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 & Performance Improvement
Calissa is a native Memphian and has lived in Nashville for five years. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University, and both a bachelor’s and master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
Chelsea McKissack, Director of Education:
Chelsea is originally from Minneapolis, MN but now resides in the Nashville area. She received her bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota. She obtained her Ed.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and is currently working on her doctoral degree at Trevecca Nazarene University. She received training in exceptional education as well as gifted and talented youth from Vanderbilt University. “My favorite part of working at Hermitage Hall is getting to guide the educational team on providing rigorous academic instruction for each child’s structured learning and educational growth while ensuring each student continues his/her academic development and gains Social Emotional Learning tools for navigating everyday life.”
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.”
Nadine Louis, Residential Director
A native New Yorker, Nadine received her bachelor’s in Psychology from the State University of New York College at Old Westbury and her master’s in Health Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Leadership from Capella University. She also earned a graduate-level certification in Business Management from Capella University.
Melissa Williams, MSSW, Director of Admissions & Utilization Review
Melissa was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, but lived and worked in several East Tennessee areas before moving to Nashville in 2016. She earned her bachelor’s in Legal Assistant Studies from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2008. In 2018, she received her Master of Science in Social Work with a concentration in Management, Leadership, and Community Practice from the University of Tennessee.
Chuck McDaniel, Director of Plant Operations
Dan Ramey, Director of Clinical Services
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.