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
Abigael Huntoon, Director of Clinical Services
Susan Bednar-Haynes, Director of Expressive Therapy & Patient Advocate
Sarah Behrens, 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
Lucy McFarland, Director of Outpatient Branches Downtown

For a free and confidential assessment, call 512-798-4803.. 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 mental health crisis, CALL 988 or seek the nearest emergency room.

For physical health emergencies, 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.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Austin Oaks Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Austin Oaks Hospital. The facility shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. Model representations of real patients are shown. TRICARE® is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. All rights reserved.