Mission Behavioral Health
Our Providers
Robert Zalewski-Zaragoza, MD
Dr. Zalewski-Zaragoza graduated from UCSD School of Medicine in 2002 and completed his residency in Psychiatry at the Naval Medical Center San Diego where he was Chief Resident. He has served as the head of psychiatry at the US Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy prior to going into private practice in 2011 where he provides a mix of inpatient and outpatient services. He is certified by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.
Ruchira Densert, MD
Dr. Ruchira Densert has over 20 years of clinical experience, knowledge, and skills. In addition to her traditional psychiatric practice and clinical work at the Naval Medical Center, Dr. Densert trained and started providing TMS treatment in 2015.
Dr. Densert received her undergraduate education from the University of San Diego and attended Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, the Nation’s military school of medicine, in Bethesda, Maryland. She then completed her psychiatric residency at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and is a diplomat for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Densert has served over 22 years on active duty service in the Navy, over 20 years of which were spent providing clinical care to men and women who serve in the military and their family members.
She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient areas in a variety of hospital-based and outpatient clinical settings including overseas military assignments to such remote regions as Afghanistan.
Robert McLay, MD, Ph.D.
Robert McLay is a psychiatrist and pain medicine physician board certified in three areas: General Psychiatry, Pain Medicine, and Psychosomatic Medicine (the overlap between medical and mental health issues). He has a special focus on military and high-performance mental health and, for this clinic, only accepts patients with some connection to the U.S. military or to similar government service.
Dr. McLay received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Johns Hopkins University, and his Ph.D. in neuroscience and M.D. from Tulane University. He did psychiatric residency training at Naval Medical Center San Diego, and a fellowship in pain medicine with the department of anesthesiology at the University of California San Diego. He has served with in the U.S. Navy for 23 years, and has the rank of Captain in the Navy Reserve. In addition to this working at this clinic, Dr. McLay serves at Lead Psychiatrist for San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital. He is the author of over one hundred scientific publications, including the books At War With PTSD and Psychiatrists in Combat. He has won numerous awards and distinctions, including being certified as a Master Clinician, receiving the “People’s Choice” award, and being awarded Mental Health Teacher of the Year by Naval Medical Center; being a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association; and being named by the National Center for Policy Analysis as one of the most important influencers of mental health treatment.
Negean Shahnematollahi, PMHNP
Negean Shahnematollahi is a California Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from San Diego State University and went on to receive her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing from California State University San Marcos with a specialization as a Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. In addition to her Master’s education she also completed a two year clinical residency program at UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services. Her professional areas of interest include functional medicine psychiatry, telemedicine for mental health and interprofessional development. She is an active member of the California Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International.
Milka Galvez, PMHNP
Milka has earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Masters Science in Nursing from Walden University. She has experience as a nurse in both acute and outpatient settings and enjoys working with all ages of people from adolescents to geriatric patients. Her special areas of interest are depression, insomnia/sleep related issues, as well as relationship focused issues. Milka as well speaks Tagalog.
Penny Greaves, PMHNP, FNP
Penny Greaves is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner, providing treatment for depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder. She has over 10 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, graduating from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and National University in San Diego, California. She has advanced training in addictions.
Bohan Farrell, PMHNP
Bohan is a board-certified Doctoral Nurse Practitioner who specializes in psychiatric evaluation and medication management for adult psychiatric clients. Her approach to healthcare is a mind/ body balance. She believes we feel our best when we are both mentally and physically at our best.
As a provider, Bohan understand we are all different and require different approaches to treatment. Together you will discuss not only your mental health, but also focus on your nutrition, physical health, and self-care regimen including opportunities for therapy.
Bohan's goal is for you to work together as a team to help you achieve your full health potential. No two cases are the same, everyone has different underlying causes, roots, and the contexts of their particular situations differ and so their treatment plans should differ as well. In treating your health care concerns she will create a safe and open environment where you can work together to formulate the best plan for you.
Robert LaVigne, PA-C
Robert LaVigne has worked as a psychiatric physician assistant since 2011. He completed the PA program at D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Prior to this, he earned a Master of Arts in Cognitive Psychology from SUNY Buffalo. During his time as a PA in San Diego, he has worked in a number of different psychiatric settings, including skilled nursing, addiction, inpatient, and outpatient care.
Rob has a strong desire to provide evidence based treatments to meet his clients unique needs and enjoys staying up to date on cutting edge treatments. He brings a calming presence to his sessions and works to collaborate with his clients to provide the best possible care.
In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, hiking, and floor hockey.
Shannon Boyce, PA-C
Education: Shannon completed her bachelor's degree in Human Biology at UC San Diego and then went on to earn a master's degree in Medical Science and Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. She is certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Specialty: Throughout her career, Shannon has worked with various patient populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She treats a variety of mental health conditions in adults, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Affiliations: Shannon is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She is also a contracted PA with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in San Diego. Prior to attending PA school, Shannon worked as a transcranial magnetic stimulation technician and now continues to provide TMS treatment for patients through Greenbrook TMS.
Philosophy: Shannon uses evidence-based medicine to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient. She works collaboratively with patients to ensure they feel comfortable, respected, and valued.
Ashley Russell, PA-C
Ashley Russell, PA-C is a physician assistant certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). As a Southern California native, she received her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology at UC San Diego. She then received her Master of Clinical Medical Science from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Prior to her master's's degree, she spent 1 year as a patient aide at a residential treatment center for addiction and mental health, and 2 years as a TMS technician. She strives to build a partnership with her patients to empower them to lead healthy lifestyles. In her free time, she enjoys baking, skateboarding, and spending time with her family.
Dennis Wood, Ph.D.
Dennis Patrick Wood, Ph.D., ABPP is a Clinical Psychologist practicing in Coronado, California (CA). Dr. Wood is also a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
As an experienced Clinical Psychologist, practicing in Coronado, CA, Dr. Wood not only possesses an extensive training career while on active duty in the U.S. Navy and while affiliated with the Naval Reserves, but also Dr. Wood gained invaluable experience working with and treating U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel.
Dr. Wood has acquired specialized knowledge in the areas of diagnosis and treating depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma. Dr. Wood’s practice focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a variety of mental health difficulties.
Dr. Wood also completes psychological disability evaluations for Veterans who are seeking disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs due to a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Post Traumatic Stress, Major Depressive Disorder and/or Anxiety Disorder.
