Addiction Specialist Staff
David Lasserre, M.Ed., NCC
Director
A seasoned leader in addictions treatment, David is an experienced administrator and addictions specialist. David has touched the lives of thousands of individuals since his entry into the addiction treatment field in 1992. Most recently he served as Managing Partner and Program Director for the Center for Professional Excellence, a treatment program for impaired professionals located in Nashville, Tennessee. His key role at CPE provided him opportunity to address state medical boards, local medical societies, and ASAM chapters. As the result of his unique decade-long experience treating impaired professionals, David has authored a guide for treatment clinicians entitled, Helping Eagles Fly, Treating Doctors for Addictions. David holds a Master's degree in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.
Michael D. Cugini, MA, LPCC, NCAC II
Clinical Director
Michael has over 35 years of experience as a clinician and clinical team leader in the field of behavioral health. He graduated with a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Connecticut and holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
As an addictions clinician Michael has broad expertise, having treated impaired professionals as well as felony offenders. His clinical leadership experience includes directing chemical dependency programs for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, private psychiatric hospitals and correctional facilities. Michael has also enjoyed success as a private clinician, evaluating hundreds of individuals for potential substance dependence and working as a forensic substance abuse specialist. He has presented expert testimony on issues of chemical dependency in district and federal courts. Most recently Michael was a member of the Colorado Legislative "Task Force for the Continuing Study of the Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Criminal Justice System". He has authored articles on chemical dependency and he recently was a featured lecturer at the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to his professional expertise, Michael brings passion to his work. He is dedicated to making sure that each individual participant at Vista Taos is given the best possible opportunity to create a firm foundation for recovery.
Daniel Clothier, LADAC, LPN II
Family Therapist
Daniel began his work in the field of behavioral health as a nurse in Michigan. He was a social living instructor for Job Corps in Colorado for one and a half years, working with court-ordered youth. Daniel became a nurse in 1972, and was one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians in Arizona. He later assisted in the implementation of a paramedic program in San Diego, California, where he taught and supervised new medics and other agencies, created specialty teams and was one of the first flight medics to fly in the Lifeflight Program in San Diego. Daniel graduated with honors in the field of Addictionology, using his skills to create programs with “at risk” high school students. He continued his work with youth in New Mexico at a transitional program for youth, serving as supervisor, counselor and assistant director. Daniel conducts basic life support and first aid trainings. He currently runs the family program at Vista Taos Renewal Center where he facilitates the healing and rejoining of families.
Rhonda Albin, ACSW, LCSW, CAP, ICRCD
Therapist
Rhonda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Internationally Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor with thirty years of experience in the field of human services. She has worked with children and adolescents in the prevention of substance abuse, and with adults in the treatment of mental health, addictions and dual diagnosis. She has been a supervisor, trainer, program director and private practitioner in New York, Florida and most recently New Mexico. Rhonda is passionate about treating patients holistically and is trained to utilize action methods such as psychodrama, art therapy and Kundalini Yoga. She believes in reaching the heart and soul of her patients and providing a sanctuary for them while they heal.
Elin M. Ritchie, MD
Medical Director
Elin M. Ritchie, MD; Medical Director, has been a Family Practice physician working in Addiction Medicine since 2000. She graduated from the University of Manitoba Medical College in 1992 and completed her Family Medicine residency program in 1994. Dr. Ritchie is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice is a member in good standing of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She trained in Acupuncture with the Academy of Pain Research in 2001 and employs both acupuncture and herbal and natural therapies with her patients. Dr. Ritchie became a licensed Massage Therapist in 2008. Dr. Ritchie is an approved prescriber of Suboxone for the management of pain and opiate dependence. She is recognized by the American Heart Association an an Acute Cardiac Life Support provider. She is a member of the New Mexico Medical Society.
Julia Dougherty-Hanna
Massage Therapist
Julia Dougherty-Hanna has been practicing massage therapy since her graduation from the Institute of Natural Healing in 1997. Julie has witnessed, in her three years on staff at Vista Taos, the therapeutic benefits of massage and healing touch. Clients appreciate how much massage can ease stress, decrease anxiety, relieve physical pains, and provide additional support to the process of recovery.
Ana Easter, DOM, RN
Acupuncturist
Ana has been in the healing arts her entrie professional career. She received her nursing degree from Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1979 and practiced nursing in a wide variety of hospital settings from cardiac rehabilitation to psychiatry. Ana was an integral part of a multi-disciplinary medical team that developed a successful adolescent detoxification unit for Francis Scott Key Medical Center in Baltimore. Ana received her acupuncture training at Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has been in private practice as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in Taos since 1996. She received her Ear Acupuncture Detox certification in 1997 and is honored to be part of the recovery team at Vista Taos Renewal Center.
