Brandon Fernandez
CEO
Brandon joined the CRI-Help family in 2013 after working with various nonprofits, both in the U.S. and abroad, striving to improve health outcomes for marginalized populations. Brandon received his B.A. at the University of Denver, was an exchange student at the University of Oxford, and received his Masters of Public Health at UCLA. Brandon has been featured as an expert panelist for UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, serves on the boards of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE) and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), and is also a member of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control’s Provider Advisory Committee.
Dr. Charles Burstin
Residential Detox Doctor
Dr. Burstin, Residential Detox Doctor at CRI-Help, has been the primary medical consultant at CRI-Help detox since 2004. He began specializing in substance use disorder treatment in the early 1980’s. Dr. Burstin was Chief Resident at Cedars Sinai in 1969 and maintains staff privileges therein. Dr. Charles J. Burstin has substantial training in the prescription of Subutex and Suboxone used specifically for opiate detox. He makes rounds in detox 7 days a week and is known for his patience and compassion.
Junie Gonzalez
Director of Operations
Junie Gonzalez has been serving in the substance use disorder field for more than 15 years. Junie has a broad range of experience as a Case Manager, Case Manager Supervisor, Program Manager, and most recently as Program Director at Fred Brown’s Recovery Services in San Pedro, California. He holds a BA in sociology and an MA in Public Administration with a concentration in non-profit management. Additionally, he holds a Substance Use Disorder Counselor certification with the California Consortium Of Addiction Professionals and Programs as a Counselor III. Junie also serves as a member of the LA County Substance Use Prevention and Control Provider Advisory Committee.
Gary Horejsi
Clinical Director
Gary specializes in relapse prevention with young people and family therapy. He joined CRI-Help as a Support Technician at Socorro in 2011. After a short departure, he returned in 2012 as a Chemical Dependency Worker at the George T. Pfleger Center.
Dayna Dewitt
Director of Nursing
Marco Pardo
Spirituality and Grief Counselor
Marco Pardo, Spirituality and Grief Counselor at CRI-Help, has been the Spirituality and Grief Counselor for CRI-Help for over 18 years. What motivates him to do his work is the joy of witnessing the transformations that take place in the lives of people who suffer from addiction. His goal is to minimize or eliminate the unnecessary suffering of his clients and replace it with joy and hope.
Kim E. Long
Outpatient Program Manager
Kim E. Long, Pfleger Outpatient Program Manager at CRI-Help, has been working in the field of addiction treatment for over 14 years. Professionally, she has been known for her dedication and empathic counseling techniques.
Diane Baker
Clinical Program Manager
Emmy Olea
Marketing Manager
Emmy Olea, Marketing Manager at CRI-Help, is a dynamic and passionate advocate who fearlessly champions LGBT-focused treatments in residential settings. With a resolute commitment to inclusivity, Emmy has dedicated her efforts to challenging societal norms and pushing boundaries, inspiring countless individuals to rise to the occasion and be the change they wish to see in the world.
Mitchell Jordan
Chief Support Technician
Mary Grayson
Assistant Chief Support Technician
Mary Grayson is passionate about working one-on-one with clients and introducing clients unfamiliar with 12-step programs to Narcotics Anonymous, a resource that saved her life. She has been working in the field of addiction treatment for 16 years. She strives to be remembered as a woman in recovery living by spiritual principles.