Clinical Director

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.

Psychiatry

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.  Currently finishing his PhD in education, Dr. Kogel enjoys playing the flute, piano and clarinet in his spare time.

Nutrition

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.

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.

Psycology

Sonia received her Bachelor degree at the Unversidad Latina de Costa Rica, located in San Pedro, San Jose.  Unversidad Latina de Costa Rica is known for its excellent program in chemical Dependency.  Sonia has experience working with a variety of different disorders and is well adept in several different treatment modalities.  She is characterized for being a good listener, putting 100% of her experience and professional knowledge to helping people and becoming a part of change in there life.

Medical

Dr. Edgar Leguizamon Velandia

Edgar Leguizamon Velandia is our medical director at Tropical Oasis.  Dr. Velandia 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.  Edgar has extensive knowledge and experience in this area, and has worked in many different capacities in the medical field. 

Administration

Danilo Castro Merino