Mar 31, 2025
Career Achievement, Diversity, Journalism, Quality, and Volunteerism
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is pleased to unveil the recipients of its 2025 awards for leadership excellence in the realm of addiction treatment services. These annual awards commend remarkable achievements, elevate awareness, and galvanize sustained excellence within the industry. The awards serve as a testament to the transformative impact of individuals and organizations committed to advancing addiction treatment services. By honoring their exceptional contributions, NAATP hopes to inspire continued innovation, advocacy, and collaboration, ultimately driving positive change and improving outcomes for individuals affected by addiction.
Dr. James West Quality Improvement Award
The Recovery Research Institute (RRI)
The Recovery Research Institute (RRI) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School has been selected as the recipient of the NAATP 2025 Dr. James West Quality Improvement Award. The award recognizes new, innovative, and successful clinical, operational, and systemic advancements that improve the quality and quantity of addiction treatment. RRI’s work has significantly advanced the field of addiction recovery through research revealing the importance of long-term support services, stigma-reducing language, and other supportive interventions. RRI’s education and advocacy work has made major strides in building awareness of the need for and path to expanding the reach of addiction recovery. These extraordinary efforts make RRI the perfect candidate to receive this year’s Quality Improvement honor.
Nelson Bradley Career Achievement Award
Gary Fisher
Mr. Gary Fisher will receive the distinguished Nelson Bradley Career Achievement Award. The Award recognizes the career-long achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to addiction treatment and recovery services. From Mr. Fisher’s first position working an admissions desk, to joining a nascent Cirque Lodge and nurturing and guiding it to a 100 bed highly effective and trusted treatment center of excellence, always learning first and then mentoring others, he has modeled principled leadership. He has embodied the spirit of service and collaboration always focused on serving the patient wherever the best placement might be. Mr. Fisher served 12 years on the NAATP Board of Directors where his service was marked by leaving personal interests at the door and serving NAATP and the field at large. As the field became threatened by unprincipled bad actors and an ethics crisis emerged, Mr. Fisher helped lead the way as NAATP took on the difficult task of cleaning house and demonstrating and implementing ethical professional practices.
Michael Ford Journalism Award
Dr. Claudia Black
Dr. Claudia Black is the recipient of the Michael Ford Journalism Award in recognition of her exemplary contributions to raising awareness about critical issues surrounding addiction and recovery through her published works. The award recognizes high standards of journalistic excellence in the awareness, research, writing, and presentations of addiction information that demonstrate the value of and need for recovery through addiction treatment. Dr. Black’s career body of work is extraordinary and still growing. Her international reputation for pioneering work with family systems, addictive disorders, and children impacted by addiction is well-deserved and has informed and advanced an entire field. Dr. Black has shared the information in numerous journal articles and books that make the content accessible on many levels.
Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity, and Racial Equity Award
Dr. Dietra Hawkins
Dr. Dietra Hawkins is this year’s honoree for the Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity, and Racial Equity Award. The Award recognizes champions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the addiction treatment and recovery field. Dr. Hawkin’s decades of work, in both recognizing the pain and discomfort people feel today and maintaining a vibrant belief that we can all heal, provides hope and strength – not just for people with addiction issues and those who love and care for them – but for all of us who are ready for positive change. We are inspired by Dr. Hawkin’s example and hope to spread awareness and the reach of her inclusive message to our membership and beyond.
Dr. Jasper Chen See Volunteer Leadership Award
Sherri Layton
Ms. Sherri Layton is the recipient of the esteemed Dr. Jasper G. Chen See Volunteer Leadership Award. The award recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional and sustained volunteer leadership in addiction treatment in the spirit of service. Ms. Layton exemplifies this award. Without exception, she has made herself available whenever called to do so, whether for NAATP, NAADAC, the State of Texas, or individuals in need. Ms. Layton’s particular skill as it concerns government relations and public policy on both the state and federal levels has lifted our work and demonstrated the essential need for educated zealous advocacy. NAATP’s first Federal Hill Day would not have been a success without her encouragement, grass roots activity, and strong connections made possible by the trust and respect she has earned.
Founded in 1978, NAATP is a national professional membership society and business association of addiction treatment providers. Its mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, training, and other membership support services to ensure the equitable availability and highest quality of addiction treatment.
We congratulate each of our 2025 award recipients. They honor all of us through the work they do. The 2025 Awards will be presented at the Opening Night Banquet on May 18, 2025, at NAATP’s 46th Annual Addiction Treatment Leadership Conference at the Sheraton Grand Downtown in Seattle, WA.
Register to attend NAATP National 2025
Learn More about the NAATP Addiction Treatment Leadership Awards
Read 2025 Awards Press Release
