Meet Our Staff
Martin Ferrero, MA, LADC, CADC-II
Clinical Director
Marty has been in the addiction field since 1996. He spent well over a decade with the Hazelden Foundation, first in Minnesota and then as a Clinical Supervisor at Hazelden Springbrook in Oregon. In 2006 he earned his Master of Arts degree in Addiction Counseling at the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. Marty is both licensed and certified as a chemical dependency counselor and is extremely passionate about his work and his recovery. He has extensive experience working with impaired physicians and other healthcare professionals, pilots, and patients with co-occurring disorders. Marty has lectured at conferences around the country on topics such as "Treatment and Twelve-Step Facilitation" and "The Brain Chemistry Addiction". He also has teaching experience at several colleges and universities including Amherst College and Clarkson University.
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.
Tantalayo Kapua Saenz, LADAC, ICAADC, LMT
Therapist
Tantalayo brings more than 24 years of clinical expertise within the substance abuse and mental health services. She has extensive experience working with patients with co-occurring disorders and strong skills in management and supervision of treatment facilities, both residential and outpatient. She brings knowledge and experience in the domestic violence and homeless services areas as she has directed and incorporated substance abuse treatment programs within the facilities under her direction in Hawaii. She is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of New Mexico. Tantalayo is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki Master and is working on her Master’s Degree in Psychology.
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.
Valerie Morningstar, LMT, RMI
Massage Therapist
Val has provided massage therapy for patients in recovery at Vista Taos Renewal Center since 1999. She graduated from Boulder College of Massage in 1986. She integrates both Hakomi for Bodyworkers & Reiki trainings into her work at the treatment program. Val has taught massage therapy at University of New Mexico - Taos and has maintained a private practice for over 20 years. She understands the powerful influence that many massage and healing modalities have on the patients at Vista Taos Renewal Center. Val has seen, heard and experienced the benefits massage has created for so many who have come through the doors of Vista Taos.
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.
