Parkinson's Disease
Maria Gonzales, FNP-C
A member of our Neurology team, Maria Gonzales, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner who works closely with neurologists and other clinical staff to assess, diagnose and treat patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic headache. Born and reared in the Philippines, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing before emigrating to the United States in 2005. She practiced 17 years in healthcare settings in New York. In 2017 she joined Trinity Health, where she cared for patients in the Emergency/Trauma Center before completing her Master of Science degree in Advanced Nurse Practice from Walden University, Minneapolis. Maria is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She enjoys traveling when she’s not taking care of patients.
Stacy Flaten, FNP-BC
Stacy Flaten, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner and a member of our Behavioral Health team. She works with doctors, counselors, and other healthcare professionals to provide inpatient care to people with mental health and addiction issues. With close to 20 years of nursing experience, Stacy has cared for patients across the lifespan, practicing primarily in medical-surgical, NICU, and orthopedic settings in Fargo, Minot, and Bismarck, often in leadership positions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Dakota State University in 2003 and completed a Master of Science in Nurse Education from the University of Mary, Bismarck, in 2015. She served on the nursing faculty of Minot State University for four years from 2014 to 2018. Later, she developed an interest in behavioral health nursing. She continued to advance her education, completing post-master’s training as a family nurse practitioner through Purdue Global University. Stacy is a member of the American Nurses Association.
Bobbie Buseth, PMHNP-BC
A member of our Behavioral Health team, Bobbie Buseth, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She provides mental healthcare to patients dealing with a wide range of psychiatric conditions, from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A graduate of Maryville University with a Master of Science in psychiatric mental health nursing, Bobbie began her healthcare career in 2008 as a certified nursing assistant at Trinity Homes. She continued to advance her nursing education, earning her LPN and RN degrees through Dakota College at Bottineau and Williston State College respectively. While at DCB, she received the Compassion of Nursing Award. In 2018 she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary, Bismarck, and soon after completed her PMHNP degree. Bobbie’s RN experience includes long term care, pediatric, primary care, and inpatient psychiatric nursing in association with Trinity Health, CHI St. Alexius, and Northland Community Health Center. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Ashley Sarasan, MD
A key member of our care team at Trinity Homes, Ashley Sarasan, MD, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. She works with staff throughout Trinity’s nursing care facility to improve the health and well-being of residents. Her clinical interests include Parkinson’s disease, end-of-life care, and Alzheimer’s disease. A graduate of M.S. Ramaiah Medical College in India, Dr. Sarasan completed her internal medicine residency at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Jersey, an affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Following residency, she fulfilled a passion to serve the medical needs of older adults by completing a fellowship in geriatric medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Prior to joining Trinity Health, Dr. Sarasan served as Assistant Professor of Medicine-Internal Medicine and Associate Program Director-Geriatric Medicine at UNLV School of Medicine in Las Vegas. Among her hobbies – she keeps a collection of all the cards that her patients, medical students, residents, and others have given her. She enjoys reading, cooking, and dancing, and is looking into writing a book on aging and health.
Lauren Wake, DO
Trinity Health welcomes Lauren Wake, DO, to our inpatient psychiatry team. Dr. Wake is specially trained to help adults of all ages manage a broad range of behavioral health problems, including serious mental health conditions. Working with each patient, she uses medications, psychotherapy, and other interventions to promote recovery and enhance patients’ physical and emotional well-being.
Born and raised in Michigan, Dr. Wake earned her doctorate at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a four-year residency in Adult Psychiatry at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, where she acquired extensive experience treating a variety of mental health disorders. During the final year of her residency, she completed a year-long fellowship in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute in Farmington Hills.
Throughout her medical training, Dr. Wake has been recognized for leadership, earning the Graduate Medical Education Leadership Award and Resident Teaching Awards. She was appointed to serve as junior chief resident and chief resident. She graduated with the Outstanding Graduate Award and Professionalism Award. A member of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Wake and her husband – a ship captain – enjoy sailing, traveling, and spending time with their dog.
Elizabeth Ohiku, MD
Elizabeth Ohiku, MD, MS, BSN is board certified in General and Child-Adolescent Psychiatry. She is uniquely qualified to address the full range of emotional and behavioral health issues affecting children and adolescents, utilizing the latest therapies and interventions. Dr. Ohiku completed her medical degree and General Psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago. She completed her fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans. Dr. Ohiku has practiced psychiatry with special populations including, forensic adults and juveniles, school based mental health, veterans, the intellectually disabled and severely mentally ill individuals. At one point, she oversaw the establishment of psychiatric services at Richmond State Supported Living Center in Texas, a residential facility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Ohiku is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
Marisa Jennings, MD
A member of our outpatient Behavioral Health Services team, Dr. Jennings is a board-certified psychiatrist, experienced in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. She provides outpatient care to adults using evidence-based treatments that help people achieve positive outcomes. A Texas native, Dr. Jennings earned her medical doctorate from McGovern Medical School at UT Health, and completed her residency in adult psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri. Prior to joining Trinity Health, she practiced in the San Antonio area, where she was associated with the Methodist Healthcare System. Dr. Jennings is a member of the American Psychiatric Association.
Jason Coombs, DO
A physiatrist specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Jason Coombs, DO, helps patients restore loss of mobility and function due to injury or disease and serves as medical director of our inpatient rehabilitation unit, RehabCare. Dr. Coombs provides both inpatient and outpatient care to people dealing with a variety of conditions such as stroke, brain/spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and orthopedic trauma. He also provides musculoskeletal examinations and diagnosis using EMG and other techniques. Formerly of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Coombs earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Touro University California and completed his PM&R residency at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. His experience includes medical service across three different continents as part of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. A member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Coombs and his family enjoy sports, outdoor activities, and travel. He’s been active in community service, including a 20-year involvement with the Boy Scouts of America and coaching youth sports teams.
Michael Rayel, MD
A member of our inpatient Behavioral Health team, Michael Rayel, MD, is a psychiatrist board certified in General, Geriatric, Forensic, and Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry. A Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, he has extensive experience treating patients with a wide range of psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety. Dr. Rayel earned his medical degree from De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and completed his General Psychiatry residency at New York Medical College. He did a clinical fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry and an additional fellowship in Forensic and Correctional Psychiatry from New York University Medical Center and Harvard Medical School respectively. His postgraduate training also included two years of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy study at New York Medical College. Prior to joining Trinity Health, Dr. Rayel was associated with the University of Connecticut’s UConn Health, where he practiced General, Geriatric, Forensic, and Emergency Psychiatry and served as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Forensic and Emergency Psychiatry. Prior to that he practiced nearly two decades in hospital and clinic settings in Clarenville, Newfoundland, where he also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. Rayel is a frequent lecturer and has authored numerous books on psychiatric topics, including First Aid to Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Patients and Caregivers.