Our Care Givers

Gayle Eckerd, Chief Executive Officer
Gayle Eckerd began her career in Georgia as a teacher at Saint Simons By-the-Sea Behavioral (formerly known as Charter By-the-Sea Behavioral). Gayle worked as Director of Quality Improvement, Risk Management, and Credentialing. During her 15 year tenure at the mental health hospital, Gayle ultimately rose to Chief Operating Officer of the facility.

While in Georgia, she achieved addictions counselor certification and became a member of the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA). Her expertise includes addictions counseling, education, performance improvement, risk management and utilization management.

Gayle has enjoyed her time as CEO of Wekiva Springs. She particularly enjoys the experience of working with patients and her current staff. Gayle received her undergraduate degrees in both political science and French from the University of Western Ontario. She received her graduate degree in education from Georgia State University.

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Sheila Carr, LCSW, Chief Operating Officer
Sheila Carr has 18 years of combined experience in direct clinical services and administration in a behavioral health care setting. Her wide range of experience includes family, individual and group counseling in the school, correctional, medical and behavioral health venues.

Sheila received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Florida.

In addition, she is certified by the State of Florida as a clinical supervisor for counseling and social work. Over the past 4 years, Sheila has developed both psychiatric and substance abuse programs for both inpatient and outpatient services.

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Pradeep Arora, M.D., Medical Director
Dr. Arora has practiced psychiatry in Jacksonville for the past nine years. He most recently served as Wekiva Springs Medical Director of Senior Perspectives, an outpatient program for geriatric psychiatric patients. He also served as Medical Director of River Point Behavioral Health’s older adult inpatient psychiatric unit.

After graduating from Government Science College in Gwailor, M.P., India, Arora received his bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery from Gajra Raja Medical College in Gwailor. He completed his residency in psychiatry at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, N.J.

Arora’s professional memberships include the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Florida Psychiatric Society, Duval County Medical Society, American Association of Community Psychiatrists and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review.

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Menachem (Manny) Czarka, B.S., R.N-BC., Director of Nursing
Manny Czarka has over 21 years of nursing experience in the behavioral health setting. His broad range of experience includes Facility nursing supervisor, employee health coordination, utilization review/case management, as well as intake and assessment. Manny earned his degree in nursing in Chicago, Illinois.

He is also Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Certified, Credentialed by the American Nurses Center, and a member of ACHE in 2008. Since 2009 Manny has been providing leadership and strategic planning of the nursing services at Wekiva Springs.

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Michael Connolly, LMHC, Clinical Director
Michael Connolly has more than 20 years of experience in the counseling field. He has worked in various positions in the child and adolescent mental health fields, as well as counseling, consulting trauma debriefing, organizational and account management posts for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) in the Jacksonville area.

Prior to joining the staff at Wekiva Springs, Michael served two years as Youth Services Director at River Point Behavioral Health, Wekiva Springs’ sister facility. He has maintained a private practice since 2005, primarily focusing on individuals, couples, family issues.

Michael is also certified by the State of Florida as a qualified clinical supervisor.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Jacksonville University and a master’s degree from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.