A dynamic leader and award-winning business strategist, Dr. Christine Curtis brings years of industry experience in behavioral health care to her role at Miramar Health as Executive Director. She earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from JFK University and her Master’s in Behavioral Science from Kean University. As Executive Director, she develops and implements effective, evidence-based programs of care and leads the organization in strategic planning and growth initiatives.  With 20+ years of clinical experience in addiction, co-occurring disorders, and mental health, Dr. Curtis provides contagious passion and energy in leading the organization. Her dedication to increased operational efficiency and customer engagement encourages new levels of organizational excellence focused on a comprehensive continuum of rehabilitative care. Before joining Miramar Health, she spent time in multiple leadership positions overseeing operations for inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential programs, outpatient programs, and psychiatric emergency services. Dr. Curtis has dedicated her career to being of service to others, creating a therapeutic environment where every person can experience compassionate care and can access the most effective and cutting-edge treatment options available.

Dr. DeSanto has over 25 years of experience in Addiction Medicine and joined Miramar as the Medical Director in 2021. He oversees our medical staff and develops detox protocols to ensure the safety and comfort of patients. Dr. DeSanto received his Undergraduate degree from Lafayette College in Easton PA and obtained his MD from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn NY.  He completed his Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles CA. Dr. DeSanto is board certified in Internal Medicine and has practiced  Addiction Medicine for over 15 years.  He specializes in detox and has worked with several Drug and Alcohol treatment centers, holding various titles and treating thousands of patients in residential and acute levels of care. He has also worked in private practice since 2012.

Dr. DeSanto’s recovery journey and the doctors caring for him in treatment led him to this work. He saw an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives who need a unique type of physician and treatment in the relatively new specialty of addiction medicine. The gratitude of his patients and knowing that their recovery helps the whole family begin healing from the disease of addiction is what he finds most rewarding about this work. In his free time, Dr. DeSanto enjoys traveling, spending time with family, hiking, golfing, biking, and practicing yoga and Transcendental Meditation. Sobriety is at the core of his life, and he protects it above all else. Dr. DeSanto is active in his 12-step community, sponsors other members, and attends meetings several times a week.

As Clinical Director at Miramar Health, Basharat's aim has been to increase awareness and empathy toward helping veterans that suffer from substance abuse. His role and experiences have granted him gratitude, as he passionately works toward operating and building a program that intends to launch struggling veterans into life by means of helping them accomplish their physical, safety, belongingness, and esteem needs. He is dedicated to fostering a safe environment that is intended to improve a veteran’s chances of breaking the cycle and developing a healthy lifestyle.

David brings five years of medical experience to Miramar Health. David has a strong work ethic and always strives to enhance the value and quality of patient care by working with integrity, honesty, and respect. He began his career as a medical assistant but wanted to do more good for his patients and provide more comprehensive and client-focused care. David went back to school to become a nurse and has since poured his dedication to treatment and care into helping each of our patients take their first steps toward their new lives.

As Miramar’s Veteran Outreach Manager, Brendan’s efforts focus on community engagement and raising Veteran awareness of available resources that will help them forge their own path to a free and positive future.  Brendan’s prior Naval career as a Development Group SEAL Chief and Combat Medic fuel his passion to continue service and meet Veteran’s where they are to expose them to the tools available for self-improvement. Post Naval service, Brendan leveraged his VA Education Benefits to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of San Diego. He then joined Tom’s team at Miramar to lock horns with the addiction and mental health crisis plaguing Veterans.

Jean Rose Pana has over 10 years of experience in mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities as a program developer and clinical leader.  After graduating with her master’s degree in counseling psychology, she went on to become a therapist in Los Angeles.  She then brought her experiences and skills home to Orange County and quickly became a Program Director. Jean Rose has demonstrated proven ability to add value through proactive decision making, strategic planning including heavy community psychoeducation, engaging and leading multidisciplinary teams.  She strives for optimum performance through trust and consensus across an organization towards best clinical outcomes for clients of all ages and job fulfillment for staff of all levels.  Jean Rose prioritizes ethical practice, investing in people, lifelong learning, and compliance to the standards of CARF, DCHS, and JCAHO.

Tim Mayo, Information Technology Manager, has been with Miramar since November 2021 and brings 26 years of IT experience to the organization. Tim holds multiple certifications with effuses in Networking, Administration, and Project Management. Born and raised in Southern California, he is married with two adult children and enjoys camping and dirt bike riding.

Jordon has been with Miramar since October of 2021 and started his journey working in the transportation department. While in this role, he learned a great deal about the healthcare industry and how vital a part he can play in someone’s journey towards recovery. He is a strong supporter of Miramar's mission and the importance placed on serving and treating Veterans with the highest quality care possible, as these men and women have sacrificed so much for their country. He is honored and humbled to be working with such a phenomenal team of professionals in a highly focused, mission-driven organization.