Dr. Frank James has joined Mind Springs Health as outpatient medical director of the Western Colorado mental health and addiction treatment organization.

James leads medical providers involved with outpatient services as well as provides psychiatric services to child and adolescent patients at the West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction.

James brings to his duties experience as president of Behavioral Health Services Consulting. He also held leadership roles with United Healthcare and Optum and has provided expertise nationwide for opioid services reimbursement.

He holds medical and law degrees from Southern Illinois University. He completed his general psychiatry internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center while serving in the Army. He completed fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and forensic psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He serves on the board of directors of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. William Elsass, chief medical officer for Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital, praised the addition. “As the opioid crisis continues to prevail in small, rural communities throughout Western Colorado, Dr. James will be an asset to our team providing, medically assisted treatment and ongoing therapy to patients with addiction. His business acumen is a welcome addition to our senior leadership team, and we’re looking forward to Dr. James’ contribution to our organization both as a leader and as a psychiatrist.”

Mind Springs Health serves a 10-county region covering a total of 23,000 square miles in Western Colorado. Mind Springs Health offers counseling and therapy for mental wellness as well as assists individuals and families dealing with substance abuse and addiction. For more information, visit www.mindspringshealth.org.