Cedars Staff Team
Neal Berger MAC SPAC Executive Director
Neal Berger is the President of Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. In this role, Neal is a lecturer, author, and has produced films on the subjects of chemical dependency and treatment. Mr. Berger has over 25 years experience in the areas of addiction treatment and employee assistance. He has provided consultation and staff development services for hospitals, treatment facilities, unions, business, industry and municipal organizations and universities. He currently continues to provide consultation and training to a wide variety of large and small organizations across Canada and the U.S. regarding substance abuse issues and treatment needs.

Tom Hall Director of Community Relations
Tom Hall is the President of Envision Marketing Inc. and Jonathan Seagull Holdings Inc., two companies that both have been retained by major manufacturing companies to develop and implement strategic marketing plans. Prior to his roles with Envision Marketing Inc. and Jonathan Seagull Holdings Inc., Mr. Hall was a founder, partner, and the Director of Community Relations and Admissions for the Edgewood Treatment Center. In these roles, Mr. Hall marketed Edgewood’s programs to referral agencies and professional associations.

Ross Sinclair BA Economics Business Manager
Ross Sinclair has most recently been contracting consulting services to the development sector and providing conceptual planning, accounting, sales, project management and post supervision to several hotel, restaurant, retail and destination resort projects. Mr. Sinclair has a Bachelor’s degree from University of BC in economics and statistics. After graduating, he completed his articles in Chartered Accountancy.

Robert DeClark MSW - Program Director
Rob has completed his Masters degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Rob’s undergrad and work experience took place in Kamloops, BC. Previous work experience includes work in the areas of addiction treatment, outreach worker and as a youth addiction outpatient counselor. At Cedars, Rob’s duties include counseling and coordinating many of the administrative functions of the organization.

Geoff Smith BA - Manager Discovery Program
Geoff is a Psychology graduate from the University of Victoria and has spent his entire career in the helping professions. Developing and manager Employee and Family Assistance Programs, Directing Addiction Programs, Social Work and consulting with Aboriginal Communities about Addiction and Community Change have been a few of his work focuses. Working with Families has always been a major part of his work efforts.

Ted Kardera M.D. A.S.A.M. C.S.A.M. Medical Supervisor
Dr. Kardera has been a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine since 1986 and the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine since 1990. On active staff of the Greater Victoria Hospital Society- retired. General Practice from 1969 to 2001, approximately one third of his practice devoted to Addiction Medicine since 1986. Originated and facilitated the Health Care Professional Relapse Prevention Group from 1990 until present. Involved with the Physician Support Program since 1987 as a treating Physician and a member of the PSP Committee since 1994. Chairman of the PSP , February 1997 until 2000

Douglas Graham BSC, M.D. (UBC), FASAM Medical Director
Dr. Graham has over 30 years experience in the field of addiction medicine and 25 years in the field of Physician Health. He was involved in the founding of the Physician Support Program in BC from its inception in 1978, and served as the Clinical Coordinator (Director) of the program from 1990-2001. He has been involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of disabled physicians since 1979. He is certified in the field of addiction medicine by the American Medical Society of Addiction Medicine, and was awarded a fellowship by the Society in 1997 for his contributions in the field of addiction medicine. He is also recognized as an expert by the court system in BC and appeared as an expert witness in a dangerous offender case in 1990.

He served as a Coroner for the province of BC. He served as Provincial Medical Advisor to the BC government’s Alcohol and Drug Programs for six years. In June 2003 Douglas was the recipient of the British Columbia Medical Association’s Dr. David M Bachop Gold Medal for Distinguished Medical Service. It was awarded “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to medicine in British Columbia, notably in the field of addiction medicine”.

Ethel “Bubs” Fraser - Officer Manager
Bubs Fraser has 30+ years experience in office work, graduating from F.H. Collins in Whitehorse, Yukon under their Business Administration Curriculum. She then went on to work as a secretary to a lawyer, for a helicopter company and for various government department heads, including the Deputy Minister of Health and the Deputy Minister of Community and Transportation Services and Commissioner of the Yukon. Her career then took her to the position of Program Manager, Communications which was to manage the provide satellite television and radio services to all Yukon communities. Her most recent position was held in Victoria, managing the Victoria Central Office.

Dermot Derby - Counselor
A rehabilitation professional with over 18 years experience working with a wide range of disabling conditions including chemical dependency. A graduate of the Professional Development Program - Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University supplemented with extensive rehabilitation training, Dermot maintains a strong commitment to the 12 Step recovery philosophy.

Jo-Anne Sutherland - Counselor
Jo-Anne is a Registered Social Worker who has worked in Outpatient as well as Residential treatment with the Alberta Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) in addictions. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the addiction field using a non-judgmental approach with patients and an understanding of the 12 step philosophy and the importance of this in a person's recovery process.

Lisa Barnes - M.ED - Counselor
A graduate of the UBC department of Counseling Psychology, Lisa is a registered counselor with over 20 years of clinical and teaching experience.

Joe Petriccione - M.ED., LPC - Counselor
Is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 33 years experience working in psychiatric, dual diagnosis and chemical dependency programs. Graduated from George Washington University with a masters degree in Education and Human Development. Professional experiences include working will all age populations, children through geriatrics, versed in counseling with individuals, couples, families and groups through client-centered, cognitive/behavioral and experiential therapies. He has worked in various residential treatment centers throughout the United States and has been a lecturer, conference presenter and trainer.

Megan Milne - BA – Counselor
Megan is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies. Megan’s undergraduate and work experience has been primarily focused on outreach and advocacy for marginalized women’s groups with particular focus on Aboriginal women. Before joining the Cedars’ team, Megan worked with AVENTA Addiction Treatment for Women in Calgary, Alberta, specializing in second-stage (long-term) inpatient treatment

Tom Buckley - ICADC, ICCS - Counselor
Tom has an International Certification in Addictions Counseling with 23 years experience in the Addictions field, 15 of them in Residential Programs. His work experience includes; 5 years working in a Military Inpatient Treatment Centre, Federal Corrections, Provincial Mental Health and Addictions, Private Practice, and Private Residential Treatment. During this time Tom worked with Families, Dual Diagnosis Patients, Compulsive Gamblers, Sex Addiction, Compulsive Spenders, and Chemical Dependency.

Beverly Donald - R.N., A.S.M.H.
Graduated from the Royal Alexandra School of Nursing having worked 18 years in the medical system as an R.N. Continued her education taking the Advanced Studies in Mental Health program at Mount Royal College. Has extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders and in-depth knowledge of the 12 step program. Beverly is passionate about her work bringing much empathy, compassion and understanding.

Kym Hill - Admissions Coordinator
Kym has been employed in the health care profession for over 30 years. Her experience in office management and her strength in providing a patient centered environment has been an asset to Cedars Admissions. Her passion for recovery and the personal encounter of addiction within her family creates the confidence required to perform this front line position with the utmost dignity and respect.

Additional treatment staff include ...
Additional Counselors • Support Staff • Chaplain • Physical Trainer • Executive Chief