Eric Dunkerly, CEO/Managing Director

Eric’s professional background has encompassed direct care and management experience in residential and acute care programs, primarily in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eric is most noted for his drive to continuously improve customer care, employee development and program systems operations. Eric has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and administration of justice and a Master of Business Administration.

Stephanie Knowles, COO

Over the past twenty-five years, Stephanie’s professional experience has spanned inpatient, residential and community-based mental health setting in direct care, clinical and administrative roles. Throughout each of these roles, her focus has been assuring high quality, effective services that empower and include youth and their families in their treatment processes. Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Administration.

Kim Silver, CFO

Kim’s healthcare career started in 1999 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her passion for quality patient experience led her to continue her education. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from The University of North Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from Montreal College. Originally, from the surrounding area of North Carolina, Kim comes to Mountain Youth from West Oak Hospital in Texas where she has been a part of the UHS CFO family.

Theresa D. Crotty, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services

Terri earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Aurora University in Illinois and a bachelor’s degree from Judson College in Elgin, Illinois. A Chicago native, Terri has more than 31 years of clinical experience including adolescent and adult residential, adolescent and adult acute inpatient, community case management, emergency room psych and military trauma counseling at Fort Campbell. Terri utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), psychodrama and neurofeedback in the treatment of trauma.

Jylaine Honaker, Director of Education

Jylaine has taught in public education for 12 years in special education and administration. She has been employed with Mountain Youth Academy for more than seven years. She is endorsed in the state of Virginia and Tennessee in learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, visually impaired, and mental retardation. Jylaine earned a Master of Science in Administration and Supervision, a Master of Arts as a reading specialist and is trained in neurofeedback.

Kathy Smith, Director of Human Resources and Compliance/Privacy Officer

Kathy brings more than 18 years of organizational service to Mountain Youth Academy. Kathy has a MBA from Liberty University with a certificate in Human Resources and a BA in Criminal Justice from Bluefield College.

Kathy also serves as an Administrative/Program Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF recently recognized Kathy for ten years of her commitment to enhancing the quality of services as a CARF Surveyor. Additionally, Kathy is an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Virginia, where she teaches in both the Business and Health Information Management program.

Nancy Lundy, Director of Nursing

As the Director of Nursing at Mountain Youth Academy, Nancy emphasizes and oversees the delivery of nursing care, ensuring medical practices are governed by current education and modalities that respect regulatory compliance and policies. She is passionate about teaching and fostering the growth of her team, as well as providing quality, evidence-based care for the students.

Nancy graduated from Northeast State Technical Community College earning an associate’s degree in science and her Bachelors of Nursing degree from King College. Her experience in early childhood education influenced her career in pediatric nursing. Her experience includes: ER nurse, corrections nurse and a neuro-trauma/stroke ICU nurse. Nancy has been with Mountain Youth Academy since November 2008.

Frank Rosato, Director of Residential Services

Frank Rosato comes to Mountain Youth Academy with over 30 years of experience in Mental Health and Education. Mr. Rosato grew up in Rome, NY. Mr. Rosato loves, sports, especially baseball where he has coached all levels, along with a stint as a college softball coach for a NC college for 4 years. Mr. Rosato has a great sense of humor and a passion for working with children.

Betty Villarreal, Director of Admissions

Betty attended NESTCC majoring in business administration and computer science. Betty has been in behavioral healthcare since March 2003. She began her career as a mental health associate and continued to serve Mountain Youth Academy in many capacities including administrative assistant, accounts payable, payroll clerk, admissions/utilization review supervisor and utilization review coordinator. Betty maintains good working relationships with numerous state organizations to ensure a timely admission for all referral sources.

Bill Hudson, Director of Risk Management and Quality Assurance

Bill attended Suffolk College in New York and graduated from Brunswick Community College in North Carolina majoring in business administration. Bill has been in behavioral healthcare since April 2008. He began his career as a mental health associate before filling roles as a shift supervisor, residential manager and staff development manager before assuming the role of Director of Risk Management and Quality Assurance.

Jessica Blevins, Director of Staff Development

Jessica received her degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Jessica started her career at Mountain Youth Academy in 2011 as a Mental Health Associate and continued to advance in her career by filling the role as Executive Assistant then promoted into her current position as the Executive Project Manager/Staff Development. Jessica is a Certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Instructor, BLS/CPR Instructor, Service Excellence Instructor; Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.) certified and has her certification in Residential Youth Care Professionals.

Amanda Ohlson, Director of Performance Improvement

Amanda received her associate degree in Turf Grass Management/Landscape Design from Virginia Tech in 2002 and bachelor’s in healthcare administration with and minor in Management from East Tennessee State University in 2009. Amanda began her career at Mountain Youth Academy in 2009 as a Mental Health Associate. In 2010, she moved to the Utilization Review Coordinator position until moving into the Director of Performance Improvement role in 2022.

Michelle Green, Business Office Manager

Michelle is a healthcare professional with over 16 years of experience in the industry. Providing career progression from direct care roles to administrative leadership. She began her journey in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), that later led her to the role as a Business Office Manager. Michelle graduated in 1999 from Johnson County High School and later attended Tennessee Technology Center to pursue Business Administration. Michelle joined Mountain Youth Academy in 2023 as Director of Utilization Management.

Mountain Youth Academy provides individualized, trauma-focused treatment to boys and girls ages 5–17. We strive to provide mental health and educational services that enhance the quality of life for at-risk youth and their families. See what Mountain Youth Academy can do for you and your family, call us today at 888-828-7393 for a confidential, no-cost assessment. You may also reach us by email at [email protected].