ERC Staff
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Our staff is comprised of men and women of integrity who are fully committed to the program and its clients. They are experienced, well-trained, fully-credentialed and licensed and, reflect the diversity of our client population.
Patricia Allen
C.F.O. Patricia Allen, has a MS in Taxation and Financial planning, a BS in Business Administration I Summa Cum Laude) and an AS in Business Administration. A Certified Public Accountant, she was the recipient of The Accounting Society of Widener University Professional Achievement Award. |
Dr. Herbert N. Avart, D.O.
Program Director / Medical Director Dr. Avart, a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine has considerable experience in the field of rehabilitative care. He is board certified with the American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and American Osteopathic College of Addiction Medicine. His teaching experience includes Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he also acted as Department Chairman, and CHI/Brightwood/Allstate Career Institute. In 1983, Dr. Avart initiated his practice Rehabilitation Physicians Inc., for outpatient rehabilitation, in an ambulatory care setting. The practice provides evaluation and management of patients with musculoskeletal, neurologic, chronic pain and substance use disorders. Dr. Avart has been instrumental in developing My Addiction Physician, a website providing clinical audio, video, and written rehabilitation information. He also developed Ingredients for Success, an educational model for addiction recovery which incorporates physiologic skill training that improves independence and quality of life. Most recently, he initiated a YouTube channel with reference to ambulatory addiction/rehabilitation patients. |
Dr. Curtis Callands
Dr. Callands is the building principal of the trauma-informed care LifeWorks School located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, serving students in grades 3rd to 12th. Prior to his tenure as the principal at LifeWorks, he was an assistant chief academic officer and principal for the Chester Community Charter Schools, administrator at Devereux Institution, and special education teacher at the Northbridge Alternative School in the North Penn School District. He holds an Ed.D in Educational Leadership with a concentration in designing trauma-informed care schools; Masters degrees in both Special Education Supervision and Educational Leadership K-12, and Bachelor degree in Special Education. As an alumnus from the University of Pennsylvania, he conducted his doctoral research on helping schools and organizations understand and mitigate trauma’s impact on children and adults. As a researcher and practitioner in the field of education, his work led him to designing a trauma-informed care professional development training manual. Curtis models the famous quote by Dr. Cornel West, “You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people.” Through his leadership and professional development, he is excited to begin the healing process to help those impacted by adverse childhood experiences and psychology trauma. |
Baron Lane
Clinical Supervisor Mr. Lane, a lifelong resident of Chester, PA, earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Penn State University in 2000. He obtained a Master’s in Social work from Simmons University in 2019. For the past several years, Lane has worked at Gaudenzia (a drug and alcohol treatment provider with 105 facilities in three states and Washington D.C) as Counselor Assistant and then as Program Director of Admissions. Now, he is also the Clinical Director of Empowerment Resurrection Center. As a change agent, advocate and stakeholder in the recovery and rehabilitation field, he believes that people can recover from the disease of addiction by treating the individual from a holistic approach and evidence-based practices. The opportunity to work with families that suffered from addiction and mental health issues has molded his career and has provided hope for him to help his family members overcome obstacles dealing with addiction. Lane continues to embrace his Chester roots by being involved with the Chester Cheetahs Track Club as a coach and a board member; he was one of the founders of the organization in 1989. |
Michael Rice
content forthcoming |
Christine Stewart
ERC Counselor Ms. Stewart, was born and raised in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She is a Counselor’s Assistant and a Certified Recovery Specialist and Peer Specialist. She also enjoys working as a life skills coach per which she inspires to support those in need and to educate people on how mental health issues are perceived and how those perceptions affect one’s everyday life. She is also pursuing her degree in social work at Delaware County Community College. Her passion for work stems from her personal experience with substance abuse and mental health issues. Previously, Stewart has worked as a medical assistant for Cardiology Consultants and as a home health aide supervisor for both Friends and Helpers as well as Caring Hearts Senior Care. |