As chief executive officer of Oceans Healthcare, Stuart Archer leads the company’s efforts to expand access to behavioral healthcare services in underserved communities across the country. Since taking helm in 2014, he has grown Oceans’ behavioral health network to 51 locations, including 34 inpatient hospital campuses across nine states. Under his leadership, Oceans has partnered with national academic and acute care health systems, including Ochsner LSU Health, UT Health East Texas and Norman Regional Health System, to build a more efficient care continuum and expand access to high-quality inpatient and outpatient treatment.

Archer has championed innovation in behavioral healthcare, implementing industry-leading quality benchmarking tools such as patient depression and anxiety assessments and a full-scale electronic medical records system. He founded the Texas Association of Behavioral Health Systems to unite providers advocating for patients’ rights, access to care and fair reimbursement. He also participates in the Kennedy Forum, including its annual Alignment for Progress conference, and leads the inaugural Cape Convenings, convening industry leaders to address pressing challenges in mental health and substance use systems.

He has successfully led legislative initiatives, including the elimination of Mississippi’s IMD exclusion, the passage of Louisiana’s first “Patient’s Choice” law granting psychiatric patients written protections to choose their care provider and increases in provider rates across multiple states.

Archer brings more than two decades of leadership experience in post-acute care and behavioral health. Prior to joining Oceans, he served as chief operating officer at LifeCare Management Services and senior vice president of market development for LHC Group.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University, his Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University, and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has been recognized as EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year in Healthcare for the Southwest region and as one of D CEO Magazine’s Outstanding Healthcare Executives.