Christopher Hunter joined Franklin, Tennessee-based Acadia Healthcare as chief executive officer in April 2022, bringing more than two decades of healthcare industry experience to the nation’s largest standalone behavioral health provider.

Hunter’s background spans multiple healthcare sectors. Before taking the helm at Acadia, he served as president of Humana’s group and military business, where he managed a portfolio generating over $7 billion in revenue annually. His responsibilities at Humana included overseeing medical services for nearly 20 million members across 45 states.

Between 2014 and 2018, Hunter held the position of chief strategy officer at Humana, directing the company’s corporate strategy and guiding merger and acquisition activities. His earlier career includes leadership roles at TriZetto, a health IT software firm, where he served as president of provider markets. Hunter also spent time on the executive leadership team at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee from 2004 to 2012.

Hunter earned his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. His current board service includes the Honors Program at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Acadia Healthcare operates 270 behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 12,000 beds across 39 states and Puerto Rico. The company employs roughly 25,500 people who serve more than 82,000 patients daily across four service lines: acute care facilities, specialty treatment facilities, comprehensive treatment centers, and residential treatment centers.

Hunter succeeded Debbie Osteen, who entered into a consulting agreement to assist with the transition and remained on Acadia’s board of directors. Reeve B. Waud, chairman of Acadia’s board of directors, noted at the time that the board conducted a thorough search to find a CEO who would complement the existing executive team.