Leadership Team
Our Associates

John Hertzer M.D. - Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

John Hertzer, MD is a Child & Adolescent psychiatrist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. He is the Director of that division and the Director of Clinical Services. Prior to joining University Hospitals in 2006, Dr. Hertzer worked as an outpatient psychiatrist for Laurelwood.

Dr. Hertzer has been practicing Child & Adolescent Psychiatry since 1999 after completing a child & adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Prior to this fellowship he completed an adult psychiatry residency at George Washington University. He earned his undergraduate degree at Tufts University and medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio.

Dr. Hertzer specializes in psychotropic medication management of youth with mental health conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety conditions, ADHD, and psychosis. He primarily practices as an outpatient psychiatrist or in residential treatment settings, but also does periodic inpatient unit coverage at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

Philip A. Fragassi, M.D. - Medical Director

Philip A. Fragassi, MD has acted as Carrington’s medical director since 2011. He is also currently the Medical Director for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, a staff physician at Lakewood Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Rehab Hospital for Children and a pediatrician with Metro Health Medical Center.

Dr. Fragassi has been actively involved with at-risk youth since 1994. In 1999, Ohio University Medical Student Awards named him Outstanding Specialty Physician. In 2005, he was awarded MetroHealth Pediatric Chairman's Award for Excellence in Education.

Dr. Fragassi has written papers on alcoholism and other conditions such as epilepsy. He speaks Spanish fluently, which allows him to better communicate with Carrington's Hispanic residents.

Dr. Fragassi is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. His postgraduate education included a Residency in Pediatrics with Cleveland's Rainbow, Babies and Childrens (University Hospitals of Cleveland) and a Fellowship at University Hospital's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Rebecca Meyer - Director, Quality Improvement & Admissions

Rebecca Meyer received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with focuses on Child and Developmental Psychologies, from Bowling Green State University in 2011. Ms. Meyer also holds certification in Mental Health First Aid for children/adolescents and adults. Rebecca has over ten years' experience serving at-risk youth at Carrington. In that time, she was able to progress from the role of Executive Assistant to her current role as Director of Quality Improvement & Admissions. Rebecca also serves as the agency's Clients' Rights Officer and trauma-Informed Care trainer. Additionally, she is a member of the Greater Cleveland Safety Council and the local Trauma-Informed Care Collaborative on behalf of Carrington. Ms. Meyer has been an integral part of Carrington's success in maintaining licensure and accreditation by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services and CARF. Ms. Meyer has led the charge in implementing trauma-informed care initiatives throughout the organization, including launching dedicated programming and safe spaces and researching and implementing evidence-based practices in the behavioral health and residential programs. Rebecca has represented Carrington at Provider Meetings all over the state of Ohio for the last ten years. Additionally, she has attended national conferences through CARF, Relias Learning, and the Association of Children's Residential Centers.

Melissa Bagnato, LPCC-S, IMFT-S - Clinical Supervisor

Melissa Bagnato is an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with combined supervisory status. She has worked in private practice and community agencies as a therapist since 2014, and for the last three years has focused on Clinical Supervision, providing direction, and overseeing compliance for numerous therapists. She enjoys treating families that are dealing with conflict and/or trust and communication issues. She uses her training in Marriage and Family therapy to help families increase their relationship satisfaction and their emotional well-being. Melissa is trained in EMDR and utilizes it to address trauma, distressing events, and overall body regulation with a variety of clients. Her current role at Carrington is to provide clinical supervision and direction to therapists, as well as ensure compliance with documentation and client files.

Whitney McSparran, M.Ed, LPCC - Outreach Coordinator

Whitney McSparran is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor holding a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. She has deep experience across multiple levels of care including outpatient, community behavioral health, residential treatment settings, and acute inpatient psychiatric settings as both a clinician and director. She has dedicated much of her career to serving and supporting LGBTQ+ folk and creating trauma informed spaces. Her current role at Carrington includes fostering community connections and developing and refining treatment curriculum.

Dr. Jerlisa Calhoun - Administrator, Educational Services

Dr. Jerlisa M. Calhoun is a life- long learner and an educator for two decades. Before educating northeast Ohio's most vulnerable populations, she held various educational responsibilities, mainly in the area of Special Education. Before joining the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio (ESCNEO) as the proud Principal of Carrington, her administrative roles were: Principal, Assistant Principal and Special Education Administrator for CMSD and The East Cleveland City School District. As the previous Principal of ESC of the Western Reserve's Residential and Alternative Schools, she was the leader of The Lake Academy, Carrington Youth Academy, and The Hale Rd. Building and The Online Learning Academy simultaneously. Before her career in education, she briefly worked as a Social Service Worker and Juvenile Court Diversion Case Manager in Cuyahoga County. It is through her experiences as an urban educator, tutor, administrator, Tri-C GED teacher and Social Service background that she learned to apply behavioral strategies while helping to develop teachers into being the very best that they can be in the classroom

Dr. Calhoun earned a Doctor of Education from Walden University. Other educational experiences include the completion of the Superintendent’s Licensure Program from Ashland University, Center for Educational Leadership Principal’s Licensure Program from Cleveland State University, and the Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist Licensure Program. She also holds both a Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts from Cleveland State University. Dr. Calhoun was a contributor in creating a High School Academy concept for the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve. She believes that “All students are capable of learning; regardless of disability” and continues providing Professional Development to Intervention Specialists. Her passion and focus is Educating the “Whole Child” and improving graduation rates.

In 2020 she created a domestic for-profit organization which provides service in the areas of education consulting and Ohio Notary Public. She holds various memberships in the Community and Ohio Administrative Organizations. In these community roles her leadership responsibilities were President, Vice-President, Secretary and Member-At-Large. Her most noteworthy roles are that of a Mother, Daughter and Sister.

Karen Lackey, MSSA, LISW - Academic Consultant

Ms. Lackey has over 25 years' experience in social work and has spent a large part of that time working with at-risk and adjudicated youth. She has a strong background in human services that includes program development, community organizing, counseling, grant writing and evaluation planning. Ms. Lackey received her Master of Science in Social Services Administration from Case Western Reserve University.

Bernard F. Pawlikowsky - Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Pawlikowsky is a social entrepreneur and is committed to building the model QRTP behavioral health agency in Ohio. He has over 25 years’ experience in institutional consulting and leadership positions with Fortune 500 corporations. He performed the original feasibility study and focus groups that were germane to the agency's mission, secured start-up financing and lead the real estate acquisition, while assembling an experienced, diverse leadership team.

Carrington's mission is to provide trauma-informed, evidence-based sanctuary and outpatient behavioral health services to youth and their families, building on strengths to promote recovery, positive relationships, and successful integration into the community.

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

Judge William L. Dawson - Administrative & Presiding Judge, East Cleveland Municipal Court

Judge William L. Dawson is an author, motivational speaker and the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the East Cleveland Municipal Court. Prior to becoming a Judge, his criminal defense practice included cases in Ohio's Municipal and State Courts, The Ohio Supreme Court, The United States District Court for The Northern & Southern District of Ohio and The United States Court of Appeals in the Sixth Circuit. As an attorney, Judge Dawson handled cases ranging from traffic violations to murder charges.

Judge Dawson was born, raised and educated in East Cleveland, Ohio (where he currently presides as the Judge). Judge Dawson experienced and survived many of the same temptations and obstacles that our youth face today. It was those experiences that led Judge Dawson to becoming a lawyer and ultimately a Judge with a mission to help as many people as possible.

In order to reach, educate and inspire the community, Judge Dawson wrote a book called, "The Legal Matrix, How the system is controlling your life" and its companion workbook. His second book "99 Problems: How Your Failures, Flops & Flaws Can Lead to Your Greatness" aims to further inspire this generation to overcome obstacles and become the best that they can be. Additionally, Judge Dawson creates workbooks, educational manuals and programs that are taught in his Court and area high schools.

When not in the courtroom, Judge Dawson conducts the "Finish First" probation program for convicted criminals and the "Finish First" program for junior and high school youth. Additionally, he is the founder and executive director of the Annie L. Dawson Foundation for Justice, Education & Achievement, which provides mentoring and scholarships for college bound high school students.

John C. Haugh - Co-Chairman of the Board, ColorMatrix

Co-Founder of ColorMatrix Corp in 1978, he is currently the Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors of ColorMatrix Group Inc. ColorMatrix has operations in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia and is the world's largest manufacturer of liquid color and additive concentrates for thermoplastic products with annual revenue of $180M. He was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1995. Mr. Haugh also currently serves on the Board of Directors in either an advisory capacity or as a board member as follows: University Hospital and Chairman of Heart Valve Vascular Institute, Plasticolors, US Polymers, Executive Committee National Skeet Shooting Association. Mr. Haugh earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota.

David Tully-Smith, M.D., PhD - President & CEO, ChartWare

Dr. Tully-Smith has worked in the field of Medical Informatics since 1970. After completing his PhD in physical chemistry, specializing in theoretical chemical physics and statistical mechanics, he focused on applying modern science and technology to medicine. While attending the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, he accurately envisioned the application of computer technology to clinical medicine, leading to his role as co-founder of ChartWare.

James Harmon - Business Unit President, CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc.

James Harmon brings over 25 years of employee benefits and insurance experience in helping small, mid-size, and large business leaders with managing their costs, delivering high quality insurance and benefits programs to their employees while understanding how this effects the bottom line, employee retention, and talent attraction. James has spoken at a variety of national and regional conferences focused on employee benefits and has been quoted various times in national and local news outlets. James has also served as an expert witness on the subject of employee benefits and insurance in legal court cases.

Our Affiliations