Staff

Dedication to Quality...The leading provider for all eating disorders treatment.

Our Staff Makes The Difference...

Rader Programs has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of experienced professionals, many of whom know first hand, the pain and anguish that an eating disorder can cause.

• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Registered Nurses
• LVN's/ LPN's/ CNA's
• Counselor Interns
• Assessment Coordinators
• Registered Dieticians
• Masters Level Family Counselors
• Exercise Counselors
• Masters Level Primary Patient Care Counselors
• Nurse Practitioners
• Counselors
• Nurses
• Dietary

Rader Programs Staff Biographies

Rader Programs uses an inter-disciplinary approach consisting of the following staff to address the multi-faceted nature of Eating Disorders including Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating:

Administration:

Jonathan Rader, Ph.D. - Chief Clinical and Executive Officer

Dr. Rader received his doctorate from La Jolla University and has been treating eating disorders since 1985. His work on the relationship between sexual abuse and eating disorders has been documented in eating disorders journals and he has been interviewed as an expert on eating disorders by numerous magazines and news programs.

Jay Kapitz, C.P.A. - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Kapitz has been a Controller and Chief Financial Officer in the eating disorders field since 1985. He is also responsible for coordination of information and telecommunication services for Rader Programs. Jay is proud to have received his bachelor's degree from the University of California Los Angeles.

Daniel Rozdial, M.A., M.F.T - Clinical Director

Daniel obtained his M.A in Counseling Psychology at National University and is currently a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. Daniel has been a patient advocate for access to the most appropriate eating disorders treatment with nearly 15 years of experience in the health care industry.

Kathi Sirignano, A.A. - Healthcare Administration and CNA.

Ms. Sirignano coordinates all administrative aspects of the program. Kathi acts as a liaison between the program staff and the eating disordered patient in order to ensure the highest level of care possible. Sirignano has been on the staff since 2005.

Medical Staff

Nomi J. Fredrick, M.D. - Psychiatrist

Dr. Fredrick is a graduate of the New York University School of Medicine. Nomi completed both her residency and fellowship in psychiatry at the University of California Los Angeles. She specializes in psychopharmacology. In addition to her work at Rader Programs, Dr. Fredrick does research in psychoneuro-endocrinology.

Margie Fernandez, N.P. - Nurse Practitioner

Margie is a specialist in women's health and diabetes. She has been working with eating disordered patients since 2004. Margie also volunteers her time providing care to women in need. Dy and Margie have been working together for 20 years providing excellent care for the patients of Pacific Shores Hospital.

Manju Beatty - M.D.

Solita Kalaw - N.P.

Kaleen Cullen - N.P.

Assessment:

Robin Steiner, M.S., M.F.C.C - Assessment Coordinator

Ms. Steiner received her Masters in Clinical Psychology from San Diego State University. Robin has been involved with the treatment of eating disorders since 1998. She ran a private practice in Beverly Hills, where she specialized in treating eating disorders. Ms. Steiner then went on to become the Program Director and family therapist of an eating disorder program. She has been part of Rader staff for over eight years.

Counselors:

Navid Papehn, M.A. - Lead Counselor

Mr. Papehn began as a Primary Counselor. Navid received a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York. He has also begun working on a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University. Papehn intends on continuing his work with eating disorders throughout his career and looks forward to integrating his education into his work with Rader Programs.

John "JD" Dowling, M.A. - M.F.T. Intern. Primary Counselor

Mr. Dowling received his master's degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in depth psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in May of 2008. He is a board certified medical and clinical hypnotherapist, and worked as a substance abuse counselor in the Ventura County Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program for two years providing individual, group, couples, and family therapy. JD has been in recovery himself, and has worked with others suffering from substance abuse since 1988. He is currently working toward licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

El Pew, M.S., M.F.T. - Primary Counselor

Ms. Pew received her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from California State University, Fullerton in 1993. Since that time, she has helped eating disordered clients in a variety of treatment settings as they make the journey toward recovery. In addition to being licensed as a Marriage Family Therapist and receiving training in EMDR therapy, El has also been in recovery since 1994 from anorexia and bulimia. She specializes in treating the trauma issues that often underlie the eating disorder.

Sally Staben, M.A., M.F.T. - Individual Therapist

Ms. Staben received her masters in Marriage Family Therapy at California Lutheran University. Sally has been working with eating disordered clients since 1998. She has more been in recovery from Anorexia and Bulimia herself since 1997. Staben also specializes in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence towards women and children.

Heather Loeb, M.A., M.F.T. - Intern, Primary Counselor

Ms. Loeb received her Master's Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She is currently working toward licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist with the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Heather has three years experience in providing individual, group, couple, child and family therapy with diverse populations.

Dietary:

Nicole Cruz, M.S. - Registered Dietitian

Ms. Cruz is a graduate of California State University, Northridge where she received her Bachelor's in Nutrition and Dietetics. She went on to complete her dietetic internship and receive her Master's in Nutrition and Food Science through CSUN as well. She is a member of the American Dietetics Association. As a Registered Dietitian she has worked with various populations, including eating disorders, in the clinical outpatient setting, providing both individual and group counseling. Nicole has been in recovery from Anorexia since 2003 and hopes to help others in the process of creating a healthy relationship with food.

Exercise:

Cindy Malecky, M.B.A. - Exercise Counselor

Ms. Malecky is originally from Connecticut but has called Southern California her home since 1986. Cindy received her Bachelors in Science from Boston University and subsequently earned her Masters from the University of Phoenix. Malecky is a Certified Health Fitness Instructor from the American College of Sports Medicine with specialized training in Pilate’s for rehabilitation. She enjoys helping individuals achieve their fitness goals.

Nursing:

Patti Aung - R.N.
Cristy Daria - R.N.
Diana Engbrecht-Lopez - R.N.
Pilar Sitton - R.N.
Jason Tuazon, R.N.
Gale Inciong - L.V.N.
Gina Malbas - L.V.N.
Sheena Raymundo - L.V.N.
Jason Russo - L.V.N.
Samuel Delfin - L.V.N
Karen Elpuz - R.N.
Melanie Bigler - R.N.

Certified Nursing Assistants and MHW:

Jacqueline Constant - C.N.A.
Veronica Gonzales - C.N.A.
Joy Herrera - C.N.A.
Vanessa Moreno - C.N.A.
Alyssa Moreno - M.H.W.
Alisa Morrison - M.H.W.
Katherine Reid - M.H.W.

Business Services:

Leah Duley - Director of Business Services
Nyssa Dunning - Benefits Coordinator
Aaron Dickerson - Business Service Collections
Julie Loughmiller - Business Service Collections

Medical Records:

Lori Salmons - Medical Records Consultant
Marilyn Orman - Medical Records Tech

Plant Maintenance and Housekeeping:

Katie Erwing - Housekeeping
Alejandra Rodriquez - Housekeeping

Kitchen:

Leticia Flores - Chef
Dorothy James - Chef
Ruben Reyes - Chef
Julius Carey - Cook Prep
Philip Ortega - Kitchen Prep
Samanth Almanzana - Kitchen Prep
Juan Lara - Kitchen Prep