About Us
Meet Our Licensed Professionals
Dr. Jean R. Joseph-Vanderpool, Psychiatrist
Dr. Jean R. Joseph-Vanderpool is board certified physician and Psychiatrist who has been practicing since 1984 and dedicating over 20 years to serve the Community of El Paso, Texas. Dr. Vanderpool is the Founder and President of Sunwest Behavioral Health Organization, LLC DBA Atlantis Behavioral Health Services and Amanecer Health Systems since 2008. He also founded Amanecer Health Systems in 2016 with the goal creating a program that specializes on Children and Adolescents’ psychiatric and behavioral health challenges in additional to the already existing program for treating adults and the elderly. Most recently, Dr. Vanderpool created a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Center (TMS) in 2019 where his focus is treating patients with severe Major Depressive Disorder with a state-of-the-art FDA approved treatment.
Dr. Vanderpool has an extensive experience in public and private, as well as inpatient and outpatient settings. His clinical interest also includes treating addiction treatment, particularly, on treating opiate addiction with Suboxone (Buprenorphine and Naloxone); he is DEA Certified on Narcotics Maintenance and Detox. In addition to being a well-known Psychiatrist in the community of El Paso, he has also served as Medical Director for several non-profit and for-profit behavioral health practices across the nation. Regarding his medical experience, he has also served as Medical Director at Columbia Behavior Center and at the Gero-psychiatric unit at Suntowers Behavioral Health Hospital for several years (from 1990-1999). Dr. Vanderpool has conducted several research studies, with over 18 publications on Seasonal Affective Disorders when it comes to clinical and pathophysiological implications as well as sleep disorders. He completed his training in Psychiatric medicine at Harlem Medical Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is certified is Disorders from the American Board of EEG and Neurophysiology.
Dr. Jean R. Joseph-Vanderpool has extensive experience and excellent trajectory treating clients with mental health disorders and substance abuse. Dr. Vanderpool has been passionate to promote recovery on mental illnesses to different cohorts to include children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. His mission has been to remove barriers and stigma for clients to recover from any psychiatric disorders, so they can enjoy and live a fulfilling life.
Dr. Laura Houston, Addiction Specialist
Dr. Laura Houston is excited to be a part of the Atlantis Behavioral Health Services team; she recently joined the practice in 2021. Dr. Houston is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with recent subspecialty certification in Addiction Medicine (January 2020) she is in a unique position to partner with clients to meet their mental health, substance use and general medical health goals. She came to understand addiction as a chronic disease needing compassion, empathy, and continuity, just like diabetes and hypertension. She took time to understand addiction in more depth by doing an elective in addiction medicine at the VA in San Antonio. Dr. Houston graduated from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine in 2011 and completed Family Medicine residency at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2014. She is married to an active-duty Army surgeon and mom to 2 boys and a beagle. She loves reading, playing pickleball and golf, and very much enjoying all the sun in El Paso. Dr. Houston looks forward to helping ABHS’ patients achieve their mental and physical health goals.
Dr. Shivani U. Mehta, Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Shivani U. Mehta is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist, a physician for Mental Health. She has been serving the community in El Paso since 2011. Dr. Mehta received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) from Mumbai, India. She finished her internship in Long Island, NY. She completed her residency training in Long Island, NY. She completed her Fellowship at Drexel University college of medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She is a board psychiatrist and author, with numerous publishing’s on psychiatry and education. In her clinical career, she continues to provide supportive and evidence-based treatment for adults and children. She is proud of being part of Atlantis Behavioral Health Services & Amanecer Health Systems where she has been performing psychiatric evaluation and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults.
Roberto Padilla, PMHNP-BC
Roberto Padilla is an El Paso native who obtained his credentials at the University of Texas of El Paso and Saint Louis University in Missouri. He has been working in mental health practices for the past seven years in which he has endeavored to provide honest communication and quality resources for his patients. During his school years, as well as through his seven years of practice, Roberto has found that reducing mental health stigma and helping people with depression have solidified as two of his main professional aspirations. Roberto is also a firm believer in a holistic approach to mental health, considering the mental, emotional, neurological, spiritual, and physical aspects of a psychiatric condition. Also, he has found that by directing our attention and care wholeheartedly towards each of these aspects we can become happy and whole individuals. Considering he has encountered all the problems with therapy-resistant and serious side-effects bearing mental conditions, Roberto feels truly privileged in being able to help anyone battling mental health issues with his knowledge, expertise, and one of the most innovative and safe technologies around. He is certified in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which he practices in New Mexico, where he treats patients with severe Major Depressive Disorders and Anxiety. Mr. Padilla has been part of ABHS’ family since April 2021 where he has been providing pharmacological management through Psychiatric Evaluations and follow-up consultations with the mission of assisting consumers bettering their symptoms and living a meaningful life.
Victor L. Ilog, PMHNP-BC
Mr. Victor Lee Ilog is a nationally credentialed and double board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Ilog holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Chamberlain University and a Post-Masters Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Regis University. He is certified to treat children, adolescents, and adults.
Mr. Ilog believes that devotion to each individual’s exceptional experience cultivates an atmosphere that encourages individual growth and healing. His solutions-focused approach helps you address life’s challenges in a pragmatic and empowering way. He is committed in constructing compassionate, accommodating and non-judgmental surroundings that cherish every consumer’s potential for best possible health and happiness. He believes that the most successful treatment is tailored treatment, which is built upon an authentic appreciation of personal history, and individual standards. With this understanding, Mr. Ilog aspires to partner with you to create a treatment plan that holistically focuses your distinctive needs, both for short-term symptom management and for long-term change.
Pablo Reyes, APRN-CNS, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
Mr. Pablo Reyes joined Atlantis Behavioral Health Services in January 2023. He proudly served for over 17 years as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the Department of Behavioral Health, William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Ft. Bliss, Texas. Besides working as Nurse Practitioner in military settings, his background comprehends working in civilian outpatient programs and hospitals; for instance, he worked on the crisis response team at Columbia Behavioral Health Hospital, later to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist where he worked for over 7 years. Eventually, Mr. Reyes worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Del Sol Medical Center for Telemetry (i.e., ICU, CCU).
Mr. Reyes is honored to be graduate student from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), first completing his Nursing Program and subsequently, in 1994 he completed an Advance Practice Registered Nurse-Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric Mental Health program. In 2001, he graduated with a post-Master in Advance Practice Registered Nurse-Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
Overall, he has been a preceptor for many years and to many students since 2009 in the U.S. Army, NM State University, Texas Tech University and UTEP. He comes with a wealth of knowledge, with an experienced background of 40 years working in Behavioral Health programs. He is vested to provide services to ABHS’ patients with the mission of making a remarkable difference in patients’ recovery. Last, it is to be noted that Mr. Reyes was a recipient of over 7 outstanding recognitions awards by the US Army.
Stephanie Gallegos, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
Stephanie A. Gallegos is an El Paso native and United States Marine Corps veteran. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from the fast-track program at the University of Texas at El Paso. After working as a registered nurse for seven years in multiple psychiatric hospitals/ emergency departments, Stephanie went back to the University of Texas at El Paso. She obtained her Master’s in Science Nursing degree in Family Nurse Practitioner. During this program, Stephanie decided she wanted to focus more on mental health and enrolled in school to obtain her Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Stephanie’s experience as a veteran with over a decade of experience as a nurse has had a profound impact on her passion for helping those who struggle with their mental health. It is Stephanie’s belief that with the help of the community, we can end the stigma of mental health which will break down barriers encouraging more people to seek help. Stephanie believes in treating the individual as a whole and working side by side with the client to devise a treatment plan specific to their mental health needs including proper medication education.
Daniel Bustillos, APRN-CNP, DNP
Dr. Daniel Bustillos is an esteemed professional in the realm of healthcare, specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health. Holding the distinguished title of Doctor of Nursing Practice, Dr. Bustillos brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in biology and nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), showcasing his strong foundation in both scientific understanding and healthcare practice.
With a remarkable career spanning several years, Dr. Bustillos has adeptly navigated diverse psychiatric settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and correctional facilities. His formative professional experiences began at the El Paso Psychiatric Hospital, where he embarked on his journey within the mental health arena. Throughout his career, he has consistently exhibited a profound passion for mental health, serving as an unwavering advocate for patients dealing with mental illnesses. Dr. Bustillos’s philosophy revolves around the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges that individuals with mental health concerns encounter. Recognizing that effective patient care necessitates a team effort, he embraces his role as a team player and is poised to contribute his expertise to any endeavor that aligns with the betterment of patient well-being.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Bustillos is known for his diverse interests. He finds solace in the world of boxing, appreciating the discipline and strategy it embodies. Furthermore, he delights in cinematic experiences, often immersing himself in the world of movies. His culinary preference for tacos underscores his appreciation for cultural diversity and flavors.
Dr. Daniel Bustillos is grateful for the privilege to join Atlantis, recognizing the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals dedicated to advancing the field of mental health. His profound appreciation for this partnership underscores his commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those he serves.
Sarah Christine, LPC-A
Sarah Christine is a dedicated and highly skilled therapist, holding a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Arts in Human Development. As a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor, Sarah has honed her expertise in providing comprehensive mental health services to diverse populations and communities.
With specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Sarah brings a rich repertoire of evidence-based modalities to her therapeutic practice. These specialized techniques allow her to address trauma, manage emotional dysregulation, and foster positive cognitive and behavioral changes in her clients.
Sarah’s extensive experience as a psychotherapist includes a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a widely recognized approach proven effective in treating various mental health concerns. Her commitment to employing evidence-based practices ensures that she tailors her therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Sarah has a profound passion for working across the lifespan, from children to adults, and she has a wealth of experience working with families and couples. Her holistic and client-centered approach is characterized by empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for her clients.
In addition to her clinical proficiency, Sarah maintains the highest ethical standards, ensuring that each therapeutic relationship is founded on trust, confidentiality, and a collaborative spirit. Through her continuous pursuit of professional development and her compassionate approach, Sarah Christine stands as a beacon of support for those seeking positive change and growth on their mental health journey.
Marcos E. Pena, LCSW, LADAC
Fueled by an unwavering commitment to inspire and uplift both individuals and organizations, Marcos stands as a multifaceted leader with a rich tapestry of experience spanning the nonprofit and corporate landscapes. With a remarkable aptitude for igniting and nurturing new ventures, crafting innovative programs, providing valuable behavioral health guidance, and forging profound community connections, Marcos is a transformative force.
As a visionary leader, Marcos has consistently demonstrated unparalleled prowess in strategic planning, streamlining operations for maximum efficiency, and consistently surpassing business objectives. He possesses an impressive track record of implementing successful improvement strategies, securing vital funding streams, and assembling and leading high-performance teams that consistently deliver outstanding results.
With licensures as a Clinical Social Worker and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Marcos offers a wealth of expertise in partnership development, personnel leadership, clinical management, and financial stewardship. His unique combination of skills and experiences positions him as a catalytic force for positive change, enabling individuals and organizations to thrive in their pursuits and endeavors.
Siria Rocha, MBA/MHA
Mrs. Siria Rocha is a native El Pasoan, born and raised in the Border region. After completing high school, Siria served in the U.S. Army, Air Defense Artillery for one term. She continued her professional career working in both private and public sector, including County Government for eight years, a few years in non-profit and eventually moving to the private sector.
In 2016, Mrs. Rocha as CEO was directly responsible for the growth and acquisition of a Children’s behavioral health clinic specializing in children & adolescents services resulting in a growth of 65+ employees and a multimillion-dollar operation. Additionally, she was responsible for adopting fully automated patient records keeping and eliminating paper charts resulting in streamlining processes.
Today, Ms. Rocha has transitioned to Managing Partner/CFO at ABHS and is responsible for executing the company’s financial strategy and overseeing the financial operations for the company. Additionally, Ms. Rocha is responsible for the management and administration of the commercial real estate owned by the sister company of ABHS.
Siria has a dual Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration and is currently pursuing a certification on Commercial Real Estate from Cornell University.
Laura Ramos, BA
Laura Ramos has served in administrative roles at ABHS since 2018. Upon taking over the position as Chief Operating Officer, she oversaw all departments, supervised managers, and assisted in the growth and planning of the Company. During this tenure, the implementation of a new Electronic Health Record system was accomplished which goal was to increase the operational efficiency of ABHS by bringing autonomy to the billing department and a better management of cash flow. Among other day to day operations, Laura was responsible for the coordination and development of programs with the commitment of delivering clinically driven outcomes.
Her background included working as Skills Trainer, Case Manager and Program Coordinator for over four years. She worked in the Psychosocial and Rehabilitative Program (PSR) where she directly supervised the Case Manager Department and accounted for the program’s successful growth by 156% from a census of 240 to 615 patients in less than two years. Laura’s leadership shaped a fast revenue growth, adherence to statutory guidelines and implementing policies and procedures for the Case Management department. Laura strives for clients’ access to Mental Health services for them to achieve wellness and recovery; through the PSR Program she was able to make these services available to consumers in the Community.
Laura is proud of being part of ABHS’ family for the last seven years and is eager to continue promoting access to health care by executing the Company’s vision through strategic direction, maximizing operational excellent and delivering financial performance.
She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Major in Psychology and a Major in Criminal Justice. Immediately after, she found the passion and dedication for Mental Health and serving the Community of El Paso.
Korina Villa, MSW
Korina Villa assumed the leadership role of Chief Administrative Officer of Atlantis Behavioral Health Services and Amanecer Health Systems in July 2021 and leads the core administration functions including Human Resources, Psychosocial Rehabilitative program, Nursing department, TMS program, and currently the operations of the intake process and staff. She has been with ABHS since 2017 and was most recently the Director of the Psychosocial Rehabilitative program leading the efforts on ensuring qualifying consumers receive case management services and focus on individualized treatment. Treatment barriers are removed by providing services in the home for these individuals weekly. After three months of starting her journey with ABHS, Ms. Villa began working in administration when promoted from a Case Manager to the Assistant Director of the PSR program in 2017. While the Assistant Director, Ms. Villa, was able to increase the program’s revenue, increase the number of consumers served, and improve retention rates. In 2021, she has led her efforts to improve clinical outcomes in the PSR program and restructure the Intake and Nursing departments to support the company’s vision. Ms. Villa holds a B.A. in psychology and sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso and an M.S.W. in Direct Practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse, focusing on assessment and intervention with those evidencing acute and chronic mental health problems and substance abuse disorders. During her graduate studies, Ms. Villa also focused her research on program evaluation by learning and understanding the environment and statistical findings in programs to provide the best interventions possible for the betterment of programs.
Veronica Lugo
Veronica Lugo serves as the esteemed Operations Manager at “ABHS,” bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise to our dynamic team. With an impressive track record spanning over 8 years in various management roles, Veronica has demonstrated her prowess as a consummate leader within the industry. Her extensive background in finance and accounting provides a solid foundation upon which she makes strategic, well-informed decisions that catalyze growth and success for her team. Veronica’s acumen for analysis, coupled with her exceptional leadership skills, empowers her to dissect intricate data sets, optimize workflows, and establish a meticulously organized framework that impeccably aligns with the organization’s objectives.
Beyond her distinguished professional accomplishments, Veronica exhibits an unwavering dedication to the realm of mental health and its profound influence on our daily lives. Her active engagement in advocacy and community education underscores her commitment to raising awareness about the paramount importance of nurturing our mental well-being. Veronica’s unwavering dedication to her vocation, coupled with her unyielding aspiration to furnish patients with the highest delivery of care, has undeniably been a driving force behind her illustrious career trajectory. Her exceptional proficiency and unrelenting pursuit of excellence render her an indispensable asset to our team, epitomizing the core values and standards upheld by our organization.
Dominique Ficarra
Dominique Ficarra has proudly been working at Atlantis Behavioral Health Services since April 2018. She was promoted as the coordinator to the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment since 2019 and has been working in conjunction with Dr. Vanderpool, Chief Medical Officer with the mission of assisting patients with acute symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. Ms. Ficarra ensures that consumers that are eligible for the program have the best possible care by assisting on coordination of benefits, treatment planning, monitoring continuity of care day after day and adjusting treatment plans as needed while always having the physician available. Dominique Ficarra’s educational background includes an Associate in Applied Science and is currently enrolled in the Nursing Program at The University of Texas at El Paso.
Stephanie Castanon, BA
Stephanie S. Castanon assumed the role for Program Coordinator (2021) for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program at Atlantis Behavioral Health Services.
Brenda Herrera
Brenda Herrera is a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of in-depth experience in the healthcare industry, with a strong focus on reimbursement and billing. Her profound expertise in medical billing enables her to skillfully tackle challenges and provide efficient, streamlined solutions. Brenda stands out for her systematic approach to issue analysis, consistently delivering timely and effective resolutions.
For over 4 years, Brenda served as the Reimbursement Specialist Lead at the largest mental health community nonprofit agency in El Paso, TX. Throughout her career, which began in 2008, she has been a valuable asset to various medical practices, holding roles ranging from Medical Billing Specialist to Front Office Operations Manager.
Brenda is thrilled to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to ABHS, where she aims to optimize and elevate the billing department to new heights.
Beatriz Beard
Beatriz Beard is currently the Intake Coordinator for Atlantis Behavioral Health, she has over 4 years of experience working in Home Health, as well as over 3 years working in the PHC department. Ms. Beard has always worked in the administration field side of Human Resources but her passion for Health has overpowered her true meaning of what she likes to achieve in life. Her goals in life are to always have the integrity to do what is right and respect others the way they want to be treated and embrace every opportunity to become the best servant leader as she can be.
What can you expect from us?
Atlantis Behavioral Health Services is committed to providing exceptional care for each patient.
You can trust us to:
- Help you reach recovery
- Provide exceptional customer service and quality care
- Create an individualized treatment plan for you
- Hold providers accountable at all times