Alexa Jones, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Alexa began working for the Tribe in 2020 as an outpatient Therapist. She specializes in Family Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). She works primarily with teens and young adults diagnosed with mood disorders, personality disorders, and eating disorders. In her free time, Alexa enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, reading, and traveling.

Becky Patzwald, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Started working as a Clinical Social Worker for the Advocacy Resource Center in September 2018 providing therapy to survivors and their families of sexual assault/abuse. In May 2020, accepted a full-time Clinical Social Worker position with Behavioral Health.

Carla Behling, NP
Carla Behling, F.N.P., attended graduate school at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. She began practicing with Sault Tribe in 1997 and has a special medical interest in women's health. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, boating and traveling.

David Drockton, DDS
David Drockton, D.D.S., studied at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been practicing with Sault Tribe since 1995. He has special professional interests in public health and preventive dentistry. In his spare time, he particularly enjoys family and outdoor activities the region offers.

Denise Lyons - LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Denise graduated from Lake Superior State University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continued her education and went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2008. She completed his internship at the Department of Health and Human Services in Sault Ste. Marie, MI where she set up the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative and worked with local stakeholders and adolescents aging out of the foster care system. Denise worked at UPCAP for 4 years prior to working at the tribe. She received a certificate in Gerontology from Wayne State University in 2011 and is currently working on her PhD in Social Work with expected graduation in 2022. Denise began working for the Tribe in 2011 and has been an outpatient therapist here for the last 9 years. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). She works with adults diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health disorders as well as trauma focused therapy with all age groups. In her free time, Denise enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors in the summer, camping, fishing, reading and research.

Denise Porter, BS, Perinatal Care Coordinator
BS in Criminal Justice/Psychology from NMU in 1998. I spent 16 years in law enforcement in Minnesota before returning to my home town (SSM) in 2017. I began working for the Sault Tribe in 2019 as a Probation Officer in Tribal Court. I was a member of the Gwaik Miicon Drug Court team while at the Court. I was trained in MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) and conducted classes for both adults and juveniles. I also was certified as a Domestic Violence Intervention Trainer (Duluth Model). In my free time I enjoy spending time with family/pets, scuba diving and traveling.

Dr. Carrie Schneider
Dr. Carolyn (Carrie) Schneider has been a practicing audiologist in the Sault Sainte Marie area for the past 18 years. Dr. Schneider moved to the UP and began working at War Memorial Hospital and then with Hearing First in Sault, Ontario and Sault, Michigan. She attended Ohio University, Kent State University, and A.T. Still University. Dr. Schneider enjoys working with all ages. She has a son, Tyler (14 years old) and daughter, Lucy (11 years old) as well as two dogs and one gecko (against her better judgement). In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling and being on or near the water.

Jessie Skog AU.D, CCC-A
Jessie Skog AU. D, CCC-A attended Western Michigan University. She provides Audiology Services at the Sault St. Marie Health Center.

Kristin Kempf-Roffers, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Kristin graduated from Lake Superior State University with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, in 2011. After a brief hiatus from academia Kristin pursued her Master’s in Social Work, which was offered locally by Grand Valley State University. She completed her internship at the Diane Peppler Resource Center where she continued to volunteer after graduating. Immediately after graduating in 2016, Kristin accepted her first Social Work position as a family services worker at the local Head start program, where she worked until fall 2017. Kristin also worked as an outpatient counselor for Weber and Devers during the spring/summer of 2017. Kristin then accepted a position in Madison, Wisconsin working as one of the Social Worker/Case Managers at a residential home for women with severe mental illness. During the summer of 2019, Kristin returned to Sault Ste. Marie, MI to be closer to family. She accepted a position at War Memorial Hospital as the Medical Social Worker. This was a valuable experience as she got to work with crisis intervention clients, dialysis patients, and inpatient discharge planning. Kristin took the opportunity to return to her passion; providing therapeutic services at the Sault Tribe Behavioral Health Center at the end of 2021. Kristin specializes in CBT, DBT, Solution Focused, and art therapy techniques. Her focus is on trauma survivors. Kristin works with children, adolescents, and adults with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, personality disorders, and concurrent substance abuse issues. In her free time she enjoys traveling, adventures, road trips, nature hikes, and stargazing. She also enjoys arts and crafts, writing, reading, listening to music, cooking with her fiancé, hanging out with her friends, family, and pets (2 wild kittens, and a lop eared rabbit).

Krysta Hinman, O.D., Chief Optometrist
Krysta Hinman, O.D., studied at the Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry in Big Rapids, Mich. She conducted residency in rotations at Detroit Veterans Hospital, Henry Ford and The Wellness Plan. She began practice with Sault Tribe in 2010 and alternates between Sault Ste. Marie and St. Igance. She has special professional interests in all aspects of optometry with special emphasis on ocular disease and contact lens. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and daughter.

Lowell Lamar Styer, MD
Lowell Lamar Styer, M.D., studied at Temple Unversity in Philadelphia, Pa., and completed his residency at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He began practice with Sault Tribe in 2010 and has special medical interests in vitamin deficiencies and ear acupuncture. Eagle Scout Styer played soccer in college, can still run 5K in less than 30 minutes and enjoys singing in church choir and local musicals.

Mallinda S. Lumsden, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
Mallinda S. Lumsden, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker, Behavioral Health Supervisor (All Sites) Work Experience: Mallinda has been employed with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians since 1996. She worked as a Mental Health Technician/Intake Specialist for Anishnabek Community and Family Services. In 2012, Mallinda worked in the Behavioral Health Program as an outpatient therapist after her Masters was completed. She is currently employed as the Clinical Supervisor for the Behavioral Health Program since 2019.

Mark Senkus, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Mark graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor degree in Human Services. He went on to obtain a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. Mark has worked in the fields of behavioral health, child welfare, and substance use disorder treatment. He has worked for the Sault Tribe for over 8 years in total. Mark has training in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders with adults and adolescents. In his free time, Mark enjoys fly fishing, fly tying, cooking, and reading.

NeTausha Moran-Bergsma, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker
NeTausha graduated from University of Michigan-Flint in 2006 with dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In 2016 she completed her Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. NeTausha completed her internship with Sault Tribe Behavioral Health Outpatient Treatment Services and has been working with Sault Tribe Behavioral Health ever since. She specializes in Child Play Therapy, Auricular Acupuncture and is a part of the Chippewa County Mental Health Team through the 91st District Court. She works with all age groups. In her free time, NeTausha enjoys spending time with her family.

Rae Ann Brand FNP-BC
Rae Ann Brand, F.N.P.-B.C., studied at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. She originally began practicing with Sault Tribe in 1999 until 2009 and returned in 2013. She has special professional interests in women's and children's health. She is married for 22 years to Sault Evening News reporter Scott Brand and has two children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, attending her children's sporting events and leading her daughter's Girl Scout troop.

Rafael P. Aguirre, LMSW Clinical Social Worker
Rafael was born and raised in El Paso, TX. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He continued his education and went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work from New Mexico State University in 2006. He completed his internship in Las Cruces, NM where he provided home-based and outpatient therapy. Rafael then moved to Chicago where he worked in the Crisis/Triage department at Community Mental Health for 4 years. He moved to the Sault area in 2010 where he worked as a social worker and outpatient therapist at WMH’s inpatient psychiatric unit for 4 and a half years. Rafael began working for the Sault Tribe in 2018 as an outpatient therapist. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. He works primarily with adults diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health disorders. In his free time, Rafael enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and being outdoors.

Steven Obreiter, DDS
Steve Obreiter, D.D.S., studied at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Mich., and has practiced with Sault Tribe since 2008. He participates in dental humanitarian missions to Guyana, South America and Alaska. He enjoys spending time with family, serving at church, following sports and helping his children with 4-H projects.

Vivica J. Fitzpatrick-Sherman, MD
Vivica J. Fitzpatrick-Sherman, M.D., studied medicine at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa. She conducted her residency at D.C. General Hospital in Washington, D.C. She began her practice with Sault Tribe in1988 and has special medical interests in children's health care. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, sewing, ceramic painting and singing in a drum group.