AtlantiCare finalizes John Brooks Recovery Center acquisition

AtlantiCare finalized its previously announced acquisition of John Brooks Recovery Center, the Egg Harbor Township-based health care provider announced Sept. 30.  

JBRC will now be referred to as John Brooks Recovery Center, a member of AtlantiCare. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

The move, which was announced in January, makes AtlantiCare southeastern New Jersey’s largest provider of mental health, substance use/addiction recovery services and family care social services, according to the announcement. 

“For nearly three decades, AtlantiCare has been committed to addressing the growing need for services to support individuals with behavioral health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring health issues,” Lori Herndon, AtlantiCare president and CEO, said in a statement. “The pandemic dramatically increased the need for these services while also affecting the viability of organizations that provide this critical care, including John Brooks Recovery Center.” 

Herndon said the acquisition allows JBRC to continue providing these services, which are offered through a residential treatment facility, opioid treatment programs, and outpatient and intensive outpatient substance use treatment programs.  

AtlantiCare also adds JBRC’s Sober Living Housing, primary health care clinic for individuals with hepatitis C and Community Peer Recovery centers.

Michael Santillo, previously CEO of JBRC, is now director II for AtlantiCare. He will have oversight of the JBRC team and will help to integrate its services with the AtlantiCare team.

“JBRC has long partnered with AtlantiCare in caring for individual patients and clients and addressing the opioid epidemic and other behavioral health issues,” Santillo said. 

He added that the move will allow the health care providers to continue their support of patients affected by substance use disorders, “which is so vital to long-term recovery.” 

“The John Brooks Recovery Center has provided expert, compassionate care for individuals and families for more than 50 years,” Herndon said. “Additionally, it offered one of the first opioid treatment programs in the county. JBRC has transformed care, broken down stigmas, and saved lives and families by caring for so many underserved individuals in our community. We are excited to welcome JBRC’s experienced, dedicated professionals to our team.”