Our Team
christopher von elten, MD
Dr. von Elten graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed his residency program at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. He is certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine and has been treating individuals with substance use disorders since 2011 when he co-founded Blackberry Ridge inpatient treatment center with Dr. Jewell. He is married with three children and enjoys soccer, fishing, and playing guitar.
Noel Jewell, MD
Dr. Jewell graduated from the West Virginia University’s School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Virginia. He is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. He co-founded Blackberry Ridge inpatient treatment center in 2011 where he also served as the Psychiatric Medical Director. Married with two kids, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf.
Robert Trimarche, MPAS, PA-C
Robert received his Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) and Physician Assistant certification (PA-C) from St. Francis University in 2004. He initially started his career in Pinehurst, North Carolina, working in Neurosurgery, then transitioned to Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep medicine. Robert is currently working in Urgent Care and Addiction medicine. Prior to Physician Assistant school, he was a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant in Florida. Rob now lives in Lynchburg with his wife and three kids. They enjoy all things outdoors.
KIBBLE H. KESSICK, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Kibble was raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She graduated with honors from Clemson University in South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN). After graduation, Kibble spent 17 years practicing as a critical care nurse in a variety of specialty fields. She then went on to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C). Kibble is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as well as the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners. Since moving to the Charlottesville area in 2008, Kibble and her husband, Jon, enjoy spending quality time with their daughter and son, traveling as a family, and being actively involved in Portico Church in Charlottesville.
William Manning, LCSW
Willie is a trauma informed Mental Health and Substance Abuse counselor and therapist, and the director of Addiction Allies therapeutic services. His passionate belief in person-centered, empathy-based, individualized care sets the tone for the clinical programming that complements the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) at Addiction Allies. Willie specializes in group therapy and individualized counseling in the context of trauma and substance abuse. He also is a passionate advocate for mindfulness-based stress reduction (MSBR), and practices this by spending time with his family and animals, by looking to nature, and playing tennis and hockey.
Nathan YOUNG, MS
Nathan has worked as a clinician in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse treatment field since 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of New Mexico, and a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling and Psychotherapy from the Adler Graduate School in Minnesota. He has experience working in a variety of Mental Health and Substance Abuse settings and capacities: large-scale residential, community-based non-profit, inpatient psychiatric, corrections/correctional-medical, community services board, and outpatient. His clinical passion is helping individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Nathan lives in Louisa County with his wife, two sons, one dog, two cats, and three fish.
Kierra ferguson, LPN
Kierra worked for many years as a medical assistant, prior to getting her LPN in 2019. She provides care coordination for Addiction Allies, helping people to connect with additional resources in the communities we serve to help promote and sustain physical health, mental health, and recovery for our clients..
Haivon Miller, PRS
Haivon is a Certified PEER Recovery Specialist/Office Manager at our Lynchburg office. Haivon suffered from opioid use disorder for ten years before finding her passion for recovery when she achieved sobriety in 2017, using her personal experience and education Haivon helps support people in and towards recovery. In addition to coordinating the needs of the Lynchburg clients, she runs a weekly ZOOM based PEER support group meeting..
Shaun Abernathy, PRS (P)
Shaun works with our PHP program offering in program support to our more acute population. Shaun has been in recovery for three years following thirty years of intermittent substance abuse and related problems. Shaun has a strong spiritual makeup and has participated in mission trips at home in the United States and in multiple foreign countries helping to build transitional housing, community centers, and churches. He has skills in in home repair, construction, and remodeling. He has a “servant’s heart” and a genuine interest in helping people with SUD to improve their lives.
Corey Adkins, PRS (P)
Corey is one of our PEER Recovery Specialists for the Lynchburg Office. After recoverign from opioid and stimulant addictions Corey was awarded custody of his neice and nephews. Corey takes pride in his PRS certification and his goal is to help others in his community who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders.
Jamie SMith, PRS (P)
Jamie serves as our PEER Recovery Specialist/Office Manager for our Fishersville office. Jamie has been in recovery for six years. She is passionate about serving her community and helping others through their recovery journey. When not helping our clients, Jamie spends time with her wife and small farm of rescue animals.
Dawn Warren, PRS(P)
Dawn has joined our Charlottesville office as a PEER Recovery Specialist having overcome sixteen years of addiction. Dawn has worked diligently to grow and change and has maintained her sobriety for three years. She is grateful to be able to give hope and guidance to others who are going through the process of recovery.
Lauren Manning
Lauren is our friendly point of first contact for Addiction Allies. A conciensus and supportive voice for new patients looking to establish services, she helps to connect people in need services quickly and efficiently. Lauren worked for many years in the veterinary field. She enjoys time with her family and her many pets.
Bret Decker, LDAC, CAS
Bret is a licensed addiction counselor (LDAC) in MN and has applied for reciprocal Virginia licensure in progress. He has served patients in multiple states for many years. Bret has family in the area and has joined us to help our community. Bret obtained his Master’s in Addictions from Hazeldon Graduate School of Addiction Studies and is a Certified Addiction Specialist through the American Academy of Healthcare Addiction Providers. He enjoys teaching and is actor who enjoys acting and theatre.