Our Clinical & Support Team
At Center of Excellence, our team is dedicated to our patients success. Call 503.832.0945 or contact us anytime.
Get in TouchMeet the Team
At Center of Excellence
Clinical Staff
Dr. Simas is board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. He offers compassionate, personalized care for each patient. His special expertise is in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Simas opened the Center of Excellence in 2015 to better meet the tremendous community need. He is experienced in treating opioid use disorder with Suboxone®, and is a pioneering provider of telepsychiatry services.
Please note: Dr. Simas is not taking new patients at this time.
Ms. Weston is a board-certified lifespan Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Perinatal Mental health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and adults. She brings over 20 years of experience providing therapy to children and adults. Her areas of focus include child and adolescent mental health, LGBTQ+ care, and prenatal and postnatal mental wellness. Ms. Weston has been practicing telehealth since 2018 and currently provides medication management for patients in Oregon and Washington. She has been providing specialized prenatal and postnatal care since 2021.
With more than 20 years of therapy experience in community mental health, she blends therapy and medication management to create a compassionate, down-to-earth, and whole-life approach to care. She believes mental health care doesn’t have to feel clinical or cold. Sessions with her are collaborative, genuine, and occasionally include a little humor. Her goal is to help patients and their families feel understood, supported, and empowered to live life fully.
Mr. Anderson is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a background in psychology. He offers supportive psychotherapy in every session and emphasizes collaborative care. He is also experienced in treating opioid use disorder with Suboxone®.
Kari is a board-certified lifespan Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with specialized experience in treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has a particular passion for working with young patients and their families, and she brings a thoughtful, developmentally informed approach to the care of children and teens facing emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric challenges. Kari began her career as a registered nurse in 2008, with the majority of her clinical experience spent in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, where she has worked with patients across the full spectrum of mental health needs.
Kari is based in Ohio and sees patients virtually. Outside of her career, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, creating art, and traveling to new places.
Lisa Childs, PMHNP, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, therapy, and ongoing mental health care for adolescents and adults. She has a strong interest in supporting teens and young adults as they navigate the complex emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges that often emerge during adolescence and early adulthood, and she brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to each stage of treatment.
After several years of clinical practice in California, Lisa has recently returned to Oregon to continue her work in psychiatric care. Her clinical approach emphasizes careful assessment, collaborative treatment planning, and continuity of care, with the goal of helping patients build stability, resilience, and long-term well-being.
Kari is based in Ohio and sees patients virtually. Outside of her career, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, creating art, and traveling to new places.
Support Staff
Kerri oversees clinic operations with a focus on delivering compassionate, expert care to every patient. With more than 22 years of executive management experience, she brings a steady, people-first leadership style that supports both clinical teams and the day-to-day systems that keep care accessible and seamless.
Kerri has been with the clinic since 2015 and plays a key role in guiding operational strategy, improving processes, and helping the organization grow to meet community mental healthcare needs. She’s committed to equity and to fostering a welcoming, non-judgmental environment for all patients, families, and staff.
When she’s not working, Kerri enjoys spending time with her family and her four animals—two of whom are the clinic dogs, Lizzie and Luna.
With nearly 16 years of experience in accounts receivable and invoice management, Jackie Johnson is a dedicated professional who ensures accurate and timely billing for all of our patients. Her strong analytical skills and attention to detail allow her to quickly identify and resolve discrepancies, making the billing process smooth and stress-free.
Jackie is passionate about streamlining billing systems and works closely with both patients and colleagues to deliver exceptional service and support. Her commitment to clear communication and patient satisfaction is at the heart of everything she does.
Outside of work, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family, camping, gardening, and caring for her three dogs.
DeeAnn joined Center of Excellence in 2020. She grew up in Seattle and graduated in 2004 as a medical assistant. DeeAnn is passionate about supporting patients in their mental health journey. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and camping with family and friends.
"Saving the world one patient at a time”
A Portland native, Alex began her role as an Administrative and Billing Assistant at the Center of Excellence in January 2025, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the clinic operates smoothly. From greeting patients and managing appointments to verifying insurance and maintaining patient records, Alex is committed to providing exceptional support within the mental health field. She also handles billing, payment collection, and serves as a liaison between patients and providers to ensure effective communication.
Outside of work, Alex is a dedicated mother of two, prioritizing family life while pursuing her passion for healthcare and service. Her personal and professional dedication is driven by her belief in the importance of supporting others.