Meet the Staff – Kenosha
Meet the Caring Team at Our Kenosha Addiction Treatment Center
ASAP is proud to be represented by an experienced, committed team of mental health professionals. Read more about our addiction treatment experts in Kenosha below, then contact us to schedule a consultation at our Kenosha methadone clinic.
Dr. Michael Oster, DO, FACEP, FAOCEP – Kenosha Medical Director/Milwaukee Medical Staff
With more than 40 years of experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Oster has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of substance abuse and opioid use disorder. Dr. Oster focuses on educating patients about neuroplasticity and its role in recovery. His undergraduate background in philosophy, history, community service, and medicine has enabled him to create a supportive environment for those seeking recovery. As such, his treatment philosophy is rooted in a deep commitment to helping others, addressing the urgent need for specialized addiction treatment, mitigating the community impact of overdose deaths, and leveraging his unique skills and experience to combat the opioid epidemic.
Working with the Northern Illinois NICASA organization and Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Dr. Oster helped reduce overdose deaths in Lake County. Beyond his work in addiction treatment, he has also been involved in volunteer efforts with the Exchange Club’s focus on preventing childhood abuse and the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, which has saved thousands of infants from abandonment, inducing those affected by opioid use disorder.
Dr. Vernon Partello, MD, FASAM, DABFM – Milwaukee Medical Director/Kenosha Medical Staff
Dr. Vernon Partello, MD, has practiced medicine for more than two decades. He is board certified in Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine with Obstetrics, treating both inpatient and outpatient addiction throughout his career and consulting work. He has served as the inpatient medical attending and director for the Rock County Detox Center and Rock County Jail, respectively.
This broad exposure to addiction and substance abuse has afforded him a deep understanding of the medication-assisted treatment options that can be offered to patients, including Methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol. As a result, he is now dedicated to caring for patients with primary opiate addiction and co-addictions, with the mission of always treating patients struggling with addiction issues with dignity, respect and concern for their health as they begin and recover from this difficult illness.
Dr. Todd Kammerzelt, MD, FASAM, DAAAP – Madison Medical Director
Dr. Todd Kammerzelt, AKA Dr. K, is a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience specializing in adult and addiction psychiatry. Originally from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Dr. K has lived in a variety of places, including New Orleans, New York, Washington, D.C., Australia, and the United Kingdom. For much of the past two decades, he has called Madison home, where he continues to build a rewarding career focused on patient-centered mental health and addiction care.
Dr. K earned his medical degree and training from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, after completing a postbaccalaureate premedical program at Columbia University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical-Economics from Tulane University. Before pursuing medicine, Dr. K served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa, where he taught Math and English, gaining invaluable experience in cross-cultural communication and international education. With over a decade of clinical experience, he is deeply committed to respecting patient autonomy and taking time to understand the unique challenges each individual faces in their recovery journey.
Alyssa, RN, BSN – Director of Medical Services
Alyssa, RN, graduated from Edgewood College with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN). Nurse Alyssa began her nursing career working in Family Medicine, giving her exposure to the full range of patient ages and ailments. She gained significant exposure and training in this environment to excel as the Assistant Director of Nursing and then a subsequent transition into her role as the Director of Medical Services for ASAP.
Nurse Alyssa is a strong patient advocate and believes in preserving human dignity, patient equality, and freedom from suffering. Her goal is to break the stigma associated with opioid treatment to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for patients to begin their journey toward recovery and sobriety. With her impressive education and training, she is comfortable with all aspects of the medication-assisted treatment offered at ASAP, including the use of Methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol.
Kristin, MS, CSAC, ICS, LPC – Director of Clinical Services
Kristin began her studies after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. She continued her education and graduated with her Master’s degree in Community Counseling, with a specialty focus earning her Addiction Counseling Certificate from Winona State University. She has years of experience working with adults with a variety of therapeutic issues, including addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment difficulties. She has worked in residential and outpatient treatment settings, working with individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders.
In addition to her broad range of work experiences during and after graduation, she has hands-on working experience in Medication-Assisted Treatment utilizing a harm-reduction approach. Kristin’s approach to therapy utilizes evidenced-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Person-Centered Therapy. She works to develop strong relationships with clients, believing the relationship is the core to successful therapeutic changes. She utilizes humor, acceptance, and compassion to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Susan, RN, BSN, SAC-IT – Director of Support Services
Susan, RN, graduated from San Diego State University with her BSN and moved directly into the Neonatal ICU at UCLA satellite hospital. It was here she received her first exposure to treatment of addiction in the care of infants, mothers, and families. Her experience and passion for care of individuals suffering with addiction broadened upon relocating to Wisconsin with her family and transition into the Emergency Department (ED). There, she expanded on her exposure, assisting in the care and direct treatment of individuals of all ages suffering with addiction.
With her years of experience, including OB and high-risk nursery, it seemed a natural transition to continue her work at ASAP. Sue has taken the opportunity to complete a state-certified course in addiction counseling to gain a deeper understanding of the struggles her patients have, and feels blessed to be able to go on this journey with them. She thoroughly enjoys the relationships she has developed over time with the patients and staff.
Drew, AA, SAC – Clinic Manager
Andrews (“Drew”) has been a dedicated and caring substance abuse counselor in the state of Wisconsin since 2013, when he started his new career path from the trades. He has nearly a decade devoted to helping people suffering from both primary opioid and polypharmacological addiction, having worked in Racine County at a certified opioid medication treatment program.
He has a strong desire to work with individuals suffering from the effects of addiction and helping them succeed in their goals. His philosophy for client care is to facilitate treatment in an environment that promotes dignity, respect, and self-determination. This allows all patients seeking treatment at ASAP under his care to take an active role in the success of their recovery.
Wallace, CSAC, ICS – Counseling Supervisor
Wallace graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with a Bachelor in Healthcare Administration, and is now a licensed independent clinical supervisor and a licensed clinical substance abuse counselor in Kenosha. Wallace has worked in a variety of addictions treatment modalities, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential with emphasis on dual diagnosis, and residential treatment within the Department of Corrections.
Wallace believes that everybody can recover from addiction if given the chance. He has facilitated addictions counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, aggression control training, men’s groups, parenting classes, and employment coaching using a variety of counseling theories and approaches. Wallace strives to create an environment that is safe, therapeutic, and spiritually open. He loves to assist in and see both staff and patients succeed in life goals.
Shelly, BS, CSAC
Shelly is a clinical substance abuse counselor licensed as an addiction counselor since 2017, having worked with a variety of diverse populations since 2015. She earned her associate’s degree at Gateway Technical College with honors and completed her Bachelor in Human Services with focus on Social Work at Upper Iowa University, and is currently working on her Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Through this work and education, she has acquired extensive experience working with patients that are living with mental illness and addiction. She is empathetic, and her philosophy for client care is to meet an individual where they are at, treating them with respect, compassion, and kindness while providing the knowledge and tools for one to succeed in their recovery.
Charise, SAC-IT
Charise has worked with Crisis Stabilization and Detoxification patients since 2015, working at the KARE Center as a Teaching Counselor. She earned an associate degree in Human Services and took a break following this to spend more time working with at-risk patients addicted primarily to opiates. She also dedicated two years to work with patients whose loved ones had given up on them, assisting them in seeing the brighter picture and not focusing on past mistakes but to live their best life for today.
Charise is purpose driven to assist those who suffer with addiction in their transformation and recovery. She is currently working with a team focused on the patient and harm reduction as they achieve their goal of abstinence. Her colleagues and patients describe her warm, caring, and easy to talk to, as she believes that anyone can change when they are given the opportunity. Charise excels at one-on-one counseling, education, guidance, and motivation to help her patients improve and reach their goals through her lifelong motto of, ” Just do it.”