of addiction professionals, and their credential for Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Javier has also been involved with the IC&RC as a Subject Matter Expert in reviewing quality standards for addiction counselors as well as in the development of the examinations utilized for international certification and state licensure. He is credentialed as a licensed clinical addiction counselor and licensed professional counselor in the state of Kansas. Dr. Ley has earned a doctorate and master’s degree in counseling and a bachelor’s degree in finance.
Shelley Plemons
Sr. Vice President of Business Development and Patient Access
Shelley Plemons has more than 25 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field, with expertise in business development protocols, startup operations, sales and marketing management, training and coaching. Shelley excels in building and sustaining a patient-focused culture across Valley Hope. She has previously served as Corporate Vice President of Business Development with Perimeter Healthcare and through her consulting firm, Strategic Sales Solutions, advised top addiction recovery programs, behavioral health organizations and managed care groups both nationally and internationally. Shelley has also worked with Charter Medical, training thousands of employees and launching customer service systems throughout the system. She holds a master’s in counseling from Amber University and a Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University.
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 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
Regional Director of Operations – Midwest
Susan Warren serves as Regional Director of Operations for our Midwest facilities. She has been a leader in the behavioral health community with more than 14 years of service to Valley Hope, most recently as Assistant Director of Clinical Services for Valley Hope. She also served as Executive Director for the Valley Hope of Chandler, Arizona, residential facility. Susan is passionate about serving those families that have been afflicted by the family disease of addiction. 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 of experience in human resources.
Melissa Kinworthy
Regional Director of Operations – South/West
Melissa joined Valley Hope in April 2012 as a counselor for Valley Hope of Tempe where she implemented new programming for outpatient services. Since that time, Melissa has served in various roles including Outpatient Program Director of Tempe, Outpatient Clinical Supervisor, and Outpatient Clinical Director, 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 suffering from SUD and trauma, as well as Native Americans in Arizona. Melissa is a US Army combat veteran, serving in the Military Police Corps. Following her military service, 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. Melissa currently oversees Valley Hope’s Veteran Program and serves as Valley Hope’s point of contact for VA Medical Centers across the Midwest and Southwest.
Dr. Tiffney Yeager
Chief Compliance Officer
Dr. Yeager has been with Valley Hope in some capacity since 2004. In her current role, she ensures that Valley Hope maintains its accreditation and licensing set by the Joint Commission and the seven states we serve. Tiffney is a licensed psychologist and licensed clinical addiction counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Creighton University, as well as a master’s degree in psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology, both from the University of North Dakota. In graduate school, Tiffney spent nine months living and working on the Northern Cheyenne reservation, which she described as a wonderful and humbling training experience.
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 and a Master of Science in management 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.
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
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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