Joe Procopio 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. He served in executive leadership positions with Acadia Healthcare Company (NASDAQ: ACHC) and with CRC Health Group, most recently as a Division President, and in management positions with Susquehanna Health and Geisinger Health System. At Newport Healthcare, Joe employs his wealth of insight, knowledge, and innovation to expand our services into new markets, with the goal of reaching more communities and supporting more teens, young adults, and families in need.

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, depression, and addiction treatment for more than 20 years. She developed and oversees the clinical and family programs for Newport Healthcare’s treatment programs. Dr. Nosal holds a Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, in Palo Alto, California. Also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, she specializes in family systems, including restructuring family dynamics and healing childhood trauma.

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.

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.”

Craig has more than 25 years of finance experience in Fortune 100 and private equity–backed healthcare services, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies. Since 2008, Craig has held multiple CFO roles for private equity-backed healthcare services businesses in direct-to-consumer medical products, multi-site healthcare services, physician practice management, and healthcare staffing. He has repeatedly built and led high-impact finance teams to successfully improve operational and financial performance in high-growth situations. He served as Vice President of Investor Relations for Caremark Rx through the acquisition by CVS and spent 11 years with Eli Lilly and Company in Finance, Global Treasury and Investor Relations. Craig holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and a BA in Economics from DePauw University.

Mary Clark brings to Newport Healthcare a unique combination of cross-sector healthcare experience and corporate governance. Over 35 years in the field, she has successfully led companies through mergers and acquisitions and worked with multiple constituencies to build operational excellence and exceptional business-to-consumer relationships. Past positions include senior VP of provider relations at One Call, a provider of healthcare solutions to the worker’s compensation industry; and VP of market service at Healthways, Inc., managing strategic business relationships with the nation’s largest medical home program.

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.

Kristin Wilson has been working in the treatment field since 1997. During the past 20 years, her leadership roles have included clinical supervisor, executive director, and clinical outreach representative, as well as senior regional director of marketing for a major behavioral health network. Kristin is a licensed clinician who has worked in a variety of mental health treatment settings, including inpatient, residential, and outpatient levels of care for chemical dependence, process addictions, and eating disorders. She holds a Master’s degree in psychology and Creative Arts Therapies, is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a certified yoga teacher.

Rebecca is a respected and versatile industry thought leader with proven success in innovating new business and clinical models, applying exceptional consensus-building skills, and driving the delivery of integrated care, yielding profitable growth and client satisfaction. She has 25-plus years of executive leadership experience with global companies including UnitedHealthcare and Healthways. Before joining the Newport Healthcare team in 2023, Rebecca was the Chief Operating Officer for 180 Health Partners, a multi-state provider of behavioral healthcare and community services. An award-winning author, she is also a Nashville Healthcare Council Fellow, Advisory Board member of Major Care, appointed member of the Metro Nashville and Davidson County Board of Health, and chair of The Next Door Recovery Board of Directors. Rebecca holds an executive MBA degree from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, and a BBA degree in marketing, with a minor in psychology, from the University of Texas at Austin.

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.

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.

Julie has more than 15 years of experience in the mental healthcare industry, in direct care, supervisory, and leadership roles. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, she began her career as a therapist at Pacific Clinics, and advanced into a series of executive leadership positions, including director of clinical and administrative operations for Mental Health Systems programs in the Greater San Diego Area, and director of clinical operations for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Most recently, she spent four years at Providence Hospitals and Health Care, rising to executive director of the company’s Mental Health Institute Southern California. Julie is passionate about using her strengths to be an advocate and voice for those who are struggling with mental health conditions.

Victoria brings to Newport deep experience in healthtech, fintech, and personal injury marketing and advertising. Her data-driven approach to nurturing engagement, paired with her dedication to creating effective, cohesive teams, is proven to successfully elevate brands over the competition. In the AVP role, Victoria focuses on fostering collaborative relationships across departments and leveraging innovative marketing tactics to further propel Newport as the industry leader in behavioral healthcare for teens and young adults. Before joining the Newport team, Victoria was Senior Director of Marketing for AccuReg in Franklin, Tennessee, where she led direction and execution for all marketing strategies and tactics. Victoria 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.

Annie brings to the Newport Healthcare team in-depth experience in quantitative and qualitative research. Additionally, she brings professional communication skills across a wide range of platforms. Annie continues to be fascinated by the interface of psychology and law, and has acquired degrees in both psychology and communication studies, along with a master’s in forensic psychology. With a background in the litigation field, Annie has provided trial support for the Denver District Attorney’s Office and has assisted deputy district attorneys in drug court with trial preparation and courtroom coverage.

Cassie joined the Newport Healthcare team in 2013. She works closely with our Executive and Clinical Directors to ensure appropriate placement for clients and a seamless admissions process for both clients and the internal team. Cassie’s previous work experience includes event planning and management for the M&M Group in Huntington, California, planning, producing, and managing billing for more than 10 events each month. She also managed marketing, crafted advertising strategies, and oversaw content dissemination for NJ Law, APC, in Newport, California. Cassie holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Michael Roeske, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, conference speaker, and former chief executive officer. He serves as a Board Member for the Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals, an affiliate of NAADAC; and is on the NAATP Advisory Board for the Project FoRSE Treatment Outcomes Program. He has previously worked and studied in a variety of treatment settings, including adult substance use disorder and adolescent mental health programs, community-based psychological services, and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Additionally, Dr. Roeske has experience as an alcohol and drug counselor, clinical director, and adjunct professor, and has been quoted in a variety of media outlets, including CNN, Verywell Mind, Men’s Health, and Parade.

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.

Dr. Grant is an internationally recognized and award-winning media psychologist, author, published researcher, Doctoral Addictions Counselor, and educator with specific expertise in technology’s impact on mental health. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), served as president of the APA's Division 46 (The Society for Media Psychology & Technology), currently chairs the APA's Device Management & Intelligence Committee and co-chairs its Strategic Planning committee, and also serves as secretary-treasurer of the California Psychological Association Division VI (Media Technology and Communication). Dr. Grant designs, presents, and facilitates Healthy Device Management and Good Digital Citizenship treatment strategy and educational training workshops for clinicians, educators, parents, and academic communities. He has contributed interviews and articles to numerous media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, New York Times, APA Monitor on Psychology, Time, Forbes, Business Insider, ABC News, The Daily Show, and People.

Kara leads Newport’s national team in creating and managing eating disorder protocols and clinical programming across our locations. She brings to her role more than a decade of experience in the mental healthcare field, primarily working with adolescents and young adults struggling with eating disorders and body image issues. Before coming on board with Newport as an Associate Clinical Director in 2020, Kara served as a primary therapist and then program director for the Center for Discovery’s adolescent and young adult eating disorder residential programs. Her experience also includes two years as a school clinician/behavioral specialist for the Wellspring Foundation’s Wellspring Arch Bridge School. An AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy) Approved Supervisor and Clinical Fellow, Kara is certified in Gestalt Therapy and trained in EMDR, DBT, and Crisis Prevention through the Crisis Prevention Institute. She holds a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. Kara has been a featured expert for Parents magazine and FOX11 Los Angeles, among other national shows and publications.

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.

With over 10 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field, Meredith 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 started with Newport as a Family Therapist and has since held various leadership positions, including Associate Family Program Director and Clinical Director. 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. She specializes in working with adolescents and young adults. Meredith is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. 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.

Felicia has more than seven years of experience in healthcare, working in a wide variety of settings—including floor nurse at a hospital, pre-op and post-anesthesia care at a surgery center, primary care, and public health. Currently licensed as an RN in 41 states, she served as a COVID first-responder nurse before joining Newport Healthcare’s medical team in 2021. Constantly seeking to grow and advance in her craft, Felicia brings compassion, expertise, and rapport-building skills that have supported her to quickly advance from floor nurse to management roles. Prior to becoming a nurse, Felicia worked in hospitality for four years. She is passionate about giving back to her community and providing support to clients and families as they navigate the healing journey.

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. Michel Mennesson is board-certified in general psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with an added qualification in Addiction Psychiatry. He trained as a pediatrician and internist before entering the field of psychiatry, and completed his residency at Yale University. Dr. Michel draws from a variety of therapeutic approaches, as well as mindfulness principles, to find new and creative solutions to support successful treatment outcomes. He was the recipient of the Best Teacher Award during his tenure at the University of Connecticut Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Originally from France, Dr. Michel is a longtime practitioner of yoga and meditation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jep Stokes, Executive Director for Newport’s programs in Los Angeles, is an accomplished healthcare administrator and respected leader. Most recently, he was the Market Vice President of Behavioral Health Services for HCA Healthcare. Jep also served as CEO of a 60-bed treatment facility with Acadia Healthcare, and as COO at Universal Health Services. With an extensive background in client relations and account management, and a degree in business administration from Stetson University, Jep has expertise in all facets of program and staff development.

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.

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.

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.

An experienced behavioral health leader with more than 22 years in the field helping adolescents, young adults, and families, Kristina oversees our adolescent and young adult services in Sacramento, California. Much of her career has been 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 ultimately Director of Residential Services. Prior to her time there, she was Manager of Admissions for the Seattle Children’s Home. Kristina is an avid hiker whose hiking team, Alpine Trekkers, placed sixth out of over 100 teams for a 2016 Washington Trails Association fundraising event.

With more than a decade in the mental health treatment field, Julie brings to her role at Newport expertise in clinical leadership, supervision, and direct care. She has held positions in a variety of Southern California treatment settings, including program director at Olive Crest, serving at-risk children and families in California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest; and director at Phoenix House in Orange County. Julie has also worked in public and therapeutic school settings as a teacher and therapist. As an instructor at Life College, she taught interpersonal communication skills to young adults with special needs. Julie has been a volunteer at Back Bay Therapeutic Riding Club since 2014. She earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from California State University–Fullerton.

Luciana is dedicated to providing individualized care and adaptive environments for our adolescent clients, supporting each one to achieve sustainable recovery from their own unique starting point. She specializes in trauma-informed care and substance use disorder treatment, and is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other modalities. Before joining the Newport team in 2021, Luciana held management and coordinator positions for Norris, a residential youth care facility in Wisconsin; the Division of Youth and Family Services in Milwaukee County; and Wellpoint Care Network (formerly SaintA) in Milwaukee. A licensed clinical social worker with an MSW from the University of Wisconsin, Luciana entered the mental health field because she’s passionate about “being part of the village that creates a safe space for healing.”  

Hannah has been working in the mental healthcare field since 2013. She began her career as a social worker, serving pediatric, young adult, and adult patients at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. Over her seven-year tenure at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, Hannah rose from psychiatric social worker to Supervisor of Admissions. Before joining the Newport Healthcare team in May 2022, she was Director of Admissions at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Hannah holds a master’s in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Justina, our Director of Outpatient Services in San Rafael, California, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Brandman University. Before joining the Newport team, she spent six years at the Riverside County Latino Commission on Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization in the Coachella Valley. There she helped establish programs that increased access to social and mental health services for families and children, including those in underserved and marginalized communities.

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.

Najah Dail joined the Newport team in 2019 as a Primary Therapist, and quickly rose to a Program Director role and then to her current position as Director of Outpatient Services for our treatment center in Virginia. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the mental health field, in both direct care and managerial positions, at companies including New Directions, Childhelp, and 1Life1Love, Inc. Najah holds a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s in psychology from Chowan University, and has specialized training in Attachment-Based Family Therapy and EFT. “In many cases, healing involves a village,” she says. “The effort, commitment, and passion we put behind the work we do here at Newport is endless, and it’s incredibly meaningful to witness the positive impact it has on the young people and families we work with.”

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.

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.

Megan, our Director of Outpatient Services in Virginia, has 14 years of experience in direct care as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked in residential, partial, and outpatient levels of care, specializing in crisis intervention. Megan holds an MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor’s in social work from George Mason University.

Marjan holds both a Doctor of Psychology degree and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University, as well as a Bachelor’s in psychology from California State University in Fresno. She has worked in private practice with adults, couples, and families, addressing family conflict, stress, and relationship issues. Marjan serves as Director of Newport Healthcare’s outpatient program in Sacramento. She speaks fluent Farsi and brings her perspective as an Iranian-American woman to her work with adolescents and families from diverse backgrounds.

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.

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.