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Our Team

• SERENITY GROVE •

Addiction doesn't wait.

Take your first steps towards addiction recovery with Serenity Grove.

GET HELP NOW
844.904.3485

The addiction treatment specialists at Serenity Grove are dedicated to helping clients and their loved ones heal from the effects of addiction. In our Athens, GA treatment center, clients can find the support they need for lasting recovery. From detox to outpatient treatment, the levels of care offered at Serenity Grove are designed to promote sustainable sobriety.

Take the first step on the road to recovery by connecting with our addiction treatment specialists at 844.904.3485 or by connecting with the Serenity Grove staff online.

Meet the Serenity Grove Staff

addiction treatment specialists
Jay Veal, MS, APRN, CRNA, CARN, CAADC

Founder & CEO

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A. Patrick Brooks, MD

Medical Director

Starr Porter, clinical director
Star Bridges, MS LPC CMAC CCS

Clinical Director

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Katie Sklivagkos, RN, MSN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

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Dr. Delquis Mendoza

Psychiatrist

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Mike Forrest, P.A.

Physician Assistant

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Todd Saner

Client Care Manager

Lindsay Avery, Director of Operations
Lindsay Avery

Director of Operations

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Tommie L. (Larry) Walton, III, LCSW, MAC, MINT

Training Consultant

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Cam Moore

Director of Admissions

Sara Sayre
Sara Sayre

Admissions & Business Development Coordinator

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Erica Hamby, CIT

Group Facilitator

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Alyssa Leggett, CACI

Certified Addiction Counselor

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Jordan Whiddon RN

Director of Nursing

Nashia Mayfield, LAPC

Counselor

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Cathie Puckett, CACI

Group Facilitator

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Renee Ware, LPC

Therapist

Karen Skinner
Karen Skinner, MED, GCADC III

 Consulting Counselor

Contact Serenity Grove Recovery

Reach out to our addiction treatment specialists today at 844.904.3485 to learn more.

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Jay Veal, MS, APRN, CRNA, CARN, CAADC

Founder & CEO

Jay Veal founded Serenity Grove in 2016. Mr. Veal is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Georgia, a nursing degree from Athens Area Technical College, and a Master of Science degree from the California University of Pennsylvania, with a specialty certification in nurse anesthesia from The Washington Hospital in Washington, PA. Jay has been a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) since 1999. Mr. Veal first entered the field of addiction care by founding and operating a sober living community in 2009. In 2014, Jay collaborated with Karen Skinner, MED, GCADC III to co-found Athens Addiction Recovery Center (AARC), a licensed partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient treatment center, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Mr. Veal is honored to hold the designation of Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) from IntNSA, a specialty organization founded in 1975 for registered nurses committed to the prevention, intervention, treatment, and management of substance use disorders.

In addition to his specialty experience as an advanced practice registered nurse, with specialties both in anesthesia and the care of clients with substance use disorders, Mr. Veal has been a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor since January of 2018. Jay’s vision for Serenity Grove is better access to care for clients through easily accessible, state-of-the-art outpatient facilities, anchored by the flagship residential addiction treatment center headquartered in Athens, GA. In his leisure time, Jay enjoys international and domestic travel, motorsports, and most of all, spending time with his sons Max & Clark. Jay has passionately supported causes such as The Victory Junction Gang Camp, Heart Ministries, Penfield Christian Homes, & The Atlanta Union Mission. Jay and his sons reside in the heart of The Classic City.

Todd Saner

Alcohol & Drug Counselor

Mr. Saner has been with the firm since 2017 and holds the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor in Training (CADC-T) from the distinguished Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia. Todd enjoys living in the Five Points area and pursuing a rigorous fitness program in his personal time.

Cam Moore

Admissions Director

Cam Moore is a North Georgia native and the director of admissions for Serenity Grove and The Recovery Center. Cam is very passionate about working with men and women who suffer from mental health and addiction, which comes from his own experience of battling addiction and homelessness as a young adult. He is an alumni of No Longer Bound and Family Treatment Court.

Cam began working with the substance use disorder community shortly after getting sober due to his drive to help individuals find freedom from addiction. In his professional career, he has worked several different roles in different modalities of treatment and loves connecting with individuals and families effected by substance use disorder. Cam has a natural passion and discipline for experiential modalities and motivational interviewing.

He is an outdoorsman who loves spending time with his family, going hiking, camping, swimming, skateboarding and riding anything with two wheels.

Sara Sayre

Admissions & Business Development Coordinator

Sara has been a seasoned Admissions and Business Development leader for over 28 years. She attended Syracuse University and Castleton University with a focus in criminal justice and psychology. Sara has excelled in international sales, public speaking and admissions throughout the US and Canada. Sara spent that time working with others that needed motivation to excel in their life. She helped create and develop a curriculum that focuses on healthy self-esteem, self-confidence, life skills, and coping skills.

Sara has spent most of her life working where she is helping people and guiding them back to the person they deserve to be. Sara is an expert public speaker and team executive. Sara has a passive for helping others on their recovery journey. She is in long term recovery herself with over a decade dedicated to her own growth and program. Sara is also a breast cancer survivor and advocates for early detection.

Outside of business, Sara is proud to say she has a son named Noah who is an honor student in his senior year of high school. She is happily married to her husband Buck who is an airline captain. Sara and her family have 4 rescue dogs, Fin, Scarlett, Phoenix and Sunny.  Sara loves being close to water, muscle cars, interior design, meditation, time with her mother and scary movies.

Karen Skinner, MED, GCADC III

Consulting Counselor

With over twenty-five years of experience in the field of substance use disorder treatment, Karen Skinner, MED, GCADC III is a fixture in both the Athens and greater southeastern recovery communities. Prior to channeling her passion by co-founding Athens Addiction Recovery Center in 2015, Karen had already helped hundreds of hurting and hopeless individuals and their families find hope and recovery from alcohol and other substance use disorders.

Today, Karen’s vision and commitment remains as strong as ever. She continues to serve as a consulting counselor. Karen specializes in working with individuals who hold professional licenses as they navigate the necessary reporting requirements of the various licensing boards, both when seeking initial treatment and for maintaining their requirements as they maintain long-term recovery. Her specialized knowledge and vast experience has on countless occasions proven invaluable for a wide variety of professionals in recovery.