2024 is the 2nd consecutive year ranked #1 in Newsweek’s list of Best Addiction Treatment Centers in Arizona!

Our Staff

For 40 years, Sierra Tucson has been a place of peace, hope, and healing.

On our serene, 160-acre campus, experienced professionals provide integrative, evidence-based care to help adults of all genders achieve lasting recovery from addiction and mental illness.

Executive Team

Tim Palus, CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Kelly Palmiero, COO
Chief Operating Officer
Amy C. Fritton Grudinschi
Group Chief Financial Officer
Jasleen Chhatwal, MBBS, MD, CPE, DFAPA
Chief Medical Officer; Director of Mood Recovery Program
Ryan Drzewiecki, PsyD, LP
Chief Clinical Officer
Christopher Luke Peterson, DO
Associate Medical Director
Lorraine Madrid
Director of Risk
Cherie Peltz, MPA, PHR
Human Resources Director

Medical Team

Nicholas R. Ahrendt, MD
Associate Medical Director
Irfan Fauq, MD
Director of Spravato and Ketamine Services; Staff Psychiatrist
Larisa Biznichuk, MS, PMHNP-BC
Director of Secondary Eating Recovery Services
Jack McClane, DO
Director of Trauma Recovery
Maureen Schwehr, NMD
Director of Integrative Services
Emily Coombs NMD
Naturopathic Medical Doctor
Juan C. Velez, DNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Director of Licensed Professional Program
Bill Reynolds, PA-C
Director of Military and First Responder Trauma Recovery Program
Myles Whitfield, PA-C
Director of Outpatient Medical Services
Alexander Danvers, PhD
Director of Treatment Outcomes
Eric Hansen, MD
Psychiatrist
James Seymour, MD
Trauma Psychiatrist
Walter Goodwillie
Internal Medicine Physician
Willie Lynch
Registered Nurse Practitioner
Jenny Muesing, PA-C
Physician Assistant

Clinical Team

Elaine Hixson-Weiss, MC, LPC
Associate Clinical Director
Robert Kincanon, PhD, LPC 
Associate Clinical Director
Ruben Grace, LMSW
Primary Therapist
Joanna L. Smith, M.Ed., MS, E-RYT 500
Primary Therapist, Outpatient
Sean Battle, LAC, NCC
Primary Therapist
Devin Gorman, MA, LMFT
Primary Therapist
Iuliia Bianchi, LAC
Primary Therapist
Marshall Turner, III, MS, LAC
Primary Therapist
Audrey S. Autrey, MA, LPC, NCC, CLYL, CCTP, CHT
Primary Therapist
Carol Burns-Wortham, MA, LPC
Primary Therapist
Lisa Lopez, LMSW
Primary Therapist - Licensed Professionals Program
Sierra Iuro, LMSW
Family Therapist
Brenda Baker, M.Ed., LISAC, CGP
Specialty Therapist – Grief
David Cato, LCSW, TCT, SEP, CCTP-II
Specialty Therapist
Jim H. Davis, MA
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Adena Bank Lees, LCSW, LISAC, BCE®TS, CP
Certified Psychodramatist
Matt Merrick, MSC, NCC, LPC
Primary Therapist
Gordy Longville, MA, LAC
Primary Therapist
Paul Greco, MA
Specialty Therapist
Kelli Parks MS, LPC , EMDR-C
Trauma Therapist
Maureen O’Connor-Strout, MC, NCC, LPC
EMDR Therapist
Peter Vernezze PhD, LCSW
Specialty Therapist

Integrative & Experiential Team

Christopher Sharp, PhD
Experiential Supervisor
Jennifer England, LAC
Program Supervisor & Equine Therapist
Josh Andelora, LMSW
Equine Therapist
Michael Brown
Equine Specialist

Case Management

Jessica Hall
Manager of Case Management
Alicia Newton
Specialist Liaison for Red, White, and Blue Program
Daniel True
Specialist Liaison for Red, White, and Blue Program
Adam Lasley
Case Manager
Adelina Altamirano
Case Manager
Cat Starks
Case Manager
Bryanna Clinton
Case Manager
Our Programs
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