Landmark Recovery says 2 leaders are out, admissions are paused at addictions rehab
A troubling string of deaths this month at a local addiction treatment center has led the company in charge to part ways with two top administrators and to pause new admissions to the facility.
Landmark Recovery said in a statement it has "separated with" the executive director and the director of nursing at Praxis of South Bend, an all-male drug and alcohol rehab located south of Mishawaka.
In place of these officials, five members of Landmark's senior management team will supervise the 24-hour facility around the clock, the company says. The team includes Chief Operating Officer A.J. Henry and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Kirby.
Landmark won't admit new patients until it ensures that staff at the 160-bed Praxis facility meet the company's health care standards, according to the company's statement.
Troubling deaths: After 3 deaths in a week, St. Joseph County police ask state to shut down Landmark Recovery center
The changes come after St. Joseph County Sheriff Bill Redman made a formal complaint to state regulators last week asking that Praxis be shut down.
The facility at 60257 Bodnar Blvd. has generated hundreds of calls to police since its opening last August, putting an undue strain on department resources, the complaint alleges. Police say more than two dozen incidents have included overdoses, sexual assaults and a stabbing.
Problems escalated earlier this month when three patients died in a week. Two more overdosed, most recently on Thursday, but police revived them with naloxone. At least one more patient died in November.
In a statement to The Tribune Monday, Redman reiterated his call for the state to revoke Landmark's license to run Praxis.
The facility has cycled through four executive directors in 11 months of operation, the sheriff said. He credits Landmark for its attempts over the months to make improvements. But those adjustments have repeatedly fallen short, he said.
"Our first responders, our community and the patients needing treatment can no longer wait for more promises of change at Praxis," Redman said.
The company says its Praxis facility was recently inspected by The Joint Commission, a nonprofit that accredits more than 22,000 U.S. health care programs. Though a full report is still in the works, Landmark says "the preliminary findings indicate that our care model is sound."
A spokeswoman for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which has oversight of addiction treatment facilities like Praxis, said the agency will review all reports of deaths and serious injuries from Landmark and consider next steps.
Email city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jordantsmith09
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Landmark Recovery responds to St. Joseph County sheriff's complaint
