Our Senior Leadership Team

Hermitage Hall is dedicated to helping young people heal from the trauma they’ve experienced and the challenges they’ve overcome. That work can’t be done without an equally dedicated staff of behavioral health professionals. Our clinical department is comprised of licensed professional counselors, psychologists, and social workers that hold a minimum of a master’s degree in their area of expertise. The medical team includes a board-certified pediatrician and psychiatrist, and our teachers are certified in Special Education.

Read on to learn more about the group of senior leaders that guide our mission to provide the level of high-quality care and treatment our residents deserve.

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Mark Lasko, CEO
Dr. Lasko brings over a decade of residential and clinical experience to Hermitage Hall, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Natchez Trace Youth Academy in Waverly, TN. He has experience working with at-risk adolescents in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Lasko believes that each child deserves the opportunity to become their best version of themselves and is proud to support Hermitage Hall in this mission.

Mitzi Milts, Chief Financial Officer
Mitzi joined Hermitage Hall in October 2012 as the CFO. Mitzi has extensive experience working in both the private and public financial sectors. Before Hermitage Hall, she was the Chief Financial Officer with Natchez Trace Youth Academy. Mitzi has her bachelor’s from Middle Tennessee State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Gladys Bush, MD, Medical Director
Dr. Bush is a graduate of Meharry Medical College. She completed her residency in General Psychiatry and her fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at The Ohio State University Hospital. Dr. Bush has experience working with children and adolescents in academic settings, inpatient hospital settings, and community mental health settings. She is board certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

DIRECTORS

Calissa Brooks, MS, Director of Risk Management and Quality Assurance
Calissa Brooks is the Director of Risk Management and Quality Assurance. Calissa began her career with Hermitage Hall in 2016 as the Utilization Review Coordinator. Calissa is a caring professional who displays a strong commitment to the success of children and families. Over the last 17 years she has an extensive history of working in the mental health field including severing as the Director of Clinical excellence at Camelot Care Center, worked with the Tennessee Department of Children Service investigations unit and conducted presentence investigations as a U.S. Probation Officer. Calissa Brooks holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University, Master of Science in Criminal Justice from UT – Chattanooga and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from UT-Chattanooga.

Devin McClain, Director of Operations and Performance Improvement
Being a native of Nashville, Tennessee it was an honor to return from Texarkana, Texas to serve as the D.O.O at Hermitage Hall. My career in education and residential, provided me with the necessary tools for obtaining this position. Completing my education at Lane College in Interdisciplinary Studies, along with a M.A.Ed. degree from Tennessee State University has polished me educationally to accompany this team of administrators.

As an educator, my approach was to help the scholars that were being taught, as well as give them the direction to help others. I have seized the opportunity to work with children and adults of all ages and ability levels, while as the Facility Director of Lewisville, Arkansas Detention Center, Facility Director of Gateway Academy for Young Men, Dean of Students at Stones River Academy and Boys Preparatory School, Family Engagement Coordinator at Brick Church College Preparatory School, teaching Middle and High School students at G4S and Metro Davidson County, and as the Compliance Consultant for the Tennessee Department of Education Special Education Division. These various positions have allowed me to gain the skillset for being the professional I am currently. It is my privilege to be a part of the Hermitage Hall team, and my ambition is to continue to grow within the UHS family.

Kathryn Murphy, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing
Katie is originally from the Nashville area. She graduated from Lipscomb University in 2009 with a bachelor’s in Education. In 2014 she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science from Cumberland University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. “My favorite part of working at Hermitage Hall is being able to build therapeutic relationships with the residents we serve daily and watch them develop into successful young men and women.”

Cari Hassell, Residential Director
Cari Hassell is a native Nashvillian who has held several leadership roles in government and private companies. Prior to joining the Hermitage Hall team, she served as a Facility Administrator at Truecore Behavioral Solutions – Gateway Academy. She also served as a Treatment Manager for Tennessee Department of Children’s Services – Juvenile Justice Division. She has over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents in a behavioral healthcare setting. She earned a Master of Science in Public Service Management from Cumberland University; and a Bachelor of Science in Arts and Science w/ Concentration in Psychology and Sociology from Tennessee State University. She is active in various community and charitable organizations.

Sarah Bridwell, MS, Ed.S, Director of Admissions and Utilization Review
Sarah was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University in 2010 and then a Master’s of Science in Counseling from Indiana University in 2014. Shortly after she moved to Nashville and has been with Hermitage Hall since 2014.

Dr. Albert Z. Holloway, III, Director of Education
Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Holloway received his bachelor’s in Business Administration from Florida A&M University. He obtained his Doctorate and Masters in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University. Prior to Hermitage Hall, his leadership experience includes working with youth at the juvenile detention center as well as working with youth that have been sent to alternative learning centers due to behavior. Dr. Holloway believes that every student deserves a meaningful education that will provide them with the necessary tools to be productive members of society.

Tonia Goodrich Ph. D, LPC- MHSP-S, Assistant Clinical Director
Dr. Goodrich is a graduate of Auburn University where she obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling, Education, and Supervision. She has resided in the greater Nashville area for the past 5 years. She has over a decade of clinical experience providing treatment to adults, adolescents, and children in a variety of settings and populations. She is a LPC-MHSP-S, Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental Health Service Provider, with credentials to provide supervision for LPC licensure track therapists.

Dan Ramey, Director of Clinical Services
Dan Ramey is a licensed independent licensed social worker (LCSW) since 1989 by the TN Department of Health licensure. He has worked with the following professional settings: TN Department of Correction (7 years), private practice since 1991 until December 2019 with the last practice with adult male sex offenders; school social worker; AIDS caseworker for 20 years in Nashville; and returned to practice at Hermitage Hall in October 2019 as the clinical director and continues in this role. He is a graduate of U.T-Nashville College of Social worker graduating in June 1983 and licensed as a LCSW since December 1989. He, also, has earned a theology degree (Master in Theological Studies) from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1995. He completed theological doctorate work at the Episcopal Divinity School and, also, at Tennessee State University (TSU) in public administration.

Taylor Allen Petty, Director of Plant Operations
Taylor was born and raised in McEwen, TN but now resides in Manchester, TN with his wife and two children. He has been in the healthcare and the construction field since 2011. His first placement of work in healthcare was at Humphreys County Nursing Home as the Plant Operations Director at 19 years old. Since then he has obtained his electrical license, HVAC license, and is currently working on obtaining his General Contractors License in the state of Tennessee.

Sheila Simpson, Director of Human Resources

PSYCHIATRISTS

Dr. Laura Reynolds, Psychiatrist
Dr. Reynolds is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, but now resides in the Nashville area. She received her bachelor’s and M.P.H. from Tulane University and her M.D. from the University of Tennessee. She completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry and her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship through the University of Tennessee. She is board certified in Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Reach Out for Help Today

Our admissions staff is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. (CST) to schedule a no-cost, mental health assessment. Call 615-742-3000 to get started. For questions about our programs, you can also use our online contact form. In the case of a medical emergency or crisis, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.