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Center for Hope of the Sierras Residential Treatment Home
Our Treatment Team
At Center for Hope of the Sierras, we apply a holistic approach to recovery and highly individualized treatment is the standard. We pride ourselves on our passion and commitment to the healing process of each individual, and work to emphasize the development of therapeutic relationships in a safe and comfortable environment. Each team member has been carefully selected based on their sincere compassion and respect for every individual who enters our doors. The staff is comprised of a multi- disciplinary team of experts including a psychiatrist, medical internist, registered dietitian and nutrition therapist with a PhD in nutritional biochemistry, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and 24-hour nursing and patient assistants. In addition, Center for Hope has a unique group of specialized contract therapists including an art therapist, equine therapists, and yoga and meditation instructors.
Brandon W. Keppner, MAIOP – Executive Director
Brandon Keppner joined the Center for Hope team in 2008 after working with troubled youth and individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Following his work with this population, Brandon successfully started and ran his own business working in the community with struggling youth by establishing an in-school program to assist and guide such youth while in public school. Brandon is also officially certified by the Idaho Supreme Court as a Victim & Family Mediator as well as a Divorce & Child Custody Mediator.
Brandon’s educational background is in psychology and he received his master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven.
Brandon’s passion is rooted in helping individuals struggling with low self-esteem and confidence open their eyes to the beauty they hold and recognize their amazing contributions to life. As the leader of the Center for Hope team, Brandon describes seeing someone embracing their true core and awaking to a life that can be enjoyed as a benefit of working at Center for Hope that cannot be matched. In his position, Brandon leads the Center for Hope of the Sierras treatment team, a group of dedicated individuals that he is proud to work with.
In addition to his professional life, Brandon is a devoted husband and father to his supportive wife and their five children. Brandon also enjoys leading a Boy Scouts group, staying involved in his church organization, watching football and basketball, and enjoying the beautiful Reno/Tahoe area.
Mary Howden, MFT - Clinical Director
Mary Howden joined the team at Center for Hope of the Sierras in 2006 and worked directly with the Center for Hope’s founder, Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt. Although Dr. Oliver-Pyatt is no longer with Center for Hope, Mary continues to run the program with the same dedication, commitment, and caring for the client that Dr. Oliver-Pyatt embodied when she opened Center for Hope.
Mary graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a master’s degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology and is a Nevada licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Mary was promoted to the position of clinical director at the Center for Hope of the Sierras, a position she reveals as both a privilege and an honor.
Dwarak Vuppalapati, M.D. - Medical Director
Dr. Vuppalapati graduated from residency training in psychiatry from the University of Minnesota in 1999 and received intensive training on eating disorder treatment under Dr. Elke Ekert and Dr. Scott Crow. Dr. Vuppalapati attended Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut for his fellowship/advanced and post-doctoral training in psychosomatic medicine, addiction psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. He later worked as a clinical instructor at Yale University teaching medical students, psychiatry residents, and physician assistants. From 2003 to 2004, Dr. Vuppalapati was the assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Yale University’s Hepatitis C Clinic.
In 2004, Dr. Vuppalapati moved to northern Nevada and started his own private practice. In addition to his role as medical director for Center for Hope, Dr. Vuppalapati is the medical director for Behavioral Health Services of Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center and the medical director for the Focus Geriatric Unit at West Hills Hospital. Dr. Vuppalapati also leads the New Vision Medical Stabilization for Substance Abuse at the Northern Nevada Medical Center and serves as the staff psychiatrist for Senior Bridges, Douglas County Mental Health Center, and Right of Passage.
During his spare time, Dr. Vuppalapati enjoys auto racing, golfing and traveling the world.
Rebecca Perdue, RN, BSN - Director of Nursing
Rebecca Perdue started as a nurse with Center for Hope of the Sierras in 2008 and was promoted to Director of Nursing in 2010. In addition to overseeing the residential program nursing staff, Rebecca is a part of the multi-disciplinary treatment team that oversees the comprehensive treatment of all residents. Rebecca has an extensive and varied professional background including working in emergency nursing, medical/surgical nursing, oncology, hospice, and mental health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Rebecca’s professional interests include working with women with diabetes and eating disorders; she plays a pivotal part in coordinating treatment for Center for Hope of the Sierra’s specialized diabetes program. Rebecca values her role in being able to see both the medical and psychological changes that occur throughout treatment.
In her personal time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her sons and pets.
Lorraine Platka-Bird, Ph.D., R.D. – Dietitian, Nutrition Therapist
Dr. Lorraine Platka-Bird received her doctorate from Michigan State University in 1980 with a major in human nutrition and a minor in psychology. She became a registered dietitian in 1982.
As a dedicated professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at the State University of New York for 19 years, Dr. Platka-Bird taught a wide variety of courses including Weight Management, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutritional Biochemistry, Sports Nutrition, Human Physiology, Nutrition Across the Life Span, and numerous related courses. During this period of time Dr. Platka-Bird was granted some of the most prestigious teaching awards offered in the State University system.
Meghan Eliopulos, B.A. - Marketing & Admissions Director
Meghan’s passion for working with individuals with eating disorders at Center for Hope started when she joined the team in 2004 as a resident assistant. After briefly leaving Center for Hope to complete her undergraduate studies in Spanish/Pre-medicine/Journalism, Meghan rejoined the team as the intake coordinator and was promoted to marketing & admissions director in 2011.Prior to returning to Center for Hope, Meghan worked on several award-winning and nationally-recognized public relations and marketing campaigns while working in the advertising and public relations field. Meghan is passionate about mental health advocacy and treatment and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work.
Meghan is proud to be a part of the amazing Center for Hope team and is inspired daily by the determination of the individuals pursuing treatment as well as by the families and providers supporting them. She is dedicated to helping empower people and their support systems as they explore treatment options.
Yani Dickens, PhD, Sport Psychology, Therapist, Researcher
Dr. Dickens joined the staff of Center for Hope of the Sierras in August 2010. In addition to his work as a clinical psychologist for the University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services, Dr. Dickens has a background in sport psychology and a passion for working with athletes and individuals with eating disorders. Dr. Dickens’ interest and experience in this field helps Center for Hope provide a much needed specialty for the treatment of eating disorders in this distinct population. Dr. Dickens is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas APA-accredited doctoral program in 2007 after completing his sport psychology-based dissertation on inner experience and golf performance. Dr. Dickens joins Center for Hope of the Sierras a part-time therapist and research analyst.Lisa Brown, MFTi - Therapist
Lisa joined Center for Hope of the Sierras in July 2010 as a full-time staff therapist and marriage and family therapist intern. Previously, Lisa worked for the Children's Cabinet and in private practice counseling couples and families.
Lisa has a passion for helping people which has been a reoccurring theme in every job she has held including those not formally in the therapy field. It seemed a natural choice to pursue an education and career that would allow for the intrinsic value of helping others to be met daily.
In addition to serving as a primary therapist, Lisa also runs numerous groups for the residential program.
Kristie Baker, MS, MFT Intern – Therapist
Kristie Baker joined the Center for Hope of the Sierras team in 2011 as a staff therapist in the PHP/IOP program. Kristie also oversees the Creative Expressions Art Imagery group for the Center for Hope program in addition to running several other daily PHP/IOP groups. Kristie’s professional background includes positions at The Bridge Center, Quest Counseling, and in private practice. She has a wide and varied interest in many mental health issues including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, dissociation, depression and anxiety, compulsive and impulsive behaviors, and disordered eating. Kristie holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling, Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. Kristie has also received special training in CBT and Guided Imagery.
Kristie is passionate about her role at Center for Hope and is inspired by the strength and perseverance of the women in the program as they journey toward personal empowerment and recovery. Kristie is grateful for all those who have shared their lives, passions, strengths, and triumphs with her.
Melissa Holland, MFT Intern, CADC Intern – Therapist
Melissa Holland joined the Center for Hope of the Sierras team in 2011 as a staff therapist in the residential program. Melissa comes to Center for Hope after working with troubled children at Alliance Family Service and in private practice with a special focus on rehabilitating women coming out of prostitution. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in World Missions from Cedarville University and a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from the University of Nevada, Reno. Melissa also attended Mandarin language school in Tianjin, China.
In addition to her work at Center for Hope, Melissa has started a non-profit dedicated to providing necessary services and resources to help victims out of commercial sexual exploitation such as prostitution and sex trafficking. Melissa’s professional interests also extend to personality disorders and trauma.
Melissa loves working at Center for Hope of the Sierras and is grateful to have the privilege of being invited into someone’s life, watch as they overcome obstacles, learn to get their life back, or create a new life they never could have imagined.
In her time away from Center for Hope and her non-profit, Melissa enjoys spending time with her dogs outside, playing in a community volleyball league, and leading Bible studies.
Paula Allec - Operations Director
Paula joined the Center for Hope as the office manager in 2009 and was promoted to Operations Director in 2010. Paula has been working in the medical billing field for over 10 years. She has worked as the office manager for a major laboratory chain, as well as the billing manager for a family practice office and an orthopedic office. She has extensive background in insurance and third party billing and has a good track record of getting claims paid.
In her free time Paula enjoys hiking, camping, and, most of all, spending time with her children and grandson.
Resident Assistants
Katie Cudworth - Outpatient Program Director
Katie Cudworth has worked at Center for Hope of the Sierras since its opening in 2003 after discovering her passion for the field of eating disorders. Katie has worked as a resident assistant and lead resident assistant and was promoted to outpatient program director in 2010. In her position, Katie oversees the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs and also runs several of the DBT Skills groups at both the residential and outpatient levels of care.
In addition to her position at Center for Hope, Katie’s passion for and dedication to helping individuals struggling with eating disorders has led her to pursue her master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. Katie is DBT-certified and is especially skilled at working with borderline personality disorder and conflict resolution.
In addition to her professional life, Katie enjoys being a mother to her two children, going to the movies, and enjoying a nice Italian dinner.
Shannon Nunnemaker, B.A. - After-Care Coordinator
Shannon Nunnemaker joined the Center for Hope of the Sierras team in 2007 as a resident assistant Shannon has also worked as a lead resident assistant at Center for Hope and was promoted to the position of aftercare coordinator in 2010. In her position, Shannon oversees discharge planning, treatment follow-up, and research tracking for Center for Hope.
Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. Shannon is also DBT-certified and has run several different Center for Hope groups in addition to the DBT Skills group. Shannon appreciates the interconnectedness of many different psychological diagnoses and the part she is able to play in the treatment of the different conditions at Center for Hope.
Shannon is passionate about working with the Center for Hope team and in an environment where she views everyone as benefiting. She is grateful to constantly be learning and growing due to the amazing staff and clients who come to Center for Hope.
Christina Joseph, B.A. – Intake Coordinator
Christina Joseph started working at Center for Hope of the Sierras as a resident assistant in 2007. Christina was promoted to the position of intake coordinator in 2011. In her position, Christina helps coordinate treatment for clients, families, and treatment providers. She is passionate about helping people get into treatment and find their true selves once again.
Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in business. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in sports psychology and enjoys working with athletes with eating disorders and with the concept of mindful movement.
Christina has also dedicated time to fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and enjoys hiking, playing softball, spending time at Lake Tahoe, and being with her friends.
Brenda Oberg, B.S. – Nutrition Assistant, Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist
Brenda Oberg joined the Center for Hope of the Sierras team in 2010 as the nutrition assistant, yoga instructor, massage therapist, and part-time resident assistant. In her roles, Brenda meets with clients in the outpatient program to discuss nutrition triumphs and challenges between meetings with the registered dietitian, runs yoga and meditation groups for the residential and outpatient programs, and is the massage therapist for the residential program.
Brenda obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition (dietetics) from the University of Nevada, Reno and attended Seven Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, Arizona to obtain her yoga teacher training in Hatha yoga and massage school at Sedona School of Massage in Sedona, Arizona. Prior to her work at Center for Hope, Brenda worked in a variety of health-oriented settings using yoga, massage, nutrition, and meditation.
Brenda is passionate about helping others find a deeper peace that can exist in daily life and being able to utilize her education and experience to help others to discover a more balanced relationship between mind and body. In her role at Center for Hope, she is able to challenge and encourage clients to separate from thoughts and behaviors that limit their experience of food, life, and their true self.
When she’s not at Center for Hope, Brenda enjoys enjoying and exploring nature with her family and friends.
Melina McKee – Chef
Melina McKee joined the Center for Hope of the Sierras team in 2007 as a resident assistant and was promoted to program chef in 2009. In her role, Melina works with Center for Hope’s dietitian and clinical staff to set up a menu and determine food/snack challenges while also running the program’s Culinary Experience cooking group. Melina is always looking for new, delicious, and educational opportunities to help individuals on their path to recovery.
Melina loves playing such a vital role in the Center for Hope treatment program and being able to get to know so many amazing individuals. She also loves being a part of such a dedicated and wonderful staff.
Center for Hope of the Sierras Resident Assistants
Our resident assistants provide compassionate care to our clients 24- hours a day, 7 days a week.
Chrissy –– is incredibly passionate about raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is a regular participant in their Light the Night Walk event. Chrissy exudes healthy strength as she lives an active yet balanced lifestyle. She is your typical star athlete – you can place Chrissy on any sports team and she will be the MVP!