Staff

Dr. Harold Schwarz, M.D., P.A.
Medical Director
Dr. Schwarz is a prominent physician/psychiatrist in the South Palm Beach mental health community. Having attended school at Columbia University, Manilla University and New York University’s School of Medicine Dr. Schwarz has focused on substance related disorders and mental health issues. Besides his position as medical director at Archstone Recovery Center, he is the Section Chief for the Psychiatry Department at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida (FL).

Kirsten Pancione, ARNP
Nurse Practitioner
kpancione@archstonerecovery.com
In pursuit of her Doctorate of Nursing Degree from the University of Southern Alabama, with two sub-specialty in Psychiatry and Nurse Educator, Kirsten is Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practicioners. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master of Science Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Florida Atlantic University. Kirsten specializes in the individualized detoxification and treatment of each client, determines medical protocol and evaluates their treatment and progress. She also assesses and monitors every admission at Archstone Recovery Center, and provides general medical care to the community.

Jerry Charles, RN
Director of Nursing
jcharles@archstonerecovery.com
Jerry received his Bachelors in Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1988. After several years working in that industry Jerry began to pursue his Master Degree in Education. Jerry and his family re-located to Florida in 1992. Jerry then began working as a Math Teacher. After several years Jerry began to pursue his Nursing Degree at Kaplan University where he received his degree as a Registered Nurse. While still working as a teacher and attending Nursing School Jerry worked at a Detox Center. He then completed his internship at a Substance Abuse Treatment Center. That was when he decided that working with alcoholics and addicts was what he wanted to do. After 15 years of teaching Jerry gave up his teaching career and joined the Archstone Recovery Center as our Director of Nursing. Jerry is a valuable addition to the Archstone Family. Our clients sing high praises for his compassion and professionalism.

John Achinapura, PhD, LMHC
Clinical Director
John “Dr. A” Achinapura has been a member of the South Florida community for over twenty five years. He is a graduate of New Jersey University (BA) and New York Institute of Technology (MA) in psychology. He has a Doctorate in Clinical Sexology from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists.Dr. Achinapura has focused his career on working with those with substance abuse disorders, mental health issues, and co-occurring disorders. He is a staunch client advocate who believes, “If you always do what’s best for the client, you will always be doing the right thing”!

As Clinical Director of Archstone Recovery Center, he will work on the continued excellence of the center by assuring the staff’s clinical competency and client recovery.

Joe Miller
Therapist
jmiller@archstonerecovery.com
After attending the University of North Carolina and at Widener University, Joe became a professional baseball player in the Houston Astros Organization. Following a professional career in baseball, Joe worked 22 years at the GlenMills School for juvenile offenders, in GlenMills, Pennsylvania, first as a counselor/teacher head baseball coach, and later in the school’s administration as a team leader. Prior to coming to Archstone Recovery Center, Joe was the managing director of a half way house in South Florida. Joe has a special rapport with the younger clients at Archstone and has an important role in promoting team unity through recreational activities such as softball, volleyball and basketball, which is his passion. Joe is Archstone’s out-patient Therapist, and facilitates weekly out-patient group sessions.

April Smith, MA
Therapist
asmith@archstonerecovery.com
April is a Registered Intern in the State of Florida. She received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to coming to Archstone Recovery Center, April lived in North Carolina where she counseled combat veterans in the areas of substance abuse, mental health and trauma. April also has experience helping victims of domestic violence. April is passionate about her work and advocates for her clients.

Sally Gallen Sweeney, AA
Director of Admissions
ssweeney@archstonerecovery.com
Sally, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attended Pennsylvania State University where she earned her Associates of Arts Degree. Sally moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in July of 2006, and began her journey in the field of Recovery. She is a member of the Palm Coast Area Hospitals and Institutions Committee. She has served as a facilitator at the Women’s Drug Farm for the past three years, and as a House Manager at The Hope House, a women’s transitional living facility in the West Palm Beach area Sally is passionate about helping men and women to “live the dream.” In her position as Director of Admissions, she encourages clients to take a leap of faith and come to Archstone Recovery Center to obtain the guidance, education and tools necessary to live a life free from alcohol and chemical dependency.

Edward (Eddie) Rousseau
Director, HR and Administration

Eddie, a native to South Florida, attended the University of Central Florida for Business Administration and has over 15 years experience in financial services and employee benefits. He worked for over 8 years with a leading provider of employee benefits, specializing in the sales and service of qualified and non-qualified employee retirement plans. As a previous Operations Director, he brings extensive experience in employee and operations management. Having joined the Archstone family in February 2012, Eddie’s goal is to assist in providing a positive and supportive environment for recovery and growth to all the clients and employees of Archstone Recovery Center.

Andrew ‘Magoo’ McGookin
Facility Operations Manager
magoo@archstonerecovery.com
Magoo grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Florida 14 years ago where he has worked in almost every aspect of the construction business. Andrew worked as a construction manager for Toll Brothers Inc. for several years building homes from the ground up. His experience and training has been beneficial in his position as the Facility Operations Manager for Archstone Recovery Center. Andrew prides himself on the every day maintenance and appearance of our community.

Joanna Simms
Office Manager
jsimms@archstonerecovery.com
Joanna attended Arcadia University and joined the Archstone Recovery Center Staff in July 2011, bringing her experience, strength and hope to the team. As Office Manager, she brings a warm smile to those she greets and her dedication and commitment to the recovery process is an asset to both the clients and the staff.

“Q” Green
BHT Supervisor

Laquela “Q” Green, was born, raised and educated in Pompano Beach, Florida. She began her career in the mental health field over ten years ago while working with young adults recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. Her passion to help addicts begin a new way of life led her to want to help others to take the next step – to start a new life and gain value and self worth. Q’s personal motto is: you can’t expect others to love you if you don’t love yourself. She believes that it starts with the body and mind – then the spirit will follow. Her main concern is the safety and security of the clients at Archstone, and she brings a sense of commitment and loyalty to every aspect of her position.

Karen M. Gauci, M.P.H., R.D., L.D.
Nutritionist

Karen M. Gauci is a registered and licensed Dietitian and Nutritionist with a master’s degree in Public Health and is currently in private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. She is the owner and president of 2001 Nutrition Services, Inc., a company with the philosophy of providing education, teaching and counseling in all areas related to nutrition. Karen has specialized for over 20 years in the following areas related to nutrition: substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, weight management, chronic disease risk reduction, health promotion and wellness, sports nutrition, pediatrics, eating disorders, and local and national presentations.For many years, Mrs. Gauci was the nutritionist at the Palm-Aire Spa Resort in Pompano Beach, Florida and worked with many celebrities. She is also the author of the Cookbook, “Delicious Nutritious Spa Recipes form the Spa at Palm-Aire”. A few years ago, Karen wrote a program for large corporations to help lower their health cost entitled “Superitis, A 5 Star Plan For Better Health”.Previously, Karen traveled around the world to private homes to train personal chefs in the preparation of foods low in fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. She also offers assistance in menu planning, label reading, and proper portion control. Karen’s dedication and involvement in competitive swimming led to her place in the International Swimming Hall of Fame. This experience reinforces her commitment to the exercise component of the program and area of practice with professional athletes.