Laura S. Reaves, APRN, BC
Co-founder and President

Laura is a geriatric nurse practitioner with a primary concentration in psychiatric care. In addition to maintaining her own clinical expertise, she manages and supervises all clinical day-to-day operations of our company.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University in 1987. The following year, she earned her Masters in Nursing Administration again from Vanderbilt University. After working as a director of nursing at a facility in Miami, Florida, she again returned to Vanderbilt University and earned her Post Masters in Gerontological Nursing in 1997. Laura’s diverse background includes provision of care to thousands of patients in both public and private facilities for nearly 30 years.

She brings with her a wealth of health care knowledge, experience and a caring attitude. Laura has an extensive and unique knowledge of the administrative, clinical and ethical issues related to the health care industry.

Steven L. Scesa, JD, MBA
Co-founder, Vice President and Treasurer

Steven manages and oversees all business, financial, marketing and non-clinical matters for our company. Steven also coordinates all strategic planning for our company.

He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree in mathematics and economics (cum laude) from Vanderbilt University in 1990. In 1997, Steven earned his Juris Doctorate degree (magna cum laude) and Masters in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Steven served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Illinois Law Review and was inducted into The Order of the Coif. Following graduate school, Steven worked as a mergers and acquisitions corporate attorney in Chicago, Illinois.

In 2005, Steven organized the company with Laura in order to serve the changing needs of the medical industry.

John W. Cain II, MD
Collaborating Psychiatrist

Dr. Cain collaborates with all of our psychiatric nurse practitioners to ensure appropriate oversight and optimal clinical outcomes. He also works with the management of the company to improve the quality of services we provide as well as provide direction on markets in which we could provide additional mental health services.

He graduated from David Lipscomb College and then earned his medical degree from James Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, TN in 1984. He performed his residency at Vanderbilt University’s psychiatric hospital.

Dr. Cain has been medical director of the geriatric psychiatry unit at Riverside Hospital in Woodbury, TN as well as the geriatric psychiatric medical director at Nashville Rehabilitation Hospital. He continues to treat outpatients in Lebanon, TN.

He and his wife have four children and have been happy to call Middle Tennessee their home for over 35 years.

Rachel Anderson, LNHA, APRN-C
Director of Operations

Rachel assumed the role of Director of Operations at Wellness Solutions, Inc. in 2011. Prior to accepting this position, she served as Director of Nursing, and ultimately, the Administrator at Manchester Health Care Center for over 11 years. As a result, she has acquired extensive knowledge regarding the needs of long-term care facilities and their regulatory requirements. WSI has provided medical and psychiatric services at MHCC since the formation of our company in 2005, and Rachel has worked collaboratively with our company president, Laura Reaves, since 2001.

She earned her Associate of Science in Nursing in 1992 and began working in long-term care in 1994. While working with the geriatric population, Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007. She then completed her Master of Science in Nursing in 2011 from Austin Peay State University (summa cum laude). She is certified in gerontology and holds an advanced practice degree in Family Practice. Additionally, she holds nursing home administrator licensure in Georgia and Tennessee.

Rachel expresses a passion for geriatrics and enjoys listening to the wisdom the patients can provide. She enjoys helping them achieve a greater quality of life.

John E. Burkhardt II, Psy. D
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Burkhardt is a licensed clinical psychologist providing neuropsychological and psychological assessments along with individual and group psychotherapy to children, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. With more than 10 years of clinical experience, he has provided mental health services in both hospital and private practice settings.

Dr. Burkhardt’s clinical interests include psychopharmacology, neuropsychological, and psychological assessment. He has a strong interest in sports psychology especially as it relates to golf and ice hockey.

Dr. Burkhardt earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2003 from Oakland University before receiving his Master of Arts and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2006 and 2011, respectively. He was awarded an advanced specialization certificate in health psychology, and he is an adjunct professor in graduate and undergraduate studies.

Dr. Burkhardt is a member of Psi-Chi (The National Honor Society in Psychology), the APA (American Psychological Association), NEI (Neuroscience Education Institute), ABCT (Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies), and ASCH (American Society of Clinical Hypnosis).

Jennifer Nichols DeHaven, MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practioner

Jennifer is a board certified family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee College of Arts and Sciences in 1997 before receiving her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 2007. She received both the Kathleen S. Nelson Scholarship and the Nightingale Scholarship from Vanderbilt University. Following graduation, she earned a National Health Service Corps award through the Department of Health and Human Services.

Jennifer’s primary focus is on providing psychiatric mental health for a wide range of patients. She most recently worked extensively with the Comprehensive Counseling Network in Memphis, TN performing psychiatric evaluations and medication management services. She has more than six years of clinical experience and holds board certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in family psychiatric & mental health.

Jennifer considers herself a Nashville area native. She and her husband have two children. After having spent the past several years away from middle Tennessee, they are both happy to return home to raise their children and to be closer to family and friends.

Karen F. Hyden, APN-BC, MSN, M.Ed
Women's Health Nurse Practioner

Karen is a board certified women’s health nurse practitioner with a primary focus on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Her focus integrates a combination of traditional and natural medicines that helps prevent illness while restoring health to give women power over their bodies.

Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 2002. Four years later, she earned her Master of Education in Applied Child Studies at Vanderbilt University. After earning her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 2008, Karen worked as a nurse practitioner in several family practice clinics across Middle Tennessee. Karen has also operated her own practice specializing in Integrated Medicine and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy which she now is offering through Wellness Solutions.

In her personal time, Karen enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Elizabeth Parks, WHNP, ANP, BC
Director of Medical Services

Elizabeth has been a nurse practitioner with Wellness Solutions since January 2008. She is the supervising medical nurse practitioner for long-term care.

She has a dual Masters degree from Vanderbilt University in both women's health and adult health/primary care. She has a Bachelors degree in Biology/Psychology from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama.

Elizabeth is originally from Dothan, Alabama but has called Nashville home since 2005. She is an active member at Brentwood United Methodist Church, is a vocal soloist and serves in the Concert Chorale of Nashville. She enjoys spending time with her adopted dog, Cricket and her husband.

Katherine Petracek, PMHNP, BC
Director of Psychiatric Services

Katherine is a certified family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with experience in the acute in-patient hospital setting, treating long-term nursing home residents, short-term rehabilitation patients, and community mental health issues.

She graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology which included a semester spent studying abroad in London, England. She then went on to complete her Masters of Nursing at The Vanderbilt School of Nursing in 2006.

Her passion for psychiatry and wanting to help people live more holistic happier lives began in high school when she designed an independent study involving volunteer work at the abuse prevention center. Choosing a career as a nurse practitioner stems from her love of educating people, preventative medicine, treating patients as a whole and interdisciplinary treatment. She believes in helping to educate the community of the importance of mental health stability as a goal to a better quality of life, as well as hoping to decrease any social stigma related to mental health treatment.

Katherine is an avid horseback rider enjoying trail riding and rodeos. Fishing and hunting is another passion of Katherine’s as well as wild game cooking which she enjoys with her family.

Jason M. Tallman, PMHNP, BC
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jason provides assessment and treatment for clients experiencing mental health issues, including prescriptive medication management, in our Murfreesboro and Nashville offices.

He is a 2007 graduate of Vanderbilt University’s psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program, and has extensive experience providing inpatient and outpatient services for clients of all ages. He also provides expertise with ADD, ADHD, autism and intellectual and developmental disability issues.

Susanna Worthington
Office Manager

As the office manager for Wellness Solutions, Susanna is available to help all patients and their families with any scheduling needs, filing insurance, payment issues, or any questions you might have about our available services.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina in 2004 and then moved to Nashville. She has devoted her career for the past six years to healthcare and has worked in nursing homes as an Activity Assistant, Activity Director, and in Admissions prior to joining Wellness Solutions.

Susanna enjoys watching sports especially the North Carolina Tar Heels and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Mister.

Trisha Ferebee
Director of Marketing

Trisha assumed the role of Director of Marketing at Wellness Solutions, Inc. in November 2011. Prior to accepting this position, she worked in consumer marketing managing several national programs for 12 years. Trisha has worked extensively in domestic and international channel marketing. She lived and worked in Europe for six years managing international marketing programs for 120 companies in 16 different countries. Trisha’s background has allowed her to build solid relationships with a multitude of companies throughout the United States and Europe. Her experience in program management has allowed her to develop firm skills in all aspects of marketing.

Trisha earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis in Advertising from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991. She is a graduate of WOMEN Unlimited, Inc. (Women Organization for Mentoring, Education and Networking) and received her management training in Chicago, IL in 2010.

Trisha has a passion for travel. She enjoys camping, hiking and white-water rafting as well as spending quality time with her daughter.