Our care team is here to help you along every step of your journey to recovery.
Your care team is made up of compassionate, caring, professionals – all working together with you to meet your unique care needs. We invite you to click through our team leads below to learn more about our multidisciplinary team and how they are ready to serve you!
Your psychiatrist is the captain of your care team responsible for your treatment plan while at Aurora Charter Oak. Our experienced medical staff conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations on a daily basis to constantly monitor your progress, therapy, and medications. All treatment planning is informed by evidence-based modalities and personalized care is the priority to provide tailored care for each patient. The psychiatrist will collaborate with other clinicians to ensure a comprehensive and compassionate approach to your recovery.
Our internists are responsible for ensuring each patient’s physical health is a top priority while receiving behavioral and/or substance abuse treatment. The management and intervention of any primary health conditions are closely monitored by the internist assigned to each case. With a collaborative, patient-centered approach, the internist plays a vital role in the health, safety, and quality outcomes for our patients.
The pharmacist manages and dispenses medications as needed during treatment. They work closely with medical staff, providing optimal pharmacological care for each patient. Their knowledge guarantees safety and efficacy based on the medications being used. The pharmacist is key to our mental health treatment.
Our therapists provide individual and group therapy as part of the overall treatment process. They help patients overcome personal challenges. The therapist uses empathetic and evidence-based interventions to promote trust, healing, and growth. They foster a supportive environment, ensuring patients feel comfortable through every step of their journey.

(Chemical Dependency Counselor)
The CD Counselor supports those with substance abuse. Personalized counseling is their specialty for people coping with chemical dependency. They guide individuals through the recovery process with compassion and dedication. Their work is core to our substance abuse program.

Nurses at Aurora Charter Oak are a diverse group of professionals who work together to achieve a single goal: outstanding patient care. From intake to the units our nurses provide support and care for all of our patients. Our nurses demonstrate teamwork, resilience and skill, playing critical roles in every aspect of our patient care delivery system.

Our case manager is central to keeping our patient care programs organized. They coordinate services and support treatment navigation. The case manager works with patients, families, and staff to maintain structure and order. They use expert organizational skills and patient understanding to ensure everything goes smoothly from start to finish. They are invaluable to our healthcare experience.

Psychiatrist & Facility Medical Director
Cesar Cruz M.D. is the Medical Director at Aurora Charter Oaks Hospital, where he has been practicing since 2015. A graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Cruz completed his psychiatric residency and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry before beginning his work at Aurora Charter Oaks Hospital.
Dr. Cruz is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care. He brings specialized expertise in treating children, adolescents, and adults, and is dedicated to supporting patients and families through comprehensive, individualized treatment.
M.D., Psychiatrist & Associate Facility Medical Director
Said I. Jacob, M.D., Associate Medical Director, graduated from the Cairo University School of Medicine in 1974 and completed his residency at Louisiana State University Hospital. Dr. Jacob has been a member of the medical staff at Aurora Charter Oak for 35 years and has held multiple leadership roles including President of the Medical Staff and Associate Director. Dr. Jacob operates a private practice with two locations in Glendora and Diamond Bar. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Jacob is an avid tennis fan.
Service Director - Internal Medicine
Oliver Solomon, D.O., Director of Internal Medicine, attended Medical School at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, CA. Dr. Solomon completed his residency at the University of Southern California and has been serving the SoCal Community since 2001. Dr. Solomon is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Solomon speaks three languages – English, Tagalog, and Spanish – and enjoys fishing and playing basketball.
Pharmacist
Dr. Carol Yuan, BS, Pharm.D, BCPP, APH, has been serving as Pharmacy Director for the last 12 years. Dr. Yuan is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist and an Advanced Practice Pharmacist. With her advanced training in the field of Psychopharmacology and Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. Yuan fosters a world-class environment at Aurora Charter Oak driven to provide the most effective pharmacologic interventions for our patients. An avid learner and teacher, Dr. Yuan mentors and trains many of the next generation of great pharmacists from various universities throughout Southern California. Carol is a traveler, reader, and explorer of cuisines.
LCSW, Director of Clinical Services
Danielle Buckland, MA, LCSW, is the Director of Clinical Services responsible for the delivery of therapeutic care for both inpatient and outpatient programs. Danielle is passionate about continuously evolving and improving the clinical services provided at Aurora Charter Oak to treat mental health and substance use disorders most effectively. Danielle’s broad experiences cover the spectrum of patients and disorders, which has informed her philosophy of tailored programs to meet each individual’s specific needs. Danielle is an athlete who can be found running, cycling, or competing in endurance competitions.
CATC-II, Director of Chemical Dependency Services
Charles Miller serves as the Director of Chemical Dependency Services at Aurora Charter Oak Hospital and Residential Treatment Center, overseeing both inpatient and residential programs for substance use. As a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC-II), Charles brings a high level of clinical expertise and a dedicated focus on evidence-based recovery practices to the facility. Having personally overcome the challenges and consequences of addiction, Charles is driven by a profound commitment to giving back to the local community. This lived experience fuels his mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care, ensuring that every patient receives comprehensive and individualized treatment designed for long-term sobriety and wellness.
Residential Treatment Center Supervisor
Integrating her professional expertise with the profound insight of her own lived experience, Linda Garrison, CATC I, serves as a compassionate Supervisor at Aurora Charter Oak’s Residential Treatment Center (RTC). Having navigated her own personal struggle with addiction before finding the path to recovery, Linda brings a deep, authentic empathy to her leadership. She is committed to cultivating a safe, supportive environment where both clients and staff feel valued and respected. By fostering a culture of hope and mutual encouragement, she ensures that every individual in the RTC has the foundation they need to pursue lifelong growth and wellness. In her personal life, Linda finds balance through traveling, practicing yoga, crocheting, and spending cherished time with her family.
Assistant Clinical Director
Charity Johnson, LCSW, is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services at Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, where she oversees therapy, case management, and outpatient treatment programs under the Director of Clinical Services. Licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, she is dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of patients and staff through a compassionate, empathetic, and strengths-based approach to care. Charity specializes in child and adolescent care, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Children and Families. With professional experience in ABA, CPS, and adolescent outpatient programs, she is passionate about helping minors and their families experience growth, healing, and positive development.
At Charter Oaks Behavioral Health Care, all of our decisions are made with our patients in mind.
If you think you or a loved one is in need of care, contact us today for a free, confidential assessment – we’re here 24/7.Not sure where to start? If you think you or a loved one is in need of care, contact us today for a free, confidential assessment – we’re here 24/7.