Santa Fe, NM — Dr. James Besante has joined Santa Fe Recovery Center (SFRC) as Chief Medical Officer. In his new role, Dr. Besante will provide medical leadership and oversight for the evidence-based programs SFRC offers. 

“I’m honored to be joining this organization at a time when they are embarking on a new growth phase to meet the complex and unique needs of our patients and communities,” said Dr. Besante about his new position. “I am particularly passionate about SFRC’s work to eliminate health disparities in rural, underserved counties. I’m confident we can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families facing our state’s drug epidemic, and I’m excited to be part of this team.” 

Stacy Martin, CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Besante to Santa Fe Recovery Center. He has a stellar national reputation, but has a sincere heart for the issues his fellow New Mexicans are facing. We are looking forward to his leadership and expertise as we expand our efforts to help people in our state overcome addiction and build healthier lives.” 

A native of New Mexico, Dr. Besante earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 2011 and a Doctorate of Medicine from the UNM School of Medicine in 2015. He completed post-graduate medical training in internal medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital, a Harvard-affiliated residency program, and addiction medicine specialty training at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. 

Before joining SFRC, Dr. Besante served as Director of the Carle Substance Use Disorders Leadership Center, which coordinates the development of addiction services focused on prevention, treatment and long-term recovery across Illinois. In this role, he worked closely with community stakeholders, health systems and state agencies to build treatment capacity in underserved communities. 

A passionate researcher and educator focused on the intersection of addiction medicine and health technology, Dr. Besante previously served as Clinical Assistant Professor at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the nation’s first engineering-based medical school. In Illinois, he was Director of a Project ECHO Fellowship Program that trains primary care providers in underserved communities to treat addiction. 

In 2022, Dr. Besante was awarded the Inspirational Young Alumnus Award by the UNM Alumni Association for his commitment to excellence in post-academic life as an emerging leader. 

Since 2017, Santa Fe Recovery Center has experienced significant growth, enabling the organization to serve more clients annually, increase the number of client beds tenfold to more than 200 beds in 2022, and sustain client engagement through outpatient treatment and alumni recovery support. Each individual seeking treatment is provided the same high-quality, compassionate care, regardless of background, income or insurance.