Behavioral Health Medical Staff
Backed by training and experience, Lakeview Center's physicians, psychologists and mid-level practitioners are skilled in assessing, diagnosing and treating mental illnesses and addiction disorders. Here are the details about these caring and compassionate professionals.
Psychologists
David Josephs, Psy.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Josephs is a psychologist and clinical director of Lakeview Center. As such, he is responsible for the direction and oversight of all clinical staff and programs. His direct services include psychological evaluations, second opinions for Baker Act commitments, and continuing education presentations for clinical staff.
- Doctoral Education:
Doctor of Psychology Degree, Florida Institute of Technology - Internship:
Austin State Hospital, Austin, Texas - Professional Affiliations:
American Psychological Association - Clinical Interests:
Forensics, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Cheryl Ann Robatzen, Psy.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Robatzen is a psychologist with an extensive background in assessment and psychotherapy. She is a member of the clinical staff at Summit Group, where she specializes in psychological assessments for people seeking weight-loss surgery and other medical procedures.
- Doctoral Education:
Doctor of Psychology Degree, Argosy University (formerly Minnesota School of Professional Psychology), Eagan, Minn. - Internship:
Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, Florida - Clinical Interests:
Bariatric evaluations, pre-surgical pain intervention evaluations, and psychological testing and assessment
Location:
Summit Group - Jefferson Office Park
3298 Summit Blvd
(corner of Spanish Trail and Summit Blvd.)
Pensacola, FL 32503
850.469.3500
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Psychiatrists
Annie Cherian, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Cherian specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. She also is the medical director for Lakeview Center.
- Medical Education:
Madras Medical College, Madras, India, and The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, India - Residency:
Creedmore Psychiatry Center, Queens, New York - Clinical Interests:
Adult Psychiatry
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Douglas H Fraser, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Fraser specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He sees patients at Lakeview Center's Summit Group, a specialty practice located in Jefferson Office Park on the corner of Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail.
- Medical Education:
Jefferson Medical College , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Residency:
University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Tampa, Florida - Board Certifications:
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; American Board of Forensic Medicine; National Board of Medical Examiners - Clinical Interests:
Adult Psychiatry
Location:
Summit Group - Jefferson Office Park
3298 Summit Blvd
(corner of Spanish Trail and Summit Blvd.)
Pensacola, FL 32503
850.469.3500
Request an Appointment
Cynthia Javellana, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Javellana specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. She sees patients at Lakeview Center's Summit Group, a specialty practice located in Jefferson Office Park on the corner of Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail.
- Medical Education:
University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines - Residency:
Lincoln Hospital, New York Medical College, Bronx, New York - Professional Memberships:
American Psychiatric Association; Association of Philippine Physicians
Location:
Summit Group - Jefferson Office Park
3298 Summit Blvd
(corner of Spanish Trail and Summit Blvd.)
Pensacola, FL 32503
850.469.3500
Request an Appointment
Luis Lemus, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Lemus specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He is qualified to treat both children and adults, and is a member of the Lakeview Center medical staff.
- Medical Education:
Universidad de El Salvador Faculty of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Residency:
Bergen Regional Medical Center Psychiatry Residency Program, Paramus, New Jersey - Fellowship:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey - Board Certifications:
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Professional Memberships:
American Academy of Children and Adolescents Psychiatry - Clinical Interests:
Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Guido Ludergnani, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Ludergnani specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He sees patients at Lakeview Center's Melba B. Meyer Children's Services Center.
- Medical Education:
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy - Residency:
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, N.Y.; University Hospital of Columbia University, New York, N.Y. - Fellowship:
University of Michigan Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, Michigan - Board Certifications:
Adult Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry - Clinical Interests:
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Request an Appointment
Scott McIntosh, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. McIntosh specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He is the director of Inpatient Services for Lakeview Center, and he is also the attending physician for Baptist Behavioral Medicine Center's Women's Unit.
- Medical Education:
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee - Residency:
Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma - Board Certification:
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Clinical Interests:
Schizophrenia, Bipolar and other Affective Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Chemical Dependency. - Professional Memberships:
American Psychiatric Association; American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Kaberi Samanta, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Samanta is a physician specializing in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. She is a staff psychiatrist for Lakeview Center's Acute Stabilization Unit, an inpatient facility for adults experiencing severe mental health or substance abuse crises.
- Medical Education:
Calcutta Medical College, Calcutta, India - Residency:
University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala. - Clinical Interests:
Adult Psychiatry - Professional Memberships:
Escambia County Medical Society
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Request an Appointment
Venkata Sompalli, M.D.
Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Sompalli is a physician specializing in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He treats adults at Lakeview Center and the Baptist Hospital Behavioral Medicine Center.
- Medical Education:
Guntur Medical College, Guntur City, India - Residency:
Mount Sinai Services at City Hospital Center, Elmhurst, N.Y. - Fellowship:
Beth Israel Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical School, New York, N.Y. - Board Certifications:
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Adult and General Psychiatry; Geriatric Psychiatry; Forensic Psychiatry - Clinical Interests:
Adult Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Addictions Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Physician Assistants
Christina Medrano, PA-C
Physician Assistant
As a Certified Physician Assistant, Christina Medrano is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats clients at Lakeview Center.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska, Omaha
Bachelor of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska, Omaha - Additional Professional Training:
Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Phase I, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas
Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Phase II, San Diego, California - U.S. Army Flight Surgeon Primary Course:
Aeromedical Physician Assistant, Fort Rucker, Alabama - Certifications:
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, National Commission on Recertification of Physician Assistants - Professional Memberships:
American Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, U.S. Army Society of Flight Surgeons, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Medical Doctors
Robert Althar, M.D.
Medical Doctor
Dr. Althar is a retired surgeon who is experienced in wound care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and pain management. Having longstanding ties with the medical communities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Dr. Althar provides Suboxone therapy to people who are dependent on prescription pain pills and other opium-related drugs.
- Medical Education:
University of the Northeast School of Medicine, Tampico, Mexico - Post-Doctoral Training:
Case Western Reserve, North Eastern Ohio University College of Medicine - Residency:
Western Reserve Care System, Youngstown, Ohio - Board Certifications:
American Board of Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Bariatric Surgery - Clinical Interest:
Medical treatment of opioid dependencies - Professional Memberships:
American College of Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, Florida Physician Association, Florida Surgical Society, American Society of General Surgeons, Pensacola Surgical Society, Santa Rosa County Medical Society and American Society for Bariatric Surgery.
Location:
Summit Group - Jefferson Office Park
3298 Summit Blvd
(corner of Spanish Trail and Summit Blvd.)
Pensacola, FL 32503
850.469.3500
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners
Francheska Barrett, PMHNP-BC
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Francheska Barrett is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients and will work with the team at Lakeview Center Adult Outpatient Services on the main campus.
- Professional Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program, University of South Alabama; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Alabama-Huntsville; Associate of Arts, Phoenix College.
- Professional Memberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
- Certification: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) from the American Nurse Credentialing Center
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Igor Bogunovic, PMHNP-BC
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Igor Bogunovic is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment on patients. He treats clients at the Children’s Services Center and adult clients at the main Lakeview Center campus.
- Professional Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of West Florida Master of Science in Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Katrina Crane, ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatry, Katrina Crane is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients at Lakeview Center.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science in Nursing Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of West Florida
Associate Degree in Nursing, Pensacola State College, Pensacola, Fla. - Professional Membership:
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing - Awards and Honors:
2010 Nursing Excellence Award, Baptist Hospital
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Grace Francis, PMHNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Grace Francis is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients at Lakeview Center.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science in Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of South Carolina, Bluffton S.C.,
Associate in Arts, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL - Professional Membership: Grace is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- Certifications: Registered Nurse 2011, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2016
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Nancy Hart, ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatry, Nancy Hart is licensed to perform psychiatric evaluations, devise treatment plans, prescribe psychotropic medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She sees clients on the main Lakeview Center campus.
- Professional Education:
Post Master's Study - University of South Alabama, Mobile, Program: Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - Master of Science:
University of South Alabama, Mobile, Program: Family Nurse Practitioner
Nova Southeastern University, Sunrise, FL, Major: Counseling Psychology - Bachelor of Science:
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Major: Nursing/Health Care Administration - Additional Education:
Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, Program: Pastoral Counseling - Certifications: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Brad Lowery, PMHNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Brad Lowery is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribed medications, and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. He treats clients at Summit Group, a specialty practice of Lakeview Center, located in Jefferson Office Park at the corner of Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail.
- Professional Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.
- Professional Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
- Certification: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), American Nurses Credentialing Center
Location:
Summit Group - Jefferson Office Park
3298 Summit Blvd
(corner of Spanish Trail and Summit Blvd.)
Pensacola, FL 32503
850.469.3500
Susan Michaels, PMHNP-BC
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Susan Michaels is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She works at the Avalon Center of Lakeview seeing adult patients for follow-up care, medication management and psychiatric evaluations. Avalon Center is located in Milton, Florida and serves Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The team helps people through addictions issues using an effective regimen of assessments, individual-group-family counseling, crisis intervention and psychiatric medical services.
- Professional Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio; Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from The University of South Alabama College of Nursing; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate from The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing - Professional Membership:
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Nurses Association, Florida Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners. - Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Kay L. Norris, PMHNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Kay Norris is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She has more than 25 years experience in providing behavioral health services to a variety of populations, both as a registered nurse and as a nurse practitioner. She treats clients on the main campus of Lakeview Center and provides telemedicine services to Century Clinic.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Southern Mississippi
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Mennonite College of Nursing, Bloomington, Illinois - Certification:
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), American Nurses Credentialing Center - Professional Membership:
American Nurses Association
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Anna Reynolds, PMHNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Anna Reynolds is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. Anna treats clients at West Florida Community Care Center.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida - Certifications:
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), American Nurses Credentialing Center; Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training, Crisis Prevention Institute - Professional Membership:
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
John David Sheffield, PMHNP-BC
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, John David Sheffield is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. He works in the Melba B. Meyer Children’s Services Center at the Lakeview Center campus seeing children for follow-up care, medication management and psychiatric evaluations. The center handles all outpatient services for children in one location.
- Professional Education:
Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from University of South Alabama - Professional Membership:
American Nurses Credentialing Center certification
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Sarah Skinner, PMHNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Sarah Skinner is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She works in Outpatient Services at Lakeview Center prescribing mental health medications for adults. She conducts initial and follow up psychiatric evaluations, provides and manages initial and ongoing psychiatric and behavioral health treatment. Skinner also orders and reviews labs and other pertinent clinical data, and communicates with therapists, primary care physicians and other providers to establish continuity of care, and prescribe and manage psychiatric medications including controlled substances.
- Professional Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Master of Science in Nursing from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate from University of Cincinnati Online. - Professional Membership:
Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association. - Certifications:
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Jennifer L. Upcraft, ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatry, Jennifer Upcraft is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients at Lakeview Center.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science in Nursing Degree, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill. - Professional Membership:
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Location:
Lakeview Center
1221 West Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32571
850.469.3500
Mary Jane Valbracht, ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Mary Jane Valbracht is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, devise treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats patients at West Florida Community Care Center, a state-owned psychiatric hospital operated by Lakeview Center.
- Professional Education:
Master of Science in Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, California State University, Carson, California
Diploma in Nursing, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada - Certifications:
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP); Certified Occupational Health Nurse - Professional Memberships:
Florida Nurses Association, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Location:
West Florida Community Care Center
5500 Stewart Street
Milton, FL 32570
850.983.5500
Addictionologists
Terry Ptacek, M.D.
Addictionologist
Dr. Terry Ptacek is Lakeview Center's medical director for substance abuse services. A certified addictionologist, Dr. Ptacek treats clients at The Friary, Summit Group and the Medication Assisted Treatment Clinic of Lakeview Center. He is board certified in family practice.
- Medical Education:
University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas - Residency:
Charleston Naval Regional Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina - Additional Credentials:
Certification in Addictionology by the American Society of Addiction Medicine - Professional Memberships:
American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association - Clinical Interests:
Addiction disorders, medication-assisted treatment of opiate addictions - Additional Information:
Dr. Ptacek is licensed to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication marketed under the brand name, Suboxone, and proven to be effective in treating addiction to prescription pain medicines and other opium-related drugs.
Location:
Summit Group - Jefferson Office Park
3298 Summit Blvd
(corner of Spanish Trail and Summit Blvd.)
Pensacola, FL 32503
850.469.3500
Request an Appointment
Behavioral Health Services | 1221 W. Lakeview Avenue | Pensacola, Florida 32501 | 850.469.3500