Meet the Staff

Dr. Vernon Partello, MD has practiced medicine for over 2 decades. He is board certified in Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine with Obstetrics treating both inpatient and outpatient addiction throughout his career and consulting work. He has served as the inpatient medical attending and director for the Rock County Detox Center and Rock County Jail respectively. This broad exposure to addiction has afforded him a deep understanding of the medication assisted treatment options that can be offered to patients including Methadone, Suboxone and Vivitrol.  He has been caring for patients with primary opiate addiction and co-addictions for the past four years. His goal is to treat patients with addiction issues with dignity, respect and concern for their health as they begin and recover from this difficult illness.

Michael York, SAC has been a licensed Substance Abuse Counselor in the state of Wisconsin since 2009. His experience in treating patients with opiate addiction started in 2012 at Quality Addiction Management in Beloit. York was promoted to the clinic manager position at Quality Addiction Management- Beloit in 2013 and transitioned to the clinic director position when Quality Addiction Management was acquired by Acadia Healthcare in 2015. In January of 2018 York left Acadia Healthcare to pursue other goals but has decided to return to counseling as he continues to have a strong desire to work with individuals suffering from the effects of addiction. York’s goal is to facilitate a treatment environment that promotes dignity, respect, and self-determination which will allow all patients who seek treatment at ASAP to take active role in the success of their recovery.

Alyssa RN, graduated from Edgewood College with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN). Nurse Alyssa began her nursing career working in Family Medicine giving her exposure to the full range of patient ages and ailments. She gained significant exposure and training in this environment to excel as the Assistant Director of Nursing and subsequent transition into her role as the Director of Medical Services for ASAP.  Nurse Alyssa is a strong patient advocate and believes in preserving human dignity, patient equality and freedom from suffering. Her goal is to break the stigma associated with opioid treatment to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for patients to begin their journey towards recovery and sobriety. With her impressive education and training she is comfortable with all aspects of the medication assisted treatment offered at ASAP including the use of Methadone, Suboxone and Vivitrol.

Tajuan received her first Master’s Degree in Human Services from Springfield College in 2004.  Her background consists of working with a diverse culture in various human service settings. In 2014, Tajuan began her career in the Opioid Maintenance Treatment as a Substance Abuse Counselor.   In 2021, Tajuan received her second Master’s of Science in Education with a Emphasis in Professional Counseling at UW Platteville. Tajuan utilizes a variety of theoretical orientations that include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy according to the client’s individual needs. Her approach involves empathy, sincerity and non-judgment.  She works with clients from a strength-based and positive perspective. In addition to providing individual counseling, Tajuan also enjoys facilitating groups (relapse prevention and driver safety plan). 

Jean brings over 30 years of experience working with people with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders.  Jean has worked in all modalities of treatment including, inpatient treatment, residential treatment, outpatient settings, medically assisted treatment, and school settings.  Jean developed the curriculum and facilitated the first substance use disorder treatment and education program in Walworth County that provided bilingual materials and was facilitated in Spanish for affected persons and their family and concerned others. She has been instrumental in developing and facilitating family education programming to assist loved ones learning how to be supportive to people with substance use disorder.  Jean's treatment philosophy is using evidence-based techniques that include motivational interviewing, person centered therapy, and teaching skills through cognitive behavioral therapy.  Jean believes that developing rapport with people is paramount in the treatment process while providing empathy and compassion in meeting people where they are at in the stages of change.   Jean feels sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside persons with substance use disorder as they are the courageous heroes in seeking help for an illness that often comes with great stigma.

Leslie has a focus on working in non-profit spaces serving underserved communities.  She is a proud Alumni of AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service to America serving as a Social Emotional Learning Coordinator with Milwaukee Succeeds, under the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Leslie spearheaded the project development of HATCH (healing adversity through conversations and hope) bringing Trauma Screening, Brief Interventions, and Referral Services (T-SBIRT) into Community Building by partnering with UWM-Milwaukee and Community Advocates.  Leslie has worked for Waukesha County Health and Human Services, as a Peer Support in co-occurring Intensive Outpatient Services (IOP), as well as Substance Abuse Counselor in training at the Aspen Center, and under Project WIshope at Iris Health Clinic serving in Intensive Outpatient Services (IOP) as well as residential level of care, and one on one therapy sessions. Leslie has a focus on trauma, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral, and also brings a non-judgmental style and desire to give back to the community with her own lived experience with addiction and mental health. 

Kameia completed her graduate level studies at Springfield college where she obtained a Masters in Human Services, with a concentration in Organization Management and Leadership and afterward, obtained a Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Behavioral Health from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has a wealth of working experience and knowledge prior to her formal education In working with those who have mental health afflictions due to her prior tenure ship with The Department of Veteran Affairs. She has worked in the mental health field for over five years, working with veterans who battled with substance abuse and mental health disorders. She also has experience working with AODA clients in residential and partial residential programs as well as working with disadvantaged youth who often are afflicted by anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Kameia has a passion for helping others realize their potential and inner strength and utilizes a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to effectively address the issues and concerns of clients. It is her belief that everyone should be afforded grace in their time of need. Some of the treatment modalities she uses are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution -Focused Therapy and Mindfulness.

Yshonda received her training in 2020 at "Life Changing Ministry Institute in Milwaukee.  After receiving her SAC-IT, she began working as Substance Abuse Counselor at a Medication Assisted Treatment facility in West Milwaukee.  Yshonda continued to expand her training working with residents at Janetta Roberson's Residential facility, Matt Talbot men's residential living and Second Century women's residential facility all on a part-time basis while continuing working full-time in MAT.  Yshonda understands the stigma around addiction and is passionate about educating those around her to work towards breaking the stigma. Yshonda's counseling style is centered around client autonomy, compassion and providing recovery resources.  Yshonda appeared as a guest several times on the Christian radio station "AM Joy 1390" to discuss on the air her Substance Abuse training that she received at "LCM", and to inform the listeners how she would like to help eliminate the drug population in the city of Milwaukee.  Yshonda future goals is to further her education in the substance abuse area.