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 full-time at the Halifax Dunn Health Center in Daytona Beach serving the low income, underinsured patient population of Volusia County and part-time in the Halifax Health Emergency Department. The disease of addiction and mental illness were the primary health problems of the patient population. These psychiatric and substance issues were combined with comorbid medical conditions in the setting of destitution. This challenging environment proved to be fertile ground for education which included teaching future physicians about the disease model of addiction as well as the importance of integrating mental health and primary health care. Dr. Mirabile is clinical faculty for the Florida State University College of Medicine, courtesy faculty for Halifax Family Medicine Residency Program and was AHEC Faculty for the University of Florida College of Medicine for first year medical students and second year Physician Assistant students. 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 theDirector for the Vince Carter Sanctuary and the Deputy Medical Director of Addiction Services for Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Health Care.
Director of Nursing
Lisa Huser, RN
Lisa graduated from Jacksonville Community College with an Associates degree in Nursing. She is currently pursuing her BSN with Jacksonville University. Lisa brings 25 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.
Clinical Director
Russ Rossilini, LCSW,DCSW
Russ Rossilini has worked in the field of Addictions and Mental Health for over 30 years, as a Clinician, Director, Educator and Consultant. He has an extensive backgound in Program Development, Management and Supervision, and has developed unique clinical programming for residential, hospital-based, and Intensive Outpatient programs throughout the State of Florida. He is listed as a Qualified Supervisor by the Florida Department of Health for Clinical Social Workers and Mental Health Counselors.
Russ has taught at the University level in both Undergraduate and Graduate programs since 1985 and continues to serve as an Adjunct Faculty member at The University of Central Florida School of Social Work. He is also a much sought after Workshop trainer and speaker and has lectured throughout the United States on various clinical issues, as well as providing intensive Leadership Training.
Russ earned his BSW from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, his MSW from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Florida since 1986. He is distinguished in his field as being a Member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, having earned the designation of Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and having been selected as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Social Worker of the Year in Volusia/Flagler Counties in 2005.
Senior Family Therapist
Lynn Blackmon, LMFT
Lynn Blackmon, 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.
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
Dillon Welliver, MA
Dillon Welliver is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has had more than 5 years experience working with mental health and substance abuse populations in school, agency and residential settings. He received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and his Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Dillon believes in the innate power of our body and mind to heal themselves, despite great trauma, and takes great joy in working with individuals in identifying and overcoming blocks to this self healing process.
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 eating disorders, 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 clients 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, CEC, CWPC, 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. Now with over 30 years experience he opened his lifelong dream, the World Grill. Prior to, Chef Harris's culinary skills have been put to the test at such fine establishments as the Marriot Hotel, the Renaissance Hotel, the Hyatt, the Hilton and the 5 Star-5 Diamond Ritz Carlton in Atlanta Georgia. Chef Harris also has an extensive country club background, including Forest Hills Country Club in St Louis and four years as banquet chef at the Epping Forest Yacht Club. In addition, he has instructed at the School of Culinary Arts in St. Augustine and First Coast Technical Institute. Chef Harris is also a big supporter of our nations Military having been a culinary instructor at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, the Pentagon and the White House. He has been invited back to the White House this summer to be spotlighted as Guest Chef.
Chef Harris continued his education by attending seminars in Basic and Advanced Ice Carving, Hot and Cold Buffet, American Bistro and Professional Chef. He is also certified through the American Culinary Federation as Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Executive Chef and Approved Certification Evaluator.
Recently Chef Harris was chosen to be a Judge along side Food Networks Iron Chef Cat Cora in the U.S. Navy's First Official Iron Chef Competition. Chef Harris also had the pleasure of hosting Iron Chef Cat Cora at the World Grill. Chef Harris also spotlights his cooking style on TV during a weekly morning show segment.
Every dish has grown out of Chef's belief that cooking is an art, come experience first hand Chef Harris's passion.
Coordinator of Intake, Intervention & Aftercare
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 facilitates intakes, arranges interventions, and establish aftercare treatment contacts and follow-up.
Director of Admissions
Michael Smith
Michael Smith the Director of Admissions for the Vince Carter Sanctuary is an acomplished, self-directed leader with over 20 years of experience in the Health Care Industry. Mike is a solid professional that will always go the extra mile. He received his Bachelor degree in Marketing from Florida State University. Mike is passionate about helping individuals and families start a new life in recovery.