Medical Staff | Colorado West Mental HealthColorado West Mental Health

	Medical Director, Hospital R. Sanford Kiser, MD Dr. Kiser, Hosptial Medical Director, received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and chemistry at Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas before receiving his M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where he completed his psychiatric residency. He has triple board certification in Psychiatry, Neurology and Pain Medicine. Dr. Kiser has an extensive clinical background as well as professional administrative, teaching and research experience. He has authored dozens of clinical research grants and has published numerous scientific papers and presentations, ranging from pain management in fibromyalgia patients to the treatment of elderly patients with major depressive disorder.
	Psychiatrist, BC Kevin Scott Jones, MD Dr. Jones joins the staff of Colorado West having practiced Adult Psychiatry at Maricopa Integrated Health Systems in Phoenix, AZ. He is based in the Frisco office but is a vital part of the Colorado West TeleHealth Network in providing therapy to individuals throughout the CW area. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Presbyterian College, Dr. Jones graduated from Ross University School of Medicine. A native of South Carolina, he enjoys the theatre as well as playing tennis and golf.
	Psychiatrist Frank Szvetecz, MD Dr. Szvetecz was educated at Princeton University and The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is board certified in the specialty of Psychiatry and resides in Paonia.
	Psychiatrist Regina Le Verrier, MD Regina, known as ‘Dr. Reggie’, is a Board-Certified psychiatrist based at Colorado West Hospital who has been working in mental health for over 20 years. She graduated University of Florida Phi Beta Kappa with a chemistry degree, University of Miami Medical School on scholarship, and completed her psychiatry residency at St. Luke’s /Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. She then traveled around the US and the world for three years, working in underserved areas including Hawaii and New Zealand. She completed the Public Psychiatry Fellowship at Columbia University in 2000 and worked with the homeless, people with developmental delays, seniors and drug addicts in New York City. She has published articles in two literary magazines, completed three Olympic distance triathlons and enjoys snowboarding, cycling and cross-training. After being called to this work when she was age 12 after reading about a program that treated street addicts, she decided to specialize in addiction and care of the severely and persistently mentally ill.
	Psychiatrist Craig P. Bushong, MD Before coming to Colorado West in 2012 Dr. Bushong had an outpatient private practice for 22 years in Houston, TX. He specializes in child psychiatry. Continued growth is extremely important for Dr. Bushong and he is often working towards a new skill and improving the wellness of his community.
	Psychiatrist William W. Philip, MD Dr. Philip is a Board-Certified psychiatrist with a major emphasis on the medication treatment of psychiatric conditions. He has a special interest in issues of older adults. Practicing for thirty seven years, he has been with Colorado West for the last 17. He lives in Steamboat Springs and has a number of outdoor interests including cross country and downhill skiing, cross country ski racing, fishing, camping, backpacking and hiking. He helps coach cross country skiing for eight to eleven year olds.
	Psychiatrist Richard Berkley, MD Richard Berkley is a senior psychiatrist who works part time and sees multiple clients in Routt and other counties via Colorado West’s TeleHealth Network. He stays current on how medications affect the brain and primarily works with adult clients. He is an avid biker who enjoys photography and international travel.
	Psychiatrist Matthew Burson, MD Dr. Burson specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry. His clinical philosophy is holistic and takes into account the entire family. A graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch, he has previously practiced in Virginia and on the Front Range.
	Psychiatrist Patricia Gallagher Lapkin, MD Patricia G. Lapkin, M.D. has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University Of Notre Dame and a Medical Degree from the University of Illinois. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is also a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist. Dr. Lapkin has practiced for 21 years, and moved to Colorado from Wyoming where she served as Medical Director of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s Psychiatric Program and was a staff psychiatrist at Peak Wellness Center in Cheyenne.
	Psychiatrist Deborah Stetler, MD
	Advanced Nurse Practitioner Helen Chrena, APRN, MSN, MA Helen Chrena has a Master’s degree in counseling and another in nursing as an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner in psychiatry. She is certified in Prolonged Exposure therapy for trauma victims. Her areas of expertise include palliative and end of life care. She has been a consultant at UCLA as well as adjunctive faculty at the medical school, instructing interns on communicating sensitive information to patients and families. She also has experience in emergency psychiatry in Los Angeles, working with veterans at the VA hospital in Long Beach and most recently, with the military in Germany. She appreciates what patients offer her life and in return, lavishes them with encouragement and support.
	Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Kris Vandenberg DNP Kris earned her Master’s of Science in Nursing in Atlanta, GA and completed her Doctor of Nurse Practice degree at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. She provides psychiatric evaluations and prescribes medication for Colorado West clients.
	Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Ben Ferrell, PMHNP Ben has a Master’s of Nursing degree in psychiatric nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He is interested in working with a wide variety of patient populations including the severely and persistently mentally ill and the acutely depressed and anxious.
	Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Margaret Stoneback, PMHNP Margaret joined the hospital team in August of 2011, after moving to Colorado from Pennsylvania. She enjoys working with all populations, and especially enjoys her work with adolescents and small children.
	Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Holly Covington, RN, PHD, PMHNP, FNP, CNS Dr. Covington received a Master’s Degree in Nursing in 1987 and a Ph.D in nursing in 2002. Previously she worked as a family nurse practitioner. Dr. Covington joined Colorado West in 2003 as an advanced practice nurse for detox/30-day recovery services. She moved into outpatient mental health in 2004 and then into the inpatient setting in 2005. She was the hospital’s Director of Nursing for two years while returning to school to obtain board certification in mental health. In her spare time Holly enjoys biking, hiking, and family.
	Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Susan Walker, RN Susan has prescriptive authority as part of our Integrated Care team working on the medical needs of individuals. She is a graduate of University of Colorado/Denver with a Master’s in Women’s Health and also holds bachelor degrees in Nursing and Mental Health & Human Services with a concentration in social work.
	Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner David Marchant, RN, PMHNP David has a Master’s degree in Nursing and is Board-Certified as a Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. David joined Colorado West in 2008, starting at the hospital, but now spends all of his time working in outpatient. He has worked previously for a psychiatric practice in St. George, Utah. While there, he also was an Adjunct Professor at Dixie State College teaching Psychiatric Nursing. He treats children and adults with all types of mental health disorders and his areas of interest include Autism, ADHD, Behavioral Disorders and Mood Disorders. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and reading.
	Family Nurse Practitioner Mary Schaefer, FNP Mary provides Integrated Care at Colorado West Hospital in assessing and addressing patients’ medical needs throughout their stay.
	Family Nurse Practitioner Paul Garraty FNP-C Paul is a new resident of Colorado. He graduated with a masters of nursing from Grambling State University in Louisiana and is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner. He has worked in Emergency Departments most of his nursing career. He chose Grand Junction for his new home because of the beautiful environment, access to hiking, and motorcycling opportunities.