Muir Wood Care Team Meeting

Administration


Admissions

Maura Sangster
Maura Sangster, BS, CADC II, ICADC

Director of Admissions

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Maura, or “Mo” as we call her, brings two decades of business experience to her role as Director of Admissions. Previous to working at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services she was an Admissions Counselor at a treatment center in Marin County and also held positions in sales, marketing, finance, and operations in various industries over the years. She joined the Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services team in February of 2018 and was our Director of Operations for 3.5 years before moving over to the business office in July of 2021 to direct our admissions department. When asked about being part of the Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services team, she states, “to be fortunate enough to help adolescents and their families in the very same county where I was once an adolescent myself, it just feels like home, it is an absolutely beautiful feeling.” Maura was born and raised nearby in picturesque Sonoma Valley and her family still resides there. At 22 years of age, she graduated Cum Laude from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and a minor in Viticulture. Maura is passionate about helping others become the best version of themselves through living a healthy, balanced, sober, lifestyle and is extremely proud of the excellent care that the Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services Team provides its clients and families. Outside of work, she is fulfilled by spending time with her loving husband, young son, rescue kitty cats Indy and Curry, and French Bulldog Luna.

You can reach Mo at Msangster@MuirWoodTeen.com

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Kristy H.
Kristy H., BA

Admissions Coordinator

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Kristy is originally from Southern California. She started her degree in Child and Adolescent Development at Cal State Northridge and transferred to Sonoma State University and graduated in 2021. Kristy came to Muir Wood in 2020 as a Care Coordinator and began working with clients in the program, eventually becoming a Shift Supervisor for the Lohrman campus. Kristy took her knowledge of the program and moved into the role of Admissions Coordinator in April 2023. When she is not helping families get into treatment, she enjoys dancing, reading, and spending her time outdoors with friends.

You can reach Kristy at Khale@MuirWoodTeen.com

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Lauren Z.
Lauren Z., CATC I

Admissions Coordinator

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Lauren is originally from Napa, California and began working in treatment shortly after embarking on her own personal recovery journey a number of years ago. Lauren joined the Muir Wood admissions team bringing years of experience after working as a SUD treatment counselor at a variety of treatment facilities. Her skills and knowledge are obtained from not only her personal recovery journey, but her professional journey as well. Currently, Lauren is working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with the hope to carry it out further and become a LMFT.  Lauren feels her calling is to work with adolescents and help the families feel supported and understood while going through the admissions process here at Muir Wood. 

“I find the greatest sense of joy and gratitude when being able to assist families and their children in the initial steps of the treatment process.”  In Lauren’s free time she enjoys spending time with her recovery circle, her family, and her cat Silas.  

Music and friendship are high on the list as well. 

You can reach Lauren at LZanardi@MuirWoodTeen.com

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McKenna W.
McKenna W., BA

Admissions Coordinator

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McKenna is a local to Petaluma and graduated from Sonoma State University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. McKenna joined Muir Wood as a member of the Penngrove Care Coordinator team before being promoted to Shift Supervisor. From there, McKenna has used her education and experience on the floor to work in the Operations Department and now, the Admissions Department. McKenna is looking forward to continuing to help clients and families get the support and access to care that they need. In her free time, McKenna enjoys spending time outside with her pets, spending time with family, and working on crafts such as crochet.

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Megan M.
Megan M.

Admissions Coordinator

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Megan is a local girl, born and raised in Petaluma, California. She began working at Muir Wood in July of 2020 and she loves watching our clients grow and succeed. When she is not helping families find high-quality treatment services, Megan enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, hiking and being outdoors in nature.

You can reach Megan at MMcculloch@MuirWoodTeen.com

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Clinical Outreach and Marketing

Pat D’Amico
Pat D’Amico, BS

Chief Marketing Officer

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Pat has more than 20 years of behavioral health marketing experience and has worked for a who’s who of mental health and substance use disorder treatment brands. Most recently, Pat served as VP of Marketing for Altior Healthcare where he guided the marketing of four adolescent and young adult mental health treatment brands; Paradigm Treatment Centers (CA & TX), Innercept (ID), Shortridge Academy (NH), and Ironwood Maine (ME). From 2002 until 2018, Pat was a founding partner of Psynchronous Communications, a premier behavioral health marketing firm. During that period, Muir Wood was an agency client. So, Pat is well familiar with the Muir Wood brand, its people and its programs.

Prior to co-founding Psynchronous, Pat served as SVP/Group Director at the venerable Arnold Worldwide in Boston where he set the strategic direction for the $600mm Verizon account. While at Arnold, Pat also helped craft the branding for the launch of www.WSJ.com.

Pat has twice been honored for his work benefiting the hungry with the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Award for Public Service, “…the only award that ever really mattered,” says Pat who has seen an award or two in his time. Two fantastic grown daughters – a 2nd grade teacher and a musical theatre actress – and a healthy obsession with the guitar keep Pat occupied when he isn’t laser focused on his marketing responsibilities.

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Kerry Figueroa
Kerry Figueroa

Outreach Manager, Central California

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Kerry is a community outreach professional passionate about informing and discussing all aspects of addiction and prevention. Kerry was born and raised in Clovis, CA, where she has spent the last 6 years being a resource for families struggling to navigate mental health and substance abuse services. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending her kids extracurricular activities, and being an active member of her church. 

You can reach Kerry at KFigueroa@MuirWoodTeen.com or 559-795-7885.

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Rachel Luce
Rachel Luce

Outreach Manager, Northern California

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Bella Mahl
Bella Mahl

Community Relations & Discharge Planning

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Bella Mahl has years of experience working in the crisis intervention, mental health, and other touch points of treatment through her extensive non-profit and volunteer work. She interned at Muir Wood 6 years ago and now returns as a full-time outreach specialist. Through first hand experience witnessing one of her own parent’s recovery, she is passionate about the difference a quality treatment program like Muir Wood can make in not only the lives of those receiving treatment, but that of the whole family’s ability to find true healing. She supports and loves Muir Wood’s holistic approach to recovery that truly emphasizes involving the family in their child’s growth. Bella enjoys spending time with her loved ones and friends, investing in her faith, working out, and going on nature walks in her free time.

Please feel free to connect with Bella at BMahl@MuirWoodTeen.com or 213-604-7553.

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Christine Edwards
Christine Edwards, B.S.

Outreach Manager – Central Valley California

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Christine graduated from California State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Hailing from Bakersfield, Ca, she starting with a career in social work for Child Protective Services, outpatient care for adults with mental health issues, and then moved into community education. Christine takes a grass roots approach and has many successful career launches through the 20 plus years experience she brings. She is passionate about focusing on adolescents and mental health services provided in the Central Valley.

In her spare time she focuses on helping others, volunteers for a local nonprofit and, for the last 10 years, has served on the Board of Directors for Central Valley Honor Flight. Christine has a passion for helping others, and has made it a focus of her career. 

Outside of philanthropy, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, her beloved pet, Daisy, and has an interest in archery. A love for the outdoors and travel keeps her motivated, mentally and physically.

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Culinary

Christopher M.
Christopher M.

Head Chef – Riverside CA Programs

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Paul W.
Paul W.

Chef – Northern CA Programs

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Ricardo H.
Ricardo H.

Chef – Clovis CA Programs

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Teresa M.
Teresa M.

Executive Chef – Northern CA Programs

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Teresa is originally from Kansas and moved to the Bay Area in the early 1980s.  She brings a wealth of experience to Muir Wood’s kitchen, having worked in the food service industry for over 40 years.  When not creating meals and cooking for the Muir Wood clients and staff, she volunteers and supports the Sonoma County 4H camp, where she has been the Camp Cook for 150 girls and boys (including two of her own) for over a decade!  Teresa joined Muir Wood Teen Treatment in November of 2019 and she looks forward to a continued future with the clients and staff.

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Angel B.
Angel B.

Receiving Clerk/Cook – Northern CA Programs

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Nancy H.
Nancy H.

Receiving Clerk/Cook – Northern CA Programs

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Facilities

Ricardo H.
Ricardo H.

Facilities Technician

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Tommy S.
Tommy S.

Facilities Manager – Clovis Programs

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Armando V.
Armando V.

Facilities Manager – Riverside Programs

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Armando brings more than 10 years of facilities management excellence to Muir Wood’s Clovis, CA teen treatment program. We could not be happier to have Armando on our Central California team!

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Finance

Heather Stratford
Heather Stratford

Vice President of Payer Strategy and Relations

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Heather brings over 30 years of experience to the Muir Wood team, with the last 25 years focused on behavioral health treatment. The behavioral health insurance realm can be complicated for families and programs alike. Her passion is helping both parties navigate the complexities which arise. Heather is well versed in revenue cycle management, payor strategy / contracting and utilization review. She enjoys working through the challenges each of these offers. When not working, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, and traveling.

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Alyssa Michelucci
Alyssa Michelucci

Bookkeeper

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Jennifer Lerma, Controller

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Human Resources

Tania P.
Tania P.

HR Generalist

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Chelsea C.
Chelsea C.

HR Coordinator

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Operations

Lydia F.
Lydia F.

Operations Manager – Clovis

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Rosie O.
Rosie O.

Operations Manager

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Melissa G.
Melissa G.

Operations Manager – Riverside Programs

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Kelli Azevedo
Kelli Azevedo

Director of Operations

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Kelli brings years of administration and operations experience to Muir Wood in her role as Director of Operations. She joined the Muir Wood team in July of 2021. Kelli formerly worked in other treatment center settings and most recently worked as an Operations Manager for a small private school in Marin County. Kelli was born and raised in Sonoma County. Kelli has been in recovery since she was 17 years old and is passionate about her own recovery and helping others on their journey. At Muir Wood she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all Muir Wood properties and facilities, supporting Muir Wood’s mission, goals, and professional standards. 

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