Our Team
Clinical Psychiatric Team
Alejandro Alva, MD, is the CEO of Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS). Dr. Alva is a pioneer in Neurostar TMS treatment, psychotherapy, clinical testing, addiction, and mental health.
Dr. Gus Alva is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association; he is also Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Geriatrics. He has been featured in numerous media outlets and has served as expert guest in various television programs, such as CNN News, Inside OC, Salud Es Vida, Despierta America, The Morning Blend, Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.
Mohammed A. Shreiba, MD
Mohammed A. Shreiba, MD is a Psychiatry Physician at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and mental health.
Jeannette Hanna, MD
Jeannette Hanna, MD is a Psychiatry Physician at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in adult psychiatry, child psychiatry, and mental health.
Tshekedi Dennis, MD
Dr. Tshekedi Dennis, MD is a Psychiatry Physician at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and mental health.
Merlyn Scoggin, MD
Dr. Scoggin completed her residency in Psychiatry in 2016 and has thoroughly enjoyed working in private practice for several years. She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Erik Petersen, MD
Dr. Erik Petersen is a medical doctor and a board-certified psychiatrist. He completed his Medical Degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He received comprehensive training in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and the best evidence-based treatment options while treating all varieties of psychiatric illnesses.
Jonson Job Lin, MD is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist dedicated to neuro-inflammatory biomarker–guided, trauma-informed care. He integrates neuroscience with compassion, combining top-down Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with bottom-up approaches including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, modified EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy, and story work.
Yvette Elpidio, MSN, FNP-C
Yvette Elpidio, Nurse Practitioner, MSN, FNP-C, is a certified family Nurse Practitioner at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry, mental health, and medical weight loss.
Sheena Patel, PA-C, CAQ-Psych, Senior Clinical Director
Sheena Patel, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry and mental health.
Jennifer Sebastian, PA-C
Jennifer Sebastian, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry and mental health.
Brandon Stutz, PA-C
Brandon Stutz, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry and mental health.
Sarah Kantelis, PA-C
Sarah Kantelis, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry and mental health.
Jessica Cuevas Rosas, PA-C
Jessica Cuevas Rosas, PA-C is a nationally board-certified physician assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists. She especially enjoys treating addiction and being part of her patient’s recovery process. Jess is trained to diagnose, manage, and treat patients with various psychiatric conditions.
Erin Brosamer, PA-C
Erin Brosamer, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry and mental health.
Andrew Johnson, PA-C
Andrew Johnson, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specialized in psychiatry and mental health.
Joseph Nojan, PA-C
Joe Nojan, PA-C is a physician assistant who works with adults and adolescents to help them overcome their mental health challenges and take back control of their life.
Mike Santillan, PA-C
Michael “Mike” Santillan, PA-C is a Nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists where he diagnoses, treats and aide’s individuals with their psychiatric disorders.
Michael Choi, PA-C
Michael Choi, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists.
Marissa Dembek, PA-C
Marissa Dembek, PA-C is a nationally board-certified physician assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists.
James Tolentino, PA-C
James Tolentino, PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant with a passion for providing exceptional patient care.
Brandy Martinez, PA-C
Brandy Martinez, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant who works at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) providing psychiatric services in a compassionate and comprehensive manner.
Douglas Borgman, PA-C
Douglas Borgman, PA-C is a physician assistant who works with patients to diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions and help improve each individual’s quality of life.
Shahrzad Arjomandi, PA-C
Shahrzad Arjomandi, PA-C is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant who works with patients of all ages to alleviate the symptoms associated with mental health disorders.
Tyler Burns, PA-C
Tyler Burns, PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists. Tyler is trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with a variety of psychiatric conditions.
Daniel Mai, PA-C
Daniel Mai, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists. His strong passion for nutrition and wellness has motivated him to pursue a career in mental health.
Adeline Valean, PA-C
Adeline Valean, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant who believes her patients deserve mental healing and desires to help them achieve that goal
Leyla Brett, PA-C,
Leyla Brett, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant who works with patients to better their mental health and improve their quality of life.
Monique Hutchinson, PA-C,
Monique Hutchinson is a board-certified Physician Assistant who has significant clinical experience on internal medicine, substance use disorders treatment, pain management, and its relation to mental illness.
Larissa Gonzalez, PA-C
Larissa Gonzalez, is a board-certified physician assistant who works with Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists to help destigmatize mental health and provide comprehensive, culturally-sensitive care.
Alyson Nguyen, PA-C
Alyson Nguyen is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in psychiatry, with previous experience in internal medicine.
Adam Tran, PA-C
Adam Tran, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant dedicated to helping his patients navigate their journey toward improved well-being and a better quality of life.
Cameron Vandenakker, PA-C
Cameron Vandenakker, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists. He is an active member of the American Association of Physician Assistants.
Deborah Du, RPA-C is a physician assistant originally from NYC, now based in southern CA with over 12 years of experience as a PA.
Natalie Wong, PA-C is a physician assistant and holds a Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Boston University.
Shantel Luciano, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) where she evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients with various psychiatric disorders.
Cindy Chen, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified physician assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists. She received her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Emory & Henry College in Marion, VA.
Ariana Yea, PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant who works with PNS. She was born and raised in Walnut, CA. Ariana graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Michigan (Go Blue) in 2019 and a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ in 2022.
Monica Lieu, PA-C is a physician assistant who works with individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions to achieve an optimal quality of life. Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California State University, Fullerton. She also received a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Marshall B. Ketchum University.
Madeleine Fajilan, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant dedicated to supporting her patients along their journey towards mental wellness. Madeleine received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from the University of California, Davis. She then earned her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from California Baptist University.
Rukhsar (“Ruku”) Machiwalla, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specializing in psychiatry and mental health. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She then earned her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL.
Sarah Harrod, MMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists, dedicated to guiding individuals toward mental well-being and resilience. Born and raised in Orange County, California, she discovered her passion for helping others early on, graduating from the Orange County School of the Arts before earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (with a Pre-Health Professions minor) at California State University, Fullerton.
Mariam Gerges, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant who is deeply committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals navigating mental health challenges. Mariam earned her bachelor degree in psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She holds a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University in Santa Maria, California.
Sabrina Torres, PA-C (she/her) is a nationally board-certified Physician Associate (Assistant). Sabrina holds two master’s degrees from Keck Graduate Institute—one in Applied Life Sciences and the other in Physician Associate (Assistant) Studies. She is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Life Support (PALS), and Adult Mental Health First Aid. Sabrina is also a member of the California Academy of Physician Associates (CAPA).
Juan Santacruz, PA-C (he/him) is a nationally board-certified Physician Associate (Assistant) here at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists where he evaluates, diagnoses, and treats a variety of psychiatric disorders. Juan received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Biology from Biola University and then earned his Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University in Santa Maria, California. Juan is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and active member of the California Academy of Physician Associates (CAPA).
Elizabeth Mojica, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s degree earned with honors from CSULB. Elizabeth has been in the psychiatric field for over a decade, working in acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals as a psychiatric nurse. It is here that she found her love for mental health as she witnessed the brain’s capacity for resilience and growth.
Lauren Jufiar PA-C is a psychiatric physician assistant dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health journey and achieve meaningful improvements in their quality of life. Lauren believes that effective psychiatric care requires both scientific knowledge and compassionate connection with patients. As a recent graduate, Lauren brings fresh perspectives and contemporary training to the practice of psychiatry.
Shiva focuses on both mental and physical well-being, emphasizing healing from within. Her experience as a registered nurse, with a background in Cardiology, ER, pain management, and Interventional Radiology, has shown the profound connection between mental and physical health.
Jenny Le, PA-C earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and a Master of Public Health from Touro University of California. By integrating the knowledge and skills from both degrees, she offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to psychiatric care.
Jarrod Carver, PMHNP-BC, is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has spent the last four years working as a Registered Nurse and a Clinical Supervisor in the inpatient psychiatric setting working with the adult and geriatric populations. Jarrod received his Bachelors of Science in Nursing from West Coast University. Shortly after, he found his true passion working in the psychiatric setting. After gaining experience he pursued his Masters of Science in Nursing specializing in Mental Health from West Coast University.
Meagan Love, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specializing in psychiatry and mental health. For the last 5 years, Meagan has found fulfillment in improving patient health and ensuring the highest level of care. She is driven by her desire to improve patient quality of life. Meagan serves patients of all ages in our Costa Mesa office, working with Adult Psychiatry as well as Adolescent Psychiatry.
Diego Belalcazar, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mood-related conditions to help them restore balance, emotional resilience, and overall well-being.
Tori Heglar, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) specializing in treating patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. An Orange County native, she attended University California Santa Barbara, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accounting.
Taniya Badwal, PA-C is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in psychiatry and mental health. She works with patients of all ages, helping them manage conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood disorders.
Diana Tran is a certified Physician Assistant with over three years of clinical experience. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from UCLA and her Master of Health Services in Physician Assistant studies from UC Davis.
Christina Poland, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is passionate about providing compassionate mental health care.
Jennifer is a board-certified Physician Assistant with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition/Dietetics from Cal Poly Pomona
Julie is a Physician Assistant specializing in psychiatry who provides patient-centered, evidence-based mental health care.
Executive Team
Aashish Patel, Chief Operating Officer
Aashish is a seasoned operational leader adept at helping companies grow. Prior to joining PNS, Aashish served as CEO of Clinnova Research Solutions, as an executive leading technology and financial strategy at Warner Bros., and as a consultant with Accenture. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UCSD and MBA from UCLA Anderson.
Rachel Ramirez, Director of Billing & Acquisitions
Rachel has broad experience in the management of Rehabilitation Facilities, and Medical Offices. Additionally, has contributed creating and applying new processes that are essential at PNS for the comfort and care of our patients.
Daniela Vasquez, Director of Facility Development
With 16+ years in healthcare, Daniela brings deep expertise in operations and patient advocacy. At PNS since 2017, she plays a pivotal role improving efficiency, patient-centered care, and Mental Health Services expansion, her work rooted in deep personal empathy.
Leadership Team
Cindy Gloria, MA, Senior Office Manager
Orange
Cindy is a veteran in the medical field, she strives to provide the best care in the interest of our patients. Aligned with the Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialist mission statement, she treats all patients with respect and passion as a Manager.
Cindy is continuing her studies in nursing. She is a great patient advocate and strongly supports not all wounds are visible.
Samantha Juarez, Senior Office Manager
Costa Mesa
I am beyond happy to be a part of an amazing team like Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialist. Having served PNSOC as a Patient Care Coordinator, a TMS Technician, and now as a Sr. Office Manager, I continue to live out my passion for serving the needs of our patients and delivering the best quality care possible. PNS is a great facility and I am proud to be a part of such a caring and compassionate team.
Luther Tolbert, CPT, Senior Office Manager
Huntington Beach
Luther has over 10 years experience in the medical field and has experience in management, operations, and clinical laboratory. Luther is passionate about providing great customer service and always looks to exceed expectations.
When not working at PNS he enjoys coaching football and spending time with his family.
Top-Trained
We employ top-trained psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Passionate Team
We've carefully assembled a team whose passion is to serve others with a purpose.
Award Winning
Dr. Alejandro Alva is an award winning and internationally recognized psychiatrist.
Most Renowned
We are Orange County's most renowned psychiatrist practice.
Contact Us
Please contact us with questions
or requests for an appointment.