Clinical Director
Nicholas Russi, CADC-II
Tropical Oasis was founded by Nicholas Russi, an addict and alcoholic. Nick is nationally and internationally certified as an addiction counselor. He received his training from Pharmatox institute for behavioral sciences. As an adolescent and young adult he struggled with substances of all types and went to various rehabilitation and detox facilities. No matter where he went he inevitably used again, until the choice was made for himself. Having traveled the road of devastation both physically, emotionally, and spiritually he has come to embrace a way of living that has exceeded all of his expectations. Through this journey he has committed to helping others with this disease, in hopes that they find the same relief and joy that he has.
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Psychiatry
Steven Kogel Hughes
Dr. Steven Kogel Hughes is our resident Psychiatrist at Tropical Oasis. Steve has been practicing Psychiatry and addiction medicine since 1982. Former Co-owner of Casa De Campo treatment center and former president of IAFA (National institute for substance abuse), Dr Kogel brings a level of excellence and service unsurpassed to the treatment field. Dr. Kogel is a nationally respected medical professional and public figure, dedicated to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse . He enables the patient to grasp a conscious sense of spiritual well being in the belief that healing comes from within and can be assisted by medication. However, medication is not the entire solution. Dr. Kogel has developed a keen ability to listen, which conveys to the patient a deep sense of caring and commitment, thus enabling the patient to relate to him with a sense of warmth and trust. Currently finishing his PhD in education, Dr. Kogel enjoys playing the flute, piano and clarinet in his spare time.
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Nutrition
Mónica Umaña Alvarado
Mónica Umaña Alvarado has a Bachelors degree in human nutrition and a Masters degree in human movement sciences. She earned her degrees from the Universidad de Costa Rica. She has seven years experience in private practice specializing in individual and group nutritional counseling. She is a certified sports nutritionist and has three years experience as a university professor teaching nutrition.
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Psychology
Luis Diego Camacho, COO
Diego Camacho has a Master in Clinical Psychology and is a Sociologist. Highly trained in psychodrama, Diego has had more than 8 years experience with the addiction population, and has worked in many capacities.
Formerly Clinical Director of ACERPA, an addictions treatment center for adults, he has worked with excluded adolescents in a therapeutic school named New Summit in Costa Rica, he was responsible of the Program Oportunidades de Atención a la Niñez en Hogares Comunitarios de Pérez Zeledón working for Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS).
He has work with street adolescent in projects of PANI and has served as coordinator and Co coordinator of Projects for reinforced organization and sustainable development for organizations all over the country, working for Fundación Arruko. (ONG).
He has also experience as investigator in the evaluation project de UNAIDS, WHO, MEASURE for the World Organization of Health, with the test of the Instrument for Prevention of VIH/SIDA. In addition, Diego is a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC-II) through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) for addiction counselors.
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Jim Molloy, Counselor
Jim has a masters degree in psychotherapy counseling, and has been a Buddhist practitioner for 15 years. Jim brings to our team a wealth of knowledge and experience in meditation, mindfulness practices, and spirituality. Jim has special interests in indigenous spirituality, world travel, and photography.
LICDA. Susana Rojas Porras
Susana Rojas has a Masters degree in clinical Psychology. She achieved her academic degrees in the Latin University of Costa Rica . She has 2 years of experience providing trainings for Fundacion Ser y Crecer , individual and group therapies in Hogar Divina Providencia of Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI), as well as providing attention to people with economic needs in the Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS. Currently a therapist in our adolescent treatment center, Susana is responsible for all therapy and general direction of treatment plans. Weather it be in group therapy, or outdoor experiencial therapy, Susana brings a wealth of positive energy and good focus to our adolecsents.
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Medical
Dr. Juan Carlos Arias
Juan Carlos is our medical director at Tropical Oasis. Dr. Arias is responsible for overseeing and managing detoxification for every client that comes through our facility. He is also responsible for evaluating and treating the overall physical health of our clients. Juan Carlos has extensive knowledge and experience in this area, and has worked in many different capacities in the medical field.
Juan Carlos currently owns one outpatient medical center in Jaco, Costa Rica. Juan Carlos recieved his medical degree from UCIMED, a highly acclaimed medical school in Costa Rica. UCIMED was founded in 1978 and has had a legacy of excellency in the teachings of medicine.
Michael Mora, Licensed Nurse
Michael is the head of the nursing department for Tropical Oasis. He is in charge of managing all detox orders carried out by our medical director, along with checking the overall wellbeing of our clients. In addition, he is in charge of medication management. Michael has been working in the nursing field for more than 7 years, working in many different capacities including private and public hospitals . Michael received his nursing degree from the C.C.S.S. in Costa Rica .
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