Clinical Team
Thérèse Smerklo
Clinical Director MA, LPC, LCADC
Gerry Gunnels
LCADC; Senior Clinical Advisor
Gerry is an LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor) and the Senior Clinical Advisor to the Clinical Director of Alina Lodge. He brings more than thirty years of counseling experience to the clinical team, the students, and their families. Gerry began his career with Alina Lodge in September of 1983 and most recently served as Clinical Director.
Gerry worked under Geraldine Delaney for many years, learning first-hand the formula of success for addiction treatment that has made the Lodge a leader in treatment for more than 57 years. He passes on the time-honored traditions of Alina Lodge: self-discipline, spirituality, surrender, family education, the 12 steps, and the tincture of time, as well as helping to guide a team of credentialed clinicians with vast experience in addictions and co-occurring issues. Gerry participates in family interventions, educating families in helpful methods that support the recovery process, strengthening and uniting them in this process.
Donna Pittala
MA, LCADC, CODS, CCS, Director of Family Services
Donna graduated as a Psychology major from East Stroudsburg University and received her Masters in Addictions Counseling from Marywood University in Pennsylvania. She was fortunate to train with Dr. David Powell of Rutgers University in New Jersey to complete her Clinical Supervisor Certification. She worked as a staff therapist at The Family Guidance Center of Warren County for 11 years as the addictions specialist working with clients and families with co-existing disorders.
Donna first arrived at Alina Lodge in 2001 and worked for a year as a primary counselor and assistant to the Family Director. She moved on to become Director of Family Services and today works with all the Alina Lodge families to provide education, support, and therapeutic intervention as well as facilitate the residential family program. Donna is currently training with Tian Dayton to incorporate the Relationship Trauma Repair module in the Alina clinical program and supervise the psychodrama trauma workshops. As a dedicated professional, Donna is available to current Alina families and students as well as Alumni. She supports the philosophical foundations and history of the Lodge while incorporating cutting edge research and medical science in the field today, which can provide us for the treatment of addictive disease to establish a healthy, strong family system.
Megan Hein
Counselor, MA, LCSW, LCADC
Megan received her BA in 2006 from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. She received an MA from Montclair State University in 2007 and an MSW from Monmouth University in 2012. Megan is a Licensed Social Worker for the state of New Jersey.
Megan has been a member of the Alina Lodge family for many years, serving as an intern in 2011, and joining the Clinical team full time in January of 2012. Prior to coming to Alina Lodge, Megan was the Senior Case Supervisor for Passaic County Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Bill Rust
Counselor
Bill began his Alina Lodge career in 2011 as a Facilitator and decided to pursue a CADC after seeing Students’ lives transformed over the course of their stay in treatment. As part of his internship, Bill also worked at The Center for Prevention and Counseling in Newton, New Jersey. There he was tasked with overseeing their Intensive Outpatient Program as well as providing classroom instruction for the Sussex County Intoxicated Driver Resource Center program, a court-mandated class for DUI offenders. Bill is currently completing the final requirements for CADC licensure.
Bill attended Boston University and is a veteran of the US Air Force. Besides his passion for Recovery, Bill has a love for music performance, and he is delighted to bring musical ensembles to perform at the Lodge for staff and students. Bill’s favorite quote: “The meaning of life is to find your gift, and the purpose of life is to give it away.”
Carol Bauder
Counselor, MA, LAC, NJ-DRCC
Carol received her BA in Management and Marketing from Montclair State University and worked in a variety of fields: financial services; retail management and manufacturing. She was motivated to change her vocation through participating with Suicide Prevention organizations and pursued obtaining her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Centenary University.
Carol has worked in the recovery field at treatment centers offering different levels of care: detox; short term residential; and long term residential aftercare. She has also received certification as a New Jersey Disaster Response Crisis Counselor.
Eileen Reuter
Counselor, LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor), MAPC
Eileen has been employed off and on since 2003 at Alina Lodge. She was a facilitator, driver, and resident assistant at Haley House. During this time she returned to school to finish a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. While working at Haley House, she worked toward her addictions certification. She became a counselor and worked for two years at an outpatient treatment facility in Bangor, PA. During this time she started her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling. She was then rehired by Alina Lodge to work part-time as an eating disorder counselor.
After graduating with her Master’s in May 2013, Eileen began full-time employment as a Primary Counselor on the women’s team at the Lodge. Her interests include substance abuse, eating disorders, and spirituality. She runs the Eating Disorder Recovery Group.
Laurie Andrysiak
Alumni Coordinator
Laurie attended Northampton Community College’s Office Skills Specialist/Business Administration Program. Prior to her employment at Little Hill Foundation, she worked as a production scheduler at United Envelope and as an Executive Assistant at Pocono Manor Investors.
Laurie began her career with Little Hill Foundation in April of 2010 as the Alumni Coordinator. Her duties include communicating with alumni regularly, organizing Lodge anniversaries and luncheons as well as Admissions coverage.
Medical Department
Alexander Kudryk
Medical Director, MD, ABIM, ABAM, FASAM
Dr. Alexander Kudryk is a graduate from Manhattan College in Biology and St. John’s University in Pharmacy. Dr. Kudryk completed his residency, was Chief Resident and instructor in Internal Medicine at St. Barnabas Internal Medicine Residency Program. Currently, he is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is active in General Internal Medicine, ICU coverage at Robert Wood Johnson/Barnabas Health/Somerville campus.
Dr. Kudryk is also an Urgent Care Physician for Atlantic Health Group and holds an American Board of Addiction Medicine certification. He has been the Medical Director at Alina Lodge for more than twenty years.
Jennifer Moye
Director of Nursing, RN
Jennifer has been a Registered Nurse at Alina Lodge since 2015. She assumed the role of Director of Nursing in 2018. Jennifer brings over 25 years of nursing experience to the Lodge ranging from public health to corporate health.
On a daily basis, Jennifer covers many roles within the nursing department, none more important to her than the health and well-being of each and every student.
Babette Bolcato, RD, CHC
Registered Dietitian and ACE Certified Health Coach
Babette received her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Saint Elizabeth. Babette recently joined the Alina Lodge team. She brings with her 25+ years of experience working in the mental health field including eating disorders and substance abuse.She is passionate about the importance of nutrition during recovery, overall good health and for relapse prevention. In addition to seeing students individually she provides monthly nutrition lectures and shares up to date nutrition information to enhance the quality of life of our students.
Nursing Staff
Fran Christmas, RN
Fran Magner, LPN
Patricia Latzenstein, LPN
Susan Yarzab, RN
Jennifer Moye, RN, Director of Nursing
Kathryn Andres, LPN, Assistant Director of Nursing
Spirituality Program
Reverend Robert Griner
The Spirituality Program at Alina Lodge is led by The Reverend, Robert Griner. Robert received a degree in Psychology from Drew University and studied Theology at the University of Oxford before completing a Master of Divinity degree at Yale University. After 911, Robert was hired by FEMA as a Crisis Response Counselor. He also held the position as Director of Psychiatric Services in a Jersey City Center. He has been serving as a parish priest for over 30 years.
Robert’s goal is to help our students develop skills through meditation and prayer to cope with where their lives are, find moments of grace in their lives now, and to change their perception of the future where hope abounds. He strives to show them that spirituality can elevate the joy of living.
Intimacy Group Therapy
Caroline Smith
MA, LPC, CSAT-S, CMAT, CIP, EMDR
Caroline Smith holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Ottawa University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist-Supervisor, and a Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist. Ms.Smith is the Director of Addiction Services at Pine Grove Behavioral Health Women’s Center.
She is EMDR trained and holds clinical expertise in the areas of trauma resolution, relationship attachment patterns, addiction interaction disorder, and the two most primary process addictions, food and sex. Caroline Smith brings her expertise to Alina Lodge on a regular basis to work with our women’s community.
Mark Drax
Recovery Coach
(Certified with the International Coaching Federation)
Mark’s own experience helps foster empathy and trust for reassurance in the early stages of recovery while coaching and mentoring around sensitive subjects. His deep understanding of addiction, sexuality, and the addictive cycle as a whole gives him the ability to understand buried anger, pain, fear and shame, as well as the disruption they bring to every aspect of a person’s daily existence.
Mark brings his expertise to Alina Lodge on a regular basis to work with the men’s community on topics which at the best of times can be hard to discuss even in the most determined relationships.
Leadership Team
William Robbins
Executive Director, LCSW, CCS
Bill is a licensed clinical social worker having earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University’s School of Social Work in 1996. He worked at The Educational Alliance in New York City as a staff therapist in a Therapeutic Community for adults with drug and alcohol dependence. After several years he was promoted to clinical director, where he served in that capacity for seven years, overseeing all clinical, administrative, and fiscal responsibilities.
During this period William opened his own private psychotherapy practice specializing in treating individuals with drug/alcohol dependence, as well as anxiety and depressive disorders. William then transitioned to High Focus Centers in New Jersey where he provided addiction counseling to adult patients in an IOP setting.
After a brief time, he was moved into a supervisory position where he balanced the administrative needs of the program while continuing to provide clinical services. William holds his CCS (Certified Clinical Supervisor), allowing him to provide clinical supervision to other therapists.
William joined the dynamic clinical staff of Alina Lodge in 2012 and was promoted to Executive Director of Little Hill Foundation in January 2019. He oversees clinical programs and operations at Alina Lodge and Haley House offering a continuum of care and treatment.
Michael Hornstein
BS, MA, Executive Director Emeritus
Michael Hornstein was the recent Executive Director of Little Hill Foundation, which operates Alina Lodge and Haley House. He holds a Master’s Degree in Biology and a BS in Pharmacy. He was a pharmacist for 20 years, changing career paths in 1983 to become a teacher in the Miami Dade County school system. He was a Department Chair of the Science Department and taught in this school system for 25 years.
For over 15 years, he was an administrator of a biomedical academy that trains pharmacy technicians, nursing assistants, emergency responders, and EKG technicians. From 1985 to 2000, Michael was a DUI instructor and Group Therapist for Broward County Commission on Alcoholism. During this time, he received his CAP license. He served as an Adjunct Professor at Barry University for the Early Credit Program (1997-2007).
Michael hails from Florida and has been involved with the Alina Lodge alumni group, and served as a past member and president of the Board of Trustees. Michael has three sons and currently has five grandchildren, all of whom reside in Florida. He was the Executive Director of Little Hill Foundation from 2008 to 2019 and now continues his leadership role as Executive Director Emeritus.
Becci Shaak
Chief Financial Officer, MBA, CHFP, CPA
Becci has been working in the addiction treatment industry in both the financial and operational areas for almost 20 years. After spending 7 years in public accounting and the private sector, Becci joined Richard J Caron Foundation as their Controller in 2000. She earned a Master’s in Business Administration concentrating in Executive Medical from Alvernia University in 2004 while working as Caron’s Corporate Director of Finance. Later, she became the Vice President of Finance for Caron and earned the Certified Healthcare Financial Professional designation through the Healthcare Financial Management Association, of which Becci is an active member.
In 2017, Becci formed her own consulting firm, Shaak Consulting LLC, and began providing financial and operational consulting to several addiction treatment clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It was at this time Becci became affiliated with Little Hill Foundation in August of 2017 as its acting CFO. While maintaining this relationship, Becci took on the role of EVP of Operations from January 2018 to July 2019 for Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge. In October 2019, Little Hill Foundation named Becci Shaak Chief Financial Officer. In 2020, Becci became licensed as a CPA through the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy.
Matthew J. Shroba
Director of Operations
Matthew’s background is in logistics operations, coordinating the storage, transportation, tracking, and distribution of goods, as well as maintaining compliance standards. Today, Matthew has found his passion working with the people and professionals at Alina Lodge.
Starting as a Facilitator at Alina Lodge in 2011, Matthew became the Supervisor of Facilitation several years later and then became the Assistant to the Executive Director in 2017, and the Emergency Management Officer in 2018. Matthew now serves as the Director of Operations; overseeing many departments and processes key to the routine operations of the facility, while continuing to serve as the liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Heather Ferris
BA, BRI-C – Admissions Director
Heather Ferris began working in the mental health field in 1997. She started out at a non-profit psychiatric facility where she was involved in residential services, crisis unit, and detox services. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from FAU she assumed the role of case manager where she excelled in working with the dual diagnosis population.
Heather transitioned into the substance abuse field in 2012 where she began her career in referral relations and the admissions aspect of the industry. She has also trained in several models of intervention training and education over the last 8 years and has been a candidate member of the Association of Intervention Specialists since 2012. Heather is currently pursuing her CIP through the Pennsylvania Certification Board.
Renee Harman
Director of Philanthropy – Connect with Renee on LinkedIn
Renee graduated from Dover Business College, Dover New Jersey, in 1989. Prior to her employment at Little Hill Foundation, she was Director of Publications at Kinsley Associates, Inc., Hackettstown, New Jersey where she worked as the Office Manager coordinating designs, content and accounts for three annual publications.
Renee began her career with Little Hill Foundation in August of 2004 as the Development Assistant and was promoted to Director of Philanthropy in 2011. Her duties include overseeing the facilitation of philanthropic support through implementing the annual fundraising plan, grant writing and overseeing special events. Renee is passionate about building relationships that create meaningful change.
Jaime Delgado
Regional Business Development Officer
Jaime was raised in El Salvador before moving to Westfield, New Jersey. Jaime has a Bachelors Degree from Rutgers University. He has been in the treatment field for over 20 years and takes pride in helping those who struggle with addiction. In 2017, Jaime was awarded the New Jersey EAP Addiction Professional of the Year award, and has a well-respected name in the industry.
Support Staff
Silvana Tirri, Development Assistant
Laura Brininger, Program Coordinator
Jeanette Greenmeier, Office Coordinator
Deborah Bryan, Receptionist
Maintenance Department
Will Blohm
Scott Cooke
Doug Powers
Randy Davis, Supervisor
Housekeeping Staff
Kathy Shelp
Debbie Senkier
Michelle Lerch, Department Supervisor
Dietary Department
Raven O’Hern (front row)
Ami Cain
Kristen Stoll
John Sheridan, (back row)
Kathleen Ferguson, Cook’s Assistant
Hon Cheung, Co-Director of Food Service
Greg Camp, Co-Director of Food Service
Thérèse is now the Clinical Director at Alina Lodge. She has been a counselor on the women’s team at Alina Lodge since 2014. Thérèse received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Montclair State University in 2013 and holds a post-Master’s certificate in Advanced Counseling from Montclair State University. Before joining Alina lodge, Thérèse completed a year-long internship at New Jersey AIDS Services in Morristown, New Jersey where she worked with HIV/AIDS clients who presented with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Thérèse is both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with the state of New Jersey. In addition, she is a Grief Recovery Specialist® and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Thérèse currently facilitates the Grief and Loss, and Sex and Relationship specialty groups offered at Alina Lodge.
Prior to changing careers into the counseling field, Thérèse worked in the investment and securities field for over 20 years in sales, management and compliance, and supervisory roles.