ERLANGER, Ky. — Kentucky native Jason Staats brings 17 years of leadership and behavioral health experience to his new role as Chief Executive Officer for SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky. SUN Behavioral Health operates a psychiatric hospital in Erlanger in partnership with St. Elizabeth Healthcare and an intensive outpatient facility in Lexington. In addition to Kentucky, SUN Behavioral Health provides mental health and substance use recovery services in Ohio, Texas, and Delaware.
A native of southeastern Kentucky, Staats served for several years in similar roles in Ohio and Kentucky. Most recently, he was the CEO of a multi-hospital system in central Ohio. Before that, he served as the CEO of a private psychiatric hospital recognized as a center of excellence for treating active-duty military and their dependents.
Dedicated to making a difference at the community level, Staats previously served on the Kentucky Advisory Board for a national non-profit therapeutic foster care and treatment organization. Additionally, he served as a juvenile drug court advisory team member, supporting a focused effort to promote healthy decision-making in a high-risk substance-use population.
Staats earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University. Earlier in his career, he practiced as a Licensed Professional and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
In his CEO role with SUN Kentucky, Staats leads a team of over 300 in the Erlanger and Lexington markets. He emphasizes patient-centered practices when leading his teams toward strong patient outcomes and operational success.
