Meet Our Staff

The staff at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital is dedicated to helping patients and families achieve long-term mental health. Learn more about the team of administrators, physicians, psychiatrists, nurses and clinicians that make our Fort Washington, Pennsylvania facility such a welcoming place for patients and their families.

Our Leadership

Neil Callahan
Chief Executive Officer

“I want every patient experience to reflect our staff’s interest and compassion for them. Our staff provides a variety of therapeutic interventions that may be used for the rest of someone’s life, making this an effective start point to each person’s treatment and recovery.”

As a teenager, Neil followed in his mother’s footsteps providing direct care support for persons with intellectual disabilities when he began work as a recreation therapist assistant in New York, where he grew up. Neil was drawn to healthcare, particularly mental health care.

He began his career in Healthcare Administration in the 1980s and progressively worked as a contract consultant, program director, regional director and vice president developing, managing and marketing quality psychiatric services across the United States.

As Chief Executive Officer at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital, Neil applies his invaluable depth of experience with general and specialized psychiatric care services to his focused commitment of leading Brooke Glen in providing ever-expanding comprehensive treatment.

Glenn Gabris
Chief Financial Officer

Glenn earned his bachelor’s in Accounting from Villanova University in 1989. He has worked in various capacities within the healthcare accounting and investment management fields. Within behavioral health, Glenn has served in various financial capacities for over ten years.

Chand Nair, MD
Chief Medical Director
Board Certified, American College of Psychiatry and Neurology
General Adult, Child/Adolescent and Addiction Psychiatry
President-Elect, Local Chapter Indo-American Psychiatric Association

“Every patient should leave our care more enriched, empowered, and hopeful regardless of how long or short their treatment.”

As an immigrant who grew up in a large city in India, Dr. Nair has always been keenly sensitive to human struggle and drawn to helping those who have difficulty “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” A bright and popular student, others relied on him for help with their studies and personal challenges. During medical school residency, Dr. Nair moonlighted at an inner-city family practice clinic where he gained invaluable experience in internal medicine.

After graduating cum laude and receiving the Evanston, Illinois “Outstanding Young Professionals for Psychiatry Award” in 1991, Dr. Nair moved to the United States. While completing psychiatric residency training in Philadelphia, Dr. Nair continued to receive several additional awards and entered the field of Psychopharmacology Research where he became well versed in the development of new medications and published more than a dozen peer-reviewed papers.

After seven years in research, Dr. Nair returned to direct practice and began his work in psychiatric crisis centers and acute inpatient hospital settings. In 2005 Dr. Nair joined Brooke Glen as a member of the psychiatric medical staff, began studying for his master’s degree in Medical Management, and soon moved into the Medical Director role.

As an active member of the American Board of Psychiatrists and Neurologists, and American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dr. Nair has recruited and maintained many talented clinicians who share his vision of delivering quality psychiatric care that supports each patient in discovering hope and empowerment in their recovery.

Dr. Panduranga Venkataramana
Associate Medical Director

Dr. Venkataramana received his Medical Degree from Madras University in India and completed a post graduate degree in Psychiatry before moving to the United Kingdom where he completed residency training in Psychiatry.  He received Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1995.  He completed residency training in Psychiatry at MCP Hahnemann University in 2001 and is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry.  Dr. Venkataramana joined the Medical Staff at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital in 2008 and is currently Associate Medical Director, Adult Services and Medical Director of the Regional Extended Acute Care Unit (EAC) at Brooke Glen.  In addition, he chairs the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

Dr. Stephanie Yoder
Director of Clinical Services

Stephanie Yoder, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist, has worked at Brooke Glen since 2005, first in the Admissions and Referral Department and as Coordinator of Clinical Trials, then as Director of Psychological Services, and currently as the Director of Clinical Services. Dr. Yoder received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Widener University with concentrations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Psychological Assessment. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University where she worked as a research assistant in the personality lab. She currently oversees the Allied Therapy Department and works with doctoral students in clinical psychology. She provides clinical services such as testing and individual therapy, and assists with programming for the hospital with emphasis on Trauma Informed Care. Through her work with doctoral students, she received the Outstanding Supervisor Award from Widener University in 2011 and serves as Adjunct Faculty at Widener University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Yoder’s clinical interests include personality assessment, trauma work, and empirically based treatments for serious mental illness.

Ann HunterAnn Hunter, MA CPHRM CPHQ
Director of Risk Management and Performance Improvement

“Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends.”
Ann began her career working in residential programs with individuals who have development disabilities. Her roots began in direct care and was progressively promoted into management roles. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with Early Childhood and Elementary Education certification and a Master’s degree in Management with Healthcare Administration focus. She also maintains professional certifications in healthcare quality (CPHQ) and healthcare risk management (CPHRM). Ann joined the Brooke Glen leadership team in 2005 and oversees compliance, patient safety, and organizational performance improvement.

Ellyn C. Strauss, MSW
Director of Business Development

“Patient care doesn’t start or stop after someone is hospitalized. Treatment is part of a continuum of care and Brooke Glen is proud to partner with community groups in many counties to help create opportunities to help individuals and support their needs moving forward”

Ellyn obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Penn State University in 1985 and began her career as Case Manager in a CRR through PATH Inc. and soon moved into a leadership role as Assistant Director of a Partial Hospitalization Program with this same organization. While attending graduate school at Temple University, she also worked in a CRC in Philadelphia doing crisis assessments of individuals in need of potential treatment.

Following obtaining her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University in 1992, Ellyn obtained employment at Bucks County Children and Youth for 14 years to include working in the abuse unit, general services unit and lastly as Senior Manager of General Protective Services.

Ellyn moved on in her career to work at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital in 2007 as a Social Worker for 7 years, Director of Admissions for 3 years and has spent the last 2+ years as Director of Business Development. Through her current role she has had the pleasure of collaborating on behalf of individuals in need of mental health treatment and has learned so much from those in recovery. She was asked to join the NAMI of Bucks County Board in 2019 and finds this an exceptional way to reach more individuals and provide help and support.

Jill Cairo, MS
Director of Admissions and Referrals

Jill Cairo joined Brooke Glen Behavioral Health in February 2014 as the Assistant Director of Admissions. She began her career in 2009 as a Mental Health Technician at another area behavioral health hospital where she also worked in the Admissions and Utilization Review Departments. In December 2016 she was promoted to Director of Admissions. Her prior roles gave her the experience and expertise to further her career within UHS, as well as maintain an active admissions department at Brooke Glen. Jill was born and raised in Philadelphia and now resides in the Bucks County area with her family. She obtained her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Clinical Counseling from Chestnut Hill College.

Ayana Walker, MSW, MBA
Director of Social Services/Patient Advocate

“As a result of our care, patients and their families should gain a better understanding of their diagnosis, symptoms, and effective coping skills and be opened to more lines of service to use after discharge.”

Ayana began her career as a caseworker assisting low-income families secure affordable childcare. She then worked with a managed care company helping members access psychiatric services. These experiences inspired Ayana to pursue an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Social Work.

Internship experiences at a treatment facility for LGBT-questioning youth and a residential substance abuse program for women deepened her passion and commitment to helping others and sparked her interest in health care management, leading her to earn a second master’s degree in Business Administration.

Seeking an opportunity to work in a “team approach” treatment environment Ayana chose to join BGBH in 2006, as a Social Worker. In 2008, Ayana was promoted to Director, Social Services, which she leads by partnering with patients and their families to conduct comprehensive assessments used to develop individualized plans for treatment and post-hospitalization aftercare.

Melissa Latch, LCSW
Director of the Extended Acute Care Program

Melissa is an experienced LCSW who has been serving as the Program Director of EAC since it opened in October 2014. The Extended Acute Care unit is a Regional program providing evidence-based treatment for those with severe mental illness from the Southeast Region of PA. She serves as the primary clinical director of this unit as well as the social worker, utilization manager, and liaison for the Regional and County Mental Health offices for the consumers served on this unit. Melissa has worked at BGBH for over 14 years in various roles including clinical social worker, assessment and referral clinician, and most recently as the Assistant Director of Admissions.

Melissa graduated from Lock Haven University of PA with a Bachelor degree of Science in Health Science in 2002 with a minor in psychology. She received her Master’s in Social Work from West Chester University of PA in 2004. Melissa has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2009.

Our Physicians

Dr. Chand Nair
Medical Director

Dr. Chand Nair is the Medical Director of Brooke Glen Behavioral Health Hospital since 2005. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry as well as by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Bombay, India and completed his residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and won several awards for clinical excellence. He has been practicing psychiatry since 1986. While he is a full-time clinician, he has been a researcher with 11 peer-reviewed, full-length articles to his credit and seven peer-reviewed published abstracts. Dr. Nair was recently appointed Assistant Professor (Voluntary Staff) at Drexel University School of Medicine.

Dr. Venkat Chakkaravarthi
Associate Medical Director & Director of Adolescent Services

Dr. Venkat Chakkaravarthi is an attending psychiatrist at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital. In 2010, Dr. Chakkaravarthi graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has received numerous honors and rewards including the Kenneth H. Draper, MD Award for Excellence in Emergency Psychiatry during Residency Training from Temple University Hospital’s Department of Behavioral Health. Dr. Chakkaravarthi has written many publications and presentations, and has worked in the psychiatric field for more than five years. He has numerous memberships ranging from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to the American Medical Students Association. He is also a member of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Chakkaravarthi is currently the Vice President of Medical Staff Committee at Brooke Glen.

Dr. Raghava Reddy Ghosala
Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Raghava Reddy Ghosala has been the staff psychiatrist at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital since 2005. He graduated in 1988 from Kurnool Medical School in India and completed his psychiatry residency training from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania Health System). He has received many teaching awards such as the Golden Apple Teaching Awards, Resident of the Year, and Arnold P. Gold Foundation Award for Humanism in Medicine and Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Chaudhry Hassan
Attending Psychiatrist

Dr. Chaudhry M. Hassan is an attending psychiatrist and neurologist at Brooke Glen. Dr. Hassan received his MD at the World University Dominicana, School of Medicine in 1985. He has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Dr. Hassan’s primary focus is neurology, with postgraduate medical education in subjects ranging from sleep medicine to epilepsy. Dr. Hassan is licensed in Pennsylvania and New York and is active with the American Academy of Neurology, the American Headache Association, and the J. Kiffin Penry Epilepsy Education Program Alumni Association.

Dr. Ramesh Koneru
Inpatient Attending Psychiatrist

Dr. Ramesh Koneru has been working at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital as an inpatient attending Psychiatrist since 2005. Dr. Koneru is Board certified in Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry. He graduated from Kurnool Medical college in India. He did General Psychiatry residency at Allegheny University Hospitals (Hahnemann and Medical College of Pennsylvania ) in Philadelphia and Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship in Long Island Jewish Medical Center (Hillside Hospital) in New York. He received multiple awards throughout his residency training for clinical excellence and teaching. After his training, he joined the faculty at Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University School of medicine and received awards for best teacher in Psychiatry.

Dr. Daniela Krausz
Attending Psychiatrist

Daniela Krausz, MD has been an attending physician at Brooke Glen since April 2014. She is a graduate of Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania where she completed a six-year combined premedical and medical school program in the top 10 percent of her class. Following medical school, Dr. Krausz completed her psychiatry residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center where she received the Wyeth Ayerst Outstanding Resident Award. Before joining Brooke Glen, Dr. Krausz spent seven years working on the psychiatrist inpatient unit at Albert Einstein Medical Center and served as the Medical Director at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

Dr. Musthaq
Medical Staff

Dr. Musthaq joined the medical staff at Brooke Glen in June 2004. He attended University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and obtained his medical degree in 1990. He completed the postgraduate psychiatry program at Mid Kent NHS Trust, affiliated with the prestigious Guys Hospital in London, England. He later moved to the US and completed his internship and psychiatry residency at Medical College of Philadelphia. Board-certified in psychiatry from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 2001, Dr. Musthaq has been providing his clinical expertise in many regional behavioral healthcare facilities. Dr. Musthaq has several publications in peer-reviewed psychiatric journals and has authored a book in elementary medicine. He has been a speaker for pharmaceutical companies. He is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Psychiatric Association and Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council.

Dr. Anil Rai
Attending Psychiatrist

Dr. Anil Rai is an attending psychiatrist at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has received numerous certifications from both The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Delhi and Maulana Azad Medical College. Dr. Rai has received many honors and awards from numerous psychiatric associations in Pennsylvania and an award from the Indian Psychiatry Society. Dr. Rai participates in volunteer programs that help train teachers and foster parents to recognize behavioral health issues in children. He holds memberships with the American Psychiatric Association, the National Alliance for Mentally Ill, and is a part of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. Dr. Rai has been published 19 times and has 24 years of experience in psychiatry. In his free time, Dr. Rai has been known to participate in programs that help give back to the community, such as the American Society for Suicide Prevention.

help

Get The Care You Need

We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide a no-cost mental health assessment for you or your loved one. Call us at 800-256-5300, visit our facility, or message us to get started. In the case of a medical emergency or crisis, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.