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Our Staff

Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

Palo Verde Behavioral Health is the perfect destination for people who want to participate in a growing and innovative organization that prides itself on patient care and security. Learn more about our staff below.

Medical Staff

John T. P. Liggins, MD, MS
Chief Medical Director
Specialty: General Adult Psychiatry
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Medical School: Stanford University School of Medicine
Board Certified through ABPN

Mark J. Helms, MD
Director, Consult and Liaison Services
Specialty: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Medical School: University of Arizona

Nazia Ahmed, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Specialty: Psychiatry
Medical School: St. Matthews University
Board Certified through ABPN

Allison R. Optican, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
Specialty: Adult and Adolescent Psychiatry
Residency: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Board Certified through ABPN

John Leipsic, MD
Associate Medical Director, Adolescent Inpatient Unit
Specialty: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Board Certified, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (C/A)
Medical School: Medical College of Virginia
Residency: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital of Boston, Adult Psychiatry
Fellowship: University of California at Davis, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Leadership Team

Jennifer Stokes, M.Ed, LPC
Chief Executive Officer

Maria Bartlett
Director of Clinical Services

Taiwan Savage
Director of Business Development

Debra (KC) Currin
Director of Plant Operations

Jeni Whetstone
Director of Performance Improvement and Risk Management

Lynn Myers
Chief Financial Officer

Bernice Whittaker, MSN-RN
Chief Nursing Officer

Mark Pargas
Director of Human Resources

Katie Studenski
Director of the Business Office

John Boyer
Director of Pharmacy

Trisha Solano
Manager of Health Information Management

Ashley Coulter, LMSW, BHP
Director of Intake

Tom Cleereman, LCSW
Director of Outpatient Services

Sam Jaeckels, LMSW
Director of Utilization Management

Rosa Elias
Credentialing/Medical Staff