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Meet the Betty Ford Center Treatment Team

Chris Yadron

Christopher Yadron, PhD, LCPC, CADC

Vice President of the West Region and Administrator of the Betty Ford Center


In his role, Dr. Yadron oversees our Betty Ford Center sites in Rancho Mirage, West Los Angeles and San Diego, California, as well as our Hazelden Betty Ford facilities in Newberg and Beaverton, Oregon. Dr. Yadron has provided exceptional clinical service and effective leadership in a wide variety of substance use, mental health and nonprofit settings over the past 20 years. Most recently, he served as the executive director of the two Hazelden Betty Ford facilities in New York, located in the Chelsea and Tribeca neighborhoods of Manhattan. Dr. Yadron received his PhD from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He completed his bachelor's degree in Philosophy at Trinity Christian College and his master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Loyola University in Chicago. He also received an MDiv in Theology from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He often speaks at conferences and workshops on addiction and the family, counselor training and development, and organizational leadership. Learn more

Chris Yadron
Mark Baumgartner

Mark Baumgartner, MEd, LPC, LCDC, CCAPP, LAADC, ICAADC

Executive Director, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage


Mark Baumgartner, MEd, LPC, LCDC, CCAPP, LAADC, ICAADC, has over 25 years of clinical experience, including 14 years in a leadership capacity, Mark Baumgartner brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to his role as the Executive Director for the Betty Ford Center. Mark's work spans the entire addiction treatment continuum for all ages. He has worked as a lead counselor, caseworker, therapist, youth specialist, director of inpatient services and clinical director for residential services at the Betty Ford Center for over 10 years. He led the expansion of the Betty Ford Center in West LA for 1.5 years. Mark has provided key leadership in developing other clinical products, designing and implementing treatment and documentation standards, and providing clinical training to addiction and counseling professionals. In addition to his 14 years of experience with the Betty Ford Center, Mark has worked in a variety of other addiction treatment, mental health and corrections settings in Texas and Arizona. Mark holds a Master of Education degree in Counseling from Stephen F. Austin (Tex.) State University. Mark completed a two-year training program in 2015 of the California Institute of Gestalt Experiential Therapy directed by psychologist Allen Berger, Ph.D. He has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1996 and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor since 1991. Licensed Professional Counselor #13604—Texas Department of State Health Services, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor #7452—Texas Department of State Health Services, California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC), Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICAADC) #LR01550315

Mark Baumgartner
Gregory McFadden, MD, PhD, DLFAPA Psychiatrist, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage

Gregory McFadden, MD, PhD, DLFAPA

Psychiatrist, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage


Gregory McFadden, MD, PhD, completed his medical degree and a PhD in Physiology at the University of Hawaii, School of Medicine. Dr. McFadden completed his Residency and Chief Residency in Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital and also completed a Research Fellowship in Psychopharmacology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Board certified in Psychiatry, he has conducted over 80 FDA-sponsored clinical trials on new medications under study for mood and anxiety disorders at the Feighner Research Institute in San Diego and has lectured widely on their use. He previously maintained a private practice at the Scripps Memorial Hospital-La Jolla, specializing in the treatment of substance use disorders co-occurring with mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. McFadden has been named as a Distinguished Life Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association for his work in clinical research and co-occurring disorders. CA license #G60437

Gregory McFadden, MD, PhD, DLFAPA Psychiatrist, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage
Jerry Moe

Jerry Moe, MA, MAC, CET II

National Director of the Children's Program


Jerry Moe, MA, MAC, CET II, is an advisory board member of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. He is internationally known as an author, lecturer and trainer on issues for young children from addicted families. Jerry received the 2005 America Honors Recovery Award from the Johnson Institute, the 2000 Ackerman/Black Award from NACoA for his outstanding work on behalf of children of alcoholics, and in 1993 he was awarded the Marty Mann Award for outstanding communication in the alcoholism and addiction field. Learn more

Jerry Moe
Stanton Segal MD, FCCP, Medical Director, Rancho Mirage

Stanton Segal, MD, FCCP

Medical Director, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage, San Diego, West Los Angeles


Stanton Segal MD, FCCP, is the Medical Director of the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Formerly, Dr. Segal was the CMO, ICU Director and Medical Director of Aria Health System (now Aria Jefferson), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine and is ASAM Certified in Addiction Medicine.

Stanton Segal MD, FCCP, Medical Director, Rancho Mirage
Tracy Pobuda, PsyD, LP, Manager of Mental Health Services, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage

Tracy Pobuda, MS, PsyD, LP

Manager of Mental Health Services, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage


Tracy Pobuda, MS, PsyD, LP, received her training in the use of empirically supported treatments for mental health disorders through Stanford University's PsyD Consortium. In addition to specializing in therapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Time Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP); Tracy has expertise in Mindfulness Meditation; treating healthcare professionals struggling with addiction; working with the LGBTQ community; helping patients with chronic health issues including HIV and AIDS; healing depression in older adults; and the art and science of self-compassion. She completed her doctoral internship at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, MN, and completed her postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente's Chemical Dependency Services outpatient clinic in San Francisco, CA. CA License Psy # 22221; MN License # LP5866

Tracy Pobuda, PsyD, LP, Manager of Mental Health Services, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage
Karl Kirsch, LMFT, LAADC, Manager, Addiction Programs, Rancho Mirage

Karl Kirsch, MA, LMFT, LAADC

Manager, Addiction Programs, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage


Karl Kirsch, MA, LMFT, LAADC received his Master of Arts degree in psychology from Chapman University. He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition to working in the field of addiction treatment for 15 years, he briefly worked with those suffering chronic mental illness at Riverside County. Karl served as the Program Coordinator for the Veterans Alcohol Rehabilitation Program before joining the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Within the organization Karl has had various clinical positions including Counselor, Lead Counselor and Program Manager.

Karl Kirsch, LMFT, LAADC, Manager, Addiction Programs, Rancho Mirage
RuthAnn Markusen, M.S. CADCII, Manager, Addiction Programs, Rancho Mirage

RuthAnn Markusen, MS, CADCII

Manager, Addiction Programs, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage

RuthAnn Markusen, MS, CADC II has  25 years of experience in program administration for mental health and substance abuse services providers.  RuthAnn has a broad spectrum of experience from working with inner city children in prevention to adults with substance use disorders. She participated in the Leadership Coaching Program with the Addiction Technology Center where she became a mentor, and the Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative with the National Council on Behavioral Health. RuthAnn served on the Board of Directors for California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, Inc. (CAADPE) and co-chaired the CAADPE Services Committee, influencing state legislators regarding state level funding streams, regulations, while also advocating for clients and programs.  She received her Master of Science, Substance Abuse and Human Services, at National Louis University, Chicago, IL, 1990.

RuthAnn Markusen, M.S. CADCII, Manager, Addiction Programs, Rancho Mirage
Alan Rooney EdD, MS, LP, FAPA, Senior Clinician, Rancho Mirage

Alan Rooney, EdD, MS, LP, FAPA

Senior Clinician, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage


Dr. Alan Rooney, EdD, MS, LP, FAPA holds a Master's in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University/OC.  Alan is a Psychotherapist Fellow who completed post-graduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnosis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  He has over 25 years of experience in mental health, human sexuality, chemical dependency, dual-disorder treatment and leadership. Alan has worked at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the LGBT Community Services Center-NYC, Michael's House, Private Practice, and the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage. CA License Psy# 29171.

Alan Rooney EdD, MS, LP, FAPA, Senior Clinician, Rancho Mirage
Sherry Ellison, PhD, Clinical psychologist, Rancho Mirage

Sherry Ellison, PhD

Clinical Psychologist, Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage


Sherry Ellison, PhD started her education at College of the Desert then transferred to Cal State San Bernardino. She joined the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA in 1994 where she worked in the Admissions Department while attending graduate school.  In 2000 she joined the Psychiatric Crisis Team for the Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. She later completed her doctorate at California Coast University in 2002.  In 2013 she started a private psychotherapy practice utilizing positive psychology and solution focused methodology. In 2014 she returned to the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage to work in the Mental Health Department. CA License Psy 23224

Sherry Ellison, PhD, Clinical psychologist, Rancho Mirage
Rebecca Ott

Rebecca Ott, DNP, RN, APRN-BC

Nurse Practioner, Rancho Mirage


Rebecca Ott, DNP, RN, APRN-BC is certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and has worked with patients ages 10-101. She received her Masters of Science-Nursing in 2005 and completed the Doctoral of Nursing Practice in 2015 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Areas of practice have included outpatient, inpatient and psychiatric emergency medicine in California for a county contracted 5150 evaluation crisis unit. Her areas of specialty have included working with child-adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry in a Geriatric Outreach program in Nebraska, she concentrated on addiction psychiatry in Nebraska while serving as a director for the Crisis Stabilization Unit contracted by Region III, performing detoxification and stabilization before transferring patients to next level of care. Rebecca moved to the Coachella Valley with her husband in March 2013  to be Administrator for Oasis Crisis Stabilization and Psychiatric Health Facility before joining Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation at Rancho Mirage in October 2014.

Rebecca Ott