Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital is expanding its care team with a new patient navigator role designed to improve treatment pathways for patients with substance use disorders at sister facilities. The navigator provides recovery support and care coordination, supplementing the trained social workers and counselors already on staff.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 50 million Americans have a substance use disorder. SUDs are characterized by the compulsive use of substances despite harmful consequences and often co-occur with trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. A large number of people suffering from substance use disorders have experienced trauma, making comprehensive treatment critical.
The patient navigator role creates improved coordination between Ascension Alexian Brothers and two sister facilities: Ascension Saint Alexius and another behavioral health partner. The navigator’s primary responsibility is to determine whether a patient needs specialized behavioral health care and then facilitate a “warm handoff”—a seamless transfer of care between teams. This approach reduces the need for patients to return to care sites separately for specialty care, instead allowing them to receive behavioral health treatment during their initial admission at one of the Ministry’s suburban hospitals.
Cary Frick, the patient navigator at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, described the complexity of the work: “I have to take so much into account when discussing further care options with a patient. There are always complicated factors like their own willingness to receive additional care and financial and employment realities. Even if a patient may not follow through with additional care when they first come in, I’ve at least planted the seed. Recovery is possible to anyone willing. And of those willing, we have seen remarkable improvement in their lives and in the lives of those who care about them.”
The position was funded through the Ascension Illinois Foundation at a time when substance overuse and abuse have widespread impact across the country. Receiving treatment and developing tools to address co-occurring conditions like anxiety and PTSD are critical to achieving long-term recovery. Ascension Illinois is committed to serving people with SUDs in the northwest suburbs. Those seeking a free assessment can call the behavioral health team at (855) 383-2224 available 24/7.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://about.ascension.org/news/2026/05/ascension-alexian-brothers-behavioral-health-hospital-improving-care-for-those-with-substance-use-disorders