Elaine Charyn
BS, RN, C.

Ms. Charyn joined First Step of Sarasota in 2005 as the Director of Nursing and Detoxification Services.  A certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse, she played an instrumental role in the opening of First Step’s Addictions Receiving Facility.

Prior to First Step, Ms. Charyn was the Senior Human Services Licensing/Program Specialist for the Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse Mental Health Program Office in Tampa.  She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the State of New York.

Nancy Page
LMHC, CAP

Ms. Page, clinical director of the Special Services Center, has been with First Step since 1999. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addictions Professional, Ms. Page worked at Morris Village prior moving to Sarasota.

David Panting
M.D.

Dr. Panting has been a consultant for First Step since 2000 and became the Medical Director in 2006 prior to the opening of the Addictions Receiving Facility.  He completed his training in Psychiatry at The Allegheny Neuropsychiatric Institute of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in 1996 where he also was Chief Resident during his senior year.

Dr. Panting is a Board Certified member of The American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry and The American Society of Addiction Medicine.  He currently is on staff at Blake Medical Center and maintains a private practice in Bradenton, Florida. 

Sally Strong
ICADC

Clinical Director of the Pathways and Transitions residential programs, Sally Strong has been with First Step since 1995. 

A graduate of the University of South Florida, Strong holds a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling.  Prior to First Step, she was employed by Pathfinder Recovery Center at Glen Oaks Hospital in Bradenton where she was a counselor.

Jo Webster
Ed.D.

Dr. Webster began working at First Step’s Outpatient office in 2000.  In 2001, she moved to the Seasons residential program.  She is currently the Clinical Supervisor of Seasons and Crossroads.
 
With a Bachelor of Art in Psychology from the University of South Florida, Dr. Webster has her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University (formerly University of Sarasota).  She is a Licensed Mental Heath Counselor and a Certified Addictions Professional.  Prior to working at First Step, Dr. Webster has worked with youth and adults in residential and outpatient settings and implemented a pilot intensive program for chemically dependent women involved in the legal system.