Meet The Team
Bridget Heady
Executive Director
Bridget Heady is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and over 15 years of direct clinical experience. She understands both the clinical and administrative areas of creating quality organizations. She is dedicated to the field of substance use and mental health in order to provide exceptional treatment and safety to clients. With compliance as a main focus, Bridget oversees organizational decisions and implementation of policies that provide exceptional client care. She ensures that the organization’s staff strictly adheres to local, state, and federal laws and regulations in providing treatment. It is her passion to create an environment where we can make a difference in the lives of our clients and provide a space for them to succeed in their recovery.
Dr. Jeffrey Chester, DO
Medical Director
Dr. Jeffrey H. Chester, DO, is the Medical Director of The Oasis. He has more than two decades of clinical experience treating substance use disorders and chronic pain. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Brandeis University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency and served as chief resident at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
Marcia Lewis, LMFT
Clinical Director
Marcia Lewis, LMFT, is an accomplished Mental Health professional with extensive experience treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. With over 5 years in clinical leadership and 16 years of direct patient care, Marcia has development a reputation for implementing evidence-based, holistic approaches that improve outcomes for individuals with complex dual diagnoses.
In her current role as Clinical Director at The Oasis, Marcia oversees a multidisciplinary team, ensures the delivery of integrated behavioral health services, fosters a culture of clinical experience, and guides program development from intake to long-term recovery planning. Their expertise spans cognitive-behavioral therapies, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and psychopharmacology coordination, enabling comprehensive care that addresses both mental health and substance use challenges.
Passionate about bridging the gap between mental health and addiction treatment, Marcia is committed to staff mentorship, continuous program evaluation, and the integration of innovative treatment modalities. Their leadership is defined by collaboration, patient-centered care, and measurable improvements in treatment outcomes.
Karyn Sprinkle
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
You deserve a provider who listens without judgement, sees you as a whole person, and supports you through every step of your healing journey. I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider with 19 years experience in perinatal and psychiatric care. My work is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence based treatment tailored to meet your needs.
I specialize in: Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (before, during, and after pregnancy), Perinatal Substance Use Disorders, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), Trauma Informed Care, and General Psychiatric medication management for mood, anxiety, and thought disorders.
I believe in a patient-centered, custom approach that blends evidence-based medication management with education, support, and empowerment. I work closely with you to understand your goals, values, and concerns. I offer compassionate, stigma-free care with a collaborative plan designed to help you feel stable, supported, and hopeful.
Heather Lowry
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Bio coming soon.
Gabriel Tyler
Admissions Coordinator
Gabriel Tyler serves as the Admissions Coordinator at The Oasis, where he helps guide individuals and families through the first steps of the treatment process with empathy and understanding. Having been on the other side of the admissions process himself, he knows how difficult it can be to make that first call and ask for help. His own recovery journey gives him a unique perspective and allows him to connect with clients in a genuine, authentic way. Gabriel is committed to making the admissions process as comfortable and stress-free as possible, answering questions honestly and supporting each person from their very first conversation. Like every member of our team, he believes in treating every client with dignity, compassion, and respect while embodying the warm, welcoming environment that makes The Oasis such a special place.
Kenneth Forstrom
Resident Care Supervisor
Ken serves as the RCT Supervisor at The Oasis, where he is dedicated to delivering exceptional client care built on meaningful connection and a client-centered approach. For Ken, ensuring that every individual is treated with compassion, respect, and dignity isn’t just a goal—it is the baseline standard of care.
Ken’s professional background spans both drug and alcohol addiction treatment as well as primary mental health care, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of the complex, intersecting needs of those entering treatment. Because he is personally involved in recovery, Ken brings a deeply personal perspective to his role. He recognizes firsthand how critical—and transformative—the first 30 days of treatment are in building a solid, lasting foundation for sustainable recovery.
Zakery Kindrachuk
Resident Care Technician
Zak brings a unique perspective to the recovery field after a successful career in media, where he developed strong communication and relationship-building skills. Inspired to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, he transitioned into behavioral health and is dedicated to supporting individuals throughout their recovery journey.
As a Registered Drug and Alcohol Technician (RAD-T), Zak is currently pursuing his counselor certification through the College of the Desert. Originally from the East Coast, he relocated to California in 2023 to further his education and career in addiction treatment. At our facility, Zak leads group sessions, provides day-to-day support for clients, and is always available to offer guidance, encouragement, and assistance whenever it is needed. His approachable nature and genuine passion for helping others make him a valued member of our team.
Mary Huerta
Resident Care Technician
I have spent more than 40 years working in the behavioral health field, and one thing I have learned is how important compassion and empathy are when working with people struggling with addiction. I believe that in order to truly help someone, you have to look beyond the addiction and take the time to understand the person behind it.
Over the years, I have seen how differently addiction can affect each person and their family. There is no single path to recovery, and I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, patience, understanding, and respect. After four decades in this field, I still have hope that we can continue to find better solutions to addiction and better ways to help people build healthier, more fulfilling lives.
What I value most about this work is being able to offer support and encouragement to people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren, who mean the world to me.
Marcus Whaley
Resident Care Technician
Bio coming soon.
Veronica Ramos-Arambula
Resident Care Technician
Bio coming soon.
Stella Coney
Human Resources Coordinator
Stella Coney brings over ten years of combined experience across human resources, legal studies, and administrative operations. This unique intersection of skills allows Stella to manage employee relations and organizational compliance with a highly structured, analytical approach. Stella is deeply passionate about creating supportive workplace cultures where both operational standards and employee well-being can thrive. Outside of the office, she loves spending quality time with family, friends and visiting new places.
Darrell Marble
Chef
With over 20 years of experience across diverse culinary environments – including private service and healthcare facilities. Darrell Marble is a seasoned chef, nutrition specialist, and health coach dedicated to delivering balanced, high-quality meals that support both wellness and performance. His expertise spans large-scale food service operations, therapeutic nutrition, and personalized culinary solutions.
Darrell has successfully led culinary teams and operations serving high daily volumes, improving efficiency and growth through strategic menu planning, cost management, and performance-driven leadership. He has implemented training programs that strengthened team cohesion and retention while maintaining strict alignment with nutritional standards for diverse populations.
Known for his ability to merge culinary artistry with health science, Darrell develops seasonal, locally inspired menus that elevate the dining experience while meeting clinical and wellness goals. His work consistently drives customer satisfaction, repeat engagement, and operational excellence.
Passionate about the intersection of food, health, and human potential. Darrell continues to advance initiatives that promote nourishment, sustainability, and holistic wellbeing.
Rosario “Rosie” Vavasseur
Chef
Rosario “Rosie” Vavasseur is an experienced Executive Chef and Dining Director with over 20 years in hospitality, healthcare, and high-volume food service. She is known for delivering five-star quality cuisine while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and operational excellence. Throughout her career, she has led kitchen teams, developed menus, managed budgets, and created efficient systems that ensure quality. Beyond her professional leadership, Rosie has a deep passion for serving others. She has worked in feeding the homeless and previously led her own Food Ministry, using her culinary gifts to bring nourishment, dignity, and hope to those in need. Rosie believes food is more than a meal – it is an act of service, compassion, and love.
Bryan Turner
Holistic Services
Bryan Turner has more than 10 years of experience in the substance use disorder treatment field. Throughout his career, Bryan has supported individuals in recovery through compassionate, client-centered counseling and evidence-informed approaches that promote emotional regulation, self-awareness, and long-term recovery.
In addition to his clinical experience, Bryan is a certified yoga instructor and Sound Bowl practitioner, as well as a Reiki Level 1 practitioner. He specializes in incorporating grounding techniques, mindfulness, breathwork, relaxation, and mind-body practices to help clients develop healthy coping skills and manage stress and emotional distress.
Bryan takes a holistic, recovery-oriented approach to treatment, recognizing the importance of addressing the mind, body, and emotional well-being as part of the recovery process. His goal is to provide clients with practical tools they can incorporate into their daily lives to support emotional stability, self-care, and sustained recovery.
Bryan is also completing his Certified Personal Trainer certification, which he expects to obtain in August 2026. He looks forward to further integrating movement, physical wellness, and healthy lifestyle practices into his work with individuals in recovery.
Mark Accomando
Holistic Services
Mark Accomando is a Licensed Ordained Minister, mindfulness teacher, certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, and founder of Evoke Peace Now and Sacred Vibes Live. For more than 15 years, he has guided individuals in addiction recovery and personal transformation through mindfulness, spiritual psychology, and practical life skills. Mark facilitates experiential workshops, integrating evidence-based coping strategies with timeless spiritual wisdom. His work emphasizes emotional resilience, self-awareness, and creating a meaningful life in recovery. Through immersive sound journeys featuring Tibetan and crystal singing bowls, Paiste gongs, Native American flute, and breathwork, he creates deeply restorative experiences that nurture mind, body, and spirit. As a speaker, facilitator, and spiritual guide, Mark inspires others to cultivate inner peace, purpose, and authentic living. He is passionate about helping clients discover practical tools that foster lasting healing, emotional well-being, and sustainable recovery. Mark is honored to support the Oasis Recovery community by creating meaningful experiences that empower hope, growth, and transformation so clients can take the empowering practices and weave them into living an empowered sober life that works.
Lisa Botts
Yoga Instructor
I’m the founder of Sukha Life and creator of the CMA accredited Live Easy Method, with ten years in wellness helping people learn their nervous system and find new ways to relax. My work draws on emotional processing, Kundalini yoga, and sound therapy, all centered on nervous system support. Much of why I do this comes from my own path through anxiety. I know what it feels like to be caught in patterns that keep you spinning, disconnected from your own body and your own calm, and I also know what it feels like to find your way back. That’s what shaped how I show up for people here at The Oasis. What I love most is witnessing someone’s journey unfold in real time, watching them soften, breathe a little deeper, and slowly remember who they were before life piled so much on top of them. There is nothing quite like being present for that moment when a person reconnects with their own strength. I believe healing isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about coming home to who you already are underneath it all, and that belief brings me back to this work every day.
Ellen Pirosh
Massage Therapist
Quality Massage Therapy & Skin Care (aka Quality Mobile Spa) is proud to partner with The Oasis to support individuals on their recovery journey. We know that therapeutic massage reduces stress, eases physical and mental discomfort, promotes restful sleep, and improves overall well-being. Our Team is passionate about providing safe, compassionate, professional bodywork in a supportive environment. In a recovery setting, gentle trauma-aware touch helps clients feel grounded in their bodies.
Working with The Oasis allows us to be part of a dedicated team committed to helping people heal and rebuild their lives. We support healing and whole person well-being. We are honored to be a small part of your clients’ path to stability and hope. Our group has served the desert since 1999. Led by Team Leader Ellen Pirosh, all of our therapists have multiple years of experience and we remain the leading mobile bodywork organization in the Coachella Valley.