SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. – Recovery Centers of America (RCA) at Raritan Bay, a drug and alcohol inpatient addiction treatment facility serving communities in northern New Jersey and southern New York state, today announced the promotion of LeoDante Ognibene, as chief executive officer. Ognibene assumes the role after serving as the corporate vice president of nursing operations for RCA, which owns a network of treatment centers on the East Coast and in the Midwest.
Ognibene will lead RCA at Raritan Bay’s day-to-day operations, overseeing all aspects of the facility, including both inpatient and outpatient services.
“I am honored to join RCA at Raritan Bay and lead its team of exceptional addiction specialists in providing the highest standard of quality patient care and customer service in the region,” said Ognibene. “My extensive experience across the health care spectrum, including in acute care, behavioral health, and substance use disorder settings, has prepared me to meet both the center’s operational goals and RCA’s standard of excellence. I am excited to start in this new role at Raritan Bay.”
Addiction treatment services are vital to New Jersey, which has lost more than 14,000 lives to the opioid crisis over the past five years, according to the State of New Jersey Department of Health. In 2023 alone, NJ Cares has recorded 910 suspected overdose deaths and 4,886 Naloxone administrations.
Ognibene joined RCA in 2019 as the corporate director of nursing – medical detox/mental health/residential. In this position, he was responsible for the management of all nursing and nursing ancillary personnel while directly reporting to RCA Chief Executive Officer J. Brian O’Neill. Ognibene supported and directed daily operations of 10 inpatient acute facilities, four medication-assisted treatment (MAT) locations and outpatient services to include intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs servicing thousands of patients daily.
A recipient of numerous awards for exceptional patient and family care and leadership throughout his career, Ognibene’s dedication to serving the community and state extends into his role as a commissioned officer as a clinical nurse in the New Jersey Air National Guard.
“I am proud to lead a life of service, from the patients I treat to the nation I help defend, and now to the staff I will lead,” said Ognibene.
Ognibene earned his registered nurse (RN) degree from Temple Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing and his Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) from Thomas Edison State University. He is expected to earn his Master of Science in nursing (MSN) from Thomas Edison State University in 2025.
RCA at Raritan Bay’s caring team of experts are highly focused on saving and improving the lives of those suffering from addiction to substances such as alcohol, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, Xanax, methamphetamine, prescription drugs and others. No matter the form of one’s struggles with substance abuse, RCA at Raritan Bay provides the life skills needed to move forward, free from drugs and alcohol. The Raritan Bay site is an inclusive and safe treatment option to begin a patient’s journey to addiction recovery.
If you or your loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health issues associated with addiction, the staff at Recovery Centers of America is here to help. Call 1-844-5-RCA-NOW (844-722-2669) for help today.
