Gateway Rehab President Reappointed to Three-Year Term on State Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council

PITTSBURGH – Governor Edward Rendell reappointed Kenneth S. Ramsey, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Gateway Rehabilitation Center, to a three-year term on the Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.  Ramsey has served on the council since it was established by the Governor in 2004.

The advisory council is charged to develop a statewide plan for drug and alcohol treatment and prevention and regulations to establish funding priorities. The Commonwealth’s secretary of health directs the advisory council, which includes Ramsey and other experienced addiction professionals.  Ramsey, who has led Gateway to national prominence in drug and alcohol prevention and treatment, is also the current chairman of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, which is the national voice of the addiction treatment field in the areas of public policy, advocacy, and funding.

“Having a voice in policy development is critical to improving access to treatment,” Ramsey said.  “Adequate funding is crucial to meeting the need and demand for addiction treatment.  Alcohol and drug abuse, especially among youth, is a major health and social problem that affects our communities, our schools, and our families.  It is imperative that we all speak out about this serious and deadly epidemic affecting our country today.”

Research indicates that investing in treatment results in savings in health care costs for insurers and employers.  “Beyond these important benefits,” Ramsey added, “treatment helps to save lives.  In this regard, the savings are incalculable.”

Gateway opened its adult inpatient facility in 1972 in Center Township (Beaver County), PA.  Over the next 33 years, Gateway aggressively expanded and diversified services, created an outpatient treatment network, and initiated treatment programs for youth.  The result is a network of locations throughout Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio that annually delivers care to over 8,000 individuals and their families.

Ramsey is president of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce and member of the CEO Club of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Rotary.  In March, he received the 2005 Health Care Executive Hero Award in recognition of his efforts to improve the quality of health care for residents of the Pittsburgh area.  He was named administrator of the year in May by the American College of Addiction Treatment Administrators.

Ramsey is a graduate of Wheeling College (now Wheeling Jesuit University) and Fordham University in New York City.  He earned a Ph.D. degree in social work/strategic planning from the University of Pittsburgh.  Ramsey resides in Imperial, PA.

Gateway Rehabilitation Center is a private, non-for-profit organization offering comprehensive prevention services and treatment for adults, youth and families with alcohol and other drug problems.  With locations throughout Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, Gateway provides services for over 9,000 individuals annually.