Providers
Our team of knowledgeable providers are prepared to work with you to achieve your mental health goals!
Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA
Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA Board certified psychiatrist Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatry |
Lauren M. Kiraly, MMS, PA-C Certified physician assistant Child, Adolescent, Adult, & Geriatric Psychiatry |
Dr. Chitra Mathew, DNP, PMHNP-BC Board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatry |
Dr. Barbara Schulte, DNP, PMHNP-BC BOARD CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatry |
Carolyn Boles, LPC Licensed professional counselor Adult Counseling & Coaching |
Dr. Mehmud Ahmed, MD, FAPA Board certified psychiatrist Adult & Geriatric Psychiatry |
Ruth Flucker, MS, PMHNP-BC, CNE
peaceful minds
BOARD CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
FULL BIOS:
Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patino is a board certified Psychiatrist who is the Medical Director and President of Metro NBI. Dr. Amezcua-Patino is currently the Medical Director of Oasis Behavioral Health Hospital in Chandler, AZ, and he has over 25 years of clinical and administrative experience in Arizona. Dr. Amezcua-Patino has been involved with various community health organizations both as a consultant and director. He has also served on various professional organizations and is currently a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He was also awarded the Sierra Tucson Gratitude Recognition Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) in 2012 for his dedication and service to the mental health community of Arizona.
Lauren Kiraly graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry from Arizona State University in 2008 followed by a Masters of Medical Science Degree from Midwestern University in 2011. Ms. Kiraly is supervised by Dr. Amezcua-Patino. She has extensive knowledge and training about psychiatry and is especially interested in neuropsychology and neuropsychiatric testing. Ms. Kiraly continues to expand her knowledge of psychiatry by regularly attending training sessions and educational forums on psychopharmacology and psychiatric medication updates.
Dr. Chitra Mathew earned her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree from Arizona State University in 2014. She also has a PhD in Psychology which she earned from the University of Rajasthan. She is a certified Yoga instructor. Dr. Mathew has a passion and expertise for mindfulness therapy and techniques. This allows her to provide an added benefit to her patients’ treatments. Her personal philosophy comprises mind-body-spirit care. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
Dr. Barbara Schulte received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2016. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and is a Peer DNP Mentor & Guest Lecturer. Enthusiastic, compassionate, and bilingual, Dr. Schulte has over seven years of psychiatric nursing experience and over 13 years of psychiatric work experience and a doctorate-level education for accurate assessment, evaluation, diagnosing, and implementation of treatment planning focusing on providing patient-centered care.
Carolyn Boles joined our team as of Fall 2015. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Northwestern University in Illinois and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. She has spent over 20 years treating patients in the Sun Lakes, AZ area working with patients in the internal medicine field as a therapist. Her philosophy involves working with both the mind and body in a coordinated effort for ideal understanding and treatment. Carolyn’s therapeutic philosophy involves the belief that most people are influenced by rewards and avoidance of punishment. Most behavior is initiated for some type of positive reinforcement, although it is not always apparent what it is. If you can understand what the reward that you are getting is, then you can learn what your motivation is and even how to change your behavior. Though at first glance these rewards are sometimes elusive, through therapy we can discover together just what these are for you.
Dr. Mehmud Ahmed is a board certified Adult Psychiatrist. He attended medical school at Dow University of Health Sciences and graduated in 1987. Dr. Ahmed did his psychiatric residency in Norwich, CT and Middletown, CT. Dr. Ahmed has vast experience in the state of Arizona and has knowledge about the mental health system as he has worked in the community mental health setting, inpatient setting, and private practice. Dr. Ahmed has been practicing psychiatry for over 20 years and his expansive knowledge of psychiatry has earned him a Fellowship into the American Psychiatric Association.
Ruth Flucker is a certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, specializing in adults with mental illness. She has been a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2011. Prior to this she obtained her certification as a Certified Nurse Educator in 2010 and worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor from 2010-2012 at Arizona State University’s College of Nursing. She presently continues to work as a Faculty Associate at the College of Nursing educating Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Practitioner students. She previously was the sole Psychiatric provider for all ASU Campus Health locations, where she was efficiently managing and referring patients with psychiatric needs. Ruth’s passion is to accurately diagnose, treat, manage, and refer patients with chronic mental health needs. She has been in the medical field for over 30 years and is originally from Scotland. Her company Peaceful Minds is dedicated to providing patient-centered care for adults with mental health necessities. Peaceful Minds is managed by MetroNBI.
Lauren Kiraly graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry from Arizona State University in 2008 followed by a Masters of Medical Science Degree from Midwestern University in 2011. Ms. Kiraly is supervised by Dr. Amezcua-Patino. She has extensive knowledge and training about psychiatry and is especially interested in neuropsychology and neuropsychiatric testing. Ms. Kiraly continues to expand her knowledge of psychiatry by regularly attending training sessions and educational forums on psychopharmacology and psychiatric medication updates.
Dr. Chitra Mathew earned her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree from Arizona State University in 2014. She also has a PhD in Psychology which she earned from the University of Rajasthan. She is a certified Yoga instructor. Dr. Mathew has a passion and expertise for mindfulness therapy and techniques. This allows her to provide an added benefit to her patients’ treatments. Her personal philosophy comprises mind-body-spirit care. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
Dr. Barbara Schulte received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2016. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and is a Peer DNP Mentor & Guest Lecturer. Enthusiastic, compassionate, and bilingual, Dr. Schulte has over seven years of psychiatric nursing experience and over 13 years of psychiatric work experience and a doctorate-level education for accurate assessment, evaluation, diagnosing, and implementation of treatment planning focusing on providing patient-centered care.
Carolyn Boles joined our team as of Fall 2015. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Northwestern University in Illinois and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. She has spent over 20 years treating patients in the Sun Lakes, AZ area working with patients in the internal medicine field as a therapist. Her philosophy involves working with both the mind and body in a coordinated effort for ideal understanding and treatment. Carolyn’s therapeutic philosophy involves the belief that most people are influenced by rewards and avoidance of punishment. Most behavior is initiated for some type of positive reinforcement, although it is not always apparent what it is. If you can understand what the reward that you are getting is, then you can learn what your motivation is and even how to change your behavior. Though at first glance these rewards are sometimes elusive, through therapy we can discover together just what these are for you.
Dr. Mehmud Ahmed is a board certified Adult Psychiatrist. He attended medical school at Dow University of Health Sciences and graduated in 1987. Dr. Ahmed did his psychiatric residency in Norwich, CT and Middletown, CT. Dr. Ahmed has vast experience in the state of Arizona and has knowledge about the mental health system as he has worked in the community mental health setting, inpatient setting, and private practice. Dr. Ahmed has been practicing psychiatry for over 20 years and his expansive knowledge of psychiatry has earned him a Fellowship into the American Psychiatric Association.
Ruth Flucker is a certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, specializing in adults with mental illness. She has been a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2011. Prior to this she obtained her certification as a Certified Nurse Educator in 2010 and worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor from 2010-2012 at Arizona State University’s College of Nursing. She presently continues to work as a Faculty Associate at the College of Nursing educating Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Practitioner students. She previously was the sole Psychiatric provider for all ASU Campus Health locations, where she was efficiently managing and referring patients with psychiatric needs. Ruth’s passion is to accurately diagnose, treat, manage, and refer patients with chronic mental health needs. She has been in the medical field for over 30 years and is originally from Scotland. Her company Peaceful Minds is dedicated to providing patient-centered care for adults with mental health necessities. Peaceful Minds is managed by MetroNBI.
