Meet the Team at Austin Oaks Hospital

Our Physicians

Carlos Tirado, MD
Executive Medical Director

  • Joined Austin Oaks Hospital in November 2019
  • August 2006 – Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Center for Studies of Addition, Philadelphia, PA
  • June 2003 – Residency in Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
  • June 1999 – MD, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
  • Board Certifications:
    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, General Psychiatry, 2004
    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Addiction Psychiatry, 2014

Isela A. Werchan, MD

  • Joined Austin Oaks Hospital in November 2019
  • 2016 – Residency Psychiatry Program, University of Texas Austin/Dell Medical School Psychiatry
  • 2012 – MD, University of Texas Medical Branch
  • 2007 – BS in Microbiology, University of Texas El Paso

Jennifer Schaefer, MD

  • Joined Austin Oaks Hospital in November 2019
  • 2016 – Present – Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Texas Austin/ Dell Medical School
  • 2016 – Residency Psychiatry Program, University of Texas Austin/ Dell Medical School
  • 2014 – MD, University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio
  • 2008 – BS in Psychology, Texas A&M University

Kristen Starzynski
PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for Adult, and Adolescent Units

  • Joined Austin Oaks Hospital in October 2018
  • May 2017 – MSN, University of Texas, Austin, TX
  • December 2006 – BA in Sociology, University of Texas, Austin, TX
  • Board Certifications:
    • American Nurses Credentialing Center, Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, July 2017

Shiva Lam, MD
Service Director, Latency PHP

  • Joined Austin Oaks Hospital in December 2016
  • June 1998 – Residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Austin State Hospital, Austin, TX
  • June 1998 – Residency in Psychiatry, Austin State Hospital, Austin, TX
  • June 1986 – MD, Ghandi Medical College, Secunderabad, India
  • Board Certifications:
    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, 2013

Our Leadership & Staff

  • Steve Kelly, Chief Executive Officer
  • Margo Wilhelm, Chief Financial Officer
  • Meg Haden, Chief Operating Officer
  • Kim Maus, Chief Nursing Officer / Director of Nursing
  • Ray Combs, Director of Clinical Services
  • Susan Bednar-Haynes, Director of Expressive Therapy & Patient Advocate
  • Sarah Behrens, Interim Director of Admissions
  • Lena Laxton, Director of Risk Management
  • Michael Lopez, Director of Business Development
  • Samantha Costello, Director of Medical Records
  • Colleen Lewis, Director of Human Resources
  • Amy Cline, Director of Utilization Review
  • Joseph Gutierrez, Director of Plant Operations

For a free and confidential assessment, call 940-320-8100 or 1-888-320-8101. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to calls.

Please click button below to learn more about the positions available:

VIEW OPEN POSITIONS

In case of a medical emergency, psychiatric crisis, or if you are at risk of harming yourself or others, CALL 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.


If you need to reach us immediately, call us at 512-440-4800.
Licensed mental health professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you or your loved one.

For a free and confidential assessment, call 940-320-8100 or 1-888-320-8101. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to calls.