Enterhealth, Dr. Umar Latif Named Finalists in D CEO's 2026 Excellence in Healthcare Awards

DALLAS, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterhealth, a North Texas provider of addiction and mental health treatment, has been named a finalist for Outstanding Healthcare Organization in D CEO's 2026 Excellence in Healthcare Awards. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Umar Latif was also named a finalist for Outstanding Healthcare Practitioner.

Founded in 2008 after addiction devastated a family close to its founders, Enterhealth was built on a simple belief: there is always a better way to help people and families facing addiction and mental health conditions.

Today, Enterhealth provides residential treatment at its 38-bed Ranch on 43 acres in Van Alstyne, about 50 miles north of downtown Dallas, and outpatient care at the Enterhealth Center of Excellence in Preston Center. The ranch's intentionally small scale and 3-to-1 patient-to-provider ratio allow the clinical team to know patients closely and tailor care as needs change. Across both settings, Enterhealth brings together medical care, behavioral health, neuroscience and family support to see the person beneath the condition, not simply a diagnosis.

That commitment extends to families. Enterhealth offers weekly, therapist-led support sessions for loved ones of current and former patients, with the majority continuing to participate after their loved one completes treatment.

Enterhealth also tracks patient progress using the Treatment Effectiveness Assessment, a 40-point measure of recovery outcomes. On average, patients' scores increased from 17.5 at admission to 35 at discharge—an improvement of 100%.

This year, Enterhealth and the Neuro Performance and Injury Center launched a referral partnership for trauma patients needing specialized outpatient care. The partnership draws on Enterhealth's expertise in addressing underlying trauma through approaches including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Since the partnership began, more than 100 patients have been referred to Enterhealth.

"This recognition reflects the people who show up for our patients and families every day," said David Kniffen Jr., president and CEO of Enterhealth. "Enterhealth was built on a simple belief: there is always a better way to help someone facing addiction or mental health challenges. That means seeing the whole person—their health, their history and the people who love them—and giving our clinical team the time and tools to build care around what they truly need. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process, and our work is to keep finding better ways to meet people where they are. We're especially proud to see Dr. Latif recognized for the compassion and rigor he brings to that work."

Latif has served as Enterhealth's chief medical officer for two years. He is triple board-certified in general psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and addiction medicine. He also leads The Noesis Clinic, a private practice serving nearly 1,000 active patients.

"The patient's story is one of our most important clinical tools," Latif said. "Addiction is not a failure of willpower. There is a person underneath the condition, and their story helps us understand where to look, while science helps us determine how to respond. I'm honored by this recognition and proud to be part of a team committed to helping patients and families move forward."

Now in its 13th year, D CEO's Excellence in Healthcare Awards recognize individuals and organizations making a significant impact on healthcare in North Texas. This year's program drew more than 200 nominations, with D CEO editors and outside healthcare judges selecting 77 finalists. Finalists will be featured in D CEO's December issue and honored at a private awards event on Dec. 10, when winners will be announced.

ABOUT ENTERHEALTH

Founded in 2008 after addiction devastated a family close to its founders, Enterhealth was built on the belief that there's always a better way to help people facing substance use and mental health conditions. Its care addresses the biological, psychological and social factors that influence recovery. The 38-bed residential treatment Ranch on 43 acres north of Dallas Fort-Worth, offers a place to step away from daily life and focus on recovery, while the Enterhealth Center of Excellence in Preston Center provides outpatient care. Across both settings, Enterhealth combines addiction medicine, psychiatry, neuroscience, trauma-informed care and family support, looking beyond symptoms to understand each patient's needs, history and goals, helping patients and families move forward with hope toward lasting recovery and a healthier future.

SOURCE Enterhealth