Our Team
We’ll Love You Until You Can Love Yourself.
90% percent of our staff are in recovery themselves, many of whom went through our program here at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center.
We’re proud of our collective 354 years of sobriety because it means we found freedom from addiction, when we thought all hope was lost. We genuinely want that for you. We have helped thousands of people see the light of recovery, let us help you start your journey today.
We use time-tested as well as innovative evidence-based treatments combined with compassion to give people new hope and help them be honest with themselves. We can help you open up, face your fears, and build confidence, allowing you to get to the heart of your addiction and begin recovery.
The choice to change your life starts with a simple phone call. It’s time for you to make a “New Beginning.” Call one of our compassionate admissions counselors now. 406-453-5080.
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Meet Our Team
Lowell Wavrick, LAC
Clinical Director
A Montana native, I’ve been working in the addictions field for over 12 years. Having held multiple different positions ranging from case management, counseling, coordination and program management, I have a passion for helping those struggling with substance abuse.
My goal is to maintain a program that provides quality care to those seeking help. Utilizing a holistic 12-step approach we can explore and educate clients about how mind, spirit and body are interconnected. My belief is when people have hope and a willingness to learn we can challenge and replace irrational thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, leaving them free to experience positive change.
Trudy J. Nelson, LAC
Counselor
I am passionate about serving individuals and their families suffering from the disease of dependency. I believe in one alcoholic/addict helping another.
After entering the Army, during the Viet Nam era, and completing my basic training, I completed medical corpsman training and laboratory technician training. The next few years I sowed some ‘wild-child’ oats and had a good start on my secondary ‘career’ as a budding alcoholic.
“It was a dark and stormy night . . .” No, it was an early morning on a Thanksgiving weekend and looking at the left-over bottle from the evening before, I got scared. I asked for help that day. That was a few ‘today’s’ ago, and by the grace of my Higher Power, I remain abstinent from alcohol and other mood-altering substances.
I believe in what I do!
Maureen A. McInnis, MS, LCPC
Mental Health Counselor
As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor I bring an emotional intervention aspect to the recovery process.
My focus is to assist clients to recognize and heal from their Grief, Trauma, and Shame. Teaching Forgiveness so individuals can let go of damaging anchors and recover their better self. Helping participants recognize that they are loveable, it is their behavior that is destructive.
I bring 30 years of community mental health, private practice, family therapy and mediation services to the Rocky Mountain Treatment Center program. I have degrees in Recreational Therapy, Education and Counseling.
Gloria Little, LAC
Counselor
I have had a passion to always help and give to others since I was a little girl. My father served in the military for 21 years in the Air Force and was very strict. I never thought I’d wind up getting caught up in drugs or alcohol considering my father passed away at the age of 38 from alcoholism. I was devastated. At age 32, however, I decided to try meth. I was told I could lose weight. I thought I could get to my perfect weight, quit and be done. It was so far from the truth. I didn’t stop there. I eventually went to treatment. I stayed clean for 2 and a half years and went back out. Eventually I met my husband, then he passed in 2001, 2 days after Christmas. My son-in-law called me, along with my mother, and they both gave me the opportunity to come home. I did, that was 18 years ago and I’ve been sober ever since.
I’m now living and no longer surviving. I have since attended Stone Child College. I have 3 Associates degrees in Human Services, Addiction Studies and Native American Studies and have been an LAC for the last 12 years now and still have a passion to help others. Hope and faith never leaves us for it serves a purpose!
Mike Cassidy, LAC
Counselor
I was born in Tulare CA, and lived there until mid-thirties. I started an apprenticeship at the 15 in HVAC, electrical and plumbing which I continued on with tell my mid-thirties. I was a Technician handling primarily commercial accounts and would fill in on residential during slower periods.
I am currently married for 11 years and have been with her for about 14 years, together we have 5 children and two grandchildren. We moved the family to Montana in the summer of 2007 in an effort to get them away from the gang violence that was increasing in our area. My Wife was a Chaplin with HEART ministry in Ravalli where she would serve the First responders and assist with other Chaplin duties as needed. I received my Masters in human service counseling with a specialty in addiction in 2015 when I began my career with Western Montana Mental health. Shortly after this I also began my own Private practice in Ravalli County and worked for a men’s discipleship program called ISAAC’s house in Victor Montana. I offered clinical supervision and took care of maintenance around the building to assist in keeping costs down. We currently have our youngest still at home with the next one enrolled in Job Core to help him learn a trade while finishing his education.
Dr. Brice Addison, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Addison attended Mayo Medical School and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine and addiction. Dr. Addison has worked in long-term care since 1984.
He is also a member of the Great Falls Symphonic Choir and the American College of Physicians. When he has free time, he enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, bicycling, opera and the symphony.
Mary Gray
Family Nurse Practitioner
Mary Gray is a Family Nurse Practitioner in Great Falls, Montana. She graduated with honors in 1988, and has more than 29 years of diverse healthcare experience. Mary is affiliated with many hospitals; including Benefis Hospitals Inc. and Great Falls Clinic Hospital, and cooperates with a variety of doctors and other providers.
Mary provides invaluable medical evaluation and treatment services to the clients at Rocky Mountain.
Kelly Wichman, LPN
Nursing Supervisor
I started working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center in 2015. I am very passionate about changing the world’s view of addiction. I believe addiction is a disease and not a moral defect. Addiction is not a choice – recovery is.
I have been in recovery for almost seven years. Today, I am no longer paralyzed by fear. My desire is to help people find out who they are as individuals. This is a blessing for me – I get to know the real you.
We have great programs to assist in helping people become honest. Our group therapy enlightens them to their addiction by being able to see the disease through the others in the group. I love anything related to mental health and am passionate about studying human behavior.
Sasha Cook, RN
Nursing
After becoming a Registered Nurse in 2011, I worked in a Transplant Intensive Care Unit for several years. After witnessing the horrific effects that drugs and alcohol have on the bodies of addicts, I chose to work in a field that would help prevent people from the tortures of continuing down the path of addiction.
It is my goal to ensure health and safety, especially during the detox period. I support each client through the transition of withdrawal in a relaxing stress-free environment.
I started working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center in 2014. Since that day, I have found joy in being part of a team that helps offer people a second chance in life.
Alicia Cassidy, LPN
Nursing
I have been a nurse since 2015. I began my education after a life changing opportunity while working for FEMA. My passion is to bring joy and laughter into people’s lives. My career has been very rewarding, and I hope my passion shines through in the care I provide in each individual situation.
I don’t forgive people because I am weak, I forgive them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.
Darlene Davis, RN
Nursing
I began working at RMTC about 10 years ago, and have met many amazing people over the years. I believe it takes real courage to walk through these doors and confront an addiction. What I find most rewarding is to see clients who arrived feeling pretty hopeless, engage in the program and begin to look forward to a new and better sober life. I feel privileged to be a small part of that.
Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called The Present.
James Winters
Case Manager
I oversee collecting information to help each individual in treatment, and their family, receive the services they need to promote quality, effective addiction treatment. I am the single point of contact for many of our services. I do more than coordinate, consolidate and organize the individual’s treatment plan. As the Case Manager, I do all the continuing care planning for clients and help locate Sober Living Homes and other aftercare resources. My favorite aspect of my job is interacting with each individual client – I get to share my story and give them hope.
I have been sober for 17 years. I struggled with addiction for almost 15 years. It landed me in prison. I credit my mom for giving me the foundation of faith. Without my faith to call on in my darkest hours, my life as an addict may have continued.
I love what Rocky Mountain Treatment Center offers. I love that I get to offer my knowledge, experience, strength, and hope to others struggling with addiction.
Casey Ayers
Lead Treatment Assistant
I am an addict in recovery since November 10, 2015. My entire adult life was spent using drugs. I bounced from one drug to the next, searching for something I never found until I got clean. I remember feeling isolated, alone and hopeless in the thought that I was doomed to live in active addiction forever. When it all came crashing down, my son was removed from my home.
I went to treatment and came out with a new view on life and tools to move forward sober. I enrolled at Great Falls College MSU and have earned my Associate of Arts degree. I am active, and am a certified Les Mills BODYFLOW instructor. Being a Treatment Assistant allows me to show people who are struggling, that recovery is absolutely possible! I can’t keep what I have unless I give it away. I have found my calling and my heart is finally at peace.
Tom Nix
Treatment Assistant
I grew up in an alcoholic home and I struggled with addiction and alcoholism for 15 years. When I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, I was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous, and through the AA program I was able to stop drinking and using and I connected with a great group of people with stories similar to my own. One of the many joys of working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center is being on the front lines of recovery while sharing my own experience, strength, and hope. I care about each and every client, because everyone deserves a second chance at life.
Benjamin Vandeventer
Treatment Assistant
I was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming and was introduced to drugs and alcohol when I was 13 years old. Since then, I struggled with active addiction until I was 27, when I reached out for help. I checked myself in to Rocky Mountain Treatment Center in August of 2017 and have been sober ever since.
RMTC has helped me in ways that I could never have done on my own. I give all thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Rocky Mountain Treatment Center. I would strongly suggest RMTC for anyone struggling with active addiction who wants to change their life. God Bless.
Stephan Foley
Treatment Assistant
My name is Stephan Foley, and I have resided in Great Falls all my life, except from June of 2015 - June of 2017, when my family and I briefly moved to Iowa. I have been married for 14 years, and have 3 boys, ages 12, 14, and 21.
I have been an alcoholic since 1999. Although my alcoholism was progressive in nature, alcohol negatively affected my life from the consumption of my first drink. Towards the end of my drinking career, alcohol controlled every aspect of my life:
I planned my work schedule around drinking. I planned my recreation to include drinking. I planned family activities around my drinking schedule. I planned my life around drinking, which, ironically, is the very activity which stole my life.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Music, and a Master’s Degree in Business Management. I enjoy playing the piano, trumpet, and drums, and am active in a variety of musical ensembles in the Great Falls community. I also enjoy golfing, riding motorcycles, and spending quality time with my family.
I never considered a career at RMTC, but God had a plan for me! RMTC’s approach to Substance Abuse Treatment saved my life. I graduated from Inpatient Treatment in December of 2018, and my current position as a Treatment Assistant has Blessed me with an opportunity to help others who suffer from the same disease I do. Prior to graduating from RMTC, I had not felt a genuine sense of self-worth in 20 years. Today, I feel I am fulfilling God’s purpose for my life. Daily, I share my Experience, Strength, and Hope with those who are struggling, and am Blessed to help others on their journey to Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Spiritual healing.
Brandi Rose
Treatment Assistant
I started my recovery journey on May 14th, 2015 and with that, completed Passage’s Women’s treatment and the Missoula pre-release. I was able to really get plugged into the NA community in Missoula which helped me in continuing my path of recovery. I moved to Great Falls in April of 2019. I continually go to AA & NA, work the steps, and work with my sponsor.
I love my new life in recovery and all the gifts I have received as a result of my clean time. I really enjoy working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center and getting the opportunity to share my experience, strength and hope with clients. Working here at the center has given me the opportunity to use other tools to help me manage and maintain my recovery.
Amanda Norlin
Clinical Review Specialist
Both my parents have been in recovery for 35+ years. Therefore, I have been around addiction recovery my entire life. I went through Rocky Mountain Treatment Center’s in-patient program in 2015. It was not until I surrendered to the AA program that I was able to begin my journey to recovery. I have been sober ever since. I hold a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
I am blessed to get to witness the transformation of people from broken to inspired – to see lives rebuilt. I love what I do!
Leah Jerome
Admissions Coordinator
I couldn’t understand why I kept dating and marrying alcoholics, and doing other people’s dishes.
As a grateful member of the Al-anon fellowship, I came to believe that I needed help. I discovered the freedom to detach with love.
As part of the Admissions Team at Rocky, I work with clients and their families on ‘keeping it simple’ and shining a light on their path to healing. It’s the most fun ever seeing wonderful people and their families transform during their treatment at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center.
I spent 20 years in Canada and overseas in the oil business, doing everything to please everybody. When I surrendered and let go of that false self, the doors to freedom opened. I went back to University as an adult and attended Loyola University of Chicago and life hasn’t been the same since. Life and Joy are REAL.
Barry Blenis
Executive Staff
Jeff Quackenbush
Administrator
Both Barry and Jeff were raised in upstate New York. Barry was a dear friend of Jeff’s parents, and later developed a close friendship with Jeff.
Jeff started his career working in the hospitality field in Florida, while Barry planted roots in the banking field and became involved in many benevolent organizations, including Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany, New York. www.capitalcityrescuemission.com
In 2008, Jeff went through a debilitating divorce and moved to Montana to start a new life. “I know what it is like to lose everything, start over and go to a place of humility.” – Jeff
Barry was there for Jeff every step of the way. Over a span of fifty years, they remained close friends. In 2015, they found an opportunity to combine their interests, expertise, and passions at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center.
Through a channel of heart, hope, honesty, and compassion, three years later they continue to help guide people from the darkness of addiction to the sunlight of the spirit.
Barry Dardis
Board Member
My son was in recovery at 16 years old, and -- I was still drinking. I had to quit. I went through treatment at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center in 1984 and have been in recovery ever since. My first year in recovery I did not attend AA. I was in a men’s prayer group and thought that could replace AA. When I attended my first AA meeting the man chairing it said, “Spirituality will save your soul; AA will save your sobriety.” From then on, I have attended meetings regularly.
I worked in the telephone business all my life, consulting and managing. I now give seminars on inductive interference.
Addiction is powerful and baffling. It affects people regardless of their social status. I see it over and over.
My mission as a Board Member at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center, is to make sure it continues to be an asset for addiction recovery for our community.
Renee Johnson
Bookkeeper
I have been in the bookkeeping field for over 20 years and employed with Rocky Mountain Treatment Center for a little over a three-year period.
I have been involved with a variety of businesses doing books. I love working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center, seeing people getting help with their addictions through all the different programs that are offered. It is life changing to be a witness to the hope our facility provides.
I love working with people who love what they do and are passionate and committed to helping others find the light.
Cheryl Voeller
Administrative Supervisor
I am the Administrative Supervisor, Process Improvement Coordinator and Human Resources Director at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center. I hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology from MSU-Bozeman. I started my career as a counselor at a large children’s shelter and assessment program in Northern CA. It was there I discovered my passion for Residential Facilities Management.
After moving back home to Great Falls in 1994, I continued my residential facilities career in Assisted Living; opening, marketing and administrating residential care facilities for seniors. I joined the Rocky Mountain Treatment Center’s team in 2014 as the Process Improvement Coordinator and, within a few months, I accepted additional roles. I absolutely love working for Rocky Mountain Treatment Center. My responsibilities at Rocky are a combination of my favorite duties throughout my career!
Although what I do here is ‘behind the scenes’ of our clients’ treatment, I love being a part of RMTC’s fantastic team; helping to ensure a very high-quality treatment program for our clients.
Pennie Lowe
Medical Records Specialist
I was born and raised in Havre, MT and married my highschool sweetheart. We moved to Alabama and spent 17 years there. The “Big Sky” always seems to call you back, so my husband and I moved back so he could follow in the footsteps of our large railroad family. Most of our spare time is spent loving on our little yorkie, Theo.
Codependency and addiction have unfortunately been a part of my whole life, first as a daughter and then as a wife. After suffering the loss of both of our sons, my husband and I decided to move to Great Falls for a fresh start. Battered and broken, Rocky Mountain Treatment Center has welcomed me with open arms and I know they will do the same for you!
Michael Solomon
Alumni Coordinator
Rocky Mountain Treatment Center is home for me. I came through these doors a broken, lost man who was swallowed by addiction. The amazing staff here helped me find a new life full of love, compassion and contentment, and helped restore my hope for a bright future.
I am honored and grateful to be a part of the team, helping with outreach and serving clients as Alumni Coordinator. The people at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center have become my family. I have a deep spiritual and emotional connection to the Center, and I am passionate about facilitating the healing that it provides.
Michele Saubak
Administrative Assistant
I am a Great Falls native and I love living here in Great Falls. I have 2 children and 2 step children and 9 grandchildren. My husband and I love traveling, going for walks and just enjoying this beautiful state that we call home.
For the past 17 years I have been an Accountant/Bookkeeper but I am now the Administrative Assistant here at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center. One of my favorite parts of the position is greeting new clients, fellow workers, and anyone that walks through the front doors. I am so blessed to be part of this fantastic team. I am aware due to personal situations how our clients and their loved ones are feeling. Seeing the transformations of people’s lives and thinking “I was part of the team that helped them through this” is such a satisfying feeling.
Rick Sears
Kitchen Supervisor
I am the Kitchen Supervisor at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center. I have been in the cooking industry for so long. I refuse to give the number of years in fear my age will be revealed.
Many people who go through addiction treatment, are under- nourished and under-weight. They become more appreciative of food. It gives me much satisfaction putting out good food. I enjoy their feedback – it makes me feel appreciated.
When not in the kitchen, I like mountain biking, hiking, and taking photos in Montana’s outdoors.
Helen Buell
Housekeeping
I was born and raised in Asia. My parents were missionaries, so I was blessed to travel and experience many different places. I went to school in a jungle in Malaysia.
I started working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center, two years ago. I like the satisfaction of cleaning. I look forward to coming to work. The staff appreciates what I do. I feel my job matters.
In my spare time, I love to silk paint, dabble in the arts, and hike.
Steve Messman
Maintenance
When families are at the end of their rope, I will go the extra mile -- as I drive across the state to pick up clients in need of transportation to Rocky Mountain Treatment Center.
I am the “Messman,” of the center . . . Always improving the look and feel of the building. In my free time, I love to ride my motorcycle.
Struggling with Addiction?
We've Been There, We Can Help.
Call Us Today 406-453-5080
WE ARE IN-NETWORK WITH INSURERS AND ACCEPT PRIVATE PAY
However, currently we do not accept Medicaid or Medicare as a form of payment. Financing options are available.
