Meet Our Team of Therapists & Specialists
Brent Esplin, LMFT
My name is Brent Esplin and I am excited to welcome you to OASIS Ascent. We have gathered a team of world-class specialists who are passionate about serving teens and their families. As you have the opportunity to interact with our team, you will feel their commitment to providing families a place of refuge and healing along with an abundance of hope for a brighter future.
Provo Campus Team
Leadership Team
Brent Esplin, LMFT
Aaron Samudio
Haylee Mathews
Reggie Wilson, LCSW
Rosanna Weeks
Wendy Hodges
Makynsey Boyer MSN,BSN,RN
Brent Esplin, LMFT
Executive Director
Brent has spent his career of almost 20 years working with teens and their families in a variety of different settings including long and short-term residential treatment, acute care, and home based services. He has served in various leadership capacities over the years including clinical director, utilization review director, admissions/business development director, and executive director.
Brent relates comfortably and professionally with families and teens alike. He finds great joy in guiding families out of crisis situations and into peaceful solutions. Brent’s experience working within the field of mental health in admissions allows him to have a breadth of knowledge when assessing the needs of clients in acute situations, as well as less critical circumstances. He played an integral part in creating an operational psychiatric facility and most recently helped start a short-term residential treatment program.
Brent is passionate about providing more families with quality mental health treatment by accessing their insurance benefits. Brent is an active member of his community and finds the most joy spending time with his family. His wife, Julie, and their three young adult/teenagers enjoy all sports along with hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. Julie is a competitive marathon runner and Brent rides his bike along side her to keep up.
Aaron Samudio
Associate Executive Director and Residential Director
Aaron Samudio, a native of Utah, was born with a deep connection to the wild and spent years honing his wilderness therapy skills. His heart lies in the great outdoors, where he finds solace through hiking and climbing. Aaron's creative side shines on stage in Provo, Utah, where he performs at ComedySportZ.
Beneath his adventurous and comedic persona, Aaron is driven by a profound passion for men's health and mentoring teenagers. He leveraged his expertise in these areas during his career in policy, contributing significantly to both the state of Utah and the University of Utah managing public health programs.
Aaron seeks to make the world a better place through dedicated advocacy for the great outdoors and the mental health well-being of young men.
Haylee Mathews
Admissions Director
Reggie Wilson, LCSW
Clinical Director
Reggie has supported teens and their families during mental health crises since 2000. Educated at the University of Utah, Reggie holds a master's degree in social work, a bachelor's degree in sociology, and a certificate in criminology. This impressive academic background has laid the foundation for an impactful career in helping individuals overcome their challenges and transform their lives.
Throughout Reggie's career, he has been recognized for his exceptional work and commitment to mental health. Notably, he was honored with the prestigious Sharon Moore Award for excellence in mental health, a testament to his unwavering dedication and expertise in the field.
Believing in the power of challenging negative core beliefs, Reggie empowers individuals to step into the life they have always envisioned for themselves. He firmly believes that family plays a vital role in mental health, and this belief informs his practice, ensuring that the well-being of his clients is approached holistically.
With a diverse background in mental health, Reggie has worked in various settings, including residential treatment facilities, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), day treatment / partial hospitalization programs (PHP), group homes, and private practice. However, his greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing teens successfully graduate and progress towards a brighter future.
Beyond his professional achievements, Reggie's most significant accomplishment is being a parent to four beautiful children. This aspect of his life exemplifies his dedication to family and its profound impact on mental health.
Outside of his work, Reggie enjoys pursuing hobbies that allow him to unwind and connect with nature. He finds solace in activities such as golfing, fly fishing, and camping, making the most of the picturesque landscapes offered by his home state of Utah. This balance between personal interests and a fulfilling career reflects Reggie's holistic approach to life and continuous commitment to supporting others in their journey towards mental well-being.
Rosanna Weeks
Academic Director
Rosanna has 35 years of experience in education. She began her career as an English and theater teacher, completed her master’s degree in educational leadership at BYU, then served as a school principal at the middle school and high school levels in both public traditional and charter schools. “I chose a career in education so that I might help young people see and meet their potential. That continues to be my goal each day,” she says. Rosanna is the mother of four children, and grandmother to three. She is a longtime performer in Utah county in both live theater and film productions, as a solo singer, and a member of the Tabernacle Choir. She enjoys hiking, biking, pickleball, golf, and all things outdoors, along with traveling long distances to be with her children and grandchildren.
Wendy Hodges
Admission Coordinator
Makynsey Boyer MSN,BSN,RN
Director of Nursing
Clinical Team
Reggie Wilson, LCSW
Spencer Cook, LCSW
Craig Rollo, LMFT
Cristell Marcial, LCSW
Reggie Wilson, LCSW
Clinical Director
Reggie has supported teens and their families during mental health crises since 2000. Educated at the University of Utah, Reggie holds a master's degree in social work, a bachelor's degree in sociology, and a certificate in criminology. This impressive academic background has laid the foundation for an impactful career in helping individuals overcome their challenges and transform their lives.
Throughout Reggie's career, he has been recognized for his exceptional work and commitment to mental health. Notably, he was honored with the prestigious Sharon Moore Award for excellence in mental health, a testament to his unwavering dedication and expertise in the field.
Believing in the power of challenging negative core beliefs, Reggie empowers individuals to step into the life they have always envisioned for themselves. He firmly believes that family plays a vital role in mental health, and this belief informs his practice, ensuring that the well-being of his clients is approached holistically.
With a diverse background in mental health, Reggie has worked in various settings, including residential treatment facilities, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), day treatment / partial hospitalization programs (PHP), group homes, and private practice. However, his greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing teens successfully graduate and progress towards a brighter future.
Beyond his professional achievements, Reggie's most significant accomplishment is being a parent to four beautiful children. This aspect of his life exemplifies his dedication to family and its profound impact on mental health.
Outside of his work, Reggie enjoys pursuing hobbies that allow him to unwind and connect with nature. He finds solace in activities such as golfing, fly fishing, and camping, making the most of the picturesque landscapes offered by his home state of Utah. This balance between personal interests and a fulfilling career reflects Reggie's holistic approach to life and continuous commitment to supporting others in their journey towards mental well-being.
Spencer Cook, LCSW
Therapist
Craig Rollo, LMFT
Therapist
Cristell Marcial, LCSW
Therapist
Cristell joined Oasis after graduating from Utah Valley University with her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work. Prior to that, her love of children and desire to serve others landed her at the Children’s Justice Center where she worked in advocacy with children, adolescents, and their families. With her caring and compassionate demeanor, Cristell assisted these families in navigating the many emotions and family logistics surrounding clinically complicated traumatic experiences. Being proficient in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), allows Cristell to meet the very specific needs of each family she serves. Originally from Mexico, Cristell grew up in Provo, Utah.
Medical Team
Makynsey Boyer MSN,BSN,RN
Dr. Bill Bunn, DO
Makynsey Boyer MSN,BSN,RN
Director of Nursing
Dr. Bill Bunn, DO
Psychiatrist
Dr. Bill Bunn earned a B.A. in English literature and an M.A in rhetoric from Brigham Young University. Prior to medical school he was a full-time college English instructor and was honored as a Mayhew Teaching Award Finalist at Brigham Young University and has multiple publications in the area of doctor-patient communications and medical education. He attended medical school at Des Moines University with clinical training at Ohio University. His psychiatry training was at the University of Utah, where he received outstanding junior and senior resident awards and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. Bunn currently works as a psychiatrist for the BYU student Health Center, maintains a private practice, and is on staff at UVRMC. In addition to this, he is an Adjunct clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Utah, School of Medicine. He and his wife Dana have two active boys. He enjoys the outdoors, plays guitar, scuba diving, building furniture, and spending time with his family.
Millcreek Campus Team
Leadership Team
Brent Esplin, LMFT
Eric Ricks, BBA, MHR
Brian McDonald
Madison Prince
Samantha Berge
Allison Michelle Jenkins, LCSW
Robert Owen
Rosanna Weeks
Michelle Pattison, RN, BSN
Brent Esplin, LMFT
Executive Director
Brent has spent his career of almost 20 years working with teens and their families in a variety of different settings including long and short-term residential treatment, acute care, and home based services. He has served in various leadership capacities over the years including clinical director, utilization review director, admissions/business development director, and executive director.
Brent relates comfortably and professionally with families and teens alike. He finds great joy in guiding families out of crisis situations and into peaceful solutions. Brent’s experience working within the field of mental health in admissions allows him to have a breadth of knowledge when assessing the needs of clients in acute situations, as well as less critical circumstances. He played an integral part in creating an operational psychiatric facility and most recently helped start a short-term residential treatment program.
Brent is passionate about providing more families with quality mental health treatment by accessing their insurance benefits. Brent is an active member of his community and finds the most joy spending time with his family. His wife, Julie, and their three young adult/teenagers enjoy all sports along with hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. Julie is a competitive marathon runner and Brent rides his bike along side her to keep up.
Eric Ricks, BBA, MHR
Associate Executive Director
Eric has returned to Behavioral Health after spending the last decade on wall-street managing the Securities Lending Department at Goldman Sachs. Eric has lived in Manhattan, Tokyo, and Bengaluru; but is a Utah native and feels there is no better place to raise a family. He has an associate’s degree in business management, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from BYU, and a master’s degree in human resources from USU. Eric loves combining his education and experience in his current role as Human Resource Director. Eric considers his wife and four children his best friends. He loves spending time with his family, camping, hiking or “just hanging out” and playing video games with his kids. Eric has a passion for learning new things and a drive for perfection in everything he does.
Brian McDonald
Admissions Director
Brian's commitment to his profession, his ability to build meaningful connections, and his dedication to empowering families make him a highly respected and sought-after professional in the field of mental health.
Brian is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience working with teens and their families in various settings, including long and short-term residential treatment, acute care, and home-based services. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions such as residential director, program director, and admissions/business development director, showcasing his ability to effectively lead and manage teams.
Brian's exceptional interpersonal skills enable him to establish comfortable and professional relationships with families and teenagers alike. He deeply cares about the well-being of both the children and the staff, and he leads by example, never asking others to do something he wouldn't do himself. His greatest satisfaction comes from guiding families through crises and helping them find peaceful solutions.
With his extensive experience in mental health admissions, Brian possesses a wealth of knowledge in assessing the needs of clients in both acute and non-critical situations. He is passionate about providing high-quality mental health treatment to more families by maximizing their insurance benefits. Brian actively contributes to his community and cherishes spending time with his family, including his wife Anita and their two children, Briyana and Cayson.
Notably, Brian had the privilege of earning a football scholarship to Brigham Young University, where he played under the esteemed coaching of LaVell Edwards. He and his family share a deep love for sports, particularly BYU Football, and they also enjoy engaging in various outdoor activities. Brian's multifaceted background and commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset in the field of mental health treatment
Madison Prince
Admissions Coordinator
Madi Prince joined Ascent at the end of 2018 as an academic tutor at Discovery Academy. During her four years there she took on different roles within the academic department and fell in love with working directly with students and their families. She said it was rewarding to see the gratitude from parents when she was able to share the successes of their student. She recently graduated in 2022 from BYU in Human Development and relocated to Midvale. She now looks forward to working with OASIS Ascent as the admissions coordinator at the Millcreek location. In her off time, she will be filling her new apartment and office up with as many plants as possible.
Samantha Berge
Admissions Coordinator - Day Treatment
Samantha is a dedicated professional who pursued her education at DSU, achieving a B.S. in Multimedia Journalism. Following her experience in sports journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, she uncovered a deep-seated passion for social work, particularly in safeguarding the physical and mental wellbeing of children and youth facing instability. Subsequently, Samantha enrolled at UVU, where she successfully obtained a B.S. in Family Science in August 2023. Eager to embark on her career in the mental health industry, Samantha is thrilled to contribute her skills and expertise as a valuable member of the Oasis team.
Allison Michelle Jenkins, LCSW
Clinical Director
Allison Jenkins, LCSW brings a wealth of experience across the entire spectrum of care. From inpatient psychiatric settings to residential treatment centers and day treatment programs, Allison has dedicated her career to catalyzing positive change in the lives of young individuals.
Allison notable achievements is her instrumental role in designing and establishing a Residential Treatment Center (RTC). The program's framework, rooted in the team’s visionary ideas, reflects Allison commitment to innovation and effectiveness. By infusing evidence-based practices with a compassionate touch, at OASIS Allison has created an environment where adolescents can find healing, growth, and a renewed sense of hope.
Allison has also steered the development of a Day Treatment program within the residential context. This endeavor is a testament to her unwavering dedication to providing a continuum of care that meets adolescents' evolving needs. By tailoring interventions to the unique challenges of daily life, Allison empowers adolescents to develop essential skills and resilience while maintaining a sense of connection and community.
Robert Owen
Residential Director
Robert Owen is a seasoned mental health professional with a profound personal understanding of the transformative power of therapeutic intervention. After navigating his own challenging journey as an adolescent, he embarked on a professional path in the mental health field in 2010. Taking a hiatus in 2011 to focus on personal growth, he gained invaluable insights into his own struggles and the path to sustained wellness.
Returning to the mental health field in 2013, Robert embraced the role of a Field Guide at an Adventure Wilderness Therapy Program. Through hands-on work with adolescents, he honed his skills in building therapeutic relationships, fostering personal growth, and facilitating transformative experiences. Over the years, he progressed from middle management to senior management, assuming various roles such as wilderness guide, direct care staff member, and Operations Manager.
Currently serving as the Residential Director for OASIS Ascent, Robert combines his extensive experience and compassionate approach to create a safe and nurturing environment for healing, growth, and resilience. His empathetic and non-judgmental approach to treatment stems from his personal struggles and more than a decade of professional experience. Robert intertwines evidence-based practices with his own firsthand experiences to connect with individuals under his care, instilling hope and empowering them to make positive changes in their lives.
Rosanna Weeks
Academic Director
Rosanna has 35 years of experience in education. She began her career as an English and theater teacher, completed her master’s degree in educational leadership at BYU, then served as a school principal at the middle school and high school levels in both public traditional and charter schools. “I chose a career in education so that I might help young people see and meet their potential. That continues to be my goal each day,” she says. Rosanna is the mother of four children, and grandmother to three. She is a longtime performer in Utah county in both live theater and film productions, as a solo singer, and a member of the Tabernacle Choir. She enjoys hiking, biking, pickleball, golf, and all things outdoors, along with traveling long distances to be with her children and grandchildren.
Michelle Pattison, RN, BSN
Director of Nursing
Michelle has a passion for her role in the field of nursing. She has many years of clinical and management experience working with people and their families to provide individualized care. Michelle also brings valuable life experience which allows her to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families. She models compassion, resilience, and believes it is never too late to make changes in our approach to life. She loves to learn new things and teach them to others.
Michelle received her training as a Combat Medic and Licensed Practical Nurse in the US Army as a member of the National Guard. She received her Associates and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Nightingale College of Nursing.
Michelle loves her family and friends and enjoys spending time with them. Michelle also loves animals and believes that they have a calming effect on people.
She is proud to be a part of the Oasis Ascent team.
Clinical Team
Allison Michelle Jenkins, LCSW
Joseph Wallace
David Cacamis
Yanni Gallagher, AMFT
JoAnne Sandoval
Allison Michelle Jenkins, LCSW
Clinical Director
Allison Jenkins, LCSW brings a wealth of experience across the entire spectrum of care. From inpatient psychiatric settings to residential treatment centers and day treatment programs, Allison has dedicated her career to catalyzing positive change in the lives of young individuals.
Allison notable achievements is her instrumental role in designing and establishing a Residential Treatment Center (RTC). The program's framework, rooted in the team’s visionary ideas, reflects Allison commitment to innovation and effectiveness. By infusing evidence-based practices with a compassionate touch, at OASIS Allison has created an environment where adolescents can find healing, growth, and a renewed sense of hope.
Allison has also steered the development of a Day Treatment program within the residential context. This endeavor is a testament to her unwavering dedication to providing a continuum of care that meets adolescents' evolving needs. By tailoring interventions to the unique challenges of daily life, Allison empowers adolescents to develop essential skills and resilience while maintaining a sense of connection and community.
Joseph Wallace
Associate Clinical Director
Joe Wallace has been working with teenagers in many capacities since 2010. His experience includes after school programs, special education, foster care, child and adolescent mobile crisis, outpatient therapy and residential treatment. Joe has worked in both frontline staff and clinical roles in his experience with residential experience. Joe received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He also received a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies with an emphasis in Psychology. Joe has received a Level 2 certification in Attachment Based Family Therapy, certification in Motivational Interviewing and has been trained in EDMR. Joe also utilizes aspects of Structural Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy into his work with adolescents. Joe prides himself in being able to keep a calm demeanor and remain in a wise mind in high anxiety and intense crisis situations. Joe also has a passion for working with families and teenagers. He has a strong belief that parents have to be involved n treatment in order for teens to truly heal and have success moving forward. In his personal life Joe enjoys the outdoors, fishing, camping, and swimming. He also competes in BBQ competitions and has recently started to compete in professional BBQ competitions.
David Cacamis
Day Program Therapist
David Cacamis, LCSW, has been working in adolescent mental health care for over a decade, in a variety of settings and roles. He started this work as a direct care staff for a community based outpatient program while earning his BA in Psychology, from the University of South Alabama. After spending several years with the Ascent companies, split between RedCliff and Discovery Ranch South, he went back to school and completed his MSW at Radford University, in Virginia. David worked as a therapist at RedCliff for 5 years prior to joining the OASIS team to help start their day treatment program in Millcreek.
Yanni Gallagher, AMFT
Therapist
Yanni comes to Oasis Ascent with 6 years of experience working in the adolescent treatment program and services industry. He has worked in therapeutic boarding school, wilderness, and short-term residential settings in multiple roles to include milieu staff, transporter, research coordinator, quality assurance, and now as a therapist. Yanni has a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family therapy with an emphasis in child and adolescent therapy. Through the relational approach, Yanni helps adolescents feel they can entrust him with their deepest concerns and gain confidence in their therapeutic journey. Yanni's therapeutic approach is heavily influenced by Narrative Family Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Principles as taught by Arbinger Institute. Yanni loves spending time with his wife, his 1 ½ year old son, and dog. Yanni has a love for the outdoors, sports, and video games. He strives to have a life aimed towards equanimity, learning, and humility.
JoAnne Sandoval
Therapist
Medical Team
Michelle Pattison, RN, BSN
Dr. Amy Parry
Dr. Bill Bunn, DO
Michelle Pattison, RN, BSN
Director of Nursing
Michelle has a passion for her role in the field of nursing. She has many years of clinical and management experience working with people and their families to provide individualized care. Michelle also brings valuable life experience which allows her to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families. She models compassion, resilience, and believes it is never too late to make changes in our approach to life. She loves to learn new things and teach them to others.
Michelle received her training as a Combat Medic and Licensed Practical Nurse in the US Army as a member of the National Guard. She received her Associates and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Nightingale College of Nursing.
Michelle loves her family and friends and enjoys spending time with them. Michelle also loves animals and believes that they have a calming effect on people.
She is proud to be a part of the Oasis Ascent team.
Dr. Amy Parry
DNP Mental Health Specialist
Amy is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC), with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP). She is passionate about providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services to adolescents and adults. She maintains a comprehensive focus to care, including brief psychotherapy and prescribing mental health medications if indicated for adolescents and adults. She possesses strong clinical skills enhanced by natural ability to build rapport with patients and families.
Dr. Bill Bunn, DO
Psychiatrist
Dr. Bill Bunn earned a B.A. in English literature and an M.A in rhetoric from Brigham Young University. Prior to medical school he was a full-time college English instructor and was honored as a Mayhew Teaching Award Finalist at Brigham Young University and has multiple publications in the area of doctor-patient communications and medical education. He attended medical school at Des Moines University with clinical training at Ohio University. His psychiatry training was at the University of Utah, where he received outstanding junior and senior resident awards and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. Bunn currently works as a psychiatrist for the BYU student Health Center, maintains a private practice, and is on staff at UVRMC. In addition to this, he is an Adjunct clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Utah, School of Medicine. He and his wife Dana have two active boys. He enjoys the outdoors, plays guitar, scuba diving, building furniture, and spending time with his family.