Addus HomeCare Corporation has appointed health care executive Heather Dixon its new president and chief operating officer, a move that underscores the companys focus on operational discipline and growth. Dixon is set to assume the role in mid-September after serving as an independent director and member of Addus homecare’s audit committee since 2023.
Dixon joins Addus from Acadia Healthcare, where she served as chief financial officer beginning July 2023. Her tenure at Acadia Healthcare followed a series of senior finance and operations roles across the health care sector, including chief financial officer and interim chief operating officer at Everside Health, senior leadership positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and financial executive roles at Aetna. That breadth of experience across payer, provider and pharmacy organizations positions her to lead Addus as the company pursues expansion in personal care, hospice and home health services.
Addus, headquartered in Frisco, Texas, operates approximately 260 locations in 23 states and serves roughly 62,000 patients. The company has moved to bolster its footprint through acquisitions, announcing the purchase of Helping Hands Home Care Service in Pennsylvania for $21.2 million just days before the leadership change was made public. Company leadership framed the Dixon appointment as part of a broader strategy to drive scale and improve care delivery.
Incoming Addus chairman and chief executive Dirk Allison emphasized Dixon’s combined operational and financial background as a key asset for the company in its next growth phase. Current president and chief operating officer Bradley Bickham will transition to an advisor to the CEO role and remain in that capacity through his planned retirement in March 2026, providing continuity during the leadership transition.
Dixon has publicly expressed strong support for Addus priorities and signaled a commitment to building on the companies existing foundation. Her prior responsibilities at Acadia Healthcare included oversight of finance functions during a period of strategic expansion. At Acadia, she joined a management team driving multiple initiatives to broaden service offerings and increase capacity across a nationwide network of behavioral health facilities.
Acadia Healthcare, recognized as one of the largest standalone behavioral health providers in the United States, operates roughly 250 behavioral health facilities with about 11,100 beds across 39 states and Puerto Rico. The company employs more than 23,000 people and serves tens of thousands of patients daily. Dixon’s appointment at Acadia reflected the companys emphasis on financial stewardship and scaling operations to meet demand for behavioral health services.
Industry observers note that leaders who combine financial acumen with operational experience can accelerate integration and performance improvements following acquisitions and organic growth. For Addus, which has pursued both strategic acquisitions and service expansion, Dixon’s cross-sector experience — including time at Acadia Healthcare and Everside Health — may help the company refine care models while managing financial health.
As Addus positions itself for expansion in home- and community-based services, the leadership change will be watched by stakeholders for its impact on service quality, employee engagement and financial performance. Dixon’s formal transition to president and COO will mark a pivotal step in Addus efforts to scale operations while maintaining clinical and regulatory standards.