Promotion of accomplished legal advisor will position behavioral health provider for continued success
PLANO, Texas (January 14, 2025) – Oceans Healthcare, a behavioral health provider focused on healing and long-term recovery, today announced the promotion of Laura Tarantino to chief legal officer. Tarantino, a 10-year veteran of the organization, most recently served as executive vice president, general counsel and compliance and privacy officer.
Since Tarantino joined Oceans in 2014, she has played a key role in advancing systems and processes that support the organization’s focus on operating with integrity, ensuring compliance with health care regulations, mitigating risks and providing strategic guidance on all legal matters. Under her leadership, Oceans established a meticulously structured framework that helps the organization’s 48 facilities across the country properly adhere to federal and state laws related to patient privacy, quality of care and protection of health care workers.
She has been instrumental in facilitating Oceans’ growth by managing legal aspects of the company’s de novo facility development, acquisitions and partnerships, such as those with Haven Behavioral Healthcare, UT Health East Texas, Ochsner LSU Health, Norman Regional Health System, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System and Ochsner Lafayette General.
In her new role, Tarantino will continue to leverage her deep expertise to oversee and guide Oceans’ legal and regulatory affairs, providing elevated leadership and strategic direction that fosters alignment with legal and ethical standards within the behavioral health field.
“Laura is an exceptional leader and dedicated mental health advocate who has deep understanding of Oceans’ business objectives and the legal and governance intricacies that accompany them,” said Stuart Archer, Oceans Healthcare CEO. “With her extensive industry knowledge, coupled with her commitment to quality excellence and ethical conduct, Laura will continue to have a positive impact on our organization and patients.”
Before joining Oceans, Laura served as a senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for F.A. Richard & Associates. Prior to that, she was the executive vice president and general counsel for APS Healthcare, and served as general counsel for Psychiatric Solutions.
Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University, a juris doctorate from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and is a certified public accountant. She is a member of the Louisiana Hospital Association’s Legislative, Regulatory & Policy Council and a past president of the Louisiana Association for Behavioral Health. Laura was also named a Corporate Counsel Awards finalist by D CEO magazine and received the Dallas Diversity Week’s Top General Counsel award by the Texas Diversity Council.