We Level Up Washington Treatment Center Team

Candace was born and raised at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane,  Washington.   She married a military member who served 20 years in the Air Force.  During their travels she earned her bachelor's degrees in Counseling Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Great Falls, Montana and is proud to be a first generation graduate. Candace continued her education in Albuquerque,  New Mexico at the University of Phoenix.   She earned her Masters of Counseling with a focus on marriage,  family, and child therapy. Candace has over 25 years experience working directly with mental health and co-occurring disorders. She has served in many capacities from Case Manager to Administrator in Community Mental Health programs,  Justice Alliance, Substance Abuse programs and private practice.  Candace is passionate about giving back to those who serve other's and helping people realize and live their Best Lives.

Dr. Chris Small, M.D., ABPN, ABFM, ABPN is a certified addiction psychiatrist with expertise in both medical and psychiatric care. He is one of the few doctors in the United States who has completed additional training to effectively treat a wide range of medical and mental health conditions. With a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection, Dr. Small brings a unique approach to healing that addresses both physical and emotional needs. As the founder of Headlands Treatment Services, he is dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care in substance abuse and mental health programs. Prior, Dr. Small served as a behavioral health psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration and the University of California, San Diego. With a solid foundation in medical education from the University of Hawaii, Dr. Small is passionate about delivering quality care to patients struggling with addiction and mental health disorders.

Leah Hart-Ross is the new Executive Director of WLU WA. Leah has more than 29 years of healthcare experience, including over 19 years in leadership operations, business analytics, and strategic management, and more than six years in executive level roles across private, nonprofit, and tribal healthcare systems. Her background includes managing large, multidisciplinary teams and overseeing complex, multi-million-dollar financial operations.

Throughout her career, Leah has led the restructuring and improvement of existing programs and played a key role in developing and launching new healthcare initiatives. Her experience includes the marketing, development, and operationalization of new startup facilities, including three healthcare facilities, a 46-bed culturally informed residential treatment center, and a 68-bed recovery center offering inpatient mental health services, substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, detox, E&T, and a crisis recovery center. She has overseen large health center operations, led successful reorganizations, and brought specialized expertise in analyzing and designing more effective, efficient operational strategies for existing programs.

Leah has been recognized for her strength in leadership development and staff training, with a particular focus on supporting employees who are new to management roles. Her leadership approach emphasizes clear communication, accountability, and building strong systems that support both staff and organizational success.

Leah is a proud member of the Nez Perce Tribe and the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a United States Navy veteran. She holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies with a focus on Tribal Law and Governance from Seattle University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Public Sector emphasis.