Meet the Experts Behind Adaptive Care Network
Meet the experts behind our physician-led medical network.
At the heart of the Adaptive Care Network is a diverse collective of experts specializing in addiction medicine, behavioral health, and dual-diagnosis care. Our corporate leadership provides the strategic vision and high standards of safety that define the ACN brand, while our facility-level clinical teams provide the hands-on, daily support required for deep psychological healing.
From board-certified medical directors to licensed therapists and dedicated case managers, every member of our staff is committed to a single goal: providing evidence-based treatment that treats the whole person, not just the symptoms of dependency.
Compassionate Leadership. National Impact.
Adaptive Care Network Corporate Team
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New Jersey’s Trusted Partner in Healing
New Jersey Recovery Solutions
Khushbu Modh
Clinical Director
With more than ten years of experience in the field, I’ve seen first hand how therapy, mindfulness training, DBT and CBT can change a person’s life. Helping people to learn, grow, overcome or manage anxiety, and improve their mental health has been my privilege since finishing grad school more than a decade ago.
I always knew I wanted to help people, and I’ve learned that the best way is to meet a person where they are, listen intently, and help them on their own unique path. I remember this with every client I serve. My job is help you find what works for you and work with you to clear any obstacles that stand between you and your goals.
Therapy is a journey that can profoundly impact a person’s life. If you’re ready to see where it can take you, I’m ready to be there with you, supporting and guiding you along the way.
Khushbu Modh
Ken Farley
Director of Operations
Ken Farley
Ken Farley is a driven and results-oriented professional with a proven track record in housing and operational leadership. He began his career as a Housing Technician, where his strong work ethic, integrity, and hands-on approach quickly set him apart. Through dedication, honesty, and a commitment to excellence, Ken advanced into the role of Director of Housing, gaining extensive experience in program oversight, team leadership, and operational efficiency. This foundation seamlessly positioned him to transition into Director of Operations, where he continues to lead with transparency, accountability, and a focus on sustainable growth.
Leanna Kurnel
Leanna, born and raised in New Jersey, she brings over six years of experience in the behavioral health field, along with her own journey with recovery. Leanna’s work is driven with a passion for helping others and families find hope, healing, and long-term recovery through compassionate, client-centered care. Leanna holds an associate degree in Business Administration and is continuing her studies at Fordham University to enhance her impact to continue to help others in the community.
Raffael DeLuca
Case Manager
Raffael DeLuca
Raffael De Luca’s professional path has never followed a straight line. He began his career in music, touring internationally as a professional DJ and producer before transitioning into the corporate and marketing world, where he spent over a decade building brands and leading campaigns. While successful, that work eventually prompted a deeper reflection on purpose and meaning.
Driven by lived experience and a growing desire to help others, Raffael shifted into the recovery field, starting in direct care roles and gradually taking on more clinical responsibility. He now facilitates groups and supports individuals navigating addiction, mental health challenges, and major life transitions, with an approach that emphasizes honesty, structure, and human connection.
Raffael is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Rutgers University with the goal of becoming a dual-licensed clinician. His work is grounded in empathy, accountability, and the belief that meaningful change happens when people feel both supported and challenged.
Marisa Rios
As an Addictions and Mental Health Therapist, Marisa supports individuals in recovery, emotional well-being, and personal growth through a compassionate, client-centered approach that acknowledges the connection between mental health, substance use, and life experiences. Marisa works collaboratively with clients to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, substance use, stress, and relationship challenges, using evidence-based approaches to create a safe, non-judgmental space that empowers meaningful change, builds coping skills, and supports long-term wellness and recovery.
Dedicated to Your Recovery
Forward Health Ohio
David Palumbo, LSW
Executive Director
LSW Executive Director, Forward Health David Palumbo is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio with over 8 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Throughout his career, David has specialized in supporting individuals with complex mental health and substance use challenges, with a strong focus on evidence-based interventions, recovery-oriented care, and community integration.As the Executive Director of Forward Health, David oversees organizational strategy, program development, and clinical compliance. Under his leadership, Forward Health has strengthened its commitment to providing compassionate, client-centered treatment and has expanded services to ensure individuals have access to comprehensive behavioral health care. David is known for his collaborative leadership style, dedication to staff development, and passion for creating systems that empower both clients and providers. His background as a front-line clinician informs his administrative vision, ensuring that Forward Health’s services remain rooted in real-world needs and best practices
David Palumbo
Alana Hissong
Admissions Director
Alana Hissong
Alana Hissong is a dedicated and compassionate professional serving as the Director of Admissions at Forward Health. With extensive experience in the substance use treatment field, Alana works closely with individuals and families at one of the most critical points in their journey—helping guide them toward clarity, stability, and hope. She is currently pursuing a degree in Social Work, driven by a desire to deepen her impact and advocate for ethical, person-centered care.
As a mother and a person in recovery, Alana brings both professional expertise and lived experience into her work, allowing her to connect with others in a genuine and meaningful way. She believes strongly in meeting people where they are, reducing barriers to treatment, and ensuring every individual feels respected and supported from the very first call. Alana’s life and work are rooted in purpose, resilience, and a belief that recovery is possible when people are met with compassion, honesty, and care.
Linda Nichols
Director of Housing
Linda Nichols
I love working with my staff and training them. Helping them reach they’re fullest potential. While being able to be committed to helping the clients in the houses. That’s their homes and they need to feel comfortable and safe. That’s where I gained the most insight in my treatment stay. Housing is where my passion is due to that. 9 1/2 years clean myself and in my free time I’m with my family, sober support, and my two pittbulls zeke and jett. Go bucks of course.
Ali Liles, MEng
Dir. of Financial Operations & Efficiency
Ali Liles, MEng
Ali Liles is an experienced professional in the behavioral health field with a robust background in engineering. Holding a master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, she has dedicated the last eight years to enhancing systems and processes within the industry. Ali specializes in financial and systematic improvements, leveraging engineering principles to drive effective change in behavioral health services. Her innovative approaches and analytical skills have significantly contributed to optimizing operations and fostering positive outcomes for clients and organizations alike.
Amber VanDine, LPC
Clinical Director
Amber VanDine, LPC
Amber Van Dine, LPCC, PRSS, is a passionate clinical mental health professional with seven years of experience in the field and a strong focus on substance use and addiction treatment over the past four years. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary and is licensed as a Professional Clinical Counselor, as well as certified as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist. In her role as Clinical Director, Amber combines her clinical expertise with lived understanding and compassionate leadership to support individuals on their journey to recovery. Her work is rooted in creating a supportive, client-centered environment that promotes healing, growth, and lasting change.
Ashley Greene
Director of Compliance
Ashley Greene
Ashley Greene brings over 14 years of experience in the behavioral health field, including 11 years dedicated to substance abuse treatment. As Forward Health’s Director of Human Resources and Compliance, she combines a data-driven mindset with a deep understanding of the human element at the core of care. Known for her thoughtful and balanced approach, Ashley is passionate about creating systems that support both regulatory integrity and staff well-being. Her work focuses on aligning policy, people, and purpose—ensuring that the organization remains compliant while fostering a positive, accountable workplace culture. Ashley’s leadership is grounded in practicality and purpose, with a focus on building sustainable processes, supporting professional growth, and strengthening organizational trust.
Julie Stone
IOP Coordinator
Julie Stone
Julie is proud to share that she has been sober for 3,819 days, which is 10 years, 5 months, and 16 days. She is a mother of four. Two of her daughters are in recovery from addiction, and two do not struggle with addiction. She realized that if she wanted her daughters to achieve sobriety, she needed to make changes in her own life. This led her to stop drinking and subsequently to work in this field as her daughters went to treatment. While the journey was not easy, she truly believes that recovery is a beautiful process. Julie serves as the IOP Coordinator and one of her core beliefs is that clients should always be treated with respect and dignity, as they have often been hard enough on themselves. She has found her true purpose in this field: helping individuals who struggle with the disease of addiction, and empowering them to understand their disease so they can better combat it.
David Baumgartner
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
David Baumgartner
David Baumgartner serves as Forward Health’s Chief Financial Officer. David has over 30 years of experience in financial leadership roles in a variety of industries. David started his career in public accounting with Ernst & Young, then served various privately-held companies as a corporate controller, chief accounting officer, and CFO. David currently serves as a fractional CFO for Forward Health and other small and medium sized businesses through FocusCFO.
Dr. Ferdinand Fojas, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Ferdinand Fojas, MD
Dr. Ferdinand Fojas is the Medical Director at Forward Health, bringing over 30 years of clinical experience to his role. A graduate of the University of Toledo Medical Center, Dr. Fojas has dedicated his career to serving patients across a range of settings, with a focus on mental health, addiction medicine, and emergency medicine. His comprehensive background and commitment to evidence-based care support Forward Health’s mission to deliver compassionate, integrated treatment for individuals facing complex health challenges. Dr. Fojas leads with a patient-centered approach, drawing on decades of hands-on experience to guide medical strategy, provider education, and quality care delivery.
Trusted Care in Huntington
Huntington Beach Recovery Center
Anet Khechoumian, MS, MBA, LMFT
Clinical Director
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for over 10 years, I have dedicated my career to treating those effected by substance abuse, and have the privilege to partake in the recovery of each individual. As a Clinical Director, I aim to model a structure of appropriate and ethical treatment for individuals and loved ones struggling with addiction. I take pride in providing the highest level of care, while delivering a platform for knowledge, health, and hope to grow and prosper in recovery.
Anet Khechoumian, MS, MBA, LMFT
Danielle Langford
Program Director
Danielle Langford
Danielle is the Program Director at Huntington Beach Recovery Center, where she oversees the development and delivery of comprehensive, client-centered treatment programs. In this role, she provides strategic leadership to clinical and support teams, ensuring high standards of care, regulatory compliance, and continuous program improvement.
With over 24 years of experience in the addiction treatment and recovery field, Danielle brings deep industry knowledge and a strong commitment to ethical, effective care. She is dedicated to creating structured, compassionate programs that support long-term recovery and meaningful change. Known for her collaborative leadership style and attention to detail, Danielle balances clinical integrity with operational excellence while fostering an environment that promotes accountability, healing, and sustainable recovery.
Jason Banning
Case Manager
Jason Banning
Jason’s life has been shaped by perseverance, self-reflection, and an ongoing commitment to recovery. He began his professional journey working as a graveyard technician, gaining firsthand exposure to the challenges faced by individuals in crisis while balancing his own personal struggles. Over time, substance use and emotional difficulties contributed to periods of instability that affected his relationships, judgment, and overall functioning, ultimately leading him to confront the consequences of his choices.
Through treatment, accountability, and continued self-examination, Jason has developed increasing insight into the patterns that contributed to relapse and emotional dysregulation. He is actively working to build healthier coping strategies, recognize triggers, and maintain responsibility for his recovery. Despite setbacks along the way, each experience has strengthened his resolve and deepened his understanding of the recovery process.
Professionally, Jason worked his way up from his initial role as a graveyard technician to his current position as a case manager, reflecting his dedication to growth, empathy, and service to others. He is currently pursuing further education to expand his skills and knowledge, demonstrating a strong commitment to both personal and professional development. Jason’s story is not defined by perfection, but by progress—marked by resilience, accountability, and a continued focus on long-term stability and meaningful change.
Lily Castro, LVN
West Coast Director of Nursing
Lily Castro
Lily Castro is a licensed vocational nurse specializing in mental health as well as addiction care since 2007. She began her career serving veterans at the VA Hospital and later expanded into private care and multiple treatment environments, including detox, residential programs, and intensive outpatient (IOP) services. Lily is committed to compassionate, evidence‐based care for people in recovery.”Lily Castro is a licensed vocational nurse specializing in mental health and addiction care since 2007. She commenced her career by serving veterans at the VA Hospital and subsequently expanded her practice into private care and various treatment environments, including Primary Mental health programs ,Detox, Residential programs, and intensive outpatient (IOP) services. Mrs Castro is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals that struggle with addiction and mental health.
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen, MD
Supervising Psychiatrist
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen, MD
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen graduated from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York, where fifty percent of his rotations were at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
After his residency he worked at Ventura County Medical Centers in an adult out-patient setting and now lives in Orange County, California. Dr. Thankachen is currently working with Progeny Psychiatric Clinic in an outpatient practice, as well as working at multiple inpatient psychiatric and medical units bringing his patients the most advanced health care treatment in psychiatry
Dr. Thankachen sees patients with an array of disorders, including depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, anxiety, and dementia-related problems. Dr. Thankachen is also involved in professional organizations and societies in good standing including the American Psychiatric Association, Indian Medical Association, and the Karnataka Medical Association.
Our Network of Luxury Facilities
Every Adaptive Care location was built with one goal: to help you heal in a setting that feels safe and deeply restorative. Each Adaptive Care location is uniquely designed to meet diverse needs while maintaining the same unwavering standard of compassion and clinical excellence.
Forward Health Ohio
Columbus, OH
PHP, IOP & OP
A trusted outpatient center offering accessible, community-based addiction and dual-diagnosis treatment with telehealth options, employment support, and a focus on long-term reintegration.