About

Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance mental health care access and quality in our community through prevention, intervention, treatment, and education. We prioritize Community Mental Health Services, including programs for adults, children, and schools, ensuring support is readily available. Our proactive stance on prevention involves raising awareness and advocating for mental health literacy to mitigate challenges. Education initiatives inform the community, reduce misconceptions, and promote help-seeking behaviors.

Additionally, we provide recovery support and address Women's Reproductive Mental Health, recognizing unique challenges. Public Psychiatry ensures services are accessible to all. Through these efforts, we aim to foster a community where mental health care is accessible and of the highest quality, promoting well-being for everyone.

Dr. Sylvester Nwedo

Medical Director

Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry
Board Certified in Adolescent Psychiatry

Board Certified in Addiction Medicine

Certified in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Dr. Nwedo is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN.

Dr. Nwedo earned his Medical degree from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, and received his graduate degree from Vrije University in Brussels, Belgium. He is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and a member of the American Association of Medical Review Officers.

Dr. Nwedo’s approaches his patients from a whole-person perspective, considering all aspects of the person’s life that may impact their mental health. This includes environmental, psychological, lifestyle, and social influences. Dr. Nwedo respects his patients and believes that a strong therapeutic relationship that involves teaching and understanding of treatment regimens is most effective and brings about optimal outcomes for his patients.

Dr. Nwedo continues to educate himself in all aspects of psychiatric medicine. He is certified in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, which is the most advanced form of treatment for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health disorders. TMS can bring long-term remission to those who’ve tried medications and psychotherapy with no real results.

Dr. Sylvester Nwedo

Medical Director

Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry
Board Certified in Adolescent Psychiatry

Board Certified in Addiction Medicine

Certified in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Dr. Nwedo is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN.

Dr. Nwedo earned his Medical degree from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, and received his graduate degree from Vrije University in Brussels, Belgium. He is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and a member of the American Association of Medical Review Officers.

Dr. Nwedo’s approaches his patients from a whole-person perspective, considering all aspects of the person’s life that may impact their mental health. This includes environmental, psychological, lifestyle, and social influences. Dr. Nwedo respects his patients and believes that a strong therapeutic relationship that involves teaching and understanding of treatment regimens is most effective and brings about optimal outcomes for his patients.

Dr. Nwedo continues to educate himself in all aspects of psychiatric medicine. He is certified in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, which is the most advanced form of treatment for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health disorders. TMS can bring long-term remission to those who’ve tried medications and psychotherapy with no real results.

Meet Our Team

Petress McBride

Administrator

As a proud Administrator of this foundation, Petress brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in leadership and operations roles, primarily gained during her tenure at HCA Tristar Health Systems in Nashville, TN.

Her journey in healthcare began with the pursuit of knowledge at Tennessee State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Cardio-respiratory Care Sciences. However, her passion for mental health led her to further academic achievements, culminating in a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and Counselor Education, specializing in Agency Counseling.

In addition to her academic background, she hold certificates in Hyperbaric Medicine and Patient Safety and Quality, underscoring her commitment to excellence in healthcare practices.

In her free time, she finds joy in exploring the world through travel and indulging she taste buds as a dedicated foodie. 

Kendra Lyle

Prevention Coordinator

Kendra Lyle is the Prevention Coordinator with Hopefield Mental Health Foundation. In this role, Kendra teaches Life Skills to Middle and High School aged students. With a passion for helping others, Kendra is dedicated to helping people; whether individually, in families, groups, communities, or society, enhance or restore their capacity or social functioning and create societal conditions favorable to that goal. Kendra is a qualified Social Worker and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from UT Martin. Kendra has been a Social Worker for over 10 years with a diverse range skill set in social services. Kendra is currently obtaining a Master of Human Services degree from Walden University.

Miles Northcut

Grant and Outreach Coordinator

Meet Miles Northcut, our Grant and Outreach Coordinator at Hopefield Mental Health Foundation. Miles initially joined our team in December as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, where he established connections with clients on a peer level and developed curriculum for peer support classes and groups. Now, Miles plays a pivotal role as the Grant and Outreach Coordinator, advocating for Hopefield within the Dyer County community and ensuring compliance with grant protocols. Miles's passion for mental health advocacy was ignited during his undergraduate studies, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Freed-Hardeman University.

In his leisure time, Miles enjoys indulging in music, staying active through exercise, and exploring the great outdoors through hiking adventures.

Miles Northcut

Grant and Outreach Coordinator

Meet Miles Northcut, our Grant and Outreach Coordinator at Hopefield Mental Health Foundation. Miles initially joined our team in December as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, where he established connections with clients on a peer level and developed curriculum for peer support classes and groups. Now, Miles plays a pivotal role as the Grant and Outreach Coordinator, advocating for Hopefield within the Dyer County community and ensuring compliance with grant protocols. Miles's passion for mental health advocacy was ignited during his undergraduate studies, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Freed-Hardeman University.

In his leisure time, Miles enjoys indulging in music, staying active through exercise, and exploring the great outdoors through hiking adventures.

Niki Augdon

Administrative Assistant

Meet Niki, our dedicated Administrative Assistant at Hopefield. Holding an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Health Information Management, Niki brings a wealth of knowledge and organizational skills to our team. She is a loving wife and mother of three wonderful boys. In her free time, Niki is a movie enthusiast, she also finds relaxation in binge watching movies, adding a touch of entertainment to her busy life!

Robin Rickets

Certified Peer Recovery Specialists

Meet Robin, one of our Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. Her personal life experience and unwavering passion for supporting and helping others brings a well rounded perspective to work in the mental health realm. 

Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee at Martin, Robin holds certifications as a WRAP and Bridges trainer and facilitator. 

Beyond her professional commitments, Robin is a loving mother to one daughter and a cherished Godmother to seven. 

In her leisure time, she enjoys watching movies, knitting, and takes pleasure in cheering on her Godson during basketball games.

Adriana Fraizer

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Meet Adriana, our devoted Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Adriana holds her CPRS certification and serves as a WRAP Facilitator. She is passionate about the mental health field ; she strives to guide those she works with from their current point to their desired destination. Adriana is a loving wife and mother to 3 amazing children. Outside of her professional endeavors she is a avid reader, enjoys singing and listening to music, and spending time with friends and family at the lake.

Brittany Holmes

APRN, a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Meet Brittany Holmes, APRN, a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. At Hopefield, Brittany specializes in providing integrated care, offering compassionate and safe treatment to individuals of all ages with acute and chronic conditions. With a Master's in Nursing from Walden University and undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University, Brittany's nursing journey began in the US Navy Nurse Corps, where she cared for Active-duty personnel, veterans and their families. Her extensive experience spans various psychiatric areas, including intensive/acute behavioral health, dual diagnosis and detox, corrections, and geriatrics. Brittany's mission is to promote lifelong mental wellness and healing through psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy, aiming for high-quality and functional lives. 

Courtney Collier

Clinical Director, Licensed and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and Qualified Substance Abuse Professional

Meet Courtney Collier, our Clinical Director, a Licensed and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and Qualified Substance Abuse Professional. Courtney has achieved significant educational milestones, including a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master's in Business Administration. Additionally, he has earned certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Support (CPRS) professional from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (T DMHSA). Currently, Courtney is pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Freed-Hardeman University and to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has been honored with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) 2023 Minority Fellowship in Addictions Counseling. 

Driven by his commitment to providing outstanding therapeutic services, Courtney aims to challenge the barriers and stigmas associated with inadequate mental health care. He prioritizes a person-centered treatment approach to ensure that every individual he interacts with receives exceptional care. Specializing in underserved youth/adolescents, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other adult populations, Courtney focuses on addressing Substance Use Disorders (SUD). His therapeutic orientation emphasizes a prescriptive and relational-cultural approach to SUD treatment. During his free time, he dedicates himself to creating artwork on a medium known as Diamond Art Painting, which has become an integral aspect of his personal life and journey towards recovery. 

Courtney Collier

Clinical Director, Licensed and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and Qualified Substance Abuse Professional

Meet Courtney Collier, our Clinical Director, a Licensed and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and Qualified Substance Abuse Professional. Courtney has achieved significant educational milestones, including a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master's in Business Administration. Additionally, he has earned certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Support (CPRS) professional from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (T DMHSA). Currently, Courtney is pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Freed-Hardeman University and to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has been honored with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) 2023 Minority Fellowship in Addictions Counseling. 

Driven by his commitment to providing outstanding therapeutic services, Courtney aims to challenge the barriers and stigmas associated with inadequate mental health care. He prioritizes a person-centered treatment approach to ensure that every individual he interacts with receives exceptional care. Specializing in underserved youth/adolescents, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other adult populations, Courtney focuses on addressing Substance Use Disorders (SUD). His therapeutic orientation emphasizes a prescriptive and relational-cultural approach to SUD treatment. During his free time, he dedicates himself to creating artwork on a medium known as Diamond Art Painting, which has become an integral aspect of his personal life and journey towards recovery. 

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