Corey Richey, Chief Executive Officer, Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse (RCA), an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility that serves communities in South New Jersey and the Jersey Shore, was honored this week as a 2023 NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes in the “Health Care Professional-Individual” category. The Healthcare Heroes annual awards program recognizes excellence, promotes innovation and honors the efforts of individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of health care in New Jersey.
“I am honored to be recognized as a Healthcare Hero by NJBIZ, one of New Jersey’s leading business journals,” said Richey. “With the tremendous need in South Jersey for mental health and substance use disorder treatments, where there are historically fewer resources available than in other areas of the state, my caring team and I are dedicated to helping those who are suffering to achieve a lifetime of meaningful recovery from drugs and alcohol.”
America’s opioid crisis is alarming. Drug overdose rates in the U.S. have risen fivefold in the past two decades, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in December 2022. The New Jersey Department of Health reports that the opioid crisis has taken more than 14,000 lives in the state over the past five years alone. According to the Office of the New Jersey Coordinator of Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies (“NJ CARES”), in January 2023, there were 229 suspected drug-related deaths – 75 of which occurred in South Jersey.
For more than a decade, Richey has been a strong community advocate for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs), as well as mental health issues tied to SUDs.
“I know that more time in treatment leads to better outcomes, so one of my most important accomplishments over the past few years has been to increase patient length of stay more than twofold,” said Richey. ”It is tremendously fulfilling to work with local partners to ensure those who struggle with SUD have immediate access to evidence-based care, and to see those efforts have a significant positive impact on the SUD epidemic in our community.”
Richey brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and skill to RCA at Lighthouse.
“The enormity of the battle before us is daunting, but the opportunity to make a life-altering difference in our community and in thousands of human lives are what make my role far more than just a job,” she said. “I am personally and professionally invested in every patient’s journey to reach and maintain recovery so we can fulfill RCA’s mission to save one million lives. People living and struggling with addiction in our beloved state should know they are not alone.”
The honorees were chosen by a panel of independent judges, and Healthcare Heroes recognizes individuals and organizations across 12 categories. The “Health Care Professional” category honors individuals in healthcare whose job performance is considered exemplary by patients and peers.
If you or your loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health issues associated with addiction, the staff at Recovery Centers of America is here to help.
Call 1-844-5-RCA-NOW (844-722-2669) for help today.
