ACH Presents Critical Thinking Award to Dr. Melissa Caldwell for Heroic Actions
(Mt. Carmel, Illinois) – Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (ACH) is proud to announce Dr. Melissa Caldwell as a 2026 recipient of the prestigious Critical Thinking Award.
Dr. Melissa Caldwell is an award-winning clinical-forensic psychologist with over thirty years of correctional mental health experience. In 2022, Dr. Caldwell was honored with the prestigious Edward A. Harrison Award of Excellence in Correctional Health Care Leadership from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). She currently leads a team of qualified mental health professionals across 18 states as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer of Freedom Behavioral Health, Inc.
On December 20, 2025, Dr. Caldwell received a call regarding a high-acuity situation involving an individual in custody who was exhibiting extreme and unpredictable behavior initially thought to be psychiatric. By carefully evaluating the details, Dr. Caldwell recognized that the symptoms did not align with a primary psychiatric condition and instead identified signs consistent with possible medical delirium, posing serious safety and health risks. Dr. Caldwell recommended transferring the individual back to the emergency department for further evaluation and treatment and, in the process, identified communication and continuity-of-care gaps, highlighting opportunities to improve coordination among partners in future high-acuity cases.
The Critical Thinking Award recognizes an ACH associate or jail staff member who exhibits exceptional critical thinking skills and adaptability in analyzing complex situations, making sound decisions, and implementing innovative solutions to deliver high-quality patient care and enhance outcomes in life-threatening conditions where death would otherwise be imminent.
"We are immensely proud to present this Critical Thinking Award, which highlights the unwavering commitment correctional professionals display toward the persons in their care,” says Jessica Young, Esq., President & CEO of ACH. “Together, we continue to demonstrate that with the right intervention, better outcomes are possible.”
The award was presented on January 21, 2026. To date in 2026, one Critical Thinking Award has been given.
About Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.
Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. is a family-owned, values-led, contract management company that offers ethical, comprehensive services tailored to populations nationwide. ACH has been awarded two Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics, honored at Music City's Community Choice Awards for having the Best Employee Recognition Program, and named “Best Hospital & Health Care Business of the Year” in the Global 100 Awards for 2025 and 2026. In 2025, ACH was also certified as a Great Place to Work for the 10th consecutive year. In 2024, ACH saved over $15.5 million in taxpayer dollars through bill scrubbing. From 2019 to 2024, over 105% of contracted nursing hours were met nationwide, and more than 120 patient lives were saved. Learn more at advancedch.com.
