Patricia Gill, MS, MFT, Executive Director
Patricia has been with our center for over 10 years. She started in 2006 as a Teacher/Counselor and transitioned to Programs Director in 2007, and then Executive Director in 2009. Patricia earned a BA and MS in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University and has worked in research and clinical positions at UC Davis and UCSF. Other professional positions include management of an Alzheimer’s and Dementia residential program; administration of neuropsychological testing; teaching at the University of San Francisco; coordinating research projects at UCSF/USF; and providing psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and groups. Patricia is passionate about providing services that enhance people’s lives and ability to meaningfully engage with the community. In her spare time, you’ll find Patricia spending time with family and friends, hiking, kayaking, and often out dancing to live music.
Angela Abbey, Development Manager
In addition to prior non-profit experience, Angela brings strong marketing and community outreach skills honed over twelve years working at the home offices of several well-known specialty retailers, including Gap, Inc., Bare Escentuals and Gymboree. Angela is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a BA in Russian and Business Administration. “I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to help Schurig Center continue to strengthen and grow its programs and to work along side such a talented, dedicated team of people.”
McKenna Becker, Community Liaison
McKenna has a passion for working with individuals and their families whose lives have been impacted by brain injury. Before joing the staff at Schurig Center, McKenna worked as a volunteer. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Colorado College and completed her Post Baccalaureate Certificate of Counseling and Psychology Professions at University of California Berkeley. She has also worked as a Research Assistant at the Neuroinflammation, Synaptic Plasticity, and Cognition Lab at UCSF’s Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC) under the direction of Dr. Susanna Rosi, PhD.
Midge Casler, MA, Art Program Director
Midge holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California College of Arts and Crafts and a Masters degree in Psychology/Art Therapy from Sonoma State University. Midge facilitated art groups with elders in Sonoma County for seven years and has worked with brain injury survivors for nine years. As Art Program Director at Schurig Center, Midge facilitates studio art and creative arts therapy groups. She also coordinates several art shows each year, taking Schurig Center client art out into the community. Midge is dedicated to improving and enhancing the physical, mental and emotional well being of others through the therapeutic use of the creative art process. “I am humbled by the survivors, their stories, their bravery, and honored to bear witness to their recovery.”
Sara Chambers, MA, Program Coordinator
Prior to joining Schurig Center in 2018, Sara worked as a mental health counselor in various community settings in Marin while pursuing a path toward licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist. She holds two Master’s degrees, one in research Psychology from The College of William & Mary in Virginia and one in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley. Her psychological research areas have included acquired brain injury among mental health patients in acute care settings, in the areas of creative and educational achievement, healthy aging, and interpersonal attachment. “I am truly honored to support and learn from Schurig Center clients in expanding my understanding of brain injury recovery while witnessing daily instances of human resilience.”
Therese Reher, Community Engagement & Operations Manager
Therese has 25+ years of experience in administrative management, including branding, marketing, and fundraising, in both for profit and non-profits settings. She was co-owner of Focus Design, LLC for 13 years prior to joining the Schurig Center staff in 2010. In 2015, she left Schurig Center to pursue personal interests and worked on the development team at Guide Dogs for the Blind. In November 2019, Therese returned to her “home away from home” at Schurig Center and continues to follow her passion for helping to make a difference in the world.
Kalynn Stewart, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Therapist
Kalynn is a licensed speech therapist specializing in stroke and brain injuries. She has worked in rehabilitation of individuals with complex neurological impairments in the hospital, outpatient and community setting for over 20 years.
Maggie Smida, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist
Maggie received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at San Jose State University and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She comes to us from UCSF Medical Center where she gained valuable experience in the acute care setting. She incorporates OT based modifications and adaptations in the design and implementation of the programs offered at Schurig Center.
Dusya Wagner, CogEx Program Instructor
Ducie brings decades of experience to our CogEx computer-based program. She was a teacher at the High Tech Center at the College of Marin for more than 20 years prior to transferring with the program to Schurig Center in 2011. “I am inspired each and every day by my students.”
Shari Weiser, Art Instructor
Shari is an artist and art facilitator with a passion for working with a variety of populations, including adults and children with special needs. She started her career in the performing arts working on Sesame Street and on Jim Henson movies and has also coached actors and taught improvisation. Shari is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at San Francisco State University.
Dr. Jim Wilson, PhD, Neuropsychologist/Clinical Consultant
Dr. Wilson is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychology and rehabilitation. He has worked in hospital, outpatient, and community settings for nearly 30 years. “I believe a person-centered approach is essential in understanding brain injury, and in unlocking each individual’s potential for rehabilitation or recovery.”
Laura Peters, Bookkeeper
