Mental Health Providers

E. Clark Allen, M.D.          Joins us after several years as Professor, UCSD Health Sciences where he had leadership roles in Inpatient & Outpatient Geriatric Psychiatry, Consult Liaison and ECT followed by several recent years as North County's highest regarded outpatient Geriatric Psychiatrist.  He will serve as Medical Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, Palomar Health.

Ashlee Bolt,  N.P.         An energetic,  4.0 GPA grad of U Alabama Psych NP program with prior professional experience at Sharp Mesa Vista and Aurora Behavioral Health.

Paulette Cazares, M.D., MPH          A Naval Officer and Associate Director for Women's Mental Health at Balboa Naval Hospital.

Catherine Clark, NP        Several years experience as a Psychiatric NP at Palomar Health, with other professional experience in state psychiatric hospitals, crisis centers and longterm care.  A lifelong learner she is currently pursuing a PhD. 

Nancy Hardy, M.D.         Trained at Baylor & the Menninger Clinic then worked in a diverse mix of inpatient, outpatient, Naval, correctional psychiatric settings including work at San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital, she is most passionate about crisis stabilization work, and time with her son.

Benjamin Hidy, M.D.          Has worked for several years at Palomar Health presently as a consultant in the ED and medical floors at PMC Escondido. I also am the primary psychiatrist at our Palomar Intensive Outpatient Program. Outside of work, I volunteer my time contributing to organized psychiatry as a council member of the California Psychiatric Association, and I currently serve as the President Elect of the San Diego Psychiatric Society. I generally work hard so I can play hard; I love to travel and always like to have the next trip planned so I always have something to look forward to.

Badalin Helvink, M.D.          Has won numerous awards as Physician of the Year over her several years at Palomar Health as an Adult & Geriatric Psychiatrist; she also serves as Chair of Psychiatry, past-Medical Director of Psychiatry, Medical Director Cigna Behavioral Health. In addition she is a member of numerous committees, the SD Older Adult Council and has a professional interest in Mindfulness. 

Robert Mcauley, M.D.          Has worked at Palomar Health for several years, is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Physical Medicine & Addiction Medicine.  He  is a retired US Army Colonel, and a joyous bariotone singer.  

Mamta Modhwadia, M.D.          I am born in England, lived in Germany and then moved to New York. I was honored to have served as Chief Resident at the Harvard medical school South Shore program.  I have spent the past several years as Medical Director and psychiatrist at Cornel, New York Presbyterian Hospital and had several publications including one on the prevention of stress reactions among treatment teams when dealing with difficult family meetings.  I also have a passion for teaching and Mindfulness.  I am honored to now be a part of Senior medical Associates as Medical Director of Psychiatry, Palomar Health.

David Oliver, M.D.          Received his Doctor of Medicine from University of California, Davis, and completed a psychiatry internship at Naval Medical Center, San Diego working at Camp Pendleton,  Naval Medical Center Center San Diego where he served several years as the Mental Health Department Chairman until his retirement from the Navy in 2016. In addition to seeing patients for outpatient treatment, inpatient care, consultation-liaison and in a residential post-traumatic stress disorder program, Dr. Oliver enjoyed developing new clinics and treatment programs. He is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science and actively teaches medical students, psychology interns, and psychiatry residents.

Lauren Prasek, N.P.          Received her psychiatric NP degree from U Alabama and since worked at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in CL and ER psychiatry before moving to San Diego to work at Family Health Centers in outpatient psychiatry.  Eclectic professional experiences range from several publications from her work at psychiatric Crisis Houses, recent work as a Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator and remote work as an Investment Advisor for Moody.  

Daksha Patel, M.D.          Has worked at Palomar Health for several years, and also serves as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University.

Rachit Patel, M.D.           Board-certified member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Patel completed his training in psychiatry at Stony Brook University Hospital where he served as the chief resident of his residency program and received the William Turner Award for outstanding performance in psychiatry residency. Prior to practicing in San Diego, Dr. Patel was a staff psychiatrist at Stamford Hospital, an affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has published and presented papers on a variety of topics including chronic mental illness and neuropsychiatric diseases. Dr. Patel enjoys teaching and time at home with his new baby.  

Richard Rose, M.D.          Completed his training from Albert Einstein U and Naval Medical Centers has worked for several years as a Board Certified Psychiatrist at Palomar Health were he is also active serving on several committees.  

Deomel Soriano, N.P          Received his Psychiatric NP training from Azusa U and holding professional experiences from Tri City ER, inpatient psychiatry at Alvarado Parkway Institute, Exodus Recovery, and Turning Point Crisis House.

Sirpa Tavakoli, M.D.          has worked for several years at Palomar Health as a Board Certified Psychiatrist with an extensive work history in a variety of settings. Fluent in English, Finnish and Swedish and very excited to attend her daughter's wedding late August, 2018. 

Julie Tenbrook, N.P          Has worked in Psychiatry for many years and have done a little bit of everything.  My passion is emergency psychiatry and was recently performing this work at UCSD Thornton and Jacobs Medical Centers before joining SMA. 


 

 

 

Mental Health Admin Team

Mandana Ghalebi, MFT  -Superstar. Joins SMA as Mental Health Program Manager 

 

 

Mental Health Scribes

Jawad Aqil            -Awesome. 
Scott Howard        -Awesome. 
Heather Helvink    -Awesome. 
Justine Kim           -Awesome. 
Larry Phung          -Awesome. 
Milton Tang           -Awesome. 
Michelle Tubao     -Awesome. 
Mary Smith           -Awesome.
Steven Russum   -Awesome.
Daniela Duenas   -Awesome.
Erin Teramoto      -Awesome.
Brandon Mock     -Awesome.