Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Vikki Mader, Horizons CEO, in the foreground looking at the camera and smiling with a grey background.

Vikki Mader, RHIT

Chief Executive Officer

Vikki Mader has over 15 years of experience in the health care industry and has been  in community mental health since 2017.  Vikki served as the Program Director for the Certified Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) initiative and the Health Information Management Director at Horizons.  As the program director she  managed the SAMHSA CCBHC grant, overseeing clinical, operational, and financial implementation of the CCBHC model of care.  She helped guide Horizons to successfully becoming certified by the State of Kansas as a CCBHC, one of the first mental health centers in the state.  Prior to coming to Horizons, Vikki was the Health Information Management and Quality Director at Pratt Regional Medical Center.  While at Pratt Regional Medical Center, she was responsible for overseeing health information, quality, medical staff services, risk management, infection control, utilization review, and the patient access departments.  Vikki recognizes that one constant in the healthcare industry today is continual change.  She strives to create positive change that is aware of, and sensitive to, the impact change has on consumers, staff and the organization.  

Vikki has lived in Nickerson, Kansas for 20 years.  She has been married for 33 years and has four children who graduated from Nickerson High School.  Prior to moving to Nickerson, she lived in Ulysses, Kansas.

“As CEO of Horizons I am honored to lead an organization that cares for those within our community who have a mental illness or those who are struggling with their mental health. I am looking forward to utilizing my leadership skills to help Horizons continue to grow and be innovative, supporting our mission of enhancing the quality of life through integrated care.”

Susan Rule, APRN

Medical Director

Susan received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Newman University, then went on to achieve her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Walden University.  She is Licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.   She holds the PMHNP-BC and DATA-Waived Practitioner certifications.

Susan sees all clients across the lifespan, including ages 5+, adults, and geriatric.  She provides services in both the inpatient psychiatric hospital setting and in the outpatient mental health clinic for disorders including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, psychosis and crisis management.

MeKinzie Hudson, B.S.

Controller

MeKinzie attended Washburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. MeKinzie is the Director of our Patient Accounts and Financial Management department.

Brent Ide, LSCSW

Director - Access

Brent attended Central Christian College, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences.  He then went on to Wichita State University, where he earned his Master’s degree in Social Work.  He has worked in community mental health since 2006, coming to Horizons in 2024.

Kerry Nation, LSCSW

Director - Area Offices

Kerry received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wichita State University and is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker.  Kerry has also achieved level one certification in Theraplay.

Kerry primarily works with children who experience ADHD, ODD, Anxiety, Depression or trauma.  She utilized Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Theraplay in her work to help children reach their goals.

 

Lacey Bryant B.A.

Director - Community Based Services

Lacey attended Washburn University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  Lacey is the Director of our Community Based Services (providing services to children and youth.  She provides Community services (including Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment, Individual Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Groups and Case Management) to children and youth ages 3-18.

“Nothing of me is original.  I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known.” -Chuck Palahniuk

Tyler Vance B.S.

Director - Community Support Services

Tyler attended Barclay College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.  Tyler started his career at Horizons in the Same Day Access department as a case manager, and is now the Director of the Community Support Services (CSS) department.  CSS provides outpatient rehabilitation services to the adult population.  CSS has a diverse staff group that provides everything from Case Management services, to Peer Support services, to Employment support, to Housing Support.

“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her nec that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life”. -Mary Kay Ash

Melissa Valentine, LSCSW, LMAC

Director - Crisis Services

Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work form Wichita State University and went on to work as an adult case manager here at Horizons. She then completed her Master’s degree at KU in 2016 and is now a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker as well as a Licensed Masters Addictions Counselor Melissa completed her master level practicum in both the jail and Same Day Access here at Horizons. She enjoys working in the correctional setting as well as substance use services. 

Melissa is our Manager for our Crisis Stabilization Services, including Carrefour Crisis Center and Sunrise Crisis House.

Justin Patton

Director - Health Information Management

Justin attended Hutchinson Community College where he earned two Associates of Applied Science degrees.  He is currently working towards his Bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University.  Justin has served Horizons Mental Health Center for over eight years by working as our primary support contact from the Information Systems team where he served as a Client Support Specialist.

Hali Walters, MS

Director - Medical Practice

Hali attended Friends University where she earned a Master’s in Business Administration and Healthcare Leadership.  Prior to being the Director of Medical  Practice, Hali was a Case Manager in the Community Based Services program.

Jennifer Schreiner, LMLP

Director - Outpatient Services

Jennifer is the Director of Outpatient Services at Horizons.  Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, and her Masters degree from Pittsburgh State University.  She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed master Level Psychologist, and Licensed Behavior Analyst.  She has special certification as an Autism Specialist and Intensive Individual Support.  

 

Nicole Eitzen

Director - Quality

Nicole received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University.  Nicole has been with Horizons since September 2013 and has always loved the mission of walking along individuals at their greatest time of struggle.

Nicole started as an Outpatient Therapist in the Same Day Access department and since then has been the Director of Same Day Access and is currently the CCBHC Program Coordinator.

In her work, Nicole has seen the courage it takes to seek support and hopes the work she continues to do will encourage people to know there is strength in asking for help.  She loves the quote from Brene Brown that says, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”

Beth Akins, LSCSW, LCAC

Director - Training and Education

Beth earned her Bachelors degree in Social Work from Kansas State University and her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. She is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor. She spent the first 25 years of her career at Horizons as Department Head of Community Support Services, working with adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, she now provides Behavioral Health Consultations at the Hutchinson Clinic. In addition, Beth also teaches Mental Health First Aid (Teen, Youth and Adult versions), ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer – suicide prevention).

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