Sandra Emanuel, LCSW
CEO
Sandy Emanuel is the Chief Executive Officer at Peak Behavioral Health Services. She is a graduate of NMSU with a Masters in Social Work and has worked in El Paso and Las Cruces area for over 34 years.
Experienced clinical and operational leader with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry. Skilled in for profit and nonprofit organizations, clinical operations, evidenced based practice, social services, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning.
Her mission is to continue creating a safe and therapeutic system of care for individuals needing a variety of levels of care related to behavioral health and substance use services.
Peter Sangra, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
An esteemed professional in the field of child & adolescent psychiatry with a broad educational background, Dr. Sangra graduated with his medical degree from the American University of Antigua with Summa Cum Laude. He then went on to perform his residency in psychiatry at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center 2013 and completed Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Science of El Paso in 2018.
Prior to residency he worked as an Occupational Therapist in Canada for 7 years. Graduated from University of Alberta, Edmonton, in Occupational Therapy rehabilitation Sciences and was boarded, shortly after in 1999. Prior to that Dr. Sangra completed his degree in Biological Sciences with major in Biological Sciences and Minor in Science Psychology in 1995, at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
He is also a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The ABPN is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to serving the professions of psychiatry and neurology. He was also awarded Top Psychiatrist in Santa Teresa, by America’s Best Doctors 2020.
Dr. Sangra is responsible for diagnosing and treating mental health disorders in children and adolescents at Peak in our inpatient unit and our Partial Hospitalization Program/Outpatient Services and operates as the Child Adolescent Outpatient Medical Director.
Harry D. Silsby
MD, DLFAPA
BColonel US Army (Ret.)
Diplomate American Board of Psychiatry
Certified American Board of Addiction Medicine
Board-certified Psychiatrist with wide range of experience in treating adult psychiatric patients; versatile with well-rounded skill set. Currently licensed in Arizona, Missouri, Colorado and New Mexico. Recognized contributor to research and development of successful treatment programs and many publications. Core Competencies: Adult Psychiatry, Chemical Dependency, Geriatric Care, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He is Board Certified with The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, American Board of Addiction Medicine, American Board of Forensic Examiners, and Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association. His Military background: Colonel US Army Medical Corps, Regular Army, Vietnam Veteran and served as Deputy Commander (DCCS) & Chief of Professional Services, Director, Graduate Medical Education, Director, Residential Treatment Facility, Chief, Department of Psychiatry at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX and was Selected US Army Candidate for the NASA Astronaut Program. Dr. Harry Silsby was also awarded Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (Ten Awards), Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Army Commendation Medal (Four Awards), Army Achievement Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Airborne Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Army and Navy Flight Surgeon Badge. Dr. Harry Silsby graduated from The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO.
Aleksandr Gazarov, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Gazarov is the Medical Director for Peak Behavioral Health Services. Prior to joining Peak Behavioral in 2006 he also worked with the Army Substance Abuse Clinic at Fort Bliss, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep Disorders at the Veteran Administration and provided services to William Beaumont Army Medical Center in the Behavioral Health Department studying principles of community based psychiatry at outpatient clinics, psychodynamics, insight-oriented and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies. He is President and Owner of Rio Valle Behavioral Health Centre II, P.A. working with adolescent and adults in the diagnosis and treatment pf psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Gazarov received his medical degree from Azerbaijan State Medical Institute. He continued his training with a residency in psychiatry at Texas Tech University, El Paso, Texas. Dr. Gazarov is a member of Internal Medicine Board Review Panel of Texas Tech University Health Science Center. He is a member of Peak’s Administrative Board and Executive Medical Board Director.
Dr. Gerardo Moreira, MD, PA
Dr. Gerardo Moreira received his medical degree from Medical School of Leon, Nicaragua. He continued his education as a resident at Texas Tech University where he served as Chief Resident in 1991.
Dr. Moreira is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Inc.
Elizabeth “Liz” Palyu
Director of Clinical Services
Liz received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Psychology from Park University. She then received Master’s Degree on in Social Work from New Mexico State University.
Liz joined the team in July 2014 as RTC therapist. She is passionate about helping adolescents and their families discover their inner strength in order to have a better quality of life. Liz became the RTC Program Director in May 2016 and is now dedicated to maintain a healthy environment for patients and their families while providing the support needed for recovery.
Liz has provided services for children, adolescent and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings. She is trained in Trauma Informed Care, 7 Challenges, CBT, and DBT.
Mario Guzman
CNO
Mario Guzman, Chief Nursing Officer, joined us in September 2017. Mario started his career 20 years ago as a Mental Health Technician, LVN, and RN were he worked in several different roles in direct patient care. Mario is a BSN undergraduate from UTEP, MSN graduate from Walden University and is currently pursuing his DNP in Leadership & Management. “Team work is the ingredient for success.”
Marlene Valadez, RN
Director of Performance Improvement and Risk Management
Marlene is a Registered Nurse who graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, TX where she obtained a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
She has been in the mental health field since 2006.
Marlene joined Peak Behavioral Health Services in 2016.