Podcast Summary: Leadership, Compliance, and Expanding Access in Eating Disorder Care with Susan Barrett of Monte Nido
Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode Title: Leadership, Compliance, and Expanding Access in Eating Disorder Care with Susan Barrett of Monte Nido
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Susan Barrett, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Monte Nido
Episode Overview
This episode features a conversation between host Scott Becker and Susan Barrett, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Monte Nido, a nationally recognized leader in eating disorder treatment. The discussion explores Monte Nido’s mission and operations, leadership philosophies, evolving regulatory trends in behavioral healthcare, and the integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in patient care.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to Monte Nido and Susan Barrett (00:37–01:51)
- Susan Barrett’s Role:
- General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Monte Nido for 3+ years.
- Monte Nido delivers a full spectrum of eating disorder care—ranging from inpatient and residential to various outpatient levels—via 50 brick-and-mortar sites and virtual platforms nationwide.
- Interdisciplinary treatment teams: psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, nurses, therapists, and recovery coaches.
- Mission Impact:
- Treats eating disorders, described by Susan as "a pretty deadly mental health disease".
- Work is "pretty rewarding just given the number of clients that we've helped recover." (Susan Barrett, 01:34)
2. Monte Nido’s Current Focus & Growth (02:07–03:19)
- Strategic Goals for 2026:
- Expanding Access: Committed to reaching more patients both in-person and virtually.
- Leadership Updates: New CEO Andy Blankemeyer (appointed in 2025, known for his passion for behavioral healthcare); two new expert board members.
- Outcome Highlights: 2025 outcomes report showed “really strong symptom reduction and client satisfaction.”
- Industry Context: "It's a good time to be a part of the behavioral health space," Susan notes, citing industry growth and ongoing needs.
3. Leadership Philosophy & Advice (03:19–05:55)
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Leadership Values:
- Emphasizes work ethic, relationship-building, and trust.
- “Work hard and do good work. That's obviously step one. But you have to build relationships and trust with the people that you work with.” (Susan Barrett, 04:06)
- Advocates for open communication: staff are encouraged to reach out with any concerns.
- Proactivity and approachability are key—being an accessible resource for staff and fostering a culture of compliance.
- Leadership isn’t only about legal expertise, but about supporting colleagues and internalizing their issues.
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Advice for Emerging Leaders:
- "Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and just find ways to assist."
- “Build that trust with your colleagues…when it comes to a situation where they are stuck, you want them to look to you as a resource. You can protect the company from risk and liability in those situations.” (Susan Barrett, 05:15)
- Reflects on the unique value of being the only in-house attorney, with a broad scope of responsibility and a personal investment in staff needs.
4. Regulatory Trends in Eating Disorder Care (05:55–07:44)
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Top-of-Mind Legal and Compliance Issues:
- Daily monitoring of federal and state actions, court decisions (e.g., Ninth Circuit ruling on ECRA), executive orders, EEOC and HIPAA developments.
- Stresses the importance of being “proactive versus reactive” in response to regulatory change.
- Technology and AI are emerging issues—necessitating a nuanced understanding of legal frameworks around privacy, HIPAA, and efficiency in patient care.
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Quote:
- "We want to increase efficiency in the patient care experience. So in order to do that, we have to be able to manage risk and comply with HIPAA and privacy laws.” (Susan Barrett, 07:22)
5. Challenges of Technology, AI, and the Internet (07:44–09:03)
- AI & Internet Utilization:
- Recognizes both opportunities (improved care, virtual reach) and risks (misinformation, privacy).
- Families and patients often access online resources and tools like ChatGPT, which can create misconceptions or confusion.
- Monte Nido’s approach: prioritize transparency, open communication, and close collaboration with external providers.
- “There's also some dangers, what you just mentioned on misconceptions from what you read online. But I think…our company does a really good job of being transparent with families…” (Susan Barrett, 08:27)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the impact of her work:
- “It’s pretty rewarding just given the number of clients that we’ve helped recover from eating disorders, which is a pretty deadly mental health disease.”
— Susan Barrett (01:34)
- “It’s pretty rewarding just given the number of clients that we’ve helped recover from eating disorders, which is a pretty deadly mental health disease.”
-
On leadership:
- “Work hard and do good work. That's obviously step one. But you have to build relationships and trust with the people that you work with.”
— Susan Barrett (04:06)
- “Work hard and do good work. That's obviously step one. But you have to build relationships and trust with the people that you work with.”
-
On compliance and accessibility:
- “I am the only attorney at the company right now, and anyone can reach out to me at any time. You know, it doesn't matter what I'm doing. It's all important to me.”
— Susan Barrett (05:22)
- “I am the only attorney at the company right now, and anyone can reach out to me at any time. You know, it doesn't matter what I'm doing. It's all important to me.”
-
On managing technology and compliance:
- “We want to increase efficiency in the patient care experience. So in order to do that, we have to be able to manage risk and comply with HIPAA and privacy laws.”
— Susan Barrett (07:22)
- “We want to increase efficiency in the patient care experience. So in order to do that, we have to be able to manage risk and comply with HIPAA and privacy laws.”
-
On combating online misinformation:
- “There's also some dangers, what you just mentioned on misconceptions from what you read online. But I think, you know, our company does a really good job of being transparent with families having open lines of communication…”
— Susan Barrett (08:27)
- “There's also some dangers, what you just mentioned on misconceptions from what you read online. But I think, you know, our company does a really good job of being transparent with families having open lines of communication…”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:37–01:51] – Introduction to Monte Nido, Susan’s role, organization’s model and impact.
- [02:07–03:19] – Strategic priorities and growth for 2026; leadership changes; patient outcome metrics.
- [03:19–05:55] – Leadership philosophy, trust-building, advice for emerging leaders.
- [05:55–07:44] – Compliance landscape and legal/regulatory trends; tech and AI considerations.
- [07:44–09:03] – The influence of AI and internet on patients/families, strategies for transparency and education.
Takeaways
- Expanding access to eating disorder care (both in-person and virtual) remains a core priority for Monte Nido.
- Leadership at Monte Nido is grounded in trust, transparency, and a proactive approach to compliance and staff support.
- Emerging challenges in healthcare law include administrative policies, regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of AI—all requiring constant vigilance.
- Patient and family education is key to navigating an era saturated with online health information, ensuring that care is guided by evidence-based practice and open communication.
This summary encapsulates the episode’s vital themes and provides context for listeners interested in healthcare leadership, regulatory trends, and the evolving landscape of behavioral health treatment.