Ash Mikhail, MD CEO / Medical Director
Dr. Ash Mikhail graduated from medical school at Alexandria University. He completed his Adult Psychiatry Residency at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center and Columbia University and then continued to Dartmouth Medical School to complete a residency in Child Psychiatry. Board-certified in Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Mikhail has published several articles in peer-reviewed professional journals and participated in several research studies. Dr. Mikhail serves as Medical Director at Good Hope Hospital as well as Chair of Psychiatry and Associate Professor at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Mikhail has concentrated his efforts on improving the availability and delivery of mental health services in Onslow and surrounding counties. His focus is providing the most up-to-date, evidence-based psychiatric treatments and reducing the stigma of mental health and its impact on our community.
Melvin W James II, PHMNP-BC
Mr. James received his Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010. He completed intensive training through 3 years of clinical study and practicum with a concentration in psychiatric/mental health issues in preparation for the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification.
Mr. James worked in the area of mental health as a registered nurse for almost 13 years before finishing the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program. He has experience in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric settings. As a family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, Mr. James works with people of all ages.
Jessica Hardin Enyeart, PA-C
Ms. Enyeart received her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2005. She also received a Masters’s degree in Adult Education with a focus in Healthcare Delivery Systems and Gerontology from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2003. She is a Board Certified Physician Assistant in the State of North Carolina and maintains her certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Jessica is affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants. She is also a lifelong member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity.
She joined the medical staff of Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center under the supervision of Dr. Ash Mikhail in May 2008. Jessica has a particular interest in the geriatric population and the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, however, she is knowledgeable in the diagnosis and treatment of patients of all age ranges—pediatric, adolescent, adult, and older adult—all of whom she has treated since 2005.
Ajay Veeragandham, MD
Dr. Veeragandham graduated from Siddhartha Medical College and Research Institute affiliate of the University of Health Sciences in India. He completed his Adult Psychiatry residency at the Nassau University Medical Center and Child Psychiatry fellowship at Elmhurst Hospital Center, NY. He is the chief resident in the child psychiatry fellowship and board certified in adult psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Following completion of his residency and fellowship training, he moved to NC and worked for more than eight years with South Eastern Regional Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, LME, Lumberton, NC. He carried hospital privileges at South Eastern Regional Medical Center. He had several years of experience in treating chronic treatment-resistance conditions including mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders in both children and adults.
Dorinda Dew, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Ms. Dew received her Master of Science Degree and Post Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner certification from East Carolina University and a Post Graduate Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification from the University of South Alabama. She has worked with Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center since 2007, primarily in inpatient psychiatric settings. Before coming to CCNC she worked as a family nurse practitioner providing health care screenings, prenatal care, and medical care for both acute and chronic illnesses for newborn to elderly patients. Her previous experience also includes working as a nursing instructor at Sampson Community College. She maintains her national certification as a Psychiatric – Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Delores Brown, MD
Delores Brown MD is fellowship trained in Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She is adept at developing team-based approaches to difficulties in home, school, work, and social life areas where the individual has had problems, often before being diagnosed with a mental illness. The involvement of family and community is instrumental in ensuring continued mental health.
Dr. Brown was a National Merit Semifinalist and has an undergraduate degree in psychology, magna cum laude, from Texas Christian University. After working for several years in corporate management and human resources, she attended medical school at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Brown completed her internship and residency in psychiatry and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico. She has worked primarily in acute and residential treatment, with some outpatient practice as well. Her particular interest is working with children and adolescents, especially since research has shown that many mental illnesses have an onset much earlier than was previously thought. Early treatment can prevent further difficulties in academic, social, and family life, improving prognosis dramatically. Addressing the multiple domains of family/marital, substance abuse, and employment/school difficulties requires that mental health providers work collaboratively to identify problems as well as the best approach to solving these problems. Furthermore, it is important to teach an individual to understand his or her mental illness, so that future exacerbations can be treated early, thereby preventing relapse.
Krista Murphy, PA-C
Ms. Murphy received her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI in 2016. Before this, she attended Westfield State University in Westfield, MA for undergraduate studies majoring in sports medicine. Through her studies and clinical rotations, Krista found a love and passion for psychiatry.
She is a Board Certified Physician Assistant in the State of North Carolina and maintains her certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Krista is affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants. She joined the medical staff of Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center under the supervision of Dr. Sharon Kahler in July 2016.
Lourdes Illa-Sanchez, MD
Dr. Illa-Sanchez is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She received her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. She completed her Adult Psychiatry Residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship training at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. Upon completing her training, Dr. Illa-Sanchez joined the Faculty at the University of Miami, where she held various leadership positions in residency training and clinical psychiatry. She has also participated in clinical research and published several articles in peer-reviewed journals. The focus of her clinical work has been on providing psychiatric assessment and treating children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with psychiatric disorders as well as those living with co-occurring medical disorders, including HIV. Relocating to North Carolina for family reasons, Dr. Illa-Sanchez is pleased to provide psychiatric care to military families and members of the local community.
Lisa A. Tiebauer, PMHNP-BC
Lisa A. Tiebauer graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2005 after completing the Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ms. Tiebauer’s nursing career began in 1992; she worked in home health and hospice before working at a State inpatient hospital while in Mississippi. Ms. Tiebauer and her family moved to North Carolina in 2009 where she has been working with the military aboard Camp Lejeune. Ms. Tiebauer is Board Certified by ANCC for Adult psychiatric care; she looks forward to serving our community.
Nana Amponsah, PA-C
Nana-Akua Amponsah received her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Bridgeport, CT in 2018. She also holds a Ph.D. degree in History from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining the medical team of Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center in 2018, under the supervision of Dr. Ajay Veeragandham, Nana was an Assistant Professor of History at the History Department at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Nana is Board Certified Physician Assistant in the State of North Carolina and maintains her certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She has special interests in pediatric depression and substance abuse and family support programs. Nana is a native of Ghana and lives in Fayetteville with her family.
Carina Pringle, PA-C
Ms. Pringle received her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Daemen College in Buffalo, New York in 2021. Before this, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science/Health Science with a minor in biology from Daemen College. Throughout her time at Daemen College, she also played Division II Women’s Basketball. Upon graduation, she started her career in orthopedic surgery in upstate New York, before moving to North Carolina. Carina has been interested in psychiatry since she started PA school and especially during her clinical rotations. She is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant in the State of North Carolina and maintains her certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She joined the medical staff at Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center under the supervision of Dr. Mikhail in July 2022.
Carina has a particular interest in the pediatric population and the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
Pamela Edwards, PMHNP-BC
Ms. Edwards received her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Walden University in 2022. She completed intensive training in clinical study and practicum to prepare her for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certification. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Association.
Before joining the staff at CCNC in 2022 under the supervision of Dr. Ajay Veeragandham, she worked as a registered nurse in the psychiatric emergency department, intensive care unit, medical-surgical, endoscopic, and postpartum.
Mona Ismail, MD
Dr. Ismail graduated from Medical school at Cairo University. Completed Neurology residency at Cairo University and her residency training in Psychiatry at New York Medical College hospitals. She then completed her fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ (UMDNJ). Dr. Ismail is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Ismail participated in several active research studies as well as teaching and training Psychiatry residents.
She uses an evidence-based integrative medical approach in treatment planning which is a combination of up-to-date conventional medicine as well as natural evidence-based alternative medicine. She believes that mental health is pivotal in achieving our overall mind and body wellness. The saying “mind over matter” is true.
Michael Bradshaw, MD
Dr. Bradshaw completed his adult psychiatric residency training at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. At the university, he was the site chief for the consult liaison psychiatric service where he consulted within the emergency department, ICU, and medical wards. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association. He has extensive training in various psychiatric pathologies including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, and schizophrenia.
Dr. Bradshaw also trained at Nevada’s State Hospital where he worked with the state’s prison system and a diverse array of psychiatric cases. He is board-eligible through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Bradshaw has participated in various research papers and medical studies. He uses evidence-based, up-to-date medical approaches in assessment and treatment planning. His focus is providing the best care for the community of Onslow County.
Allyna Bates, PA-C
Allyna Bates is an eastern NC native who received her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from East Carolina University in 2022. She received her undergraduate education from Lees McRae College where she majored in Biology with a concentration in Health Sciences and minored in Mathematics. During her undergraduate education, she was a member of the women’s soccer team and volunteered during her free time to serve those with neurologic and developmental disabilities. She discovered her true interest in behavioral medicine while completing her clinical rotation at Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center. Mrs. Bates is a board-certified Physician Assistant in the State of North Carolina and maintains her certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She joined the medical staff of Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center under the supervision of Dr. Mikhail in January of 2023.
Nicole Dunnigan, PHMNP
Ms. Dunnigan received her Master of Science degree in nursing from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI in 2023. She is an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Before that, she worked in psychiatric nursing, primarily with children, adolescents, and families. She also has an extensive history as an Emergency Medical Technician. She looks forward to working with all ages, especially families. She joined Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center under the supervision of Dr. Michael Bradshaw in November of 2023.
Lori Wheeler, PMHNP-BC
Lori Wheeler graduated from the University of Missouri with her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in May of 2023. She began her nursing career in 2013 where she worked at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center on the adult surgical services unit. Since 2016, she has worked as a travel nurse across the United States in every medical-surgical specialty, as well as on inpatient psychiatric units with children, adults, geriatrics, and the forensic population.
Ms. Wheeler is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She finished intensive clinical training in several states and various psychiatric settings in hospitals, private practices, and community clinics to prepare her to work as a mental health nurse practitioner. While working in an underserved guidance and wellness center in Las Vegas, NV, she completed her doctoral project on the development and implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction tools for therapeutic encounters.
Ms. Wheeler is a member of the National Association of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, the American Society of Addiction Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She has a special interest in addiction medicine and is currently pursuing additional certification as an advanced practice addiction nurse. Ms. Wheeler is an Army veteran and is honored to serve the Jacksonville community.
Trishna Chand Thakur, MD
Dr. Thakur is a board-eligible, dedicated Child and Adolescent Psychiatry graduate from the University of Virginia Medical Center (UVA). Her journey began at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepal, where she earned her bachelor’s in Medicine and bachelor’s in Surgery (M.B.B.S). She then embarked on a rigorous training path, completing her adult psychiatry residency at UVA and a fast-tracked transition into Child Psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Her commitment to her field is evident in her decision to return to UVA to complete the rest of her fellowship.
Dr. Thakur’s experience spans from the grassroots level, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the cities of Baltimore. She has served her community in Nepal during natural disasters, a role that significantly shaped her interest in disaster psychiatry. Her work with orphan children, who were displaced by political unrest and natural calamities, further deepened her understanding of childhood mental illness and trauma-related disorders. Her extensive experience in disaster psychiatry and her passion for working with various age groups, from childhood to the elderly, was further honed during the pandemic’s peak. Dr. Thakur is a compassionate professional who can quickly take patients into her confidence with her gentle demeanor and subtle humor.
Besides her academic and medical interests, Dr. Thakur enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her husband and two rescue pups. She also enjoys hiking, gardening, and binge-watching thrillers and horror shows on television.