Ernest Amponsah (Chair & President)
Ernest serves as the Chief Administrative Officer at Paradise Lodge LLC, a Behavioral Health Management & Clinical Practice Company offering Administrative & Clinical Services to Residential, Outpatient and Inpatient Facilities. Ernest is very knowledgeable about the Statutes, codes, and regulations of the Arizona Administrative Code, Title 9 (Health Services), Chapter 10 (Dept. of Health Services – Healthcare Institution Licensing), Article 1 (General), Article 3 (Behavioral Health Inpatient Facilities), Article 7 (Behavioral Health Residential Facilities), Article 10 (Outpatient Treatment Center) and AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual (AMPM). He has implemented policies and procedures necessary to setup, license and operate Behavioral Health Facilities with compliance to Federal and State laws and guidelines.
Kusasira A. Kagambirwe – RN BSN (Treasurer)
Kusasira (Jackie) is a Registered Nurse licensed in Texas with a Multistate Licensure and currently practicing in Arizona. She has extensive experience in Progressive Care Unit, intensive care, Post-surgical, plastic surgical incision care, continuous bladder irrigation and Post GI surgeries. Jackie and her husband owns Assurance Resources LLC, a 10 bed Behavioral Health Residential Facility and provides contracted services to BHRFs in the areas of Comprehensive Nursing Assessments, collaboration with ADHS in the development of Plan of Correction, modification of policy and procedures, mock surveys, facility inspection and auditing Patient Charts. Jackie brings onboard vast experience with Healthcare Associations and valuable knowledge base to draw from.
Jennifer Wassermann – Attorney (Secretary)
Jennifer is a Partner at the Davis Miles law firm in Tempe and a Realtor® affiliated with West USA Realty. Jenn uses her business and legal experience in the fields of regulated residential housing; healthcare; professional licensing and employment law, to help Behavioral Health providers navigate the lifecycle of their business operations, including regulatory compliance issues and AHCCCS provider agreement matters.
Dr. Chris M. Azode – DNP, MSN-Ed., PMHNP-BC, MBA (Outpatient Committee Lead)
Dr. Azode is the Board Chair of The National Association of Nigerian Nurse Practitioners, USA (NANNPU) and Founder and Former President of The National Association of Nigerian Nurse Practitioners, USA, Arizona Chapter. He is the CEO of NGC Integrated Healthcare, Inc., (Medical and Mental health services provided to individuals and group homes in AZ). Dr. Azode worked as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Crisis Consultant at the In-patient and Crisis Settings for both Horizon Health and Wellness and Community Bridges Inc (CBI), Yuma, Arizona and he is a member of American Nurses Association (ANA), Arizona State Nurses Association (AZNA) and American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA).
