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MEET THE BUCKEYE FAMILY

Click on our experts to learn more about their specializations.

Leadership

Admissions Outreach and Alumni

Clinical

Adjunct Specialist

Support Staff

Parham Nematollah, M.S. MFCT, LAADC

Chief Operating Officer

Parham Nematollah is a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and also holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Parham has over a decade of experience working in the field of mental health and addiction treatment services. Parham has held numerous roles in his tenure and currently holds the position as the Chief Operating Officer at Buckeye Recovery Network where he is responsible for driving the strategic vision for the organization. In his current role, Parham develops strategic initiatives, create/implements various programs, and leads talented teams of multidisciplinary professionals. Parham utilizes his extensive experience working in the behavioral health field to present seminars and workshops on his areas of expertise directly within the organization and at conferences.

Parham also coaches the boy’s varsity basketball team at Aliso Niguel High School and his unique approach places a strong emphasis on mental health/mental wellness with the intention of providing the student athletes with the tools necessary to succeed on and off the basketball court.

Michael F. Bishara, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Michael F Bishara is the medical director for Buckeye Recovery Network and with his addition to the team comes a wealth of experience within the general field of medicine as well as the treatment of substance abuse disorder and mental health ailments. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in science from The University of Rutgers in 1976, Michael would go on to travel to Cairo, Egypt and earn his doctorate from The Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine in 1981. Following his graduation, Dr. Bishara intervened with The University of New York before completing his residency at Lutheran Medical Center in 1987. With a background in internal Medicine and a subspecialty in addiction medicine the doctor has gone to build a career over the last 30 years as an affiliate and consultant for 8 separate hospitals in the local area as well as serving as medical director at four separate chemical dependency treatment facilities over the course of that same timeframe. Dr. Bishara is certified with the American Board of Addiction Medicine as well as approved by the FDA to prescribe Suboxone for those suffering from life threatening opioid dependency. Dr. Bishara can often be found within the walls of Buckeye Recovery Network, taking the time to meet with each client personally in order to best outline a medical treatment plan to best meet their specific needs.

Jeremy Tangaro​

Chief Financial Officer

Jeremy graduated from Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting in 1993 and earned CPA Licenses in California, Washington, and Oregon.

Former roles included being the Pacific NW Director for a national accounting firm specializing in auditing and consulting for financial institutions, IT consulting, and being a VP of Internal Audit.

After nearly drinking himself to death and ending up in treatment and then sober living, Jeremy found his most rewarding role as a house manager at the Ohio House in Costa Mesa. He remained in that role for over 5 years before becoming the CFO at Buckeye Recovery Network.

Jeremy is a firm believer in giving back and the resulting peace and happiness that comes along with it. He is known for his motto of “Carpe Diem, Memento Mori”. Jeremy cherishes now being a sober son, brother, and being “Uncle Mimi” to his nieces and nephews.

David Sanders

Director of Operations

Stepping into Buckeye Recovery Network, you will often be greeted by David Sanders, our Director of Operations and his dog, Meyer, the Director of Goofiness. As an Oregon native, David, entered the field of substance abuse treatment shortly after migrating to California to face his own path of recovery. Prior to working in the field of recovery, he studied Fire Science at Lane Community College while practicing as an Emergency Medical Technician. Now, at Buckeye Recovery Network, David is a vital part of the team overseeing daily operations as well as ensuring each client receives the individual care needed. Working alongside our Medical Director, David aims to provide each client the access and resources to tackle all aspects of their recovery including their physical, mental and spiritual health.

Sara Rotunno, LPCC

Program Director

Sara Rotunno is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and has served in a number of roles for Buckeye Recovery Network since 2017. Sara received her undergraduate degree in Criminology and her master’s in Clinical Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Sara initially joined the team as a primary therapist, eventual women’s program manager, and currently resides as the clinical supervisor for the company. With a continued desire to hone her craft and further evolve her skillset, Sara has completed further training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as well as Brainspotting – modalities that focus on accessing unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. Sara’s education and background of working deeply with trauma has led her to focus on the internalized issues that lead individuals astray with mental health difficulty and/or substance abuse issues. Sara is known for emphasis on utilizing a safe therapeutic space at Buckeye Recovery Network to provide clientele refuge from adverse experiences.

Matthew Keogh

Director of Admissions

Matthew Keogh is a New York native who began his own journey in recovery in 2016 within the Buckeye Recovery Network. Matt has worked in the substance abuse space since beginning of 2017. In that time, he has held titles of House Manager, Operational Director and Client Care Coordinator as well as becoming a Certified Case Manager and Interventionist through Breining Institute. In 2019 Matt was brought on to be Director of Admissions for Buckeye Recovery Network. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that those who struggle with substance abuse issues and mental health difficulty are supported in their desire to change their lives and recover. Always just a single phone call away, Matt spends countless hours supporting family’s and loved ones alike by ensuring that they know that there is always hope no matter how dark the circumstances may seem.

Cory Dispensiero

Director of Alumni Services

Cory displays strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and is most often found with a big smile exuding his positive perspective on life.  He is always appreciative of his space in his own recovery.  Cory is driven to bring his experience, big heart and passion for life to others.  Always aiming to meet people
where they are at, he has found purpose in helping others find their own journey.

Cory always looks to nature and the outdoors to enhance the recovery experience and utilize what is available in all our lives.  He continuously strives to create engaging activities, educational opportunities and personal growth encompassing nature, education and community programs.  Cory sees personal relations, an open-mind and renewed hope through recovery as the good road ahead for those he crosses path with.

Cory is an accomplished angler, avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast.

James Shand, CADC-CAS

Primary Counselor

Jim Shand is a Licensed substance abuse counselor working with various populations in inpatient, outpatient, PHP, and residential treatment settings. His knowledge of substance abuse, LGBT community and the homeless populations has led to a passion for addiction recovery and self-help motivation for lasting recovery for short- and long-term addictions. Jim has widespread counseling experience in various treatment settings with 13 years of experience as a substance abuse counselor.

Jim’s extensive experience provides him with a deep knowledge and understanding of residential, outpatient and PHP treatment programs, and in turn the dynamic needs required to yield success in this industry. Jim is committed to providing the best possible care and outcomes with a wide variety of varying populations in the field of addiction recovery. Jim has works well with others and is an integral part of the treatment team.

Natasha Saifabad, LMFT

Primary Therapist

Natasha Saifabad is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and obtained a master’s degree in counseling from San Diego State University. Since 2017, she has been working with individuals, couples, and families.

Natasha has experience working in a substance abuse setting that include, inpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Natasha’s current role at Buckeye Recovery Network is the lead group facilitator for the partial hospitalization program and meeting with clients individually. She is skilled in running groups on mindfulness, different types of anxiety disorders, depression, CBT/DBT, just to name a few. She prides herself in developing a deep connection and collaborative approach with her clients.

Natasha is Gottman Level III trained and has been working with couples since 2020. The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes assessment of the relationship and integrates research-based interventions to assist couples in achieving a deeper sense of understanding, awareness, empathy, and connectedness.

Lastly, Natasha is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, which is an approach that encourages a healthy relationship with food. It promotes body positivity and focuses on recognizing and honoring hunger. Her mission is to help her clients improve their quality of their lives through strongly supported evidence-based practices and a compassionate therapeutic connection.

Julian Primm, RAD-T

Primary Counselor

Julian Primm is our Lab Technician/Support staff who has been with the company for over 5 years. Julian’s own journey started here back on December 8th of 2015 and since then he has dedicated his life to helping others who like him were once trapped by addiction by building a strong foundation for clients here at BRN. Julian Just finished school to be a substance abuse counselor and has been instrumental in our facilities Structure. Julian prides himself on helping Buckeye to be the best facility it can be on a daily basis. When he is not at work, he is at home working another full-time job as a loving father.

Oliver De Castro, AMFT

Primary Therapist

Oliver J. De Castro is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of California. Oliver also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with Minor concentrations in Theater, Mathematics, and Music while also a student-athlete. Oliver then pursued and achieved a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, has been in the field of mental health and substance abuse since 2016. Oliver was raised in the Dominican Republic during childhood, then moved the US in 2004 in New York City. Over the years, Oliver has worked with a variety of diverse populations, communities, and settings doing mental health work, including doing much with with children, families, couples, groups, and individuals struggling to achieve stability. Oliver’s overall mission statement is to dedicate his service to helping others live a more stable quality of life, and currently works at Buckeye Recovery Network to continue carrying out his mission.

Ashley Raymond

Primary Therapist

Ashley Raymond is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee who is obtaining a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at California State University, Long Beach. Her education is heavily rooted in mental health and human behavior, as she has both an Associate of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Ashley has been working in the field of mental health since 2018 and has experience working with adults with various mental health diagnoses. She has provided case management services to diverse clientele and has facilitated numerous process and psycho-educational groups in both a crisis residential program and social rehabilitation program. Her experiences and passion for helping others achieve mental wellness contributes to her aspiration of becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 

At Buckeye Recovery Network, Ashley has served as a group facilitator for the PHP and IOP programs. As the Primary Therapist for the women’s program, Ashley uses an integrative approach to treat each individual’s substance use and underlying mental health issues. She understands the importance of fostering a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental environment conducive for growth. Her education and background contribute to her trauma-informed practices, as she understands the effects of trauma on the brain and subsequential behaviors. Ashley dedicates herself to provide an inclusive environment sensitive to her client’s personal values, beliefs, and identities to ensure each individual feels heard, welcome, and understood.

Stuart Stock-Tucker

Primary Therapist

Stuart is a highly motivated and committed mental health practitioner with extensive experience in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and a range of mental health diagnoses. Hailing from San Luis Obispo, CA, Stuart has long harbored a strong desire to provide aid to those in need.

Before earning his bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from California State University Long Beach (CSULB), Stuart spent over a decade working with adults with intellectual disabilities. During this time, he amassed invaluable knowledge and skills in aiding individuals with intricate needs, thereby improving their quality of life.

In 2020, Stuart made the decision to shift his focus towards mental health, and embarked on a master’s degree program in Counseling Psychology at CSULB. As a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee, Stuart has exhibited a steadfast dedication to helping individuals, couples, and families surmount their obstacles and reach their objectives. Through his work in mental health, Stuart has cultivated an in-depth understanding of various mental health diagnoses and evidence-based treatments. He has helped people of all age groups, from children to adults, navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Stuart’s empathetic and non-judgmental approach fosters a secure environment for clients to examine their emotions and experiences. He remains committed to keeping abreast of the latest research and techniques in mental health and integrates this knowledge into his therapeutic practice.

Daniel Ide and Yumi Yasuhara

Sound Healers

Daniel Ide has a traditional education in music and the literary arts leading to a further study and practice of interior and architectural design specializing in woodworking. He relocated from his home state of Massachusetts to Southern California in 2000 where his personal style of design and construction was welcome in the arts and business community. Daniel’s personal journey through addiction and recovery led him into a whole new world of healing and health exposing him to Western Shamanism, ancient healing arts and other esoteric teachings connected to sound healing. Many years later, and with deep personal interest and study, he has turned his focus more intently toward working with others in healing a variety of health issues. He too believes and follows in the tradition of healer as guide.

Yumi Yasuhara is a trained Massage Therapist with a long history of study and practice in the healing arts. She began her journey in Japan where she developed, at any early age, a healthy loving regard for the healing arts. Once established in the United States as a college student she pursued and completed a variety of healer trainings leading to her own signature practice of Massage Therapy. Today she focuses more intently on Sound and Energy as her prevailing healing modalities for guiding one towards health and wholeness, all the while holding fast to the sacred tradition of the “healer” as a guide merely provides opportunity for the client to heal themselves. Yumi’s daily healing and wholing routine is working with plants and wild life in and around her rural home.

Yesmeen Mikhail

Mindfulness/Yoga Instructor

Yesmeen Mikhail is a Michigan native who fell in love with the mental health benefits of yoga. For 4 years she has been teaching the power of breath work and mindfulness for reducing stress and anxiety. She has her 200 YTT from Core Power Yoga, learning the proper physical alignments to keep her students safe. She combines both yogic philosophy and meditation in classes giving her students a well-rounded experience. In the next year she hopes to stretch and breathe her way towards a Masters in Family Therapy. In her perfect world, everyone would have a little yoga in their lives.

Pamela Wood

Accounting/HR

Pamela Wood began her personal recovery in the beginning of 2012 and since then has remained a staple in the local recovery community. In September of 2018 Pam left her role as an office manager to join the Buckeye Recovery Network family with aspirations of joining a team dedicated to setting the bar for addiction and mental health treatment. Pamela quickly made her presence in the financial office known by improving overall operations with a meticulous attention to detail. Pamela is also tasked with all Human Resources duties and utilizes that same attention to detail in upholding the integrity of all employees who proudly call Buckeye Recovery Network home. In addition to this, Pamela has taken on responsibilities regarding all billing and invoicing within our organization which rounds out her tangible presence as an overall Swiss-army knife for Buckeye Recovery Network. Pamela continues to stay true to the roots of her own journey by ensuring that Buckeye Recovery Network maintains the delicate ecosystem of recovery that is necessary to foster long term sustainable wellness for all those who seek their services.

John Donoghue

Accounts Manager

John Donoghue was born and raised in Illinois before moving to California in 2013 to pursue his own recovery. John then would go own to give back the experience that led to his success with sobriety by becoming a sober living manager in 2014, a position that he continues to hold today. As a house manager John became an integral part of the local recovery community and developed a skillset focused on client care. In 2019 John would go on to join the Buckeye Recovery Network Family in the financial office. It is within this role that John would focus on assisting families and patients alike in the financial portion of the treatment process which can sadly weigh heavily on those attempting to navigate recovery for their loved ones or themselves. Equipped with the knowledge that this is a delicate process, John handles all financial situations with the same gentleness and care that fostered his own recovery process years ago.

Heath Janow

Facilities Manager/Activities Coordinator

Heath Janow began his own personal journey of recovery in February of 2015 and from there also began his passion for supporting others in the process of transforming their lives. Heath’s first job in recovery was when he was brought on in June of 2015 to become the Facilities Manager and did so with the intention of ensuring that all of those who choose to recover with BRN would do so in the most optimal and safe atmosphere possible. In April of 2016 Heath added to his repertoire by becoming a house manager for fifteen months for a local recovery home. It is from here that he built an even stronger foundation upon which he found his way to becoming an integral part of the family at Buckeye Recovery Network. In 2018 Heath added the title of Activities Coordinator to his mantle and began organizing all staff and patient outings that takes BRN’s treatment to beautiful new heights. Between the two roles Heath occupies now, he takes the utmost pride in ensuring that the healing environment necessary to recover exists for all clients, inside and out of Buckeye Recovery Network.

Kelsey Gearhart

Director of Business Development

Kelsey carries multiple years of experience working in the substance abuse and mental health treatment field. Her passion for this field comes from her personally knowing recovery from addiction.

Prior to Buckeye she held titles of Recovery Coach, Operations Director, and Admissions Director. Kelsey was brought on at Buckeye Recovery as the Director of Business Development. She has a passion for ensuring every individual gets the help that they need, and does so by developing relationships with other providers.

Kelsey also oversees our women’s sober living environments – The Chadwick House for Women. She is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and conducive environment for all women that walk through the doors of Chadwick.