Ryan Speier, L.M.S.W. is the President of KVC Hospitals, a nonprofit psychiatric hospital system that each year serves thousands of children, adolescents and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and feelings of violence. KVC’s two psychiatric hospitals – KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital in Kansas City, KS and KVC Wheatland Hospital in Hays, KS – offer acute/inpatient and residential psychiatric treatment.

Ryan began his career with KVC in 2007 as a therapist in inpatient, outpatient and in-home settings. In 2009, Ryan was selected to be Director of Administration at KVC Hospitals and later, Vice President of Administration. In that role, he oversaw the hospitals’ operations, strategic development and growth, fiscal accountability and quality assurance initiatives. He worked in collaboration with physicians and clinical teams to implement trauma-focused treatment modalities and led programs through accreditation and licensing surveys to maintain state and national standards. Over the last several years, Ryan has developed collaborative relationships with government agencies and other community stakeholders. Ryan also possesses a strong and innovative technology background which has helped KVC leverage technology across the medical and behavioral health environments to achieve improved population health.

Ryan earned his Master’s of Social Work degree at the University of Kansas.

He can be found on Twitter @Ryan_Speier and on LinkedIn. More information about KVC Hospitals is at www.kvchospitals.org.

Dr. Vishal Adma, Medical Director, oversees medical services at KVC’s psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric residential treatment facilities.  Additionally, he provides psychiatric care to children and families.  Dr. Adma began working at KVC in 1999.

Dr. Adma uses a broad-based, multidisciplinary treatment approach to achieve KVC’s mission of providing the best possible medical and behavioral healthcare.  Dr. Adma acts as a liaison with community mental health centers, case managers and family members, and his vision for KVC is to continue expanding services so children and families can have the opportunity to receive essential specialized treatment.

Dr. Adma has Certification in Medical Quality, as well as a master’s in nutrition and food management.  He is an assistant professor in the University of Kansas Department of Psychiatry, serves as a hospital surveyor for The Joint Commission and is a diplomat for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.  Dr. Adma serves as the chairman of the board of trustees for the Telugu Association of Greater Kansas City.

Fred Watts received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Missouri, and he holds his clinical license in both Missouri and Kansas. He has served in leadership roles in the Kansas City area as well as working as the director of outpatient mental health centers in Missouri. Fred Watts has been with Prairie Ridge for five years, and currently serves as Vice President of Clinical Services. He has trained in numerous areas over the years, most recently in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectic behavioral therapy.

James earned his Masters of Social Work from The University of Kansas. He has worked for KVC since 2004. He has specialized in program development on projects including the development of alternative school settings, psychiatric hospitals, residential and secure care programs.  James currently serves as the Vice President of Program Services, where he oversees areas of inpatient and residential programming, performance improvement, innovation, special initiatives and the implementation of evidenced based practices. He is a tier three national certified trainer for Trauma Systems Therapy and has completed the Kansas Institute for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports facilitator course. His innovative approach in developing practices and hands-on tools to support the implementation of best practice approaches in classrooms and residential milieus has led to engagement in projects with various school districts, residential centers, detention centers and health systems throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Robert (Bobby) Eklofe is the Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services for KVC Hospitals. Bobby Holds a Masters of Health Care Administration from the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine and is a passionate professional with over twenty six years working in the behavioral health field. He has worked in residential services, psychiatric hospitals, schools and community correctional settings. He has held positions in patient care, human resources, training, hospital administration and executive leadership. He has previously taught Crisis Intervention, Adventure Based Counseling and Anger Management for over fifteen years to children, mental health staff, teachers, police officers, juvenile detention staff, foster care parents, social workers, and other interested parties. He has served on many local and state stakeholder committees in Kansas to advocate for community behavioral health needs. Bobby has proven skills in forming positive relationships with all staff disciplines and colleagues, public and private partners and donors. He is recognized as a servant leader that operates with integrity and commitment for lives of the children, adults and families and other stakeholders served.

Jon Corbin earned his Economics degree from the University of Kansas. Jon has been with KVC for 10 years, starting in the accounting services department then moving to Hospitals to oversee business operations. He oversees strategic development and growth, fiscal accountability and hospital operations.

Lauren Lueck is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for KVC Hospitals. Bio coming soon!

Annmarie Arensberg serves as the Associate Clinical Director for KVC Hospitals. She earned her LMSW at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Arensberg is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker in Kansas and has been with KVC since 2012. She has held numerous positions including therapist intern, social service liaison, weekend admissions coordinator, residential therapist, clinical manager of hospital admissions and utilization review. In her current role, she oversees the admissions departments for both KVC Wheatland Hospital and KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital and across all program levels along with overseeing the utilization review on KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital campus. Arensberg also provides support to the clinical team as well as implementing employee engagement initiatives throughout KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital campus. Prior to working at KVC, she worked in the case management department at the University of Kansas Hospital as a social work intern. She has also been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Trauma Systems Therapy and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.

Dr. Vishal Adma, Medical Director, oversees medical services at KVC’s psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric residential treatment facilities.  Additionally, he provides psychiatric care to children and families.  Dr. Adma began working at KVC in 1999.

Dr. Adma uses a broad-based, multidisciplinary treatment approach to achieve KVC’s mission of providing the best possible medical and behavioral healthcare.  Dr. Adma acts as a liaison with community mental health centers, case managers and family members, and his vision for KVC is to continue expanding services so children and families can have the opportunity to receive essential specialized treatment.

Dr. Adma has Certification in Medical Quality, as well as a master’s in nutrition and food management.  He is an assistant professor in the University of Kansas Department of Psychiatry, serves as a hospital surveyor for The Joint Commission and is a diplomat for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.  Dr. Adma serves as the chairman of the board of trustees for the Telugu Association of Greater Kansas City.

Dr. Anh Vinh serves as the Director of Integrated Health Services for KVC Hospitals, Inc.  Vinh, who was previously on faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KU Med West), will focus on combining her physical health expertise as a family physician with KVC’s world-renowned behavioral and mental healthcare services.

Vinh is based at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. which each year helps thousands of children and adolescents who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and feelings of violence.

In addition to serving youth receiving acute and residential psychiatric treatment, Vinh will collaborate on outpatient physical health services provided to children and families involved in the Kansas child welfare system through a different division of the organization. This will allow KVC to move beyond assessments and meaningfully address long-term health issues in individuals and communities. Vinh will also enhance KVC’s health and wellness programs to improve clinical outcomes for both clients and employees.

As part of her role, Vinh will gather and disseminate information, both regionally and nationally, related to integrated healthcare and models of service provision; suggest clinical pathways to monitor health and wellness outcomes; provide guidance on the growth of technology platforms that prevent medical risks; and develop protocols influenced by evidence-based, best practice guidelines.

Dr. Jyotsna Adma graduated from B.L.D.E.A.’s Shri B.M. Patil Medical College in Bijapur, India.  She completed her Fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  As a Child Psychiatrist at KVC Hospitals, Dr. Adma works with a wide range of patients, and lists her primary interests as childhood and adult ADHD, childhood mood disorders, and childhood anxiety disorders.  Her passion is providing the best possible psychiatric care to children and families.  Dr. Jyotsna Adma has been with KVC since 2006.

Dr. Sadiq Naveed is a child psychiatrist at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital, and is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as adult psychiatry.  Dr. Naveed earned his Medical Degree from Nishtar Medical College in Multan, Pakistan and received his training in Adult Psychiatry at Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma.  Dr. Naveed completed his training in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  As a child psychiatrist at KVC Hospitals, Dr. Naveed works with a wide range of patients and lists his primary interests as treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, Autism Spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities.

With faculty appointment at University of Kansas as Volunteer Assistant Professor, Dr. Naveed also serves as Site Director for the University of Kansas psychiatry fellows at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital. In addition to serving as President-elect for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry- Kansas Chapter, Dr. Naveed also works on AACAP’s Autism and Intellectual Disability Committee. Dr. Naveed is a member of American Psychiatric Association and Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America.

Dr. Raghu Reddy is a psychiatrist at KVC Hospitals. More information about his background and expertise coming soon!

Dr. Kapil Aedma is a psychiatrist at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital, and is board certified in psychiatry.  Dr. Aedma earned his Medical Degree from Odessa Medical University in Ukraine and received his training at Gandhi Medical College in India.  Dr. Aedma completed his training in psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  Dr. Aedma’s clinical practice is focused on child psychiatry and psychiatric hospitalist. Dr. Aedma’s specialties include child psychiatry, psychiatric hospitalist and psychiatry.

Dr. Sirnivasa Panuganti is a psychiatrist at KVC Wheatland Hospital in Hays, KS. Full bio coming soon!

Jamie Lambotte serves as an APRN at KVC Hospitals.  More information coming soon!

Melissa Barkemeyer is the Advance Practice Registered Nurse at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital. Bio coming soon!

Samantha Russel serves as an APRN at KVC Hospitals. More information coming soon!

Derrick Hurst serves as the Senior Director for KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital. Derrick earned his LMSW at the Kansas University School of Social Welfare. Derrick has been with KVC since 2007, holding numerous positions including Behavioral Health Tech, challenge course facilitator and Hospital/PRTF therapist. In his current role, Derrick oversees Prairie Ridge’s hospital and residential programs for children and adolescents. Derrick is a National Level III Trauma Systems Therapy trainer and has completed the Kansas Institute for Positive Behavioral Supports facilitator course.

Sara Schlagel serves as the Director of Program Services at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital. She earned her Masters of Social Work from Washburn University. Sara worked for KVC for four years as a case manager, lead case manager and most recently as training coordinator for KVC Permanency in Topeka and Lenexa. She has also been a supervisor within Community Mental Health Services in Kansas City, KS. Sara has provided training to new employees in Trauma Systems Therapy, Structured Decision Making, Case Manager Community Safety training and Safe and Connected. She is a certified trainer in Deciding Together, TIPS-MAPP, as well as 8 to Great.  As a licensed therapist, she brings with her experience in helping children and families engage in the therapeutic change process. Sara has led the Strengthening Families therapy groups for KVC’s outpatient programs for the last two years. She also has led KVC’s participation in the state wide initiative to battle human trafficking and exploitation of teens. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about enhancing cultural competence within services provided at KVC.

Lori Wheelhouse earned her Master of Arts in Counseling at Webster University.  Lori is a licensed clinical professional counselor in both Kansas and Missouri.  She provides clinical leadership to our PRTF program as well as developing and overseeing our Hospital to Home program.  Prior to joining Prairie Ridge, Lori worked in community mental health and hospital settings providing case management, therapy, crisis intervention, utilization management, clinical supervision and program development.  Lori has specialized training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.   Lori also has experience developing and implementing wellness programs for employees and clients.   Lori is passionate about improving the overall health and wellness of families struggling with trauma and mental illness.

Erika Helin serves as the Associate Director of Program Services for KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital. As Associate Director, Helin oversees program development and implementation, as well as provide employee trainings, supervision, and support to all program needs.

Helin has 10 years of experience in the field of social work with children and families in a variety of settings including foster care, residential centers, and housing programs. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Missouri Western State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from University of Missouri – Kansas City. She is a licensed clinician in both Kansas and Missouri, currently pursuing a clinical social work license. She has provided clinical services to children in both residential and in home settings and has management and administrative experience within a shelter setting, providing trainings on trauma and child development, as well as program development and implementation. She is passionate about her work with children and families and creating a positive and lasting impact for them to continue to be successful.

Brittany Kroeger is the Clinical Supervisor at KVC Wheatland Hospital. Bio Coming Soon!

Taylor Ziegler began her career with KVC Wheatland as a Behavioral Health Technician in 2013. She then graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University. After receiving her degree, Taylor moved from her role to Registered Nurse, then to a lead nurse role. She currently serves as the Nursing Supervisor. Taylor is currently seeking a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Fort Hays State Graduate School.

Audrey earned her Master of Liberal Studies in Organizational Leadership Studies from Fort Hays State University. She has dedicated 14 years in the social service field working with children and families. Audrey has spent 7 years at KVC Wheatland Hospital, working as a Unit Coordinator, Associate Director, and now Program Director. Audrey has had extensive training in Trauma System Therapy and continues to educate on trauma through the many trainings she has conducted for others. Audrey also spends her time as a professor at Fort Hays State University sharing her knowledge in the Leadership Department.

Stephanie Cross is the Unit Coordinator at KVC Wheatland Hospital. Bio coming soon!