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Our Team
A passionate team of
True Leaders
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., MPA
CEO
A native of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Patricia began her career in the banking industry before finding her passion and calling in the helping profession. She brings over thirty years of extensive work in Behavioral, Health, Human and Social Services and over seventeen years as an Adjunct Professor. She served on several community boards in California with her last role being Board Chair of the nonprofit organization, Chest of Hope.
Prior to her current role, Patricia served in the roles of Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Friends of Youth, Health Department Director for Multnomah County, and Director of Health and Human Services for El Dorado County. Patricia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Master’s Degrees in Substance Abuse Counseling and Public Administration, and a Doctoral Degree in Clinical and Organizational Psychology.
Patricia is passionate about creating work environments where employees are supported and empowered to be their best. She is a strategic, systems minded, goal oriented, transformative leader. Her life work is to ensure top notch operational strategies and systems to support the work that benefits and makes life better for recipients of services.
Stephanie Fox, Ph.D., LMHC, SUDP, RYT
Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie bridges operational excellence with clinical integrity. In her previous position as Chief of Specialty Programs at Sheppard Pratt, she led residential and outpatient programs, shaped clinical strategy, and launched new services. Having earlier served as Director of Operations at THIRA Health, she is delighted to return to THIRA.
Stephanie holds a Doctoral Degree in Leadership and Change from Antioch University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. She is credentialed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, LCPC), Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP), and Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT) – reflecting her holistic, whole-person approach to care and leadership.
Known for streamlining complex processes and leading large-scale change, Stephanie builds cultures of accountability and continuous improvement. Her published research on organizational health and employee retention underscores her commitment to systems that support both providers and patients.
She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Crisis Connections and continues to teach as an Adjunct Professor and Yoga Instructor.
Marla Rennie
Senior Executive Assistant & Alumni Program Coordinator
With over eighteen years of experience supporting senior leaders, paired with a warm approachable professional style, Marla builds strong connections and creates a supportive environment where executives and teams can thrive. She partners with the Executive Director and brings her organization, clear communication, and proactive mindset to every task.
Prior to her current role, Marla served as Senior Executive Assistant for Friends of Youth, and Business Manager and Concierge for Aegis Living. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Central Washington University, and her goal is to provide strategic support and ensure the operations at THIRA Health run seamlessly. Passionate about helping others succeed, Marla takes pride ensuring the fine details are handled so leadership can focus on the big picture.
In her personal time, Marla enjoys being a mom and spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Al Tsai, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Tsai earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency at the National Capital Consortium at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His military psychiatry experience includes serving as Chief of Psychiatry at Womack Army Medical Center and clinical deployments to Operation Enduring Freedom in Bagram, Afghanistan.
Dr. Tsai’s expertise in integrating psychopharmacology with psychotherapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been instrumental in developing comprehensive care programs. His leadership in managing suicidality and self-harm behaviors has been widely recognized, and he has presented his research and insights at prestigious forums including the American Psychiatric Association and the Association for Academic Psychiatry.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Tsai is a passionate advocate for mental health education and stigma reduction. He actively engages in community outreach and mentorship initiatives, reflecting his dedication to improving mental health care and patient advocacy.
Sue Wirsch
Human Resource Director
Sue earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Eastern Washington University, and has been in the human resources field for over twenty-five years. She has certifications from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). She has additional training in Labor Relations through the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA).
Prior to joining THIRA Health, Sue served in several HR leadership positions in technology, manufacturing, and healthcare organizations. She also spent many years dedicated to start-up businesses, collaborating with both individual entrepreneurs and venture capital investors.
In her spare time, Sue enjoys attending music, art, and food festivals, and honing her skills as an amateur photographer. She also volunteers for various organizations supporting animal rescue, fighting food insecurity, and promoting literacy.
Sage Ann Espitia, MS, LMHC
Virtual IOP Manager
With more than 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field, Sage brings extensive clinical knowledge and leadership to our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs. After earning a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas in 2015, Sage has dedicated a career to helping individuals access meaningful mental health support and build skills for lasting wellness. As Virtual IOP Manager, Sage helps ensure clients receive high quality, evidence-based care in a supportive and accessible virtual environment. THIRA Health is grateful for Sage’s commitment to empowering clients and advancing our mission of helping people build lives worth living.
Jasey Mease, LICSW
Primary Therapist
Jasey Mease is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over seven years of experience dedicated to guiding and supporting individuals through their most challenging times. Currently serving as a Residential Treatment Facility Manager at THIRA Health, Jasey brings five years of specialized experience in residential level of care. She is part of the multidisciplinary team driving the growth, development, and clinical excellence of THIRA Health. Her diverse clinical background spans the Foster and Adoption field, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), and treating complex, co-occurring conditions including eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), helping individuals navigate long-term recovery.
Utilizing evidence-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Jasey is deeply committed to individual empowerment, striving to assist clients in recognizing their own needs, understanding their choices, and realizing their potential to create lasting life satisfaction. As a facility manager, she translates this clinical philosophy into everyday residential operations, fostering an environment that reflects these values. By blending DBT with compassionate leadership, she creates a structured, nurturing community where both staff and clients can achieve sustainable success.
Julianna Muya
Clinic Services Manager
Erica Polidori
Partial Hospitalization Program Manager
About THIRA
THIRA was born out of Dr. Mehri Moore’s desire to address the core issues that individuals face, rather than simply working through symptomatic challenges. THIRA’s programs reflect this mission in their comprehensive, unique approaches that incorporate a variety of methods, including yoga, art and movement therapy, and much more.
