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.
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
Vicki Winkel, MD
Dr. Winkel is a graduate of the University of Utah’s School of Medicine, where she also completed a four-year residency in psychiatry. Having trained under Utah’s premier addiction psychiatrists, she is experienced in detoxification, medication-assisted therapy, and treatment of dual diagnoses. She has lectured medical professionals and state elected officials on the use of medication in the treatment of various substance use disorders. Dr. Winkel has worked as a physician at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute’s Recovery Clinic in Salt Lake City. While Dr. Winkel loves Utah’s outdoors, she also enjoys traveling.
Medical Team
Dr. Beth Howell, MD
Dr. Howell has enjoyed working at Ascend Recovery and helping those in need to reach their goals and become healthy. She has multiple degrees in Zoology with both a B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Georgia. From there she got her M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina and completed both her internship in pediatrics and her research fellowship in psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina as well. Dr. Howell has worked in several different positions throughout South Carolina and Georgia before coming to Utah and providing care to patients at Ascend Recovery. Some of these positions include being Medical Director in a treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia and in Doraville, Georgia. Dr. Howell has much experience as a part of several medical teams working for recovery centers. She has several certifications including Certificate of Added Qualifications in Addiction Psychiatry, Certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and Certified by the American Board of Addiction Recovery.
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.
Clincial Psychologist
Parth Ghandi, PhD
Dr. Gandhi received his education in Clinical Neuropsychology from Brigham Young University. While there, he was able to study and research in Developmental Psychology, Neuropsychology, Family Systems, Organizational Behavior, and Leadership Development. Upon graduating, he worked as a leadership expert consulting to executives and developing leadership programming in Manhattan. His primary focus was on developing leaders through competency development. Upon returning to Utah, he has become a consultant to treatment programs. He focuses this combination of education and experience on the development of emerging adults. His forte is to assess cognitive and interpersonal strengths and weaknesses and then use this information to accelerate independence through Executive Function skill development. He is passionate about young adults finding success and happiness.
In consulting with the Ascend Recovery programs, Dr. Gandhi focuses on Psychological and Neuropsychological assessment, and Executive Functioning development through a specialized program developed by merging the theories of Executive Leadership Development with the clinical needs of young adults called The Leaders Path.
At home, he loves spending time with his young children and enjoys cycling, travel, and Yoga.
Therapist/Counselors
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
Paula Bruce, LSAC
Paula has been working in the field of addiction for over 12 years in various roles as an office manager, psychiatric technician, case manager, and counselor. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Service Management and furthered her education to become a Licensed Substance Abuse counselor. She is also currently progressing to earn her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy to further help addicts and their families. Paula has experienced addiction from many different viewpoints as a daughter, sister, wife, and mother of family members who struggle with their own addiction. She also had her own personal journey with addiction and is now committed to a life of recovery. This commitment carried her into this career field and with all of these personal experiences Paula is passionate about helping others find their path to recovery as well.
Paula is happily married and supportive to her husband who is also committed to his recovery and has two daughters who are becoming strong and beautiful women. She loves to read and spend time with her family, especially their weekly family dinners and enjoys her pets that she considers part of the family.
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 Roberts
Jessica is a dedicated, Certified Yoga Instructor teaching Yoga full time, specializing in Restorative or slow, gentle yoga that is healing and healthy for all types of people. She uses her extensive experience (1000+ Hrs) with all body types and backgrounds to make yoga accessible to each individual, especially those suffering from excessive stiffness, injuries and trauma. Having a history of loved ones suffering from addiction, she understand the importance of healing the whole person and teaches from a place of compassion and patience. She is passionate about helping others learn yoga, to create greater peace, awareness and a space within, for healing and personal growth to take root. She also enjoys gardening, hiking (anything outdoors really), art and quality time with family and friends. Jessica loves working at Ascend. Witnessing the transformation of so many of the clients is a gift that she cherishes.
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.
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
Spencer Evans
As a graduate of Ascend Recovery, Spencer came back to work here because he likes the environment and enjoys helping and working with others in need. He offers an example of solid recovery and a passion for living life. He currently is going to school, majoring in psychology. He is an avid snowboarder, hiker, runner, and dabbles in rock climbing. His favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird.
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.
Altovise Vertus
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.
