Our staff consists of highly committed and experienced professionals who are compassionate, highly knowledgeable, and extremely dedicated to helping individuals and families who are caught in the grip of alcohol and drug addiction.
Most of our staff members are in recovery themselves, and are able to truly relate with our clients.
We have the people, the facility, and the programs to help make a profound change in the lives of addicts, alcoholics and those struggling with dual diagnosis or co-occurring issues.
Director of the Vince Carter Sanctuary/Deputy Medical Director Addiction Services
Jeremy
Mirabile MD, ABAM, FAAFP
Dr. Jeremy Mirabile attended the University of Florida for his medical education and graduated from their Family Medicine Residency Program in 2005. From 2005 through 2009, Dr. Mirabile worked in the Halifax Dunn Health Center and the Halifax Health Emergency Department in Daytona Beach. As clinical faculty for the Florida State University College of Medicine and courtesy faculty for Halifax Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Mirabile teaches future physicians about the disease model of addiction as well as the importance of integrating mental health and primary healthy care. Dr. Mirabile works closely with the evaluation and treatment of impaired licensed professionals.
Dr. Mirabile is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Addiction Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine. He has been recognized as a Fellow by the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and has been certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Dr. Mirabile is currently the Director of the Vince Carter Sanctuary and the Deputy Medical Director of Addiction Services for Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Health Care.
Clinical Director, Director of Operations
Jerry Gropper, DDS, MS, LPC, MAC, CAP
After graduating from NYU Dental College in 1958, Dr. Gropper served as a Captain in the US Air Force. He entered private dental practice in 1960. Dr. Gropper is a life-time member of the American Dental Association, a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, and served as an expert to the New Jersey Dental Board. He retired from his dental practice in 1983.
Dr. Gropper in 1985 was treated for chemical dependency and upon discharge worked as an Addiction Counselor while attending Georgia State University Masters Program in Community Counseling. He graduated from GSU in 1987 and worked as a Primary Therapist with the Talbott Recovery Program in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1989, he was appointed Clinical and Executive Director of the Talbott Recovery Campus and later the Chief Operations Officer of Anchor Hospital.
In 1996, Dr. Gropper became an Associate Professor at Medical College of Georgia and with Dr. Dirkson, Associate Dean, developed an Addiction Prevention Program for dental students. While at the Talbott Program, he developed a National Treatment Program for the treatment of chemically dependent dentists. In 1997, Dr. Gropper was inducted into OKU Honor Society at MCG. He has lectured extensively before Dental Schools, Associates, Dental and Medical Licensing Boards, and the American Dental Association. He resigned from the Talbott Program in 2000 and served as a consultant to the Bradford Health Professional Program in Warrior, Alabama and then as a consultant to the Metropolitan Recovery Residences in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Gropper has written many articles on addiction and recovery and contributed a chapter to Clarks Clinical Dentistry in 1997, titled Addiction and Progressive Self-Destructive Behaviors in Dentists, published by CV Mosby, Inc. He has personally treated more than 500 chemically dependent and duly diagnosed dentists and taken part in the treatment of several thousand physicians and other addicted health professionals.
In 2005 Dr. Gropper relocated to Florida and became a consultant to the Professional Resource Network, which is the Florida Department of Health's monitoring program. He has worked closely with the Florida Board of Dentistry in rehabilitating addicted dentists and dental hygienists. The Florida Dental Association honored Dr. Gropper in May of 2011 for 25 years of achievement in restoring chemically dependent dentists to health and returning them to their profession. Dr. Gropper is presently a member of the Dental Well Being Council of the American Dental Association.
Dr. Gropper recently joined the staff of the Vince Carter Sanctuary as the Clinical Director. He will be closely working with Dr. Mirabile, Director of the Sanctuary, to expand the already excellence of the Sanctuary.
Director of Nursing
Lisa Huser, RN, CARN
Lisa graduated from Jacksonville Community College with an Associates degree in Nursing. She is currently pursuing her BSN with Jacksonville University. Lisa brings 28 years of nursing experience in various settings, with the last 10 years dedicated to the mental health community. Lisa is passionate about the area of addiction medicine and is excited to be a part of the VCS team.
Lisa likes to share a quote of Abraham Lincoln; "determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way" - Lisa believes that with determination, hope, faith and supportive relationships, recovery and restoration is obtainable.
Director of the Tobacco Cessation Program and Research
Edgar L. Anderson, BSN, MSHSA, CHT, Ph.D.
Dr. Anderson attended Harlem Hospital's School of Anesthesia for Nurses. he was trained to administer general, regional and hypnosis anesthesia for surgical and medical procedures. He taught anesthesia at New York University Post Graduate Medical School Anesthesia for Nurses at Bellevue Hosptial. Practicing as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) he maintained a scientific and humanistic interest in behavioral management of stress-like conditions. He showed a special interest in addiction, smoking cessation and cardiorespiratory disease. His clinical experience at St. Vincent's Medical Center (Chief Nurse Anesthestist/Respiratory Care Coordinator) provided the opportunity to be recruited for the position of Chairman and Associate Professor of the Therapeutic Division at The School of Allied Health Professions State University of New York at Stony Brook.
He became a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), received his Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and Masters of Science in Health Services Administration at Stony Brook. His continued interest in the scientific effects of behavioral change led to pursuit of his Ph.D. (Union Institute and University) in the area of "Clinical Hypnosis Applied to the Management of Stress Related Disorders". Dr. Anderson received further clinical hypnosis training from Herbert Spiegel, M.D. and advice from Milton Erickson, M.D. during his research on "Non-hypnotic and Hypnotic Control of Ventilation". He has published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Respiratory Care, Journal of Critical Care Medicine (abs), and has lectured at national, state and local meetings.
Dr. Anderson is a Certified Hypnotherapist (CHT) and member of the Florida Society of Clinical Hypnosis. After retiring from the university with the title of Associate Professor Emeritus he returned to work as Case Manager Coordinator/Staff Development Specialist for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in South Carolina. He moved to Florida and joined Halifax Medical Center as Case Management Coordinator/Disease Management Specialist.
Medical referrals from Dr. Jeremy Mirabile, addictionologist and at that time with Dunn Health Center, accounted for more than 4,000 multidisciplined disease management patient sessions. Counseling, Guided- Imagery and progressive relaxation were often combined to produce productive outcomes. This successful approach to medical care is now available in the form of multi-disciplined Tobacco Cessation Program at the Vince Carter Sanctuary. Dr. Anderson's many years of experience in hypnosis, relaxation, guided-imagery and biofeedback is available to the recovering client population at the Vince Carter Sanctuary.
Senior Family Therapist
Lynn Blackmon, LMFT
Lynn is a Florida Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), has more than 20 years experience working with families in community, school, and agency settings.
She has a MS degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Stetson University and a BS in Family Studies from Georgia Southern University. She is also a member of AAMFT, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Family Therapist
Hollan Pugh-Greisdorf, LMHC
Hollan Pugh-Greisdorf is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is the former Executive Director of Safehouse of Seminole and Help Now of Osecola. She has served on the Governor's Task Force Against Domestic Violence, the State of Florida Mediation Task Force and is the Past President of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She received her BA in Political Science from Rollins College and her MA from Santa Clara University in California.
Her expertise is in the treatment of addiction, trauma, eating and mood disorders. She utilizes numerous therapy techniques including EMDR. Ms. Pugh-Greisdorf is committed to the 12 Steps in both her professional and personal life.
Clinical Therapist
Anna Temple, MA,
RMHCI#7189
Anna Temple, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI), has more than 7 years experience working with substance abuse and mental health population in community, and agency settings. She has a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Stetson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She is also pursuing a PhD in Psychology at the Capella University.
She is certified in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and PREPARE/ENRICH Couples Testing and Counseling. She is also a member of American Counseling Association (ACA), and a member of International Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
Clinical Therapist
Tara McGahee, MS, LPC, MAC, NCC
Tara graduated from The University of Georgia in 2004 with a Bachelor in Psychology and from Georgia State University in 2006 with a Masters in Professional Counseling. Tara is passionate about recovery in addictive disease and mental illness. Tara is a former Director of Outpatient Services at a behavioral health hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and a former Program Administrator of an outpatient practice.
She has received training as an interventionist in the Field Model of Intervention, Johnson Model and is currently an ARISE Intern. Tara has 6 years experience working with addictive disease and mental illness in crisis stabilization, PHP/IOP and Outpatient settings. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and is pursuing licensure in the state of Florida as an LMHC. She holds national certifications as a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Clinical Therapist
Lindsey E. Komara, MSW, ISW6994
Lindsey obtained her Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Florida State University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Lindsey is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Florida. Lindsey has clinical experience working with substance abuse individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and children who have been abused and neglected.
Lindsey previously worked as a Program Supervisor at a local non-profit organization, which provided services to community children and families. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which is the largest membership organization of professional social workers worldwide. As part of her responsibilities as a member of the board, Lindsey is the Chair of the Volusia/Flagler Unit of the Florida Chapter of NASW. She received the honor of being awarded NASW Student Social Worker of the Year in 2010 by her colleagues.
Lindsey is passionate about her role in the treatment process and remains current on evidenced-based practices. Lindsey is also a member in good standing with the Association of the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG) and recognizes the power of mutual aid in achieving unity through common ground and enrichment through differences. Lindsey believes that true change is facilitated by meeting people where they are and utilizing a strengths perspective to empower and promote self-determination.
Case Manager
Stacey Dietrich, MA
Stacey Dietrich has joined the Vince Carter Sanctuary team as a Master's level Case Manager. She is a Registered Mental Health Intern in the state of Florida, working towards licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Stacey received both her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She has experience working with adolescents in a residential foster care facility, as well as working with adults in an inpatient substance abuse facility. Stacey has also worked as an independent contractor in a private practice where she gained experience working with adults, as well as children, with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.
Stacey believes that the patients are the ones who do the real work and that she is only there to guide and assist them on their journey.
As Henry Ford said "Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right"!
Case Manager
Amanda Massman, MSW
Amanda obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Florida and her Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida. She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Florida. Amanda has experience working with juvenile delinquents, substance abuse, crisis stabilization, individuals with mental illness and at-risk children and their families.
Amanda previously worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer and a Targeted Case Manager for local non-profit organizations, which provided services to children and families. She has volunteered for a local Celebrate Recovery and has facilitated several 12 step meetings. Amanda also headed the Life Hurts God Heals Ministry in Volusia County for 2 years.
She is a menber of Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which is the largest membership organization of professional social workers worldwide.
IOP & Outpatient Detox Clincian
Chandy Holland, MSW, CAC
Chandy Holland has joined the Vince Carter Sanctuary team from South Carolina as a Case Manager. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of South Carolina and is pursuing Florida licensure to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW). She is also a Certified Addictions Counselor through the State of South Carolina.
Chandy received her Bachelors Degree in Communications from the University of South Carolina Aiken and her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Chandy has experience working with substance abuse and mental health populations in school, community and agency settings.
Counselor/Interventionist
Michael Morton
Michael Morton received an Associate Degree from Staten Island Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Adelphi University. Additionally, Mike studied various curricular in the field of substance abuse at Queensboro Community College, Queens College, and Molloy College all in New York.
Mike is a former Law Enforcement Officer for the New York City Department of Correction. As a Correction Officer he was selected to assist staff and appointed as Personal Assistance Officer of the maximum security unit on Riker's Island. He was eventually selected to work in the department's Employee Assistance Program, assisting staff and their dependents citywide. While working in the EAP, Mike was directly responsible for evaluating treatment resources to determine if they were appropriate for the target population. He would interview, assess, motivate and refer staff or other designated personnel to inpatient and outpatient providers. Aftercare provisions were arranged by Mike upon completion of residential treatment. Retiring from the agency in 2002, Mike worked in an outpatient substance abuse treatment program as a counselor for impaired Law Enforcement Professionals and First Responders. His experience assisting individuals with substance abuse and other problems spans twenty three plus years.
Mike joined the Vince Carter Sanctuary team in spring of 2009. He provides group drug counseling for both residents of the Sanctuary and those in our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Mike also arranges the VCS interventions.
Activities Therapist
Penny Pennell
Ms. Pennell holds certification through the Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and the American Association of Christian Counselors specializing in Addiction and Recovery. She and her dog "Sammy" are also certified through the Delta Society as an Animal-Assisted Activities team. With over 25 years experience in the field of behavioral healthcare and education, including specialized treatment of addictions , she's developed a love for facilitating therapeutic learning activities which are not only fun but life-changing as well.
Penny comments: ...."Using nature as our most powerful ally, we like to conduct sessions outdoors whenever possible, where reflective learning activities promote self-discovery and inner healing. Barriers to behavioral change are broken down in the context of a fun activity, which opens the door for deeper change on many levels. I love seeing our residents learn how to enhance communication, confidence, and self-esteem; to discover the courage to confront & overcome fear, take risks, accept responsibility and increase peace."
Executive Chef
Brett L. Harris, CSC, CCC, CEC, ACE
Chef Harris' extensive culinary background spans over 30 years. He was born in St Louis 
Missouri and began his love affair with cooking at the young age of 13. Growing up, food was an important part of his household and he was inspired by his mother's passion for cooking. Chef Harris' industry experience includes the Marriott, Hilton, Omni, Renaissance, and Ritz Carlton Hotels. He also has an extensive country club background including Forest Hills Country Club and four years as Banquet Chef at Epping Forest Yacht Club in Jacksonville Florida. In addition, Chef Harris is a Chef Instructor at the Art Institute in Jacksonville Florida and First Coast Technical College in St. Augustine Florida. Chef Harris is also a big supporter of our nations military having been a Culinary Instructor at Naval Station Mayport, NAS Jacksonville, Naval Base Gulfport Mississippi, Naval Base Pensacola, Florida, the Pentagon, CNIC and The White House in Washington DC.
Chef Harris continued his education by attending classes at the CIA in Hyde Park New York. He is a Certified Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Executive Chef and an Approved Culinary Evaluator for the American Culinary Federation. He has worked with Food Network's Iron Chef Cat Cora and Chef Robert Irvine judging the United States Navy's Iron Chef Competititions.