Wedding toasts, happy hours, and New Year’s Eve are common occasions to have fun with loved ones and a drink. Our culture tends to normalize the consumption of alcohol. However, many people blur [...]
“What kind of people go to rehab?” There isn’t a simple answer to this question because anyone can be affected by addiction. This also means that anyone can choose [...]
Evidence suggests that people who struggle with dependence on one substance, such as alcohol or heroin, are at risk for developing an addiction to another substance. Unlike the concept of [...]
Drug and alcohol abuse has a significant impact on the workplace, with an estimated 15.5 million employed individuals admitting to illicit drug use, according to SAMSHA. Substance abuse causes [...]
Before the First Stage – Pre-Alcoholism Alcoholism does not appear without warning. Many signs exist before someone becomes dependent on alcohol. In this early stage, called Pre-Alcoholism, [...]
When your loved one becomes consumed by the disease of addiction, it affects every aspect of their life, including their relationship with you. Loving someone who struggles with substance use [...]
This article was originally published by Birmingham Medical News and written by Mike Wilkerson, MD Corporate Medical Director at Bradford Health Services. With the imminent emergency of the Covid [...]
“I can’t miss work.” People often delay starting their drug or alcohol treatment. They do this because they are scared of losing their job or delaying career goals. Many are also afraid [...]
This article is the second part of a series on Understanding Addiction, adapted from Bradford Medical Director Dr. Mike Wilkerson’s presentation. Click here for part one: Understanding [...]
This article is part one of a new series, Understanding Addiction. The dictionary defines addiction as “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or [...]
Addiction. Substance Abuse. Substance Dependency. While these terms are similar and related in certain situations, they are not the same. Defining the terms can help us better understand the [...]
Looking for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs in Alabama? According to the latest available data reported by the Alabama Department of Mental Health*, the drug overdose death rate continues to [...]
Slip vs. Relapse? Is a slip and relapse the same thing? Many people in recovery hear the terms slip and relapse, and wonder if they are the same thing. Sometimes slip and relapse are used [...]
Formerly called shell shock, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was once believed to only affect war veterans. Today, we know much more about this complex mental health condition, including [...]
Sometimes you instinctively know something isn’t quite right with a friend, a family member or colleague. You suspect potential drug or alcohol use but you feel helpless and don’t know how to [...]
The world is full of opposing forces, tensions. They are at work in each and every life. Life’s pressures push and pull all of us. But those in active addiction often self medicate just to [...]
Loving an addict often feels hopeless. If you have ever loved someone in active addiction, you may feel used and abused. Compassion may not seem like a natural response, and there are times when [...]
Relapse doesn’t happen overnight. Several relapse warning signs appear before you fall completely back into chemical dependency. In addition, one slip may not mean you’ve totally [...]
Yes. Alcohol is a drug. There is no way around it. As the most widely used and accepted drug, alcohol has wreaked havoc on millions of families. People from all different socio-economic [...]
Bradford Health Services provides effective and affordable drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Through our top-rated inpatient rehab centers and innovative outpatient rehab programs, we offer real, lasting recovery to those affected by substance use disorders.
Bradford Health Services
2101 Magnolia Avenue South, Suite 518
Birmingham , AL 35205
1-888-762-3740
All Bradford Health Services primary facilities are accredited by The Joint Commission.
Bradford Health Services accepts most major insurances and provides private pay options.
Bradford Health Services is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) and may offer NBCC approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.
Bradford is committed to helping people access our premier treatment services. We are in network with most major insurance providers and recognized by leading carriers for our outcomes and strong continuum of care.
Complete the insurance verification form and a Recovery Advisor will discuss your benefits, our no cost consultation process and treatment options with you. Call us at: 866-408-5775 or chat with us now. You landed here for a reason, let us help you get to the next level in your life.
Zach Ludwig, LPC, MHSP. Zach is Bradford’s Vice President of Clinical Services and Accreditation. He joined Bradford in 2011. He has strong experience working with adults and adolescents who struggle with substance-abuse disorders. He’s committed to helping their families, as well. As corporate director, he’s part of a team that develops and oversees clinical programs and services at all of Bradford’s locations.
Before taking on his current role, Zach was a primary counselor and clinical program director at one of our outpatient locations. He’s a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and a Licensed Professional Counselor, with Mental Health Service Provider designation, in Tennessee.
Mark Edwards
Chief Financial Officer
Mark joined Bradford Health Services during 2019, bringing over 25 years of health care leadership experience. Prior to joining Bradford, he was CFO of an ambulatory care management company, held leadership finance positions in an academic medical center as well as Senior Vice President of a national healthcare company.
Mark has an extensive background in many areas of the healthcare industry. He is proud to join operational and clinical leadership with focuses on superior patient care, improving margins, process improvements as well as strategic company direction.
Mark earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Auburn University and is a CPA.
Julia Hughes
Corporate Compliance Officer
Since the summer of 2018, Julia has served as Compliance Officer for the Red Oak Recovery Division. In January 2020 her role increased to companywide Corporate Compliance Officer. In this position, she is responsible for promoting and ensuring Bradford company policies and compliance, including internal complaint reporting systems, as well as development and implementation of corrective action plans. Julia is detail oriented and passionate about creating safe environments in which healing and recovery can take place.
She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina in Asheville with a minor in Neuroscience.
Way Brunson
Information Technology Director
Way Brunson is Bradford’s Information Technology Director and brings over 20 years of Information Technology experience to the company. Way joined the company in 2019 and is responsible for Information Technology strategy, management, and security for all of Bradford Health’s technology needs.
Prior to joining Bradford, Way worked in IT leadership roles with Acuity Brands, Walter Energy, and most recently Alacare Home Health and Hospice.
Way earned a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Alabama’s school of Commerce and Business Administration and an MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.
JR Curbow
VP of Patient Admissions
JR Curbow is the VP of Admissions for Bradford. JR worked for many years in the banking industry specializing in IT. He spent 15 years working as the Director of Admissions at Bradford’s Warrior Lodge. He left Bradford for nearly ten years to pursue entrepreneur interests. While separated from Bradford JR longed to come back to impact lives. He joined Bradford again in 2018 and leads all aspects of Bradford’s Admissions process.
Kathleen Kelley, LCSW, MSW, is Chief Operating Officer of our Warrior Lodge facility. With more than 30 years’ experience in behavioral health, she’s held leadership posts at residential addiction-treatment centers and behavioral healthcare hospitals.
Since 1991, Kathleen has served our patients by leading a number of our clinical programs. Her roles have included Clinical Director for adult and adolescent programs, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and Assistant Administrator of our Warrior residential addiction-treatment center.
In 2013, she became chief operating officer of Crescent Pines Hospital, a psychiatric hospital serving children, adolescents and adults. Three years later, Kathleen returned to Bradford to head our 84-bed residential adult and adolescent treatment center in Madison.
She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a master’s degree in social work from Florida State University.
Clay Simmons
Chairman of the Board
Since 1977, Clay has worked to improve addiction treatment in the public, non-profit and private sectors. He came to Bradford in 1986 from Charter Medical Corporation, where he administered the adult and adolescent treatment units. Thanks to his leadership, Bradford today is one of the premier providers of treatment for addiction in adults and adolescents.
Clay has long advocated for care that’s effective, more affordable and easier for people to access. He’s been a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Programs since its inception and serves on its Board of Directors. Other initiatives he’s part of include Anonymous Hands for Recovery, a non-profit that provides financial help to people who can’t afford treatment, and the Alabama Statewide Healthcare Coordinating Council.
A member of Bradford’s Board of Directors, Clay is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Georgia. He earned his master’s degree from Georgia Southern University.
Mike Rickman
President and CEO
Mike brings to Bradford a wealth of executive-management experience in health care. Before joining us in 2018, he was CEO of a hospital in the Tenet Healthcare system. Earlier, he co-founded and was chief operating officer of a company that managed ambulatory care centers. Before then, he was an executive with a national healthcare provider … serving as Senior Vice President of its ambulatory surgery-center division.
Mike’s a champion of superior patient care, which is one of many reasons we’re proud to have him on board. At Tenet, he introduced inventive methods to track the patient experience. He believes that employee satisfaction is directly linked to patient satisfaction.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Auburn University and his MBA degree from University of West Alabama.
Roy Ramsey
VP of Residential Division
Roy Ramsey is Executive Director of our Warrior (AL) facility. He’s served in this role since 1993 … nine years after he joined our team as Assistant Administrator. Under Roy’s direction, Warrior has experienced major growth. Today, it is recognized as one of the leading providers of substance-abuse treatment in the country.
His professional affiliations include the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and the Society of Human Resource Management.
Roy earned his B.S. degree in Health Services Administration from Auburn University, and his MBA from Nova Southeastern University. He and his wife have four children and four grandchildren.
Scott Beatty
VP of Human Resources
Scott Beatty is Bradford’s Vice President of Human Resources. Scott joined the company in 2018 and brings over 20 years of Human Resources experience to the company. In his role, Scott oversees the HR leadership and vision of the company and supports all aspects of human capital including Benefits, Payroll, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, and Employee Relations.
Prior to joining Bradford, Scott worked in HR leadership roles with such companies as GEICO, TeleTech Holdings, DST Health Solutions, and most recently Books-A-Million.
Scott earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University and a MBA from the University of North Texas. He also holds both the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications in Human Resources.
Valeta Neal
VP of Outpatient Division
Valeta Neal has more than 30 years in the healthcare field and comes to Bradford from Brookwood Baptist Health Primary and Specialty Care Network as their chief executive officer. Responsible for developing outpatient programs, Valeta worked closely with the physician and operations staff. Her experience as a strategic and operational leader is instrumental in her role as VP of the Outpatient Division. Early in her career, she found that she enjoyed the healthcare culture, which offered the opportunity to focus on financial performance, planning and operations in an industry whose mission is to promote health, quality and service. Valeta received her Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
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Will Ivey, Bradford’s Corporate Controller, is in charge of all of our accounting and finance functions. Before joining us, he worked in the clinical and genetics laboratory space, where he was responsible for finance, revenue-cycle and managed-care operations. He also has substantial experience with a regional public accounting firm, where he provided audit and consulting services to healthcare organizations.
A veteran of the United States Navy, Will is a CPA and holds an MBA degree from Auburn University. He’s an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Jackie Fazeli, RN, MSW, has served Bradford and our patients in various capacities for more than 20 years. Since 2000, she’s held the key role of Healthcare Professional Advocate in our Healthcare Professional Program (HCP), located in Warrior, Alabama.
Drawing on her expertise as both a registered nurse and a social worker, Jackie manages the evaluation of all patients. She and her three-member team make sure that the complex needs of health professionals in our care are being met.
Since 1998, Jackie has developed and presented workshops on addiction issues. Her focus for the past 15 years has been on women’s issues and health professionals with substance-use disorders.
Michael Wilkerson, M.D., FASAM
Medical Director
Dr. Mike is Medical Director of Bradford’s large facility in Warrior, Alabama. He’s been a member of our team since 2006, after serving as medical director for two other healthcare providers.
Renowned for his work in addiction treatment, he is a specialist in treating addiction in healthcare professionals. At Bradford, he directs one of the leading addiction-recovery programs for people in the healing professions … in the U.S. and beyond.
Dr. Mike earned his undergraduate degree from Furman University and his M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed his internship and residency at New Hanover Memorial Hospital in Wilmington, N.C. In addition to holding many professional licenses and certifications, Dr. Mike is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
