Psychiatry Residency : Faculty Profiles

Joseph C. Vlaskovits, M.D. is Program Director for the Psychiatry Residency.  He also is Adjunct Faculty for the VCMC Addiction Medicine Fellowship.  He was previously Medical Director of the VCMC Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and has held leadership positions on the VCMC medical staff, including Chief of Psychiatry and Chair of the Credentials Committee. He has taught family practice residents and psychologists-in-training.    His present practice specialties are acute inpatient psychiatry, residential psychiatry, addiction medicine, and forensic psychiatry.

Dr. Vlaskovits received his MD degree from the University of Pécs, Hungary, in 2005 and completed his residency in Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico in 2011, including serving as chief resident at the Albuquerque VA Medical Center.  He completed a Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University in 2012.  He is board-certified in Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine.  He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Southern California Psychiatric Society, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training.  He has published two articles on bioethics and forensic psychiatry.

Leslie A. Horton, M.D., Ph.D. is Associate Program Director for the Psychiatry Residency. She is also the Lead Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and is the Lead Psychiatrist for medical student education in psychiatry. Her prior academic appointments include Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Southern California, 2001-2008. Her prior professional activities include psychiatrist for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, 2013-2015; Medical Director, Anne Sippi Clinics of Los Angeles and Bakersfield, 2009-2016; and psychiatrist for Amanecer Community Counseling Services, Los Angeles, 2009-2013 where she provided psychiatric care to homeless populations in downtown Los Angeles.

Dr. Horton received her MD degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in 1985, interned in Pediatrics at the University of Chicago Hospitals, 1988-1989, and completed her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Southern California LAC+USC Medical Center in 2001. She is board-certified in General Psychiatry. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists, and the American Anthropological Association. Dr. Horton received a PhD in Anthropology from UCLA in 1996, with an emphasis in medical anthropology and psycho-cultural studies. She is particularly interested in how culture shapes hallucinations and delusions. She has published two articles on the assessment and treatment of patients with suicidal behaviors

Robert T. Rubin, M.D., Ph.D. is Associate Program Director and Director of Research for the Psychiatry Residency.  He also is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. His prior appointments include Chief, Department of Psychiatry, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 2005-2013; Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Professor of Neurosciences and Professor of Psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital Campus, Pittsburgh, PA, 1992-2005; and Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, 1972-1992.

Dr. Rubin received his MD degree from the University of California San Francisco in 1961, interned at Philadelphia General Hospital, 1961-1962, and completed his residency in Psychiatry at UCLA in 1965.  He was LCDR, US Navy Medical Corps, 1967–69.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and a member of the Society of Biological Psychiatry, American Medical Association, Southern California Psychiatric Association, and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Rubin received a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Southern California in 1977, with an emphasis in neuroendocrinology.  He has published 285 articles and book chapters and has authored or co-authored seven books.  He was Editor-in-Chief of Psychoneuroendocrinology, 1980-1992.

Ronald M. Bale, Ph.D. is Director of Behavioral Science for the Family Medicine Residency, Ventura County Medical Center.  He also is a Clinical Supervisor for the California Lutheran University Clinical Psychology PsyD Program, Thousand Oaks, CA.  He is Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, prior to which he was Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, OH.

Dr. Bale received his PhD degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cincinnati in 1975.  He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the California Psychological Association, and the Ventura County Psychological Association.  He has published 12 articles and book chapters, many on aspects of naval aviation.

Shimul K. Barr, M.D. is Psychiatric Consultant to the Ventura County Medical Center Ambulatory Medicine Clinics, and Quality Assurance/Utilization Review Psychiatrist, Ventura County Behavioral Health.  She received her MD degree from the University of California Irvine School of Medicine in 2006, completed her residency in Psychiatry at the California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco in 2010, and completed a Fellowship in Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago in 2011.  She is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry.  In addition to English, Dr. Barr speaks Spanish and Gujarati.

Jason R. Cooper, M.D. is Medical Director for the Ventura County Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatry and Crisis Stabilization Units, and Medical Director of Ventura County Behavioral Health.  His prior academic appointments include Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, 2008-2010.

Dr. Cooper received his MD degree from the University of California, San Diego in 2004, interned at the University of Southern California LAC+USC Medical Center, 2004-2005, and completed his residency in Psychiatry at UC San Diego in 2008.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  He has published three articles on brainstem frequency responses during selective attention.

Ronda Doonan, Psy.D. is Director of Behavioral Health and Resident Well-Being for Graduate Medical Education, Community Memorial Health System, and Psychologist for their Internal Medicine and Family Medicine Resident Continuity Clinics.  She also is Founding Faculty Member for the Family Support Services training program at Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Pasadena, and Palo Alto, CA.  She is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Medicine and Healthcare Leadership, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA.  Prior academic appointments include Instructor, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Los Angeles, CA, 2006-2016.

Dr. Doonan received her PsyD degree from the California School of Professional Psychology in 2004 and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services–Julia Ann Singer Center, Los Angeles, CA in 2006. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology.  She is the author of seven articles and book chapters.

Jantje M. Groot, M.D. is Lead Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics, with an emphasis on Community Psychiatry.  He received his MD degree from the University of California School of Medicine, Irvine in 2006 and completed his residency in Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco, Fresno Campus in 2010.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  Dr. Groot has published three articles on personality, learning, and memory in several medical conditions.

Richard D. Ha, D.O. is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics.  He received his DO degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA in 2013, completed his residency in Psychiatry at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, in 2016 and completed a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship also at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic in 2018.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  Dr. Ha is a member of the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Gold Humanism Honor Society.  He has published one article on teaching quality improvement and a case report on autoerotic asphyxiation.

Layth K. Hakim, M.D. is a Correctional Psychiatrist at the Santa Barbara, CA County Jail.  He received his MD degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in 2005.  He had residency training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the University of Hawaii, and the University of California Irvine, completing General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry residency in 2011.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  In addition to English, Dr. Hakim speaks Spanish.

Vanessa V. Hernandez, M.D. is a Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatry and Crisis Stabilization Units.  As well, she participates in Consultation/Liaison and Outpatient Psychiatry.  Additional professional activities include Psychiatrist for La Casa and La Paz Mental Health Centers.  She received her MD degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in 2004 and completed her internship and residency in Psychiatry at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 2008.  She is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  Dr. Hernandez is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Southern California Psychiatric Society, and International Society of Sports Psychiatry.  In addition to English, Dr. Hernandez speaks Spanish.

Theodore Huzyk, M.D. is Lead Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Medical Center Crisis Stabilization Unit and Consultation/Liaison Service.  He received his MD degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2015 and completed his residency in Psychiatry at the University of Southern California LAC+USC Medical Center in 2019.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  In addition to English, Dr. Huzyk speaks Spanish.

Tipu V. Khan, M.D. is Chief of Addiction Medicine for Ventura County Medical Center and Program Director of its Addiction Medicine Fellowship.  He received his MD degree from the University of California Davis School of Medicine in 2008 and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of Southern California LAC+USC Medical Center in 2012.  He is board-certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.  He has authored several articles and case reports on various medical topics, including addictions.  In addition to English, Dr. Khan speaks Spanish, Urdu, and Hindi.

Heather Lewerenz, M.D. is a Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatry Unit.  Additional professional activities include being Chair of Psychiatry, Medical Director for Behavioral Health, member of the Governing Board, and member of the Bioethics Committee, Adventist Health, St Helena, CA.  Her prior academic appointments include Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 2005-2009.

Dr. Lewerenz received her MD degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1998 and completed her residency in Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York in 2002.  She also completed a fellowship in Emergency Psychiatry at New York University Bellevue Hospital Center in 2003.  She is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  She is a member of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.  She has published three book chapters on suicide, violence, and psychiatric emergency experiences of medical students.

Debra London, M.D. is is a Geriatric Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics.  She received her MD degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1984 and completed her residency in Psychiatry at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA in 1988.  Additionally, she has had specialty training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, and acupuncture.  She is board-certified in General Psychiatry.

Ronald D. Pollack, M.D. is Site Director for the Psychiatry Residency and Lead Psychiatrist for the Outpatient Clinics at Community Memorial Health System.  He teaches psychiatry to primary care residents at both the Community Memorial Health System and the Ventura County Medical Center.  His previous responsibilities included Medical Director of Prototypes Women’s Recovery Program, Psychiatric Advisor to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, and Lead Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Jail.  His prior appointments include Chair, Department of Psychiatry in Family Medicine, Northridge Medical Center–UCLA School of Medicine, 1981-1991.  Dr. Pollack received his MD degree from Chicago Medical School in 1977, interned at Los Angeles County Hospital, 1977-1978, and completed his residency in Psychiatry in 1981, with an emphasis on psychiatry in family care.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry.

Daniel C. Powell, M.A. is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.  He is the Mental Health Operations Supervisor for Inpatient Psychiatry and the Crisis Stabilization Unit, Ventura County Medical Center.  He received his MA degree in Clinical Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute, Encino, CA in 2004 and completed postgraduate training in Applied Behavioral Analysis at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2006.  He is certified as a Behavior Analyst and a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Specialist.  He is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the California Association of Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Southern California Consortium of Behavior Analysts.

Brian S. Taylor, M.D. is Quality Assurance Psychiatrist at Ventura County Behavioral Health and Consulting Psychiatrist for the Lakehouse Recovery Center, Westlake Village, CA.  He received his MD degree from Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA in 1991, interned in Surgery at University of California San Francisco, 1991-1992, and completed his residency in Psychiatry at Stanford in 1995.  He is board-certified in General Psychiatry.  He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Southern California Psychiatric Association.  He has published three articles on Alzheimer’s dementia.

Deborah Thurber, M.D. is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for the Ventura County Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics.  Her prior appointments include Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1998-2005, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, 1991-1997, and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 1995-1997.  She received her MD degree from Louisiana State University, Shreveport in 1985 and had residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, completing General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry residency in 1990.

Dr. Thurber is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  She has one publication on crisis services for youth.