Our team of certified addiction professionals work hard each and every day to ensure you or your loved ones are taken care of. The support they work to provide for our patients here at Dreamlife Recovery is strong and we will always be there for our patients, throughout their time at Dreamlife Recovery and for their sobriety beyond. No patient is left behind.
Chief of Clinical Care Services
Brooke McKenzie
Brooke McKenzie earned a bachelor’s degree and a Masters’s in Social Work, followed by earning her LCSW in 2009. She has worked in progressively more responsible positions in substance abuse since 2004, filling various roles from clinician to clinical director.
Brooke spent the last 10 years as the Executive Director of a drug and alcohol facility, overseeing all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP, IOP and outpatient programming. Brooke’s determination for continuous growth and to combine her clinical experience with project management skills, led her to her most recent accomplishment of earning her MBA in Project Management from Seton Hill University. She places great emphasis on creating an atmosphere of professionalism and communication, whether that is with her colleagues, her patient’s families, outside organizations, or most significant – her patients. These assets continue to lead her success and growth in the field of behavioral health.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Sandeep Mendiratta
Dr. Sandeep Mendiratta, MD, is a highly experienced psychiatrist, dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized mental health care. With significant clinical inpatient and office experience, Dr. Mendiratta specializes in treating adults, adolescents, and children across various disciplines of psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and addiction medicine.
Dr. Mendiratta completed a combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine (BS/MD) accelerated program at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He then trained at the University of Florida, becoming a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) certified to treat depression and Suboxone certified to treat opioid addiction. As a clinical investigator at Research Centers of America, Dr. Mendiratta has contributed to over 60 clinical trials, advancing the field of psychiatry through his research.
With a passion for education, Dr. Mendiratta has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at both the University of Miami/Jackson School of Medicine and the Florida International University/Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine. He has received numerous awards in teaching, including the prestigious Excellence in Medicine Teaching Award. With this passion, he helped develop the Psychiatry Residency Program at Broward Health, currently serving as Program Director in developing future psychiatrists.
With his leadership experience, Dr. Mendiratta serves as the Chair of Psychiatry at Broward Health Imperial Point in Fort Lauderdale along with being the Chief Medical Officer of Crestview Recovery Center in Asheville, NC and Dreamlife Recovery in Donegal, PA His approach to patient care is rooted in compassion and evidence-based practices, tailoring treatment plans to meet each individual’s unique needs. He believes in empowering his patients through education and collaborative decision-making, ensuring they feel supported throughout their mental health journey.
VP of Operations
Lidice Morales
Lidice Morales was raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated, with honors, from Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lidice has been the Director of Nursing at several behavioral health facilities. She is constantly bettering herself by furthering her education and staying informed. Lidice’s determination to acquire new knowledge and apply it, allows her to adapt, as needed, to the ever changing and growing field of behavioral health care. She was the Director of Operations for Detox MD, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Lidice is now the VP of Operations at DreamLife Recovery, in Donegal, Pennsylvania. She is very passionate about providing the best care possible for her patients and their families. Lidice is dedicated to creating a professional work atmosphere that allows her team to work together to achieve higher levels of patient care. Her incredible work ethic and enthusiasm allow her to be successful in the dynamic world of behavioral health care.
Co-founder and CEO
Dr. Howard Schwartz
Doctor Howard Schwartz is the Co-founder and CEO of Dreamlife Recovery. After a successful 30-year career practicing Gastroenterology, Dr Schwartz transitioned his focus and energy to help individuals suffering from addiction and mental health issues. He is the President of My Psychiatrist, a large provider of mental health services in Florida, and is the President and CEO of Crestview Recovery Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Dr. Schwartz is a dedicated Physician who believes that the key to success in helping patients have optimal outcomes is to have a well-trained team working together all focusing on the health and wellbeing of our patients.
CO-FOUNDER AND PSYCHIATRIST
Dr. Peter Ventre
Dr. Peter Ventre is a distinguished Board-Certified Psychiatrist and visionary leader in the field of mental health. In 2011, he founded Ventre Medical, a Florida-based provider of comprehensive mental health services, setting new standards of excellence. Additionally, as the co-founder of DreamLife Recovery, he has expanded his mission to offer a wide range of services, including Detox, Residential, PHP, and IOP programs. Dr. Ventre’s unwavering commitment to patient well-being and innovative approaches have made him a pioneer in the field, leaving an indelible legacy of compassion and transformation in mental healthcare.
