On National Nurses Day, we proudly recognize the incredible nursing team at Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) who bring expertise, compassion, and resilience to every aspect of care. At the heart of our programs, their dedication empowers individuals on the path to recovery, reminding us daily that healing happens through both skill and compassion. Today, we celebrate their commitment, their courage, and their profound role in healing our community.
LaGuana Shyne, Psychiatric Technician
LaGuana is a proud mother and licensed psychiatric technician whose career began at River Community. After gaining experience at Metropolitan State Hospital, she returned to River Community with a renewed sense of purpose. She is passionate about teaching, supporting, and encouraging others on their recovery journeys. Guided by compassion, she embraces each day’s challenges as opportunities to grow and continue developing in her profession.
Samantha Latscha, Pre-Licensed Psychiatric Technician
Samantha has always been a caring person but discovered her true passion for mental health while working in a psychiatric hospital. Her personal experiences give her deep empathy for those facing substance use and mental health challenges, and she finds purpose in seeing individuals rebuild their lives. She supports others through their recovery journeys with care and a touch of humor. For Samantha, it’s more than a job—it’s being part of meaningful transformation.
Elizabeth Perez, Psychiatric Technician
Elizabeth serves as a Medication Support Counselor at Stepping Stones. What began as an unexpected opportunity quickly turned into a passion for advocating for women in recovery. She emphasizes the importance of building trust, offering nonjudgmental care, and creating a space where residents feel safe to speak openly. Elizabeth is committed to being more than a health provider – she’s a source of support and encouragement.
Justina Catania, Registered Nurse
Justina Catania is the first RN hired by SMRS and currently supports residents at Omni Center and Stepping Stones through the MAT Expansion grant. Inspired by her father’s recovery journey and driven by her fascination with the human mind and body, Justina brings empathy, consistency, and dependability to her role. She’s also working with Somer to expand access to Incidental Medical Services (IMS) across all SMRS residential programs, aiming to improve access to mental health and addiction treatment medications.
Sabrina Urena, Licensed Vocational Nurse
Sabrina has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse since 2012, fulfilling a dream she’s had since childhood. She began her career as a medical assistant, worked full time while attending nursing school as a single mother. Her passion for helping others is deeply personal, shaped by the loss of her sister to addiction and her family’s history with mental health challenges. At River Community Wellness Center, Sabrina found her calling and takes pride in supporting individuals on their recovery journeys with compassion and understanding.
Chandra Smith, Psychiatric Technician
Chandra is a Psychiatric Technician who has always had a passion for mental health. While she never imagined working in co-occurring addiction treatment, she now considers her role at River Community Covina a blessing. She finds meaning in helping participants each day and takes pride in contributing to their progress.
Claudia Callejas, Licensed Vocational Nurse
Claudia’s path to nursing was shaped by a desire to help loved ones struggling with addiction. Though her own battle with substance use once caused her to step away from healthcare, SMRS gave her a chance to rediscover her purpose. With support from her team, she reclaimed her nursing license and now serves as a Medication Support Counselor. Claudia is proud to be living proof that recovery is possible, and people do change.
Julie Casillas, Licensed Vocational Nurse
Julie brings over 25 years of experience in nursing, with a background spanning hospitals, postpartum care, med-surg units, home health, and mental health. She has also contributed to public health efforts through vaccination and pre-employment clinics, community outreach, and volunteer work—including COVID clinics, the Carnival of Love, and serving on the FQHC Board in Riverside. After relocating to care for her mother, Julie was drawn to SMRS for its holistic approach to recovery. Now part of the Medication Support team, she is excited to make a meaningful impact.
Lus Leyva Ramirez, Medical Assistant
Lus is the Medications Aide at Bimini, having joined SMRS a year and a half ago. Though new to the field, she brings a natural sense of patience and compassion shaped by personal experience with a loved one’s struggles. She takes pride in supporting residents and finds joy in helping others on their path to healing. Lus is a calming and caring presence, making a daily impact through patience and compassion.
Merci Burney, Licensed Vocational Nurse
Merci serves at Omni Center, bringing warmth, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose to her role as a nurse. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be in the nursing field, driven by her heart for people and a desire to help others heal. She believes that a kind spirit and a loving heart have the power to transform lives. For Merci, nursing is more than a job—it’s a calling, and every smile she shares and prayer she offers is part of her mission to bring hope and healing.
Somer Harrison-Mierau, Licensed Psychiatric Technician
Somer is the Medication Management Coordinator at SMRS, deeply committed to supporting individuals facing addiction and mental health challenges. Since starting her career in 2014 at River Community, she has gained valuable experience and a strong understanding of co-occurring disorder treatment. As the agency’s MAT Champion, she builds partnerships with program MAT Champions and community providers to expand access to addiction treatment resources. Guided by SMRS’ core beliefs, Somer also works with educational partners and supports medication support staff across programs to make a lasting impact in the community.
Exon Garcia, Medical Assistant
Exon entered the nursing field with a deep desire to support others in healing—not just physically, but emotionally. Early in his career, he was drawn to mental health and its critical connection to overall well-being, which led him to explore the intersection of nursing and counseling, with a particular focus on psychopharmacology. His growing interest in how medications support recovery and mental health guided him into the field of substance use treatment. There, he witnessed the profound impact on individuals and their families when compassionate care is combined with appropriate medication and counseling. For Exon, this work has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, as he helps people reclaim their lives and build healthier futures.
Lynetta Hale, LMFT, LPT
Lynetta Hale, Senior Director of Clinical Services, brings a powerful combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and lived experience to her role. She once served as a nurse at River Community and has remained committed to supporting individuals in recovery. Her passion for helping others heal is deeply rooted in her own healing journey. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Psychiatric Technician, she continues to inspire the SMRS community through her mentorship, compassion, and dedication to empowering fellow behavioral health professionals.
Chanda Watts, PBT
In September 2022, Chanda earned her Phlebotomy License and Certificate from AUMT after more than 20 years working behind the scenes in Hollywood. Her path changed following the devastating loss of her father, who passed from an accidental fentanyl overdose after likely relapsing to manage back pain. Spending time working with her sister at a detox facility deepened her understanding of addiction and inspired her to help others like her father. Now working in recovery, Chanda finds joy in supporting residents with love, kindness, and therapeutic care—both inside and outside the medication rooms.
To our nurses and medical support staff:
Thank you for your tireless dedication, your compassion, and your belief in the power of healing. You are more than healthcare providers—you are mentors, advocates, and hope-bearers. On National Nurses Day and every day, we honor the care you give and the lives you transform. Your presence makes all the difference.
