Medical Providers
Amber Johnson
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Amber is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who firmly believes that mental health is just as crucial as physical health, recognizing that nurturing our minds is vital for overall well-being. She has provided supportive, non-judgmental, and therapeutic mental health care to children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient settings as a nurse for many years. Her experience has enhanced her cultural competence, proficiency in crisis management, and her ability to educate and encourage patients effectively.
Brandon Jaggi
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Brandon earned both his Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) and Master’s in Nursing (MSN). He is Board Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, specializing in medication management. Brandon provides care for patients of all ages, bringing a wealth of knowledge and compassion to his practice. Passionate about health, Brandon is dedicated to helping people adopt healthy habits, including improvements in diet, exercise, and sleep. He also offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, as well as weight loss, to address all facets of life for comprehensive well-being. Brandon is actively fighting to decrease the stigma attached to mental health, promoting a more understanding and supportive approach to mental well-being.
Cari Ott
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
“You are a human being; you are not a diagnosis” Cari believes that each person deserves to find a provider who will truly listen to their story in order to achieve the best treatment and recovery possible. If you are looking for a holistic provider who will listen to your story and consider your entire symptom profile, Cari may be the perfect fit for you. Together, we can develop a treatment plan to improve your mental health and wellness.
Holly Montgomery
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Jackie Wayman
APRN, PMHNP-BC
You are the architect of your own life. Jackie partners with you to ensure you have a solid foundation to build on.
With nearly a decade in healthcare, Jackie has dedicated her career to helping people feel their best. She is a firm believer that mental health is a complex balance of physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. She empowers you to start today on a new journey, regardless of where you are beginning. Jackie enjoys getting to know people and prioritizes their values, preferences, and needs in creating a comprehensive care plan.
Julie Zulkosky
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Co-Founder
Julie grew up primarily in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University and because of numerous opportunities, she now calls Omaha home. Professionally, Julie has worked in acute care for over a decade. Those years have helped her shape her definition of holistic care and the impact it can have on physical and mental patient outcomes. Academically, she is a proud graduate of Creighton University where she received her bachelor’s, master's, and doctorate degrees. That training helped to reinforce her holistic approach by translating evidence-based practice and alternative medicine into plans of care that can maximize patient outcomes.
Kristi Bose
PMHNP-BC, Co-Founder, Director of Clinical Operations
Kristi is one of the founding partners of Verve Collaborative Health. She is experienced in many areas, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, and peripartum concerns.
Kristi’s passion is functional medicine/psychiatry and strives to provide care to the entire person, collaborating with a variety of providers to offer the best service and to help you find the best version of yourself.
Margaret Chipendo
MSN, APRN, FNP/PMHNP-BC
Margaret is passionate about caring for patients with severe mental illnesses across the lifespan (from ages 5 to 80), anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Her primary role is medication management and helping patients live healthy lives knowing that they can live with mental illness, not in mental illness.
“I think it’s really important to take the stigma away from mental health…My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I would not seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth.”
-Kerry Washington from the Huffington Post.
Marisha VanVleet - VCH
APRN-CNP PMHNP-BC
Marisha enjoys helping people...period. She is credentialed for all ages from very young to the elderly and has worked with all ages. For patients that do need medication, she uses a conservative approach and monitors them closely until stable. Her medication management patients do get some therapy in their follow-up sessions because this assists her in evaluating the effectiveness of the medication. If she is not able to help a patient, she'll try to find someone else who is a better fit for them. She believes in a community approach for patients, it does take us all working together!
Mary Dishman
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Mary L. Dishman is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). With over three decades in nursing, mental health, and education, she serves as the Director of Undergraduate Nursing at Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska. Mary holds a Post Certificate in Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, an MSN, and a BSN from Clarkson College, a Master of Arts in Counseling, and an RN Diploma in Nursing. She has extensive clinical experience, including roles in post-op recovery, cardiovascular ICU, and behavioral health settings. Since 2006, Mary has been a dedicated educator at Clarkson College, teaching critical care, medical-surgical, abnormal assessment, and behavioral health. She also provides care for clients with mental health disorders in her private practice. Her professional affiliations include the Nebraska Assembly of Nebraska Deans and Directors (NANDD), National League of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau, and the American Counseling Association. She has held leadership positions such as President of the Nebraska League of Nursing and Governance Chair of Sigma Theta Tau Omicron Epsilon Chapter. Mary has received numerous awards, including the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. Her commitment to professional development is reflected in her participation in various continuing education programs and conferences. Mary Dishman's extensive experience and dedication make her a significant contributor to nursing and mental health care.
Melissa Smith
DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC
Melissa has a variety of nursing and life experience that she brings to her role as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She worked as an adult oncology nurse for 5 years and appreciates the unique experiences she had while working with patients with chronic illnesses and near death.
Melissa has spent the last 10 years working with teenagers as a school nurse and has won state and regional awards for her nursing care of adolescents. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Creighton University.
She also earned two bachelors degrees in nursing and in health science, with an emphasis in community health. Her doctoral work focused on adolescent anxiety and the importance of adolescent mental health. Melissa finds joy in being with her family, the outdoors, visiting the beach and mountains, playing the piano, and crafting.
R. Dawn Slominski
DNP, APRN
(Rebecca) Dawn Slominski is a nurse practitioner with a doctorate degree specializing in behavioral/mental health treatment. She has more than 3 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, 25+ years in the nursing field. Dawn believes in providing individualized treatment plans based on the unique circumstances of each client. She does this by treating each individual with respect, kindness, and compassion. Dawn believes people have innate healing abilities, clients are people not illnesses, recovery involves addressing causes not just symptoms, and healing takes a collaborative approach. She seeks to empower individuals and families through intervention, treatment, education, support, and advocacy. In doing this an individual’s balance and quality of life can be improved.
Rojay Passley
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Rojay Passley is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and currently holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of the West Indies School of Nursing, in Jamaica. He has experience caring with patients on Medical Unit, Critical Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, Cardiac Cath Lab, and Mental Health.
Troyia Anderson
DNP, APRN-RN, PMHNP-BC
Troyia dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner committed to providing compassionate, empathetic, and professional care. With over 14 years of nursing experience and more than 4 years as a nurse practitioner, her extensive background allows her to support patients with a deep understanding of their mental health needs, ensuring a thoughtful and personalized approach to treatment.