Learn About Hazelden Betty Ford
Naples, Fla. (September 27, 2022) – Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Ian, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation on Tuesday closed its addiction treatment and mental health center in Naples just minutes before an evacuation order was issued for the area.
In the previous 48 hours, the behavioral health care leader had worked closely with patients and their families to ensure all made their way to appropriate alternative locations.
"We will continue to offer virtual treatment, family and coaching services as long as we have the electricity and ability to do so," said Janelle Wesloh, vice president of Hazelden Betty Ford's East Region and leader of the incident command team activated to assess the situation and develop plans ahead of the storm. "We are also supporting roughly 50 full-time, part-time and on-call staff, who are making a variety of arrangements for their own safety and the safety of their families."
Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples is part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit system of addiction treatment, mental health care and related education, research, prevention and recovery services.
"We are focused intently on patient and staff safety as well as keeping patients engaged in care virtually while the storm passes," said Hazelden Betty Ford President and CEO Joseph Lee, MD. "We also know events such as a hurricane can challenge everyone's well-being, and our outstanding team in Naples will be ready to serve the community in the storm's aftermath as well."
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. As the nation's leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient addiction and mental health care for adults and youth, the Foundation has treatment centers and telehealth services nationwide as well as a network of collaborators throughout health care. Through charitable support and a commitment to innovation, the Foundation is able to continually enhance care, research, programs and services, and help more people. With a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center, the Foundation today is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in its services and throughout the organization, which also encompasses a graduate school of addiction studies, a publishing division, an addiction research center, recovery advocacy and thought leadership, professional and medical education programs, school-based prevention resources and a specialized program for children who grow up in families with addiction.