About Our Staff
At SOAR we utilize the skills of a Licensed Medical Director, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, Registered Nurses, Direct Care Staff , and a Licensed Nutritionist to provide comprehensive care for our clients.
Our Treatment Team
Craig DeLisi, M.D. - Medical Director
Dr. DeLisi is board certified in family medicine. Dr. DeLisi examines all patients admitted to The SOAR Program. He works with the professional staff to develop an individualized plan of care for every young man admitted to our program. Dr. DeLisi follows our clients through their entire course of treatment ensuring that they receive excellent medical care during their time at SOAR.
Dr. DeLisi donates much of his leisure time to various missions, serving outreach programs in inner city clinics, ghettos and homeless programs. He travels annually to Sudan, Africa working with Harvesters Orphanage to establish a medical clinic on the orphanage compound. His dedication to the healing of hurting individuals is evident in all areas of his practice.
Deborah James - Program Administrator
Ms James is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with over 10 years of experience working specifically with adolescent clients. Ms James is also a Certified Christian counselor. She has previously served as Program Administrator in a traditional twelve step treatment program. She has chosen to join The SOAR Program because of the emphasis on Christianity. Ms James has combined her experience in adolescent recovery with her passion for God to create a unique treatment environment.
I have studied addiction for over 10 years and I truly believe that God has given me a special gift to work with adolescent males. I believe the youth of today are our future and if I can help one, on this journey called life, to live it to the fullest without the use of drugs and alcohol I have been of good service.
Lorie Hershberger - Lead Counselor, LPC, RN
Lorie brings 27 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and over 16 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor to The SOAR Program. Lorie has extensive experience in assessment and treatment of both adults and adolescent, along with specialized training in treatment of addiction. Lorie is a gifted teacher and educator, serving both the clients and the staff at SOAR.
Direct Care Staff
The direct care staff members bring over 35 years of success in recovery to the SOAR program. Their ability to share their experience, strength and hope with our clients is invaluable. The fact that many of the staff "have been there" resonates with our boys, helping to build trust and a hope for the future. Sharing life with individuals who have learned to live life on life's terms without the use of alcohol and drugs provides our clients with role models for a brighter future.
Registered Nurse,
The SOAR Program has a registered nurse either on site or on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The nurse supervises the daily distribution of medication, monitors vital signs and general health, makes physician referrals for any illness or injury, and provides health education to our clients. The nurse works closely with the medical director to ensure excellent health care for our clients.
Our Owners: Jim and Melissa Groth
The SOAR Program is owned by the husband and wife team of Jim and Melissa Groth.
Jim and Melissa have experienced firsthand the journey of a child from the depths of addiction to the joy of living in recovery and all the stages in between.
In April of 2006 Jim and Melissa answered the call to participate in the fight against the addictions that are bringing pain and destruction to the lives of teenagers and their families. The Groths believe that along with the wonderful work being done in Traditional Twelve Step programs there is a need to introduce adolescents to the strength and power that can be found through a relationship with the God of the bible. The SOAR Program combines both concepts in a Christian Twelve Step Program. The Groths have utilized their experience in health care and business to put together an outstanding treatment team and build a program that promises to be life changing for all who enter.
We could not sit back and watch drugs and alcohol destroy the lives of our youth. We believe these precious lives are worth fighting for. Our vision for The SOAR Program is to provide hope, healing and a future to young men who find themselves caught in the grip of addiction