President and CEO
Ryan Salter, LCSW
Ryan Salter holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Communication and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Utah. He has worked in the addiction treatment field for nine years. He has served as the director of clinical services for 6 years at a large inpatient facility supervising the care of over 300 clients struggling with addiction and mental health related issues. Ryan is a member of several professional organizations and also serves as the head of a non-profit addiction research and education foundation called the Riley Foundation. Additionally, Ryan also is a professor at Utah Valley University and has helped develop courses and trained others for work in the field of addictions. Though Ryan has an extensive clinical background and has a proven record of success as a therapist the true value of his role goes beyond his professional accomplishments. Ryan has a passion for his work that is evident in his care and concern for his clients well being. Ryan cares about each client at Ascend not simply because of his professional responsibilities, but because he personally has dealt with his own addiction and related mental health issues. Ryan knows addiction from both a personal and professional perspective. There are certainly other therapists who have achieved professional notoriety in the field of addiction, but Ryan has that extremely rare combination of being both professionally and personally knowledgeable about addiction and being able to translate that into a relationship that is ultimately healing with the clients at Ascend.
Clinical Director – Lake House
Karin Hunt, LCSW
Karin received a masters in Social Work from the University of Utah. She has spent her career working with a variety of clients gaining expertise in addictive behaviors, anxiety, depression, marriage issues and sexual issues. She worked as the Executive Director for a private practice office and has a passion for the work. Karin uses an empathic approach in her work with people. She has a genuine love for people that enhances her ability to work with difficult situations. She is forthright and direct in her style and seeks to continually learn new and better practice methods. She is a native to Utah and enjoys spending time with her husband and four sons, being outdoors and experimenting in the kitchen.
Clinical Director – Eagle View
Lance Dome, LMFT
Lance is a licensed, master’s level therapist and is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. His extensive substance abuse treatment experience began in North Carolina after obtaining his master’s degree from Appalachian State University working in an outpatient substance abuse program. Lance helped in the creation of a model treatment program for addressing addiction from a systemic perspective from the ground up. He was on the advisory panel and steering committee for the Family Solutions outpatient treatment program, was co-chair of the Drug Endangered Child team, and was a staff therapist performing individual, couple, family, and group substance abuse therapy both in-office and in-home. He has been highly trained in various substance abuse treatment modalities, including Motivational Interviewing, and is certified in the Matrix Model of substance abuse treatment. Lance has also given many presentations around the state of North Carolina on substance abuse treatment in conjunction with Child and Family Services. He returned to school at Brigham Young University in 2007 to seek a doctorate degree, and has since finished his coursework and is completing his dissertation. In addition to his work here at Ascend, Lance is also in private practice in Provo, Utah as a Marriage and Family therapist. Lance has a passion for helping others in their recovery and enjoys the healing atmosphere and amazing staff here at Ascend. www.lancedome.com
Program Director
Johanna Salter, BS
Johanna is the Program Director of Ascend Recovery. She offers a varied background that adds greatly to the holistic nature of the Ascend Recovery program. With a Bachelors of Behavioral Science and Health from the University of Utah, she has been trained in both the mental and physical health arenas. For nine years she has owned, managed and run a holistic wellness education company. Johanna is very excited to be a part of something that can do so much good for each individual who is searching for freedom from the disease of addiction and for the entire community that we all live in. For her, helping people to become whole – physically, emotionally and spiritually – is not just a job, it is a passion and a way of life.
Admissions and Marketing Director
Laura McBride
Residential Director
Greg Sheriff
Greg Sheriff is the Residential Director at Ascend Recovery. Greg’s background includes an extensive passion for sports and training. He implements the motivation and team leadership he has developed to increase the camaraderie and cohesiveness of the group. Greg also has years of experience in behavior modification, group education and recreation rehabilitation. He understands the benefits of a healthy body, mind and spirit which coincides with the treatment philosophy at Ascend Recovery. Greg’s adventuresome nature is always seeking new and awakening experiences. He has a love and respect for the outdoors and the spiritual contribution it can provide. When he combines the discipline of sports, integrity of leadership, group cohesiveness, and the spirit of outdoor adventure, Greg helps to facilitate a new experience in awareness. Greg’s training comes by way of some of the most exclusive treatment centers in the country. Another passion of Greg’s is his love and commitment to having fun, a critical part of recovery.
Medical Director
Dr. Daniel Faber, MD
Dr. Daniel Faber, MD received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, graduating magna cum laude. He graduated from the medical school of the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Faber is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with a special certification in pain medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Faber is also board certified in addiction medicine and licensed to prescribe Suboxone. He has been practicing medicine since 1983, in Utah Valley since 1998. You may visit his site for more information at SpinalInterventions.com.
Medical Team
Dr. Beth Howell, MD
Dr. David Salter, MD
Dr. Salter is excited to be part of the Ascend Recovery healing team. With a doctorate in medicine from George Washington University and a board certification in family practice, he provides the necessary medical expertise to the program. Much of his work in medicine has been on addictions. He holds an additional certification from the Medical Review Officers Certification Council which deals specifically with managing drugs of abuse and those who use them. In addition to managing clients individually in his practice, he has also provided medical support to many large companies with regard to their drug policies, management of people involved with abuse, and Employee Assistance Programs. His other active area of interest is in functional and nutritional medicine. Having taken all the coursework offered to professionals, he is a certified practitioner from the Deepak Chopra organization in Aryuvedic and holistic medicine. This is in addition to the core Family Practice work which includes a considerable amount of counseling and lifestyle work on such issues as healthy eating, weight control, proper exercise, stress, anxiety, and depression management. He is sure you’ll find our program medically sound, nutritionally sound, psychologically challenging, as well as nurturing and healing.
Cathy Black, APRN
Catherine R. Black received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Brigham Young University. She has done research in open-heart surgery and artificial heart transplantation. Catherine is certified as an advanced practice registered nurse and a nurse practitioner with a license in controlled substances. She has been working in general family practice, adolescent medicine, and psychiatry since 1978.
SheriAnn Rollins, FNP, APRN
SheriAnn Rollins received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Brigham Young University. SheriAnn also received her master’s degree from Brigham Young University as family nurse practitioner, where she interned in pain management. SheriAnn had extensive practice in various nursing fields as a registered nurse prior to completing her master’s program. She is board certified by the American Board of Nursing and is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse. She has been working in pain management since 2001.
Clincial Psychologist
Dr. Gale Stringham, PhD
Therapist/Counselors
Tracy Fuchs, LSAC, MHCI
Tracy received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Utah and completed their twelve month course in alcohol and other drug treatment program through the Graduate school of social work. He completes his master’s degree in mental health counseling with Argosy University on his path to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has been practicing as a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor for more than ten years and was one of three founders to open a successful residential dual diagnosis treatment center in 1999. His interest and specialty involves the testing associated with diagnosing mental health issues and the healing process of childhood trauma and abuse. He originally learned this healing process, sometimes referred to as “inner child work”, from Mr. John Bradshaw, therapist, author and global speaker. Tracy brings years of experience in collaboration and partnership with mental health and medical professionals to help assess and implement individualized treatment for those suffering with mental health disorders and addictions. He loves working with families and loved ones in the treatment process. He draws from his own experiences in person growth and recovery and those of his family. He is excited to be a part of Ascend Recovery’s treatment team and enthusiastic about the growth and direction of such a dynamic program.
Kristen Anderson, CSW
Paula Bruce, LSAC
Stacy Rosenblatt, CSAC
Stacy Rosenblatt is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with the State of Utah. He brings a broad range of experience to Ascend. Stacy received his B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his MBA from Harvard Business School. During the last 25 years Stacy has lived and worked in New York City. Through his work as an executive manager Stacy has worked with and become grateful for all races, religions and cultures of the world. Stacy is a student of the arts and has studied music, art history and film. He is an artist himself and studied painting at the renowned Art Students League. He also worked for MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art). Stacy is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who has moved from Wall Street to the mountains in order to pursue his new found passion and commitment to helping others suffering from the disease of addiction.
Director Assistant
Janel Grimmett
Janel Grimmett earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University. After graduation she spent time working with troubled teens at a High School catering toward youth in custody. Later she worked with teenagers and adults in a wilderness program overcoming unhealthy life choices and mending family relationships. After completing some humanitarian trips internationally she has returned to Utah to help those suffering with addictions and inspire them to make the necessary adjustments to fill their needful place in life.
Kevin Louder
Kevin Louder is a Utah native who loves the out doors, fixing up cars and exercise. As alumni of Ascend Recovery, Kevin knows first hand the healing that comes with highly individualized treatment and carries that message to the clients at Ascend Recovery. As an active member in the greater recovery community, Kevin has had a tremendous impact on people struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. Kevin is currently pursuing a degree in substance abuse counseling.
Yoga Instructor
Jessica Robertson
Life Skills Instructor
David Lowe, BS
David Lowe graduated from BYU in 2008 with a Bachelor’s in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, and a minor in Psychology. He is passionate about three things. First is his family, his beautiful wife Laurel, and his boys Zackary and Patrick. Second is his music, he loves to listen to and also perform music as a drummer and vocalist. Third is his career, David loves working with people, he stays up nights thinking about how he can influence people, and how he can let them influence him in return.His main focus in therapy is helping people to redefine the way they understand power, and re-direct their efforts at controlling the outside world to controlling themselves and attaining self-mastery. His successes at both the Utah County Jail, and Slate Canyon Youth Center, have prepared him for working with addiction. He has deep respect for the courage of all the residents at Ascend Recovery.
Pottery Instructor
Le Grand Johnston
Le Grand Johnston was born in Utah and has resided here for most of his life. He also has lived in Florida, California and Indiana, where he has made time to pursue and expand with various art mediums. Very much so drawn toward the ceramic and glass arts, he also enjoys working in computer animation and oil painting.
Being a native Utahn and having seen much growth in his lifetime in the Utah County area, he enjoys working with the array of troubled individuals who come to Ascend Recovery for support from near and far so long as progress is what’s to be made. In this case, clay is our creative exercise which allows us to build upon something step by step.
“Giving back through working with those at Ascent Recovery who are human enough to come forward and better themselves in life, is what attracts me to having a meaningful work experience with the recovery home. Our time spent developing skills with sculpture and pottery is aimed at giving them a hobby or relaxation technique that requires their focus and patience to be constructive and obtain successful results with a given idea. It’s all about remembering the steps that get you to a solution and being patient with yourself along the way in ceramics. Surely this principle may translate to heart and inspire a way for my students to move forward in their own lives. We enjoy our time learning and developing creative behavior which I hope will in some way or another benefit each toward their personal goals with Ascent Recovery and onward in life.” – LG
Head of Culinary Services
Jennifer Winder
Jennifer has a passion for all things food. Not only is she skilled in her cooking and baking abilities, but also has a passion for making healthy and healing meals. She has worked as a trainer and supervisor to other chefs wanting to learn the fine art of food preparation. She is always striving to learn and experiment with new tastes and textures, while still perfecting the comfort food of a good home cooked meal. Jennifer is a mother of six, a dedicated fisher woman (in the summer often getting in a session at 6 am before she starts her day), and loves to read a good book.
Psych Techs
Bill Ungricht
Bill Ungricht is currently a Behavioral Science major at UVU with an emphasis in Social Work with a minor in American Indian Studies. He is a member of the Behavioral Science Club at UVU. He is also a member of the UVU Men’s Rugby team. Bill is EMT certified. As a PE teacher for 5 years in the Provo and Nebo school districts, Bill gained valuable experience. He continues to serve the youth of the area by volunteering with Safety Net Mentoring and being an Assistant Varsity Scout Leader. Bill is married and has two children.
Altovise Vertus
Susan Burns
Susan is a married mother of four boys, currently earning her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education at Western Governor’s University. She grew up on a small farm in Utah with her eleven brothers and sisters. She enjoyed working in the health care industry for several years prior to joining the Ascend team. She enjoys assisting clients in their recovery and working with the other members of the Ascend staff. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, sports (her favorite is basketball), and camping. She also enjoys fitness/exercise and outdoor activities.
Roger Winder
Ivy Grinder
Brenan Davis
Dietitian
Kristen Rasmussen, MS, RD
Kristen enjoys working as a consultant dietitian in a variety of capacities including policy development for sustainable food and health initiatives at UC Berkeley, nutrition consulting for patients and care givers, menu planning at hospitals and child care centers, as well as creation of public relations materials for healthcare services. She originates from the Northern California coastline and received her BS in dietetics from UC Berkeley then went on to obtain a Masters in Human Nutrition from Arizona State University. Kristen resides in San Francisco where she enjoys exploring the local food scene on foot and experimenting with goods harvested nearby. She currently acts as the Bay Area Dietetics Association President-Elect, Co-Chair for Slow Food East Bay, and eZine Editor for the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition subgroup of the American Dietetics Association. Kristen has a strong passion for nutrition and food sustainability and believes a healthy lifestyle necessitates the enjoyment of great food.
