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Team Page – Team Members
Ravikumar Bhalavat, M.D.
Dr. Bhalavat is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, and provides inpatient evaluation and consultation services at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital, Maryland Recovery Partners, and Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Bhalavat's background includes treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and dementia.
Dave Gerick
CEO / Managing Partner
Dave brings an important blend of clinical, administrative and educational background to Maryland Recovery. His career has spanned four decades, starting in the early 80's. He has trained under and worked for Father Joseph Martin the creator of the Chalk Talk and Co-Founder of Father Martin's Ashely. Father Martin always mentioned and gave credit to his mentor Austin Ripley from Guest House in his lectures. Terence T. Gorski is president of CENAPS and clinical director of its Relapse Prevention Certification School has advised Dave and had a great influence on his understanding of the nature of addiction and the science behind the recovery process. Dave has learned from some of the best educators and leaders in the addiction field and has a core belief about the basic elements when treating a person suffering from this fatal progressive disease. He sums it up with five key points to provide successful treatment,
Create an environment that is pleasant, safe and guided by a strong clinical component
Treat each client and your staff with dignity and respect
Use a holistic approach to treatment
Educate about the disease of addiction
Teach a person how to stay sober, let them practice that under your care, restore hope to them and their families
Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Towson University and an Advanced Master Certificate Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University. Dave also is a Certified Healthcare Quality Manager ( Diplomat) ABQARRP, Certified Clinical Supervisor Addiction Counseling in State of Maryland and continues to be involved with the Advisory Council for the Joint Commission Addiction Services.
Jennifer Nilsson
Executive Team Advisor
Jennifer Nilsson is currently the Executive Team Advisor for Maryland Recovery. Jennifer has been working in the substance abuse industry for the past 12 years, starting out in Accounts Receivable Department at a highly-recognized Substance Abuse Treatment Center in New York. She moved on to her continued successful career path with a premier Revenue Cycle company and in the process became recognized in the industry as an expert in that field.
Jennifer over the last few years has broadened her focus more on administering Electronic Medical Records and building unique solutions for many behavioral health providers. Jennifer also has proficiency and has managed hardware installation and software installation consulting for several Behavioral Health agencies on the east coast.
Jennifer brings a high degree of professionalism, excellence and quality management to Maryland Recovery as well as being a strong advocate and passionate about the clients and family members we serve.
Jim Donovan, M.Ed.Leadership
Educator, Drum Circle
Jim Donovan M.Ed.Leadership, is an award winning musician, educator and inspirational trainer whose mission is to empower, inspire and connect people through music. In his work, Donovan offers specialized training programs in the US and abroad focused on using rhythm, sound and other holistic techniques as vehicles for personal growth, healing, and the creation of community.
From 1990-2005, Donovan was a founding member of the 90's band Rusted Root who has sold over 3 million records to date. He has appeared on the David Letterman, Conan O'Brien shows and his music with the band is featured major motion pictures such as Ice Age, Twister, and Matilda as well as on network TV shows American Idol. His touring work with Rusted Root provided ample opportunity to share the stage with rock legends such as Carlos Santana, The Grateful Dead, members of Led Zeppelin, Sting, the Dave Matthews Band and The Allman Brothers among others.
Donovan holds a BA in classical music performance from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Saint Francis University where he is also on faculty.
One of his programs, Sound Empowerment Addiction & Recovery Training is designed to teach staff in the addiction & recovery environment how to use drum circles and effective sound based techniques with residents for stress & anxiety relief, sleep problems, social connectivity, brain stimulation, confidence building and energy release in just 2 days of hands on training. Additionally, the Protocol is conceptually aligned with the 12 steps.
This unique training is designed specifically for "non-musicians" to learn the art of facilitating simple recreational group music making and aims to get them started right away.
Donovan is also involved in research at Saint Francis on a system he developed called Percussion Intervention Training program that teaches Occupational Therapists, medical professionals, parents and teachers how to use simple percussion techniques as a complementary intervention for children with autism and other disabilities. Their studies have shown that Percussion Intervention techniques significantly improve attention to task and can be an effective way to give children a positive way to express and relieve stress.
Drum Circle Research Quotes
According to the American Journal for Public Health:
Drumming Circles have applications as complementary addiction therapy, particularly for repeated relapse and when other counseling modalities have failed. (Am J Public Health, 2003;93;647-651)
Blackett & Payne (2005) found that drumming is particularly useful for stress reduction and emotional release, and it also provided a positive social group experience with day-treatment substance abusers.
Visit me on the web:
JimDonovanMusic.com
Jim Donovan on Youtube
Sue Llufrio , CSC-AD, ADS
Senior Counselor
Sue is our lead counselor at Maryland Recovery, Sue coordinates, provided leadership and direction for the clinical team. Sue is a lifelong resident of Maryland, loves the Ravens and has been in the Substance Abuse field for 35 years. Sue graduated from Essex Community College, Advanced classes of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Administration. Sue is currently taking classes for her Gambling Certification and Psychodrama Certification from the Laurel Psychodrama Training Institute.
Sue is a true advocate for our clients, she is passionate about what we do here at Maryland Recovery and it shows. Sue is a true professional and is very well known and respected throughout the state in the field of substance abuse.
In her down time Sue loves reading, gardening and yard work, just being outside walking in the woods, being with her children and grandchildren, watching sports and believe it or not – video games.
Dawn C. MacKale, MEd., MSS, LSW, LGSW
Dawn is a graduate of Cabrini College with a Master in Special Education as well as a graduate of Bryn Mawr College with a Masters in Social Services. Dawn is also certified through EAGALA as a provider of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning. Dawn has twelve years of experience teaching in both public and private institutions. She has also held the position of Director of Education at a secure residential treatment facility for violent habitual felons for five years. Dawn also has four years experience working in private practice combining her skills as a therapist as well as an equine specialist. Dawn combines her significant teaching skills and experience to Maryland Recovery as well as a calming presence and dedication to our substance abuse clients. Courageous dialogue has launched every journey of discovery, every moment of insight and occasion of healing…I look forward to working with you on your journey.
Renee Tramell
When you call Maryland Recovery, Renee's is the first voice you will hear. She loves working in the front office and interacting with the clients daily; and watching them change their lives. She has lived in Harford County all of her life, and currently resides here with her two beautiful daughters.
T. Hunter Holmes
Hunter has over 25 years of experience in home improvement, 10 years of Metal Fabrication, 2 years in Cable/ Dish/ TV installation. He has completed Quality & Standards Advocacy ISO 9000 training. Hunter was born and raised in Maryland. He is a proud Maryland Recovery alumni. Hunter is the grease that keep the wheels moving. He is dedicated in his service to the recovery community. Hunter enjoys spending time with his family, helping others and watching sports.
This entry was posted on December 1, 2017 by mdrecovery.
← Team Page – Leadership
"Maryland Recovery gave me the tools and counseling to accept my past and forge a new future for myself. Life today has a hope and brightness to it that had not experienced before. I got a job and an apartment with the help of Maryland Recovery. I am able to be part of my family's life again."
— Robert M
"I am certain that this program helped save my life. I was provided with an opportunity to learn how to live a sober life. I learned to be responsible and accountable for my behavior. When practicing the principles of the program and remaining willing to grow on this journey, I experience a freedom I never knew, but always wanted."
— Morgan S
"The only things that I knew when I arrived at Maryland Recovery (MR) was that I was broken: spiritually, emotionally, and physically broken and that my way of doing things had gotten me there. The people at MR understood who I was better than I did. They assured me that I was not alone, with that came a glimpse of hope and some relief."
— Hubbard
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Maryland Recovery
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