Avalon Wellness & Recovery Achieves Joint Commission Accreditation

Samantha Rush, APRN, FNP-C

Medical Director of Residential & Withdrawal Services

Samantha Rush is a compassionate and committed healthcare professional with a strong dedication to serving individuals on their journey to wellness and recovery. As a Family Nurse Practitioner with advanced training and clinical expertise, Samantha brings more than a decade of experience in emergency medicine, behavioral health, and substance use treatment to her role as Medical Director of Residential & Withdrawal Services.

She began her academic journey at Neosho County Community College and Ottawa University, where she was honored with induction into Phi Theta Kappa for academic excellence. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Rockhurst University, becoming a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Driven by a commitment to continuous growth and service, Samantha is currently pursuing additional certifications as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a master’s degree in medical Spanish.

Samantha has served in community mental health and detox programs for the past two years, where she has been recognized for her holistic, person-centered approach to care. Prior to this, she served as an emergency department charge nurse for ten years, bringing leadership and critical care expertise to fast-paced clinical environments. In 2024, Samantha was honored as one of the top five finalists for Best of Lawrence and has been nominated again for 2025, a reflection of her outstanding reputation and dedication to the community.

Outside of her professional life, Samantha is a proud wife and mother to five children and one stepson. She is actively involved in her family’s life as a dedicated cheer mom, baseball mom, and soccer mom—roles she embraces with the same passion and energy she brings to her clinical work.

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Google Reviews

Chantiel Hevel

I can’t say enough about how nice this facility is and how amazing the staff is. As a family member of a recovering addict it truly brings relief to my heart knowing the workers at Avalon genuinely want to help and bring recovery for the people we love. The love and support without judgement is healing and I cannot recommend them enough! Truly, so grateful for them.

Donald Rayton iii jr

Avalon saved my life!
I was in a pit of misery and despair. My twenty plus years of addiction to meth, and my frequent visits to prison took so much time from my family that I felt like a outcast. In my darkest times I had lost the will to live.
Avalon met my wife and I where we were. Meaning in our addiction. They treated us with kindness and absolute understanding, because many of the staff have been down the same paths. There’s nothing like a bunch of complete strangers treating you like they’ve known you for years. Not passing judgement, or acting like they’re above you.
Their approach to addiction counseling is so easy going and understandable that it’s a wonder they ever have open beds. This place is beautiful. The staff is amazing! The CEO makes himself available to clients for small talk and wisdom. The Director is a Wizard! From the Nursing Staff to the Clinical Staff everyone comes to work smiling. You can clearly tell everyone in the building has your best interest at heart.
Today my wife and I are doing amazing. Avalon has armed us with tools to battle our addiction. The work is a constant grind. But it is worth every minute. I’m now available for my family in a way I have never been.
There is no way to measure the gratitude I have for the people at 801 Iowa St. These people are my family now. They are genuine and intentional in all they do. Lawrence, Kansas is lucky to have this place in the community. For it not for them I would still be either in jail, prison, or worse DEAD.
Thank you Avalon! For helping me to take back my life.
God Bless

Derek Fuller

I would recommend Avalon to anyone looking to make a positive and healthy change in their life. I’ve personally struggled with addiction and alcoholism all of my adult life and needed a change, was dreading rehab based on what I had heard from people I knew who had went to various different places. Avalon made me feel comfortable from the very beginning delivering a family oriented atmosphere that allowed me to feel confident in opening up, getting to the root causes of what lead me to and kept me in my addiction for so long. The facilities are amazing with a game room, spa, weight room and soon a pool, however, these are all just bonuses to the amazing staff who genuinely care about everyone who walks through their doors. They are focused on a unique approach to recovery that focuses on both physical and mental health in a relaxed caring atmosphere that has given me everything needed to move forward in life sober and healthy!!

P.S. I will forever be grateful to my new found Avalon Fam keep up the good work the world is a better place with y’all in it!!

Sandi Brooks

I have never stepped foot in a more beautiful place to recover. Not only that, but I have never been apart of such an amazing, supportive team of people that all have the same vision of helping the next addict/alcoholic find their way to their own recovery journey. This place has by far exceeded any expectations that I had. I only wish that I would have had a chance to start my own recovery journey off here over 13 years ago. Top Notch!!

Robert Woody

Amazing leadership and a client centered mentality. They use Evidence based recovery techniques combined with 12 step programs. Brand new facility just opened a bit over a month ago. Has a gym, sauna, client recreation with old style stand up arcade games, air hockey, and TV. I wish this facility had been available when I started my recovery. Full inpatient treatment with medically assisted detox! They are even working on opening up the pool! This place is great!!

Andrew Richards

If anyone, and i mean ANYONE is seeking help with addiction, i highly, HIGHLY recommend Avalon. I started their program on June 27th, and im about to celebrate 30 days of recovery on the 19th, and i graduate on the 25th. My life is 100x better than it has been in the last 5 years, and its all thanks to Avalon!!

Address

Avalon Wellness & Recovery

801 Iowa St, Lawrence, KS 66049, United States

Avalon Wellness & Recovery is proud to announce that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to the highest standards of safety, quality, and patient care.

The Joint Commission is recognized nationwide as a symbol of excellence in health care. Earning accreditation requires rigorous evaluation of an organization’s clinical practices, operational systems, safety protocols, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Avalon completed the entire process, from initial preparation through survey, corrections, and final approval, in just 94 days.

“This achievement reflects the dedication, teamwork, and passion of every person at Avalon,” said Kenneth A. Vick, Executive Director. “While I have been through many audits in my career, including VA, DMH, KDADS, and CARF, this was the first time I was responsible for all aspects of the accreditation process. I’m proud to say we did it together, and we did it quickly, without ever losing focus on the people we serve. This is not a ‘me’ accomplishment. It is a ‘we’ accomplishment.”

Avalon Wellness & Recovery, located in Lawrence, Kansas, provides a full continuum of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented services, including withdrawal management, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care. Avalon’s integrated approach combines evidence-based practices, holistic wellness, and peer support to create an environment where recovery can truly take root.

“With Joint Commission accreditation, our community can be confident that Avalon is operating at the highest level of safety, compliance, and care quality,” Vick added. “We look forward to continuing to grow and serve as a place where recovery starts and lasts.”

About Avalon Wellness & Recovery

Avalon Wellness & Recovery Center is a premier behavioral health treatment provider in Lawrence, Kansas, offering comprehensive services for individuals seeking recovery from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Avalon is built on the principles of trauma-informed care, person-centered treatment, and holistic wellness.

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