Meet the Evoke Wellness Florida Staff
At Evoke Wellness Florida, our team of well-trained, licensed professionals is dedicated to our patients. Our primary mission is to evoke healing and wellness through proven therapy for you or your loved one going through detox.
Our licensed physicians and nurses are central to the Evoke mission, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Our team comprises a wide range of behavioral health professionals to help the individuals in our care along the road to recovery. Psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, and other medical professionals work together with our clients to construct an individualized plan to meet their unique needs. Many of our staff have gone through recovery themselves personally, and as a result, they have devoted themselves to helping you on your journey.
Mark Thompson
Executive Director
Mark Thompson has been in the substance abuse/mental health field since 1997. He started his career on the West Coast of Florida as a therapist at a small agency and quickly assumed a leadership role which has been the hallmark of his career ever since. Mark has worked in private for-profit agencies as well as public not-for-profit agencies, both large and small. He has worked within the Florida prison system bringing drug and alcohol treatment to men and women incarcerated in the state. Mark has also maintained a private practice and served as a consultant, assisting agencies with licensure/certification. Mark’s passion throughout his career has been to help those suffering from addiction learn how to save their own lives, and he brings that same passion to his role as Executive Director of Evoke Florida.
Trudy Ann Powell
Regional Clinical Director
Trudy-Ann Powell has over 13 years’ experience in the mental health and addiction field with experience at the detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. She has served as clinical supervisor, clinical coordinator, and clinical therapist. She studied at Andrew’s University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she completed her Master’s degree in Social Work and is a proud inductee in the Phi Alpha Honors Society. She also studied at Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica, where she graduated with her Bachelor’s in Science in Counseling. She holds her Certified Masters Addiction Professional (MCAP) in the state of Florida. She also holds a certification from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICADC) along with other certifications in Marriage and Family Therapy and is also currently a Registered Social Work Intern with honorable status.
Additionally, Trudy loves helping persons to recover and refocus their lives. For this reason, she has attended numerous supervisory skill training workshops and seminars, all aimed at sharpening her therapy skills. She is also trained in various modalities in treating co-occurring disorders in which she specializes in DBT, CBT, 12-step recovery, reality therapy, gestalt therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. She specializes in crisis interventions/AMA blocking, mediation, grounding, teaching coping skills, and modeling. She strongly believes that recovery can only be truly attained when there is acceptance, honesty, trust, hard work, commitment to the process, forgiveness of oneself, and family support.
Joseph Hawkins
Primary Therapist
Joe attended Texas Southern University (TSU) after completing high school at South Dade High in ’76. After two years of study, Joe discontinued his education and enlisted in the United States Army in the 2nd Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. He served four years and received an honorable discharge.
Over the next few years, his life took a different course as substance use took hold and the consequences of those behaviors led to a downward spiral, such as incarceration and a failed marriage. A few years would pass before Joe made his way into the arms of Miami Rescues Mission (a homeless shelter and drug treatment center), where he resided for three years, all the while volunteering, receiving counseling, and he’d started the fight out of his despair. He began his journey to regain his self-worth and dignity. While residing at Miami Rescues Mission he’d enrolled at Broward Community College, paired the credits he’d already earned years earlier at TSU he then received his Associate in Arts Degree a little over a year later in 2010.
Upon completing his studies at BCC, Joe knew his passion was to help others. He continued his education by enrolling at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in the fall of 2010 with a focus on Social Work, he’d graduate FMU 2 years later with his bachelor’s degree. He’d follow that up by enrolling at Barry University accelerated program in the summer of 2013 and worked diligently towards earning his master’s degree within a year.
Joe’s chosen field of study was driven by his desire to promote a positive change to the economically and/or socially disadvantage. In his own words: “I do believe that we are our brother’s keeper. We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves with every method available to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter daily. It is so easy to criticize, demand, or simply ignore the disintegration of our society. If each one reaches one, we can make a profound impact on our world. The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr states, ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.’ I have come to understand that knowledge is power, and my goal now is to help others discover this power and avoid the perils and pit falls that my journey led me through.”
Karen Wallace
Primary Therapist
Karen began preparing for her current role as Primary Therapist when she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Florida International University in 2015. Continuing her studies at Florida International University, Karen obtained her Master’s degree in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Currently, Karen is preparing to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern working toward licensure. Karen’s clinical orientations are Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Karen’s approach is strength-based in helping clients identify underlying issues behind addictive behaviors as well as building and reinforcing internal positive qualities and resourcefulness. Bringing a sense of calm and being present in attending is integral to Karen’s focus in partnering with clients. Truly understanding the need for creating safe spaces where clients can begin or continue moving toward uncovering their best selves is her ultimate goal.
Marc Carlino
Case Manager
Marc has been in the field of mental health and addiction since the late 1980s. He has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient and inpatient facilities, as well as residential settings. Marc has worked in various roles throughout his career as a behavioral health technician, a residential coordinator, a case manager, an office manager for a Partial Hospitalization Program, and has worked in Business Development.
Marc’s greatest asset is his ability to connect with others. He is compassionate in his work and always goes above and beyond to help those struggling with mental health issues and addiction.
Dr. Francisco Cruz
Medical Director
Francisco U Cruz, M.D. is board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has been practicing psychiatry for 16 years and has extensive experience treating mental illness and substance use disorders in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and detox levels of care. Dr. Cruz believes in a holistic approach to mental illness incorporating bio-psycho-social-spiritual elements to help patients achieve emotional stability and true inner peace. He strives to provide excellent client centered care and use new treatment modalities to improve the quality of life and overall health of his patients.
Pastel Kendrick
Director of Nursing
Pastel attended Keiser Institute and graduated in 2011. She began working at Fort Lauderdale Hospital after graduation as a Licensed Practical Nurse. While at the Keiser Institute, her work ethic and leadership skills were recognized. She was honored to receive the Employee of The Year award in 2015.
Although she enjoyed her position as an LPN, Pastel always dreamed of playing a more integral role as a leader in healthcare. She would often reflect on her personal experiences to encourage her to achieve her goal. Pastel assisted her mother in the daily care of her maternal grandmother. This experience has had a huge impact on Pastel’s passion to help others in need. The love she felt when caring for her grandmother has helped her become a more compassionate nurse and patient advocate.
Pastel began working at Evoke Wellness in 2018 while she continued her education. She graduated with an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree from Southeastern College(2020). After 10 years of experience and gaining knowledge on substance use disorders, Pastel’s dream was fulfilled. She was promoted to Director of Nursing at Evoke Wellness. Pastel continues to be a dedicated leader by maintaining effective relationships with staff and improving the quality of care for all patients.
In her free time, Pastel enjoys traveling, watching professional basketball games, and spending time with family and friends.
Roxana Rodriguez
ARNP
Roxana Rodriguez is an APRN with a Doctors Degree of Nursing Practice. She attended nursing school at Florida National University and graduated in 2011 with an associates degree in nursing. She then continued her education to become an FNP at Purdue University and graduated in 2018, while she was working at a Mental Health PHP. This was her first time working in the mental health area of nursing and she fell in love with helping this population. Roxana worked at the PHP for 5 years. She did not want to stop there and continued her education while she was working at a Detox Center as an FNP. She graduated as Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2018 and continued working in the Substance abuse industry ever since.
Roxana began working at Evoke Wellness in 2021. Her passion for helping others, specially the mental health population has shaped her career and she is currently back in school at Wilkes University to specialize as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She will graduate in August 2023.
In her free time, Roxana enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and watching medical TV shows. Her greatest asset is her passion for what she does and her ability to connect with others.
Gina McCullough
Director of Admissions
Gina McCullough was a dedicated educator in the Palm Beach County school system for ten years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Special Education from St. Bonaventure University, in upstate New York. In 2016, Gina decided to leave the traditional classroom setting and utilize her teaching ability in a different sector after being offered a job as a client care coordinator in a drug treatment center.
Gina ran and supervised all the client care correspondences for three facilities in West Palm Beach, FL. Roles included group facilitating, case management, medical technician, etc., before taking on leadership roles in all three departments. Working one on one with client care and helping those in recovery, Gina has been able to come full circle by accepting the Director of Admissions position at Evoke Wellness. Working in detox and residential inpatient will now give Gina full experience working all levels of care in the treatment sector.
I have seen people make dramatic shifts in their lifestyle for the better and I am glad that I can be there to assist clients to recognize their life’s potential.
Adam Kurisko
Director of Operations
Adam was born and spent most of his life in Central New Jersey. In 2013 he moved to South Florida in order to deal with his own addiction issues and get a new start. After spending time working on himself and with others, he went back to work, this time in the field of treating addiction.
His first job in the treatment field was as a Behavioral Health Technician. Growing and excelling there, he was soon promoted and transferred to manage the company’s Detox facility. Adam has been with Evoke Wellness Florida for the past three years. He uses his experience to maintain the day-to-day operation of the facility, and compassion to deal with the patient base.
Adam takes great pride in the teams he supervises, and the positive environment they have helped create here at Evoke. He believes client safety and client care are of the utmost importance and keeps it at the forefront of all that EVOKE does!
Michelle Mitchelle
Human Resources Supervisor
Michelle Mitchelle is the Human Resources Supervisor. She holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration and Finance from Brooklyn College N.Y. and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in FL. Michelle has worked in a managerial capacity for the following United Nations entities: UNDP, BDP, OIST, and UNFCU. As the Human Resources Supervisor her duties are inclusive of the implementation of strategies, policies, procedures compliant; moreover, all administration, procurement, and financial record keeping aspects to Evoke Wellness FL & other Evoke locations.
Danielle Ramdhansingh
Executive Chef
Danielle Ramdhansingh was born and raised in St.Thomas United States Virgin Islands. She later moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she attended the art institute of Fort Lauderdale and received a bachelor’s of science in culinary management.
Danielle has been cooking for 12 years and brings passion, creativity, and deliciousness to every meal. She always lives by the saying, “good food makes people smile.”
Danielle enjoys traveling, being a mom, and spending time with family.
Ready to Make a Change? Reach Out to Evoke Wellness Florida Today
We understand that the treatment process can be difficult at times. At Evoke Wellness Florida, we are committed to assisting you in making progress towards a new life free from the grips of addiction. Contact our addiction treatment team today at 866.931.9312 to learn more.