Terry L. Stawar, Ed.D.
Terry L. Stawar
EdD President and Chief Executive Officer
EdD President and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Terry L. Stawar currently serves as President/CEO at LifeSpring Health Systems and oversees all clinical and administrative operations, and serves as a liaison between staff and the Board of Directors.
Under Dr. Stawar’s leadership, LifeSpring has greatly expanded services and clinical outreach to ensure the neediest people of our community have access to healthcare. Dr. Stawar has overseen the implementation of a comprehensive electronic medical record appropriate for an integrated care setting, developed housing programs for the seriously mentally ill and those experiencing homelessness, and overseen the development and implementation of various integrated healthcare initiatives within the LifeSpring service continuum eventually resulting in the creation of a federally qualified health center within LifeSpring Health Systems. Today LifeSpring offers primary care services to all ages, regardless of ability to pay, at four locations. Most recently Dr. Stawar co-led an effort that resulted in the merger of LifeSpring Health Systems and the Southern Hills Counseling Center, Inc. This added an additional five counties to LifeSpring’s designated service area and increased the center’s operating budget by more than one-third.
Dr. Stawar achieved a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology and Education, and a Master’s of Arts in Clinical-Child-School Psychology from Southern Illinois University. Dr. Stawar’s post-graduate work included being awarded a Doctor of Education degree with a psychology specialization from University of Central Florida.
Prior to joining the staff of LifeSpring in 1999, Dr. Stawar served as the Clinical Director at Peace River Center for Personal Development in Bartow, Florida where he was responsible for clinical operations in a large Joint Commission accredited community mental health center. Before his time at Peace River, Dr. Stawar served as Associate Executive Director for Mental Health Services of Orange County, Inc in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Stawar also served in various clinical and administrative positions at the Human Resources Center for Mental Health in Volusia County, Florida and the Region I Mental Health Center in Clarksdale, Missouri.
Dr. Stawar is a State of Indiana Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a State of Indiana Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, and a State of Florida School Psychologist, a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, and a Diplomate of American Board of Psychological Specialties. Additionally, Dr. Stawar has served in leadership positions of various organizations such as the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers (Board of Directors), the LifeSpring Foundation Board of Trustees, the LifeSpring HUD Corporation Board of Directors, the LifeSpring Medical Services Board of Directors, the G. Pierce Wood Memorial State Hospital Advisory Board, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health Board of Directors and Chairman of the Clinical Division, and as a member of the Brown-Starks Neighborhood Center Board.
Dr. Stawar was a blogger for Behavioral Healthcare Magazine and a reviewer for various behavioral healthcare publications. Dr. Stawar has written four books including, How to be a Responsible Father: A Workbook for Offenders, How to be a Responsible Father Instructor’s Manual, How to be a Responsible Mother: A Workbook for Offenders, How to be a Responsible Mother Instructor’s Manual. Additionally, Dr. Stawar serves as a weekly columnist for a local newspaper and was an adjunct professor at several universities including the doctoral program at the Spalding University School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Stawar has also published hundreds of professional journal articles and as well as popular magazine articles and newspaper columns on psychology, mental health, management, humor, animal behavior, and writing.
Connie Chenault
Senior Executive Assistant
Nick Clark
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Nick Clark
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Nick Clark is the Chief Financial Officer for LifeSpring Health Systems and the LifeSpring Community Medical Services Program. Nick is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Nick is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers.
Misty Gilbert, LCSW
Senior Vice President for Clinical Services
Misty Gilbert, LCSW, ICOGS
Senior Vice President of Clinical Services
Senior Vice President of Clinical Services
Misty Gilbert, LCSW ICOGS, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at LifeSpring serves as the director of behavioral healthcare for LifeSpring. She started her career at LifeSpring in 2006. Misty holds a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology from University of Louisville and a Master’s in Social Work from U of L’s Kent School of Social Work.
Meara Grannan, LCSW
Senior Vice President of the Metro Division
Meara Grannan, LCSW
Senior Vice President of the Metro Division
Senior Vice President of the Metro Division
Meara serves as the Senior Vice President of the Metro Division. Meara has been with LifeSpring since Aug. 2015. Meara is a 2002 graduate of the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work and has been serving the Southern Indiana Community since 1999. She specializes in Youth, Family and Community integration of services.
Karen Jones, MBA
Senior Vice President for Human Resources and Administration
Karen Jones, MBA
Senior Vice President Human Resources and Administration
Senior Vice President Human Resources and Administration
Karen is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for LifeSpring Health Systems and joined the agency in 2000. She earned an MBA in Human Resources Management from Webster University and has 30 years’ experience as an HR professional in psychiatric, behavioral health and safety net healthcare.
Beth Keeney, MBA
Senior Vice President for Community Health and Primary Care Services
Beth Keeney
Senior Vice President for Community Health and Primary Care Services
Senior Vice President for Community Health and Primary Care Services
Beth currently serves as Senior Vice President for Community Health Initiatives at LifeSpring Health Systems and as Chief Operating Officer for the LifeSpring Community Health Center program, in addition to overseeing the operations of the LifeSpring Foundation of Indiana.
Beth received her Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Indiana University Southeast. She recently completed a graduate certificate for public health through the Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University and is pursuing her Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) in Global Health Leadership. Beth’s research focuses on identifying key factors influencing how community resilience can mitigate the impact of opiate use disorder.
Denise Poukish, LMHC, LCAC
Senior Vice President of Forensic Services
Denise Z. Poukish, LMHC, LCAC
Senior Vice President of Forensic Services
Senior Vice President of Forensic Services
Denise’s area of clinical interest is with Criminal Justice Involved populations. Denise has received special training in prolonged exposure therapy and sex offender treatment. Denise is a Graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she obtained a BS in Criminal Justice. She also attended Indiana University where she obtained an MS in Education/Counseling.
Christian Rice
Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Christian Rice
Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Christian Rice currently serves as Senior Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at LifeSpring Health Systems. Christian attended Indiana State University, majoring in Physics, and has continued his education in networking, and data science. Most recently he is studying the impact and use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
Eric Yazel, MD
Senior Vice President for Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer
Eric Yazel, MD
Senior Vice President for Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer
Senior Vice President for Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer
Eric currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Medical Services for LifeSpring Health Systems. Eric is also the Clark County Health Officer, as well as an attending physician at Clark Memorial Hospital, an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville. Other positions Eric currently holds are the Medical Director for the Alternative Health Solutions Occupational Health Clinic, Medical Director for Meade County EMS, and is the Chief Tactical Physician for the Jeffersonville Police Department SWAT Team. Eric earned his BS in Biology from Indiana University, an MS in Clinical Physiology from Ball State University, and attended Medical School at the University of Louisville.
Wanda Booker, BSN
Vice President of Nursing
Wanda Booker, BSN
Vice President of Nursing
Vice President of Nursing
Wanda Booker, BSN serves as Vice President of Nursing for LifeSpring Health Systems. Wanda earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Spalding University. Wanda has worked for LifeSpring for many years, first from 1971 – 1991 and she then returned in 1998.
Christine Grider
Vice President of Accounts Receivable
Joe Higgins, LCSW
Vice President for Eastern Division
Joe Higgins, LCSW
Vice President for Eastern Division
Vice President for Eastern Division
Joe serves as the Vice President for Eastern Division. Joe is a University of Louisville Graduate and holds a BA and MSSW, his area of clinical interest is in adolescence and related issues; parenting concerns.
Eric Jaggers, MD
Vice President for Psychiatric Services
Marshall Lowery
Vice President of Facilities
Marshall Lowery
Vice President of Facilities
Vice President of Facilities
Marshall Lowery is the V.P. of Facilities for LifeSpring, Inc. He joined LifeSpring in 2004. He is also a licensed real estate agent. Prior to joining LifeSpring, Marshall held positions in the area of leadership, janitorial services, environmental services, hospital management, and roofing/construction ownership.
Stacy Moore-Nolan, LCSW
Vice President of the Western Division
Stacy Moore-Nolan, MSW, LCSW
Vice President of the Western Division
Vice President of the Western Division
Stacy over sees all clinical services in the Western Division (Dubois, Orange, Crawford, Perry, and Spencer Counties)
She has a B.A. in Psychology from Southern Illinois University – May 1990 and a MSW from the University of Illinois- January 1992
She started at Southern Hills in December of 2004 as Clinical Manager of the Dubois County Jasper office.
Lauren Pearson
Vice President for Performance Improvement and Chief Quality Officer
Lauren Pearson currently serves as the Vice President for Performance Improvement and Chief Quality Officer for LifeSpring Health Systems. Lauren joined LifeSpring in February of 2017. Lauren is a graduate of Liberty University with a B.S. in Clinical Psychology and Research. She holds a certification in Quality and Safety from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
Lauren Perryman, LCSW
Vice President of Recovery Services
Lauren Perryman, LCSW
Vice President of Recovery Services
Vice President of Recovery Services
Lauren Perryman, LCSW serves as the Vice President of Recovery Services at LifeSpring. Lauren has been with LifeSpring since 2012 and is a graduate of the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work.
Mary Roby, MSHR
Vice President of Human Resources for Western Division
Mary Roby
Vice President of Human Resources for Western Division
Vice President of Human Resources for Western Division
Mary began with Southern Hills Counseling Center, Inc. in June of 2006 and has now transitioned to LifeSpring. Mary is located in the Jasper office and provides Human Resources support for the Western Division. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Management in 1989 and a Master’s of Science in Human Resources Management in 1991 both from Purdue University.
Stephanie Taylor
Vice President of Business Services
Stephanie Taylor
Vice President of Business Services
Vice President of Business Services
Stephanie is the Vice President for Business Services of LifeSpring Health Systems. Stephanie joined LifeSpring in September 1993. As VP for Business Services, Stephanie oversees all front desk operations, medical records, reception areas, and the benefits department.
LifeSpring is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors.
Randy Dennison, Spencer County – Chair
Chris Hollinden, Perry County – Chair-Elect
Jackie Young, Clark County – Secretary
Lindsey Fleming, Floyd County – Treasurer & Past Chair
Judy Steedly, Clark County
Jack Vissing, Clark County
Wendy Broughton, Crawford County
Tonya Heim, Dubois County
Alan Smock, Dubois County
Emily Stumler, Harrison County
Susan Umpleby, Orange County
Denise Eden, Scott County
Ray Oppel, Washington County
Area Office Leadership
Terri Backherms, LCSW, Washington County Clinical Manager
Christina Beeler, LCSW, Perry/Spencer Clinical Manager
Stacy Bishop, LCSW, Assistant Vice President of Recovery Campus
Kayla Cannon, LSW, Harrison County Assistant Clinical Manager
Jessica Cooper, LCSW, EAP Manager
Michelle Emmons, LCSW, Orange/Crawford Clinical Manager
Kim Gessford, LCSW, Children and Family Services Clinical Manager
Dustin Hawkins, LCSW, ACT Team and Residential Services Clinical Manager
Kayla Hardin, LSW, Scott County Clinical Manager
Calle Janson, LCSW, Austin Clinical Manager
Tiffany Johnson, LCSW, Adult Behavioral Services Clinical Manager
Emily McDarment, LCSW, Jefferson County Clinical Manager
Becky Michael, LCSW, Jasper Clinical Manager
Colleen Miller, LCSW, Floyd County Clinical Manager
Lauren Perryman, LCSW, VP of Recovery Services
Heather Schmitz, LCSW, Project 180 Clinical Manager
