Their highly trained and empathetic staff create a nurturing atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and understanding among the residents. Through a comprehensive range of evidence-based therapies, counseling sessions, and wellness activities, Kokua Wellness Center empowers individuals to address the root causes of their addiction, promoting lasting recovery and a renewed sense of purpose.
Co-Founder
Mike’s own experiences inspired him to make a career out of helping others with addiction. In 2009, he entered the field of addiction treatment, and in 2013 he became a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATC I) through California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE). Mike started working in the field of addiction counseling and quickly found his calling.
A Selfless Approach
He has been essential in shaping treatment initiatives in Southern California and remains engaged in direct care. According to him, the best method to help someone who is struggling with addiction is to point them in a new direction. This commitment, coupled with his unselfish willingness to help others, has helped him to keep his position as a respected leader in the field of substance abuse recovery.
Co-Founder
Randy’s personal experience led him to pursue a career in the rehabilitation industry. In 2012, Randy entered recovery and started collaborating with others. Randy chose to repay the generosity shown to him.
A Passion Towards The Process
In 2017, Randy started working at a Detox in the San Fernando Valley, where he quickly developed a deep interest in the treatment field. Randy is committed to treatment because he believes in the power of hope to transform lives. He lives by the maxim, “Keep It Simple.” Randy brightens up the KoKua Wellness Family with his optimism and realistic perspective.
Dr. Christopher Kerrigan was born in Los Angeles but his family moved to Massachusetts when he was 3 years old. However he left behind much of his extended family and frequently visited Southern California during his childhood and always dreamed of moving back.
He started his career working in an auto-body shop painting cars before deciding to go to college, although he did well in his studies he always had an appreciation for the blue collar lifestyle and skillset he developed early in his adulthood. He studied physics during his undergraduate, winning numerous awards for research, teaching, and academic abilities and graduating with his BA from the University of Maine in 2007. He then took a position in an HIV research lab at the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard Medical School where he stayed for one year before accepting a position working in drug develop at the non-profit pharmaceutical company Massachusetts Biologics Laboratories of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
He began his medical training at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in 2010 where he spent 3 years, then spending his final year of medical training at McGill University in Montreal and a government teaching hospital in Jinja, Uganda earning his MD in 2014. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT where he graduated top of his class and was accepted as the first ever fellow in Addiction Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in completed his training in 2019.
He then finally moved back to California taking an Attending Position in Addiction Medicine at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group before accepting a role start a new program as Director of Addiction Medicine at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura California where he continues his role. Since moving to Ventura he has started worked as faculty both in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine training Resident physicians and medical students as well starting the Community Memorial Street Medicine program treating local homeless populations on a weekly basis.
He has published numerous journal articles in numerous fields including Addiction, Chronic Pain, and Infectious Diseases and remains double boarded in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine actively practicing and teaching both. He is dedicated to advancing the field of Addiction Medicine as well as campaigning for systemic changes to help ensure all people who suffer from Substance Use Disorder have access to evidence based treatments.
In his free time he enjoys beach volleyball and being in the ocean, traveling, and supporting Boston sports.
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California’s beautiful Ventura County is home to the caring addiction treatment facility Kokua Wellness Center. This institution, which embraces a holistic approach to treatment, offers a homelike setting where people can start their path towards healing and transformation. The Kokua Wellness Center’s steadfast dedication to delivering individualized treatment guarantees that every client gets the respect and assistance they deserve.
KoKua Wellness is an addiction recovery center focusing on holistic treatment in a place that feels just like home.
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