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Our Care Givers
Our highly qualified mental health staff was
carefully recruited to provide the comprehensive treatment that is
the key to recovery. Our staff includes highly qualified,
experienced physicians, therapists, nutritionists, and other
healthcare professionals from a wide range of disciplines. When you
enter treatment at Wekiva Springs, you will be cared for by a team
of healthcare professionals dedicated to your recovery.
The primary treatment team includes a physician, a primary
therapist, our Director of Clinical Services, Director of Nursing,
referring professionals, and any other specialists who are involved
on a consulting basis. But the most important member of the team is
YOU, the patient. You will be actively involved in setting
treatment goals. You will hear, first-hand, the recommendations of
the other members of the treatment team.
Meet some of the members of our staff who are here to help
you….
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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.
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Help is Just a Phone Call Away
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We cannot offer diagnosis, counseling or
recommendations online, but an Assessment and Referral specialist
is available 24 hours/7 days a week at 904.296.3533. If you
are currently experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 or go to
the nearest emergency room.
If you prefer to contact us via email, please click here to fill out a
request information form.
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Wekiva Springs - 3947
Salisbury Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32216 - Phone:
904-296-3533
Wekiva Springs will
ensure that no person is discriminated against based on age, color,
race, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation
or on the basis of disability in admission to, participation in or
receipt of the services of any of our programs and activities.
Wekiva Springs is a treatment facility specializing in the
treatment of adults. Wekiva Springs, because of its specialization
of services, has restrictions on age. Wekiva Springs is a fully
handicap accessible facility.
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