Susan Deax-Keirns is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma (1989) and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University (1991). Her training includes 8 years at Santa Clara University working with students, faculty and staff. In the middle of her tenure at SCU, she lived at a silent Interfaith Monastery for 1 year for a Mindfulness Intensive training. In 2005, she returned to the counseling field part-time (as she was mothering 3 small children). Her work history includes serving at Calaveras County Behavioral Health, acting as the Clinical Director at Mind Matters Clinic (a clinic that specialized in ADHD, Autism and Learning Disabilities) and providing therapy in a private practice setting. She is currently serving as the Director of Behavioral Health at Valley Springs Health and Wellness Center and offers counseling services to the patients in the clinic.
Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, alcohol issues, chronic pain, and trauma. Her therapeutic approach is informed by her training in Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), and research in neuroscience and brain health. She provides support, practical feedback, and evidence-based tools to help people move from where they are to where they would like to be.
Cheri Aguiar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience in helping and service-oriented professions and has practiced over 10 years within the field of social work. Cheri grew up in Calaveras County, obtained her BA in Child & Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University in 2003 and completed her Masters in Social Work in 2014, graduating with distinction from California State University Stanislaus.
Cheri offers client-centered services, using a blend of treatment approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Insight-Oriented, Attachment-Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solutions-Focused and Strengths-Based interventions. Cheri returned to Calaveras County in 2007 and has provided Integrated Behavioral Health services within local primary healthcare clinics since 2016. As a rural clinician, Cheri has worked with people experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, with a majority of treatment focusing on trauma and PTSD, grief, anxiety and depressive disorders.
Rachall Crowe is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who grew up in Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Troy University. She then obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Troy University. She holds a national certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a family nurse practitioner. She has over 16 years of emergency medicine nursing experience in both adult and pediatric populations. Her goal is to educate and guide you on your healthcare journey with personalized care.
Jenna Johnson is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She provides individual psychotherapy, psychological testing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for adolescents and adults. Her areas of speciality include trauma and PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, attachment issues, grief, codependency, and more. Additionally, she specializes in relationships issues such as affair recovery or relationships involving narcissistic/borderline individuals.
Dr. Thomas Drakes is an Internal Medicine specialist who is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Santa Clara University and then completed medical school at the University of California, San Francisco. His internal medicine training was at St. Mary’s Long Beach, CA followed by additional specialty training at UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Drakes became a fellow in the American College of Physicians and then served 15 years on the faculty of U.C. Davis School of Medicine as an Associate Professor. He has authored a variety of scholastic papers on the treatment of various cancers.
In 2021 Dr. Drakes decided to relocate from Oregon to join the staff at the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center. He has been a wonderful addition to our clinic and culture. He is the consummate internist: thoughtful, thorough, professional, and compassionate.
Provider Bios
Dr. Randy Smart graduated from U.C. Davis with honors. He then started his medical training with a scholarship to the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. His interest was in medical problem solving and human systems so he entered a three year residency in Internal Medicine. Following his residency, he then embarked on a twenty year medical career with the United States Air Force. He led medical missions to numerous third-world countries serving as an envoy for various United States interests. Dr. Smart returned to Calaveras County in 2002 and has served in a variety of leadership positions at the Mark Twain Medical Center. He is now the CEO of the Mark Twain Health Care District and has offered to also provide part time Internal Medicine services at the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center.
Dr. Robert Gish is a physician who is renowned throughout California for his expertise in hepatology (liver diseases). He is board certified in internal medicine, hepatology, and liver transplantation. His original medical training was at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Gish has a number of academic appointments including Professor of Medicine & Attending Physician Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
Dr. Gish has had and continues to have an active research program in viral hepatitis (HBV,HCV, HDV and HEV) liver transplant, bioartificial liver, and public policy especially related to liver cancer, liver transplantation and viral hepatitis.
He has published more than 600 original articles, review articles, abstracts and book chapters.
Dr. Gish joined the team at the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center in 2021. He brings a great knowledge and skill-set to the clinic where he provides hepatology (liver) consultations each month.
Dr. Harvard Robbins is a board certified pediatrician who has dedicated his life to caring for children who are underserved. His professional career was launched when he completed his Doctorate of Pharmacy training at the University of Southern California in 1968. He later attended the University Autonama of Guadalajara in 1976 where he was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine (MD). His passion for pediatric medicine drew him to Loma Linda University, School of Medicine where he excelled in a 3-year residency. Dr. Robbins was then distinguished as the Chief Resident in Pediatrics, White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although Dr. Robbins is sought after and respected throughout California, he has chosen to serve the children of Calaveras County.