Brian brings to Newport decades of leadership experience across the healthcare industry, with a proven record of driving growth and business transformation. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Health & Wellness at Walmart, overseeing retail pharmacy, optical, and healthcare delivery operations. Brian also held executive leadership roles at Highmark Health and Cigna, managing major business segments as president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer. With deep expertise in healthcare services, payor reimbursement dynamics, and creating customer value, he is dedicated to expanding Newport’s reach to serve more individuals and families in need of the highest-quality care. Brian holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Tennessee.

Joe has spent more than three decades in the medical and treatment field, gaining specialized skills in business development, strategic planning, fiscal analytics, and process improvement. As CEO of Newport Healthcare, Joe led the company's growth from 75 treatment beds and three outpatient programs to over 800 beds and 21 outpatient programs. Prior to joining the Newport team, he served in executive leadership positions with Acadia Healthcare Company (NASDAQ: ACHC) and CRC Health Group, and in management positions with Susquehanna Health and Geisinger Health System. In his role on the Board, Joe continues to employs his wealth of insight, knowledge, and innovation in service of Newport's mission to provide results-driven, clinically integrated behavioral healthcare to individuals and families.

An accomplished healthcare executive, Vanderbilt MBA graduate, and Marine Corps veteran, Jameson Norton has a depth of experience building strong teams, actualizing growth opportunities, and improving performance and patient satisfaction. As CEO of Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Outpatient Clinics, he achieved unprecedented growth in outpatient, inpatient, emergency psychiatry, telehealth, and integrated behavioral health services. Prior to that, he was CEO of Acadia Healthcare’s North Tampa Behavioral Health facility, where he oversaw a large inpatient expansion and launched a military program commended for its innovative approach to empowering post-traumatic growth. Jameson is currently the Board Chair of the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Barbara Nosal, PhD, has worked with teens, young adults, and families in the field of mental health and addiction treatment for nearly 30 years. She has held supervisory and leadership positions, as well as serving on the faculty of National University and University of Phoenix. As Founding Clinical Director of Newport, she developed our clinical and family treatment model, and now oversees clinical operations and services at our residential and outpatient programs for adolescents and young adults. Dr. Nosal holds a Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and Master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and Human Services. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Specializing in attachment and relational trauma, Dr. Nosal integrates family systems concepts with attachment-based practices to heal childhood trauma and deepen relationships among family members.

Carol Arrowood has more than 30 years of experience as a human resources executive in the hospitality, healthcare, and business services industries. She is skilled in formulating strategies and visions in core areas within HR, as well as creating effective teams to further these goals. Carol has built her expertise within growth-oriented companies of up to 25,000 employees, both publicly and non-publicly traded. She is adept at building scalable HR infrastructure with high-performing teams, mergers and acquisitions, and process improvement. Carol serves as a key member of the Newport executive team, combining her knowledge of high-level operations and finance to partner with leadership in moving the business forward. Her most recent positions prior to Newport include Chief Human Resources Officer of Foundations Recovery Network and Vice President of Corporate Human Resources Operations for O’Charley’s, Inc.

Jay Campbell brings to Newport Healthcare more than 20 years of experience in the behavioral health, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries. Jay specializes in business development deployment and analytics, digital marketing integration, corporate public relations, and personnel development. His past positions include vice president of business relations for Acadia Healthcare and national director of business development for CRC Health Group. Jay focuses on building teams that connect dedicated individuals, create positive cultures, deliver measurable results, and develop the leaders of the future.

Stevan Townsend has spent 27 years in the field of information technology, five of those in the behavioral healthcare industry. He specializes in leveraging keen business acumen and broad technology expertise to deliver solutions for business partners. Prior to joining the Newport Healthcare team, Stevan served as chief information officer (CIO) for Foundations Recovery Network in Brentwood, Tennessee. With a degree in information systems from Middle Tennessee State University, Stevan has an exceptional ability to support top-performing teams to solve business problems with easy-to-use technology solutions.

With over two decades of leadership experience across multiple industries, Brian has an extensive finance background driving growth, profitability, and market expansion. Most recently, he was the Chief Executive Officer/President of Fourth Capital Bank in Nashville, where he was nominated for “Most Admired CEO” by the Nashville Business Journal. He led a bank rebranding effort and doubled bank asset size and client relationships. Brian previously served as Chief Financial Officer of INTRUST Bank, a $7.5 billion family-owned bank in Kansas; as Executive Vice President for Bickford Senior Living in Kansas; and in leadership and finance roles at Koch Industries, Kansas Farm Bureau, and Royal Bank of Canada. He graduated from Wichita State University Barton School of Business with a degree in Finance.

Keith Thompson brings to Newport nearly 20 years of experience as a corporate lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities, and general corporate governance. Before joining the Newport team in early 2022, he served for five years as the Deputy General Counsel for Acadia Healthcare. Prior to that, Keith was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for naviHealth, Inc. He also spent nine years at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, in Nashville, rising from associate to partner during his tenure there. Keith chooses to work in the mental healthcare field because, he says, “Each day, we have an opportunity to change lives for the better.”

In addition to his role as Chief Medical Information Officer, Dr. Nelson leads the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) program at Newport Healthcare's PrairieCare division in Minnesota. He spent nine years in software development before earning his medical degree at the University of Minnesota, where he completed a general psychiatry residency and a clinical research fellowship in neuromodulation. After graduation, he served as Executive Director of the TMS program at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA Medical Center, with a clinical focus on treatment-resistant depression and mental health management in epilepsy and other complex neurological disorders. His research focused on non-surgical brain stimulation in depression, brain injury, and schizophrenia. Dr. Nelson is active in treatment advocacy, working to improve access to novel therapies for those on public and low-income medical plans.

Kristin Wilson brings to her role more than 25 years of leadership in behavioral healthcare. Since beginning her career in 1997, Kristin has led across the continuum of care—including inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings—with expertise spanning a broad range of mental health and substance use disorders, including trauma, mood disorders, process addictions, and eating disorders. A licensed clinician and a Level II Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Kristin has served as a clinical supervisor, executive director, trainer, interventionist, and outreach leader. Her strategic vision, clinical expertise, and passion for transforming the delivery of care guide her mission of advancing access, quality, and meaningful outcomes for individuals and families.

Mandy holds a master’s degree in nursing, is certified in Executive Nursing Practice, and has achieved Fellowship status in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is responsible for overseeing quality, safety, and adherence to regulatory standards at Newport, and brings to the role 30 years of experience in healthcare, dedicated to improving access and quality of care for underserved populations in various settings, including emergency rooms, inpatient units, clinic and correctional settings. As the Chief Nursing Officer at PrairieCare, a program of Newport Healthcare, Mandy successfully led the organization to achieving ANCC Pathways to Excellence accreditation in 2024. She has received a number of awards, including the March of Dimes Distinguished Nurse of the Year, National Association of Counties achievement award for developing the Mental Health Response Program for the Hennepin County (MN) Jail, and a Pierce Family Trust award for clinical excellence and leadership in nursing.

With over 30 years of extensive experience in the healthcare industry, Jeff has a proven track record in business development, strategy, managed care contracting, and fostering strong payor relationships. Throughout his career, he has worked with some of the nation’s largest healthcare providers, specializing in areas including behavioral health, substance use disorder, medical care, specialty pharmacy, and laboratory services. His deep expertise includes 15 years in direct payor and provider contracting roles, where he has successfully navigated complex negotiations and developed strategic partnerships that enhance service delivery and improve patient outcomes. Jeff’s commitment to excellence and his comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape make him a vital asset to our team as we strive to build and maintain robust relationships with payors.

Dr. Danielle Roeske has worked in the mental health treatment field since 2003, as a CEO, clinical director, program developer, family program director, therapist, and supervisor. Her experience spans acute psychiatric care, outpatient community therapy, and residential mental health and substance abuse treatment. Danielle holds a Master’s in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her accomplishments include the creation of an intensive family program for a longstanding treatment center. Early in her career, Danielle worked as a literary consultant and chemical dependency expert for the FDA.

Blake Kinsey works closely with Newport Healthcare’s incoming clients and families, and serves as a liaison with insurance companies to guarantee coverage for patients’ treatment needs. With extensive experience in finance and admissions, and strong skills in communication and creative conflict resolution, Blake prioritizes identifying and addressing each client’s unique needs. His past experience includes managing companies’ insurance contracts; working with employer groups to fund treatment costs; and developing strategies for holding insurance companies accountable for providing coverage to their members.

Todd brings 18 years of experience within the healthcare services and public accounting industries. Before joining the Newport team, he served as Vice President, Finance and Accounting at Traditions Health, a $375M home health and hospice care business with 130 locations in 18 states. Prior to Traditions, he was Sr. Director of Accounting at Envision Physician Services. Between 2006 and 2014, he held several internal audit and accounting positions at Crowe, Surgical Care Affiliates, and KPMG. Todd holds both an MBA and a BS in Accounting from Troy University and is a Certified Internal Auditor.

As CEO of Newport's PrairieCare division since 2020, Todd has been a key player in developing one of Minnesota's largest psychiatric health systems, including the state's largest psychiatric hospital for youth and young adults. In his current role, he continues to oversee PrairieCare operations, in addition to Newport's residential programs for adolescents and young adults in both Minnesota and Utah. Todd was recognized as one of the Most Admired CEOs of the Year by the Minnesota Business Journal in 2024. He also serves as executive director for the Psychiatric Assistance Line (PAL), a Minnesota service aimed towards increasing collaboration and support between psychiatrists and primary care providers.

With more than 25 years' experience in leading teams, driving innovative initiatives, and exceeding strategic goals, Kathleen held leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer, at Newport's PrairieCare division for 12+ years. Recognized among the Top Women in Business by the Minnesota Business Journal, she holds an MBA from Concordia University, and previously worked at The Emily Program and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. In her current role, Kathleen leads operations at all Newport outpatient programs across the nation, unifying our Newport Academy, Newport Institute, Center for Families, and PrairieCare outpatient services and integrating efforts to provide the highest-quality care in each of the regions we serve.

Ryan Fedoroff brings more than 15 years of academic leadership and classroom experience to her role at Newport Academy. As an educator, she is passionate about working with high-risk adolescents and is trained in restorative practices. Ryan has also worked with the Marin County (California) Youth Court and is a member of various community organizations working to combat youth substance abuse.

In her current role and in her previous role as Newport’s National Director of Education, Ryan works alongside clinicians to create interventions to assist students dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. She also collaborates with special education teams to create protocols for managing classroom challenges for students dealing with auditory processing and executive functioning deficits.

Kim brings to Newport a brilliant track record of performance across a 22-year career in healthcare. She has held field and leadership roles in pharmaceutical sales, referral-based account management, and clinical sales team management. Kim brings multidimensional experience, a tireless work ethic, and an ability to create strategic partnerships, lead change initiatives, and develop high-performing professionals. She joined Newport in 2021 and served as our Northeastern Senior Director of Clinical Outreach before ascending to her current role managing the activity and development of Newport’s National Clinical Outreach team. Kim also works closely with admissions, experience, clinical, and operational department heads to best serve our clients and their families.

Joe Vaccaro holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and has extensive experience in the field. As Executive Director for Newport Healthcare’s teen and young adult programs in Southern California, he supports the clinical team and all departments in providing exceptional care and compassion to the families we serve. Dr. Vaccaro’s prior positions include clinical supervisor at Pathways Community Services, Garden Grove, California; and clinical psychologist at Pathways and at Sunny Hills Behavioral Health Incorporated in Fullerton, California. He completed his postdoctoral residency at Long Beach Job Corps, Long Beach, California, administering individual and group clinical supervision to doctoral candidates and practicum interns. Read a Q&A with Joe.

Victoria brings to Newport deep experience in healthtech, fintech, and personal injury legal marketing and advertising. Her data-driven approach and focus on nurturing engagement, paired with her dedication to creating effective, cohesive teams, is proven to elevate brands over the competition. In the AVP role, Victoria is responsible for leading all marketing strategy and overseeing the execution of innovative marketing tactics to further propel Newport as the industry leader in behavioral healthcare for children, teens, and young adults. Victoria is a member of the Women Business Leaders of the US Health Care Industry Foundation, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Belmont University.

Kristen is an established public relations and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in the field. In her previous position as Sr. Director of Communications, she played a key role in supporting the growth of Newport’s thought leadership, connecting our expert clinicians and leadership with publications and outlets including Forbes, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the CBS Evening News, among many others. For the past 15 years, Kristen has worked in the mental health and addiction treatment space, providing PR, media, and marketing expertise. She is passionate about promoting treatment, removing the stigma around mental health, and supporting individuals who are struggling. Kristen graduated cum laude from UCLA with a BA in Communication Studies.

Michael Roeske, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience spanning clinical practice, executive leadership, and research. As Senior Director of the Center for Research & Innovation at Newport Healthcare, he leads Newport’s outcomes monitoring and behavioral health research programs. Previously, Michael held leadership roles as Executive Director and CEO in premier treatment settings. A recognized thought leader, he also serves on professional boards and has been featured in online outlets such as CNN, Verywell Mind, and the Huffington Post.

Lindsay has more than 16 years of leadership and clinical experience in mental health and child welfare. She joined the Newport Healthcare team in 2018 and served as our National Clinical Program Director before moving into her current role. Lindsay’s prior positions include Director of Outpatient Services for Parkland Medical Center in Derry, New Hampshire, where she was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the mental health outpatient program; and clinical leadership roles at Beacon Health Strategies, Casey Family Services, and LifeShare, Inc. A licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lindsay holds an MSW from Springfield College School of Social Work and is trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy, EMDR, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Heather Hagen specializes in family therapy and substance use disorder treatment, and has worked extensively with young people facing behavioral issues, addiction, and eating disorders. She holds a master’s degree in Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University, as well as two bachelor’s degrees, in psychology and social work. In her role at Newport, Heather oversees all areas of the clinical outpatient programming, including expansion, fidelity to the model, and maintaining overall excellence. She has been featured as an expert in national publications including Parade, Prevention, and Shape magazines, and most recently in the VeryWell Mind article "What It Means to Feel 'Angsty' and How to Cope."

Dr. Alexander is a licensed clinical psychologist and skilled healthcare leader with two decades of experience in administration, quality assurance, risk management, and compliance. He began his career in behavioral health as the Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Division with a large nonprofit focused on improving the general well-being and education of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and other underserved communities. He went on to redesign protocols for utilization and fiscal management, strategic planning, quality, performance improvement, utilization metrics, and daily operations at a Fortune 500 managed care insurance company. Most recently, Dr. Alexander led quality assurance, compliance, risk management, privacy, and utilization review at chemical dependency and acute care inpatient behavioral health hospitals.

A key member of the Newport team since 2004, Adam Furtado specializes in ensuring that clients receive culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care that honors their individual beliefs, life circumstances, and family history. Along with his certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adam is highly experienced in conjoint family therapy and trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. He also has extensive training in serving diverse and minority populations, including LGBTQ, first-generation immigrant, and Hispanic/Latino communities. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, Adam is an adjunct faculty member for Chapman University’s graduate marriage and family therapy program.

Caydin joined the Newport Healthcare team in 2014, and established Newport’s Alumni Program as Director of Alumni Services, before becoming our National Director of Experience. Today, her contributions positively impact young people, families, and our team on a national level. Caydin continues to oversee Newport Healthcare’s Alumni Network while working to ensure that every aspect of Newport’s programming exceeds clients’ expectations. She has a degree in sociology, with an emphasis on social work, from California State University. Caydin is also a community volunteer for Mercy Without Limits, a nonprofit providing humanitarian relief around the world.

Kara leads the growth and development of evidence-based treatment initiatives across Newport Healthcare's nationwide programs. With more than a decade of experience in clinical leadership, she has directed multiple residential and outpatient programs focused on eating disorder recovery and mental health. An AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant, Kara trains clinicians in best practices and provides national program oversight. Passionate about education and advocacy, she has presented at major conferences on integrating eating disorder treatment into general psychiatric settings, and has been a featured expert for Parents magazine and FOX11 Los Angeles, among other national shows and publications. She holds a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University.

Francine Le is passionate about developing educators who will restore the learning experience for students who are healing from mental health challenges. She has been a valued member of the Newport Healthcare educational team since 2012, rising from tutoring and teaching positions to Education Coordinator and then Regional Director of Education before moving into the National Director position in 2022. In this role, she is responsible for all adolescent and young adult academic programs at our nationwide residential and outpatient locations. Francine holds a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California at Irvine and is trained in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Strategies to Support Student Success in the Classroom.

Dr. Hadzic has worked in inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings, including serving as Associate Medical Director for six Rogers outpatient clinics in three states. Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, he brings specific expertise in treating severe OCD/anxiety disorders, as well as autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Hadzic’s other areas of interest include eating disorders, misophonia, rare genetic disorders, and the emerging role of technology and novel therapeutics in psychiatry. He completed a Medical Scientist MD/PhD training program at Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, followed by a general psychiatry residency at Washington University and child psychiatry research track fellowship at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

With over 10 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field, Meredith specializes in working with adolescents and young adults. Her experience in the field includes working with individuals ranging from early childhood through geriatrics, treating a wide array of mental health, behavioral, and relational needs. Meredith is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She holds a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from Central Connecticut State University and an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Rhode Island. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

Samantha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been working from a family systems perspective throughout her career. As Newport's National Director of Family Therapy Services, she oversees all family programming, which utilizes Attachment-Based Family Therapy to provide support and psychoeducation to families throughout the treatment process. Samantha has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults who have experienced trauma, including sexual and physical abuse. She also has expertise working with the LGBTQ community and issues related to gender and sexuality. Samantha believes that a necessary step in the healing and recovery process is a strong and genuine therapeutic connection that creates safety and allows for growth.

With more than 15 years of experience in the behavioral health field, Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a certified Health and Wellness Coach, with a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University. She joined the Newport team in 2018 and successfully developed and launched our remote services, which expanded the reach and impact of the organization to clients across the country. She also trained and supervised the Admissions team in delivering therapeutic crisis intervention, ensuring a smooth and compassionate intake and assessment process. Her mission is to help clients access the highest-quality integrated care that meets their individual needs and goals.

Gary has been working with high-risk teens for nearly 15 years, in settings ranging from community centers to juvenile drug court. He excels in treating adolescents who have lost a sense of connection to self and others, and who are open to new experiences and activities that help them build self-esteem and perspective. Prior to moving into his current role, in which he develops and implements curriculum for Newport’s Adventure Therapy program, Gary served as our Program Coordinator of Intensive Outpatient Services.

Prakash K. Thomas is board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, and completed his residency and internship at Yale University. Along with maintaining a private practice in New Haven, Connecticut, he also held staff positions at Yale New Haven Hospital and Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic, Inc. His areas of expertise include teaching psychiatrists and medical students, and supervising physicians in training nurses, psychologists, and social workers. He has also authored several scholarly articles and books on child psychiatry. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Thomas spent two years teaching English as a second language to college students in China.

Dr. Jillani has experience in multiple systems of care, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, school systems, outpatient programs, correctional facilities, and residential treatment centers. Her specialized focus on trauma-informed care, including how adverse childhood experiences affect mental health, supports her in fostering an empathetic rapport with patients and their families, and creating customized treatment plans that may or may not include psychopharmacological interventions. In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Jillani has authored several scholarly articles and taught medical students and psychiatric residents in training. A diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, she completed her training at Yale Child Study Center and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Dr. Loftus began her career in research, and her desire to make an impact on young people during this critical stage of development led her into direct care, working with children, teens, and families. She earned her medical degree at one of the most acclaimed medical schools in Romania, and received her PhD from the University of California, Davis. An advocate for children’s mental health, she has testified at the Capitol on numerous occasions in her role as the president of the Connecticut Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Dr. Loftus also served as an assistant professor in the University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, and is currently on the Advisory Board for the Women in Leadership Program at the University of New Haven. She previously served as Medical Director at Hartford HealthCare’s Institute of Living, researching the efficacy of experimental depression and suicidal ideation treatments.

Dr. Molinero is a triple board-certified adult, child, and adolescent addiction psychiatrist. She was trained at the University of Rochester for General Psychiatry, Yale Child Study Center for Child Psychiatry, and the University of Colorado for Addiction Psychiatry, and has experience utilizing multiple evidence-based modalities. Dr. Molinero’s research focuses on adolescent cannabis use and mental health outcomes, as well as the impact of cannabis use on ADHD. Her philosophy of therapeutic psychiatry takes a holistic view of patients and their family systems, with the understanding that connection with self and others is essential in recovering from mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and addictive behaviors.

Spencer MacDonald holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families. His therapeutic approach integrates psychodynamic and family systems approaches, in addition to Motivational Interviewing and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Spencer joined the Newport Academy Team in 2015.

As the Regional Executive Director in Northern California, Kristina leads our service delivery in the Marin, East Bay, and Sacramento markets. Kristina is an experienced behavioral health leader who has spent much of her career with Sunstone, Navos BHN MultiCare Health System, an adolescent residential treatment program where she held the positions of Children’s Residential Administrator, Operations Manager, and Director of Residential Services. Prior to her time there, she was a Manager of Admissions for Seattle Children’s Home.

Gary Broadbent, LCSW, JD/MBA, the Executive Director of Newport Healthcare’s campus in Oakley, Utah, has more than 20 years of experience in the field. Decades ago, Gary was part of the team that founded the original Oakley residential treatment program for teens. He went on to work for Magellan, providing crisis counseling for its members and traumatic event consultation services to Fortune 500 companies. Following a hiatus to obtain a JD/MBA, Gary became Director of Psychological Health for the Utah National Guard. After 18 months, he was promoted to Regional Director of Clinical Operations for the Western United States for the National Guard Psychological Program, and then became a program evaluator for the Department of Defense. Most recently, Gary was a Regional Sales Manager for Qualifacts + Credible, the leading EHR for large community mental health centers.

Dr. Burke has more than 15 years of experience in the mental healthcare field, including over a decade in leadership roles. Before joining the Newport team, he served in CEO positions at US HealthVest, UHS’s Ceder Springs Hospital, the Colorado Department of Human Services, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families. Dr. Burke holds a PhD in psychology from Fielding Graduate University and is co-author of a study on multicultural psychotherapy competencies, published in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. His volunteer experience includes 18 months as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families. Prior to his career in behavioral health, Dr. Burke served for four years in the US Marine Corps.

Helene D’Jay, LPC, brings years of experience in the business world as a human resources professional, and extensive experience in her second career as a therapist, to her position as Executive Director of our young adults services in Connecticut. She previously served as the Clinical Director of Newport Academy’s East Coast campus. Her combination of therapeutic and management skills is invaluable in this role. Helene has volunteered for the Red Cross and spent six months counseling families and children in Newtown, Connecticut. She also served on a crisis team for the statewide 211 system.

David Laxton, Executive Director of Newport’s treatment program in Kirkland, Washington, most recently worked in private practice providing mental health and substance use counseling to adolescent clients. He also provided counseling and evaluations for clients at The Recovery Center of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an IOP for professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) with co-occurring issues, and Our Lady of the Lake. David was also the clinic director of Baton Rouge Treatment Center, managing day-to-day operations and supervision; and the Director of Outpatient and Family Services for St. Christopher’s Addiction Wellness, a long-term residential treatment center for males with co-occurring disorders.

Leigh McInnis supports team cohesion at Newport Healthcare, including the management and training of clinical staff and the facilitation of seamless collaboration among departments. She has worked in a variety of public mental health arenas, including nonprofit crisis prevention and response for adults, intensive in-home care for children and adolescents, and residential treatment facilities. In 2016, Leigh developed the clinical milieu for a non-suicidal self-injury unit in a Virginia residential treatment facility. She holds a Master’s in Community Counseling from Marymount University.

Matthew has played an integral role in the initial and reaccreditation of multiple facilities according to Joint Commission standards of care. He has built and and supervised clinical, utilization, and administrative teams, increasing bed count and profit margin while decreasing operations costs. Matthew’s experience in crafting young adult programs, his personal recovery experience, and the diversity of his service gives him a broad understanding and multifaceted perspective on the treatment field.

Matthew has held leadership positions at a number of companies, including CEO of Premier Health Group in Newport Beach, California; Executive Program Director for Beachside Behavioral Health in Fountain Valley, California; and Program Director at Balboa Horizons in Costa Mesa, California, among others. During his early career, he served as a substance abuse counselor at Oasis Treatment Center in Anaheim. Matthew holds numerous executive and clinical certifications.

Michael brings to Newport extensive leadership experience in the mental healthcare field, primarily working with children and adolescents and their parents. Most recently, he managed statewide education and training for licensed foster parents through the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence in Seattle. Michael also held management positions with the Juvenile Rehabilitation/Rehabilitation Administration in Washington State, administering juvenile parole services and community facilities for the entire eastern Washington region. Prior to that, he served in clinical director and executive director roles with Northwest Youth Services. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s in clinical psychology from Antioch University, Michael has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in addition to a wide range of other modalities.

Joe brings to Newport 25 years of experience in residential treatment, foster and adoptive care settings, and more. He comes to us from our PrairieCare division, where he joined the team in 2014 as a Needs Assessment Counselor and then transitioned into an administrator role. Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Corrections with a minor in Sociology, as well as a Master’s in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has been providing counseling and therapeutic services to individuals for more than 15 years. Joe’s professional experience includes work in residential treatment, foster and adoptive care settings, Level 4 school programming, and community-based in-home services.

Allyson Bell is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with adolescents, young adults, and families. She attended the University of California, San Diego, and California State University, Chico before continuing on to Pacifica Graduate Institute where she received her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Bell joined the Newport team in 2021 as a Family Therapist and moved into an Associate Clinical Director role before becoming Director of Outpatient Services at our location in Westlake Village, California, in 2022. She is trained in a variety of treatment modalities and has worked with young people across a range of settings, including inpatient, residential, and outpatient services. Dr. Bell is dedicated to creating safe spaces to help teens and families find new understanding and move forward with a renewed sense of connection and purpose.

Ray has been working in the mental health and substance use treatment fields since 2010, in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. He has held clinical and leadership positions in settings ranging from the Department of Children and Families in Florida to prevention programs run by the juvenile justice system. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Ray holds a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is also an approved supervisor for associate-level marriage and family therapists and clinical mental health counselors in North and South Carolina.

Tiffany has more than 10 years of experience working in mental healthcare in a range of settings, including directing an inpatient psychiatric unit and overseeing an adolescent treatment court program serving clients with dual diagnosis. Her specializations include crisis intervention and suicide prevention, substance use issues, and mood disorders. Tiffany is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) for the State of Georgia. She holds a Master’s in clinical psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor’s in psychology from Florida State University.

Jennifer holds a master’s in Counseling Psychology, and specializes in adolescent and family therapy. Before joining the Newport team, she was an associate clinical director in private practice, working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Jennifer also has years of experience providing counseling to university and high school students, including directing a CARE team at Dominican University of California. Prior to becoming a therapist, she earned an MBA and enjoyed a career as a management consultant specializing in change management. Jennifer is also a certified yoga teacher.

Catherine holds a Master’s in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota and an undergraduate degree in psychology from Marquette University. Before joining the Newport Healthcare team as Director of our Center for Families outpatient location in Minneapolis, she spent seven years as the Business Manager of Ballard Clinic, a private group practice of mental health therapists serving school-aged children in outpatient settings located in Edina and Wayzata, Minnesota. Her background also includes fundraising for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and serving as a specialty clinic manager for North Memorial Healthcare in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

Lizzy is a licensed clinical social worker who is devoted to working with teenagers and young adults, appreciating and valuing their creative minds and extraordinary resilience in the face of challenges. After graduating from Fordham University in New York City, Lizzy recognized her passion to support others by building trusting relationships, and pursued training at Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, subsequently receiving her Master’s in Clinical Social Work.

Nicole has more than 10 years of experience in community mental health and substance use treatment in Wisconsin, with experience in case management, therapy, group therapy, training, program development, and leadership. She started her career in Phoenix Care System's Community Support Program, working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness. Before joining the Newport team, she was one of the first Mental Health Service Directors for the Comprehensive Community Services Program, which she helped build from the bottom up. Nicole earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan.

Ashley has more than 15 years of experience in the mental healthcare field, including direct care, private practice, and program leadership. Before joining the Newport team at our Maryland location, she was Director of Clinical Services at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington. Ashley also served in clinical management roles for the Washington DC behavioral health companies Green Door and N Street Village. She earned her MSW from the University of Michigan and her Bachelor’s in psychology from Grand Valley State University.

Jennifer Dragonette spearheaded the establishment of Newport Academy’s Northern California program, where she continues to serve as Executive Director. Her experience in the field includes clinical and leadership roles for Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa’s Chemical Dependency Services and for Petaluma Health Center, where she was the Director of Behavioral Health. Dr. Dragonette also developed curriculum for a program to support parents and children in the aftermath of the Petaluma wildfires in 2017. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and served as a federal investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before transitioning in to the treatment field.