Our Providers

Psychiatrists

Brian Barczak MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Medical Director

Dr. Barczak joined the UBHS team in 2016. Dr. Barczak currently serves as Medical Director for the child and adolescent department here at UBHS. He is triple-board certified in General Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry. He works closely with DFCS and insurance panels (Amerigroup) on various initiatives to better serve children throughout the state of Georgia. Dr. Barczak is a graduate of Indiana University Medical School and has been published in several peer-reviewed works for his experience with troubled youths.

Michael Burke MD

Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry Medical Director

Dr. Burke joined the UBHS team in 2012 and has served as the Adult and Geriatric Medical Director since that time. He specializes in psychotic disorders, substance abuse, geriatric conditions including dementia and mood disorders. He is board certified in General Psychiatry as well as Behavioral Medicine. He has held teaching positions at Duke and Emory Universities during his career. He currently sees patients in many settings throughout the state to include: inpatient hospitals, community service boards, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and adult group homes

Douglas Laipple MD

Providing psychiatric services to several of our telehealth accounts, Dr. Laipple brings a wealth of experience informed by his over thirty years as a psychiatrist. Dr. Laipple has devoted his adult life to helping those in need. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran who completed his medical training in 1981. Dr. Laipple spent four years working with servicemen at DD Eisenhower Army Medical Center. Prior to that he worked in private practice, hospital settings, and served as team psychiatrist for the Atlanta Braves.

Dewitt Alfred III, MD

Dr. Dewitt Alfred, III is a graduate of Hahnemann University’s Medical School in Philadelphia, he completed his residency at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Alfred has specialized in anxiety, bipolar disorders, depression,
schizophrenia, and addiction with a focus on how complex trauma may impact these and other psychiatric conditions. He has experience working in both outpatient and inpatient settings, and his work throughout the state and hospital affiliations brings a wealth of experience to UBHS.

Bruce Hill, MD

Dr. Bruce Hill joined UBHS in 2015 and is a member of our telehealth team providing hospital-based services. Following his undergraduate studies at Samford University, Dr. Hill graduated from the University of Alabama’s School of Medicine. He is board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. He has extensive experience providing psychiatric services in residential settings. Currently, he provides psychiatric services for dual diagnosis patients at the VA Medical Center in Washington, DC. He also brings a wealth of research experience to UBHS and has been a guest lecturer on topics that include fibromyalgia and depression and has been recognized by numerous professional organizations for his outstanding work and service to the community.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Brannon Patterson, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Brannon Patterson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgia College and State University in 2014. She then pursued a Master’s in Nursing with the Clinical Nurse Leadership Program at Augusta University, graduating in 2017. In 2021, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, also at Augusta University. Her training in psychiatry includes experiences at East Central Regional Hospital, Psych Consultants, Community Health Care Systems Inc., Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and Aiken Regional Hospital.

Brannon has extensive experience working with pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients in various settings, including mental health clinics, primary care, pediatric clinics, emergency departments, and state psychiatric facilities. She has managed a wide range of diagnoses, such as Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Behavioral Disorders, and Developmental Delay. Brannon is a valued member of the UBHS telehealth and senior services team.

Elizabeth Hortman, PMHNP-BC

Elizabeth Hortman earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Middle Georgia College in 2010, followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Western Governors University in 2016. She continued her education at Western Governors University, obtaining a Master’s in Nursing Education in 2017. In 2021, she achieved additional certification in adult nursing education from the National League of Nursing. By 2023, she had completed her post-graduate certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and in 2024, she received certification in Perinatal Mental Health.

Elizabeth brings over 11 years of experience working with diverse populations in various settings, including women’s health, community health, pediatrics, and academia. She has served as an associate professor of nursing at Middle Georgia State University and continues to be on the faculty at Western Governors University. Elizabeth is an active member of the American Nurses Association and the National League of Nurses.

Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth is a dedicated wife and mother of four. She enjoys reading, painting, and gardening in her free time

Joshua Paulos, MPA, PA-C

Josh Paulos joined UBHS in 2020. Josh is a physician assistant based in Augusta, Georgia and works with both our telehealth sites and our private clinic in Atlanta. He has a background in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia and completed his PA program at Augusta University in 2017. Josh brings over three years of experience in outpatient psychiatry. Josh has extensive experience treating patients dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD, and ADHD.

Kimberly Shron Stegall, PMHNP-BC

Kimberly Shron Stegall, PMHNP is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who joined UBHS in 2021. She began her nursing career in 2006 after obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University. Shron has patient care experience in multiple settings including Emergency, Inpatient, Outpatient, and Public Health. She has seven years of experience specifically in Mental Health in both acute crisis stabilization and residential programs for adolescents. Shron is a member of the American Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau, an honor society for nurses. When she’s not working, Shron is busy being a mother and grandmother and spends her free time traveling and enjoying life near the coast in South Georgia.

Stacia Fritz, MPAS, PA-C

Stacia received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgia Southern University in 2015 and then went on to receive her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at Augusta University in 2017 where she completed her training in psychiatry at the VA Hospital in Augusta, GA. This will be her fourth year working in outpatient Psychiatry as a Physician Assistant. She has worked with pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients, and delivered services to various group homes and nursing homes in the Augusta area. She has worked with various diagnoses including Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Behavioral Disorders. When she is not working, she is spending time with her husband and daughter. She enjoys walks outdoors, teaching dance lessons, and being at the lake. Stacia is part of the UBHS telehealth and senior services teams.

Vanessa Von Duerring, MPAS, PA-C

Vanessa Von Duerring, MPAS, PA-C. Vanessa received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 2003 and went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies at AT Still University in Arizona in 2013. She has worked in pain management and psychiatry during her career as a PA. She loves working with all age groups and all psychiatric conditions. She brings an abundance of experience in treating anxiety, depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, panic disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. She is also working on her buprenorphine waiver and soon will be able to treat addiction. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two rescue dogs, gardening with her fiancé, and reading.

Vicki McMorrough, LPC

Vicki received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia in 1988 and went on to earn her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida in 1994. She has worked in the field since 1990. She has worked in outpatient therapy in community mental health and private settings and is experienced with most diagnoses including mood disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia, and dissociative disorders in both adults and young people. Vicki is certified in EMDR through EMDRIA, the international EMDR association and has advanced her education in trauma over the past 4 years. In addition to trauma work, Vicki has extensive experience working with veterans and the GLBTQ+ community.