AZURE ACRES - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Clinical Intake Specialist

Job Titles:

• Counselor
• Therapist

Anjelica Martinez joined Azure Acres as a Counselor in October 2023 and transitioned to a therapist role in December 2023. Anjelica has a passion for being of service to those navigating mental health and substance use challenges and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the clinical team at Azure Acres. Anjelica began her career 8+ years ago in 2015 while receiving her BA in psychology at Sonoma State University. She had the opportunity to work in residential treatment as a counselor, working with adult's living with severe mental illness at a local nonprofit called Progress Foundation. Anjelica also interned at this time with Forget me not Farm in service of youth who have experienced trauma. She began to discover that working with people at every stage of their healing process brought her a sense of fulfillment and led her to pursue a career as a psychotherapist. Anjelica received her masters degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2023 to pursue licensure as a marriage and family therapist. While in her studies, Anjelica continued to work with nonprofits and county programs in California including Turning Point Community Programs, Stanislaus Recovery Center, and Center For Human Services. Every opportunity inspired her to continue working with people who are underserved by mental/behavioral health resources. Anjelica is a BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist who believes in equitable care for all folx. In her free time Anjelica enjoys visiting family, spending time in nature, and being in the comfort of her home engaging in restful self-care.

Job Titles:

• Case Management Specialist
• Management Specialist

Ashley Morgan started as a Case Management Specialist at Azure Acres in February of 2024. She graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2012 with an AA in Sociology, then attended Cal State Monterey Bay where she graduated in 2015 with a Bachelors in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Always having a passion for helping others, Ashley started her career working for a nonprofit organization, Seneca Family of Agencies, where she helped children and families through the most challenging times of their lives. She worked as a Residential Counselor for Progress Foundation serving individuals with mental illness and other co occurring disorders with alternatives to institutional placement. Ashley also worked as a Behavioral Health Technician at Santa Rosa Behavioral Health Care Hospital where she supported individuals with improving their clinical status and regaining their quality of life. This fueled her enthusiasm even more, inspiring her to persist in aiding individuals dealing with addiction, mental health issues, and traumas. Ashley's motivation, dedication, and eagerness drive her to provide unwavering support for her clients. She is thrilled to join the Azure Acres team!

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership and Administrative Team
• Director of Utilization Management

Audrey Mello joined the Azure Acres Team in 2006, bringing with her 17 years of diverse behavioral health experience. She held many positions during her tenure with Azure before arriving in the Utilization Management Department in 2013. Her knowledge of addiction treatment and excellent communication skills made her extremely effective at advocating for clients to their insurance companies. As a result, Audrey quickly rose to the position of Director of Utilization Management. In her current role, Audrey serves on the facility leadership team, providing guidance and training across departments on various mission-critical protocols such as documentation quality, performance improvement, regulatory compliance, patient experience, and risk management. In addition to these duties, Audrey has also taken on the management of Azure's outpatient services, helping ensure clients receive the best possible continuing care following their graduation from residential treatment. Prior to joining Azure Acres, Audrey worked for private practice physicians and trained in respiratory therapy and radiology. She has an educational background in childhood development and elementary education. Her strong passion for serving her community has earned Audrey a seat on the board of several health-focused nonprofit organizations as well as invitations to be a guest lecturer for local university classes specializing in addiction. Her work experience is incredibly diverse, ranging from programs that provide equine therapy to disabled adults and children to organizations that offer trauma counseling to wounded veterans. Audrey has dedicated her career to serving those who suffer from the devastating disease of addiction. Her primary focus is ensuring that every person who walks through the door obtains the education and support they need to access care and achieve a long-term life of recovery.

Brad Snell has been with Azure Acres since November 2015. He started out as an Evening Counselor but was quickly elevated to a supervisory role in recognition of his leadership skills and excellent rapport with clients. After establishing his proficiency in counseling, Brad was promoted to Clinical Supervisor, then Milieu Manager, Program Manager, and most recently, Program Director. Brad has earned two Associate Degrees in Human Services, one in Advocacy and one in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (AODS). He completed both degrees with Highest Honors. Specializing in Co-Occurring Disorders (COD), Brad spent 9 years in the field of non-profit behavioral healthcare, working in Forensic Mental Health with the County of Sonoma. Utilizing his education and training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Brad was instrumental in helping develop Azure's COD curriculum and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Passionate about treatment outcomes, Brad focuses his energy on enhancing the one-to-one human connection between clients and staff. He believes that when people come together to help one another, they create something that is greater than the sum of its parts and the results can lead to higher levels of functioning and greater success in life. Azure's mission is especially important to Brad because, in April 2009, he participated in the program as a client. He is now enjoying 13+ years of recovery and credits Azure for his transformed life.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Medical & Nursing Team

Candice started her career in healthcare in 2007, after researching her ancestry and discovering that she came from a long line of nurses and healers. Wanting to connect with her roots and find fulfillment giving back to the community, Candice chose to leave her job in accounting management and dedicate herself to the family business. Working her way through her education, step by step, Candice grew from a Certified Nurse's Aide, to achieving her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She also became certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader and in Healthcare Quality and has prior experience as a psychiatric nurse, emergency room nurse, critical care nurse, and many leadership roles throughout her career. Candice's professional philosophy is "We are all on the same playing field." She believes in treating everyone the same, no matter their background, demographics, or differences and that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and high-quality care. Candice is a strong believer and advocate for evidence-based treatment and works daily to ensure that every patient under her supervision receives the best care possible.

Job Titles:

• Clinical Intake Specialist

Job Titles:

• Medical Director
• Member of the Medical & Nursing Team
• Azure As Medical Director

Dr. Daniel Ceglowski joined Azure as Medical Director in October of 2022. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan College of Engineering and invested 12 years in the aerospace industry working at Bell Helicopter, General Electric Aircraft Engines and Northrup Grumman. While working in engineering, he studied business and received an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. His medical degree was granted by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and he completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Ceglowski attended in the Emergency Room of Gerber Memorial Hospital for 17 years. During this time, he also served as the Medical Director for the Newaygo County Medical Control Authority, and as the Secretary of the West Michigan Medical Control Consortium and the Region 6 Regional Trauma Network. It was during his time in the Emergency Room that Dr. Ceglowski first became invested in the care of underserved addiction and mental health patients. This led him to complete an Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and eventually develop a substance use clinic, in concert with Community Mental Health, in a rural area of West Michigan. Dr. Ceglowski holds an honorable discharge from the United States Naval Reserve and remains a passionate advocate for Veterans and first responders. He is strongly committed to the recovery of licensed professionals as well, particularly in the post-pandemic era. Currently, Dr. Ceglowski is focused on the development of digital therapeutics for individuals afflicted by addiction. In concert with his mentors, he hopes to incorporate these revolutionary innovations into his integrated treatment model, which includes medication, 12-step principles, group psychotherapy and contingency management. In doing this, he hopes to drive improved patient outcomes and create more effective and accessible care. His zeal and compassion for treating the substance use and mental health populations have been shaped by his experiences in healthcare, and by witnessing the struggles of co-workers, friends, and family. Dr. Ceglowski continues to educate patients and medical staff alike, confronting and dismantling the stigma they face, and devising improved ways to meet their needs. The journey from debilitating substance abuse to lasting recovery is challenging, but does not need to be painful, shameful, or unfulfilling. He hopes to share his vision with any individual seeking to invest in their being and realize their goals.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Medical & Nursing Team
• Certified Psychiatrist
• Consulting Psychiatrist

Dr. Alessia Bhargava is a board-certified psychiatrist who is also board-eligible in Addiction Medicine. She supports Azure Acres by providing psychiatric supervision to Psychiatric-Mental Health NPs and psychiatric consultation services to Azure's medical team. She received her MD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2017 and also holds a BA from Yale University as well as an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her Psychiatry residency and Addiction Medicine fellowship at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Utilizing her specialties in substance use and co-occurring psychiatric disorders, Dr. Bhargava has worked extensively with a broad variety of individuals. This includes incarcerated populations, patients with psychotic disorders, and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. With her background in business at McKinsey & Company, she also understands the stressors of executive work, and connects easily with professionals in recovery. When it comes to her treatment philosophy, Dr. Bhargava believes that taking a whole person, biopsychosocial approach to addiction provides the best guidance for treatment planning. Her goal is always to give her patients the highest chance of success in achieving and maintaining recovery by addressing both substance use and mental health concerns concurrently. In addition to her work at Azure, Dr. Bhargava concurrently holds a position with Eleanor Health, where she provides trauma-informed, harm-reduction outpatient services for individuals in recovery. She also provides consultation services on medically complex patients for Aledade Care Solutions. In her spare time, Dr. Bhargava enjoys swimming, Pilates, and reading.

Job Titles:

• Clinical Director

Ella Jackson joined Azure Acres as Clinical Director in August of 2022, bringing with her 15 years of experience working in the mental health field. Ella has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving in diverse roles and treating clients at every stage of life. She has worked extensively with teens and young adults, specializing in guiding them through major life transitions. Ella has also spent the last ten years treating adults with severe mental health conditions. She is passionate about serving the underserved, particularly veterans and the LGBTQIA+ community. Ella is also an educator and an author. She has presented at national and state conferences including TCOM and The California State Conservatorship Conference. Additionally, Ella has written several articles educating therapists about valuable assessment protocols and recovery tools. Ella graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and has provided clinical supervision to Marriage and Family Therapy and Social Work Associates since 2015. Ella is excited to add her skills and experience to Azure Acre's 60+ year lineage of treatment excellence and looks forward to supporting the growth and development of the clinical team.

Job Titles:

• Human Resources Manager
• Member of the Leadership and Administrative Team

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Member of the Leadership and Administrative Team
• Program Director for One of Their Facilities in the Bay Area

James Winder joined Acadia in January of 2021 as Program Director for one of their facilities in the Bay Area. Ambitious and inventive, he set to work immediately, bringing together multiple departments with new ideas to elevate the client experience. James' fastidious nature and creative eye for problem solving landed him a promotion to Director of Operations and Risk Management, and in August of 2022, an invitation to join the leadership team at Azure Acres. Since joining Azure, James has been applying his keen talents and tremendous work ethic to every aspect of the program. He understands that, when it comes to delivering the best possible care for clients, no detail is insignificant. His mission is to ensure that everyone who enters Azure Acres finds the environment and support they need to begin a meaningful and lasting new life in recovery. James holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA), and has recently been accepted to the Masters of Public Health Program at the University of San Francisco. Prior to joining Acadia, James worked for the Las Vegas Recovery Center in Nevada, where he rose through the ranks from Clinical Manager to Executive Director. He also has extensive MAT treatment experience from his time as Clinic Director of an Opioid Treatment Program in San Francisco, CA. In his personal time, James enjoys baseball, basketball, and football, as both a player and spectator and spending time with his wife and four children.

Job Titles:

• IOP Counselor

Jym Schmidt has been with Azure Acres since June of 2021. He began working in the recovery field in 2018 and graduated from CCAPP as a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor and Gorski advanced relapse prevention specialist the following year. Over his career, Jym has dedicated his talents and energy to serving the underserved in homeless shelters, residential facilities, and intensive outpatient programs. He is also certified to work with the LGBTQIA+2 and HIV infected populations in acute hospital settings. Crediting the life-transforming experience of his own recovery journey, Jym has devoted himself to helping anyone who might be ready to listen and learn. He is passionate about engaging and educating clients on how to remain sober and believes that awareness, radical honesty, authenticity and sincerity lay the foundation for meaningful change. Jym believes the ultimate reward of recovery is finding our true self and purpose and then giving it away to the masses. He strives to role models this one client, one day at a time. In recognition of his tenacious spirit of service, Jym received the Azure Acres Unstoppable Employee of the Year Award in December of 2021. In his spare time, Jym enjoys yoga. Prior to his time in behavioral healthcare, he taught yoga on the Big Island of Hawaii and attended many yoga retreats and meditations on the island and the mainland.

Job Titles:

• Therapist

Kellie Beals, joined Azure Acres in August of 2022. She received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University and brings with her more than 10 years of clinical experience working in the mental health field. Kellie has worked with clients of all ages, from pre-teens, to seniors, both individually and in family sessions. Prior to Joining Azure Acres, Kellie developed and delivered workshops for Awake While Aging, founded on IONS's Conscious Aging methods, and through independent research of private groups at assisted living facilities. She also worked for Progress Foundation as the Residential Mental Health Director for their substance abuse center for seniors. Kellie is passionate about serving the community, particularly the elderly, as they are often undeserved.

Job Titles:

• Family Nurse Practitioner

Job Titles:

• Director of Operations
• Member of the Leadership and Administrative Team

Lynette joined the Azure Acres Team in 2007. She began in human resources but her natural curiosity and engaging personality led her to explore several roles with various departments within the company. She's done everything from networking with other professionals and community resources in business development to overseeing the delivery of client care as Director of Support Services. In 2019, the totality of her experience was rewarded with a promotion to Director of Operations. Lynette now utilizes her immense knowledge of Azure's history, culture, and inner-workings to optimize the patient experience and deliver the best possible treatment for everyone who seeks help under their roof. In her spare time, Lynette enjoys outdoor activities with family and friends, especially when it includes traveling in her vintage 1966 travel trailer. She is an avid shopper and loves to apply her keen fashion sense to interior design and home décor.

Job Titles:

• Family Program Assistant Manager

Marisa Shanahan joined Azure Acres in February 2023 as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the process of completing her licensure. She holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies from California State University, Chico as well as an MA in Marriage & Family Therapy from Touro University Worldwide, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Driven by a belief that we all possess unique strengths that can be used to achieve our goals and cope with difficult emotions, Marisa is utilizes a person-centered, solution-focused approach to therapy. Serving disadvantaged communities has been a central theme of Marisa's work throughout her career. She spent 5 years as a Team Leader in the Children's Unit of Redwood Coast Regional Center, part of a 21-facility network throughout CA that cares for adults and adolescents with developmental disabilities. More recently, Marisa has been providing a combination of individual, group, and family therapy to rural populations and incarcerated teens through the Mendocino County Youth Project. Treating patients in remote communities led Marisa to see the hardships clients faced in accessing treatment for severe mental illness and strained family relationships. She also witnessed firsthand how substance abuse can exasperate these hardships. Marisa found Azure Acres while researching treatment options for her patients and became inspired to join their mission and become part of the team. She hopes to utilize her passion for service and knowledge of co-occurring disorders to help those on their journey toward recovery, sobriety, and success!

Job Titles:

• Group CEO
• Member of the Leadership and Administrative Team

Mark Sawyer's extensive experience supporting people who are struggling with behavioral health concerns, addictions, and co-occurring disorders, along with his successful history with Acadia Healthcare, makes Mark the ideal leader for Azure Acres as the facility continues to expand its exceptional programming. A stable, proven behavioral healthcare executive, Mark has more than ten years of progressive management experience leading large for-profit operations at various levels of care, including residential, partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), outpatient, and extended care. His demonstrated leadership abilities include team building, budget development and management, managing payers, increasing profitability, business development, facility licensure processes, and reorganization and stabilization. Over the course of his career, he has gained a wealth of experience in physician recruitment, property management, accounting, acquisition, and business startup and purchasing. He earned a degree in accounting and business administration from Auburn University. Mark first joined Acadia Healthcare in 2012 while serving in various roles at Twelve Oaks Recovery Center in Navarre, Florida. During his tenure at Twelve Oaks, Mark was promoted from controller and chief financial officer to director of operations and, ultimately, CEO. Mark worked collaboratively with the team at Twelve Oaks to improve client satisfaction and employee engagement, leading the facility to earn the Recovery Division Clinical Excellence Award in 2016. Prior to joining Acadia, Mark spent four years in Jacksonville, Alabama, where he supervised the accounting department for a large healthcare organization as controller for an 89-bed medical hospital. During his tenure, he initiated a highly successful staff and physician retention system. Mark also served as CEO of a large treatment center in Mississippi, where he successfully hired and retained talent who were passionate about delivering patient-centered care. Under his leadership, the facility consistently maintained the highest occupancy rate and lowest cost of operation among company facilities. He advanced clinical excellence at the facility by hiring a new clinical director and redeveloping the center's clinical programs. In 2019, the residential campus successfully earned Joint Commission accreditation. Mark's extensive experience in healthcare administration has allowed him to seamlessly take on this leadership role at our treatment center.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership and Administrative Team
• Regional Director of Marketing & Business Development

Mila was originally recruited by Acadia as a South Florida TPS and relocated to Bayside Marin in 2015. Since then, she has been promoted to Regional Marketing & Business Development Director of Acadia's Northern California Programs, which include Bayside Marin, Duffy's Napa Valley, Serenity Knolls, Azure Acres and The Camp. She has more than sixteen years of sales/management experience with inherent humanitarian qualities. This blend of business competencies and compassion is essential for supporting organizations working with people transitioning into recovery. Mila's credentials include a B.S. degree in Psychology from Florida International University, as well as previous experience as a licensed Firefighter/EMT, and certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Applying her extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, Mila worked as a professional fitness consultant, specializing in post-injury rehabilitation, resulting in her becoming a medical device sales representative at a leading orthopedic company, as well as serving as the Division Sales Manager for a watersports company. Her diverse background has enabled Mila to develop and maintain relationships with a cross-section of clinical, medical, and management professionals. She integrates her passion and business expertise into all that she does, including helping clients and their families on their path to recovery.

Job Titles:

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Sheena Perry began working at Azure in August of 2022 as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and specializes in substance use and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Sheena earned both her Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University, with a specialty in Nursing Education. She went on to obtain her PMHNP certification through Maryville University's post-master's program. Currently, Sheena is back at Chamberlain pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice and will complete her program in December 2023. Caring for adolescent and adult patients has been Sheena's passion for over 20 years and she has served in a variety of settings including, inpatient hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, educational institutions, correctional facilities, group homes, and outpatient practices. After relocating to the Bay Area from the Midwest, she dedicated much of her nursing career to treating addiction and persistent mental illnesses such as bipolar, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Sheena believes in treating clients across their lifespan and the cumulative positive effects of balancing physical, mental, and emotional health. As a clinical practitioner, nursing supervisor, and adjunct clinical/didactic instructor, she has gained extensive experience delivering services and education to patients and fellow healthcare workers alike.

Job Titles:

• Nurse Practitioner

Tracy Dempsey is excited to be the newest addition to Azure Acre's medical team. Tracy graduated with her masters degree in nursing from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2012. She is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and passionate about helping underserved and vulnerable populations. Prior to her time at Azure, Tracy worked in many different healthcare fields including cardiac, orthopedic, oncology and coordination of care. Throughout her career, Tracy has been acutely attuned to the need for improved access to comprehensive, empathetic care for those suffering with substance use disorders. These experiences influenced her to seek a career where she could make an impact for individuals battling drug and alcohol abuse. As a trained yoga instructor, Tracy is passionate about connecting the mind, body, and spirit to improve all aspects of health, but especially in the context of addiction care She has witnessed chemical dependence in loved ones and is a staunch believer that a beautiful life in recovery, though not always easy, is absolutely attainable. Tracy enjoys empowering individuals throughout the treatment process in a compassionate and empathetic manner. As a naturally curious person, she enjoys learning about people as well as new techniques to assist her patients.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Medical & Nursing Team
• Nursing Manager

Vina joined Acadia in 2019 and was promoted to Charge Nurse in 2022. She currently serves as RN Nurse Manager for both Azure Acres and another Acadia treatment facility. Born and raised in the Philippines, she later studied Management as a Commerce Major at Saint Louis University before moving to the U.S. in 2001. She began her nursing career in 2005 and has worked in a variety of settings including as a Geriatric and Medical Surgical Nurse, Pediatrics Nurse, and Behavioral and Psychiatric Nurse. From 2012-2017, she worked at the Department of Corrections and San Francisco General Hospital Psych ER. In 2018, Vina began working as a Detox Specialist and has loved it ever since. She found her compassion working with individuals with dual diagnosis. Being a part of their journey towards recovery has given her countless rewards. It has given her enormous personal and career satisfaction to know she is part of a team that not only saves lives, but also families.