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Meet Our Leadership Team

Our senior leadership team includes a team with a vast array of experience. Our comprehensive approach brings together psychiatrists, psychologists, specialized pediatricians, counselors, administrative experts, social workers and nurses to help with every aspect of center management. Our team is committed to creating an environment of innovation and collaboration. We are dedicated to providing transparency and accountability in everything we do—building a foundation of trust for our clients, brokers, members and providers.

  • Brandon Gaffney

    Executive Director

     

    Brandon Gaffney has joined Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center as the new Executive Director. Brandon joined the SC Department of Mental Health in April 2021 and was most recently the Assistant Deputy Director of Administrative Services in Columbia, SC. Brandon has over 28 years of management experience in community health with 16 years in the positions of CEO and COO.

     
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    Ebony Gaffney, M.D.

    Medical Director

     

    Dr. Gaffney is a board-certified Psychiatrist and an American Psychiatric Association Fellow. Dr. Gaffney holds a PhD in Public Health and a MBA in Health Administration. Her psychiatric training was completed at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Gaffney’s interests include working with the faith-based communities, women’s health, and academic psychiatry.

     
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    Tamer Elshennawy

    Center Administrator

     

    Tamer is our Systems Administrator and IT Specialist. Tamer has 15 years’ experience in network administration, network performance tuning, LAN knowledge, network Design and implementation, problem solving, strategic planning, multi-tasking, quality Focus, coordination, technical understanding. Tamer Joined the SAMHC family in December, 2018.

     
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    Deana Kerr

    Human Resource Manager

     

    Deana has worked with Department of Mental Health for almost 26 years. She started at the Union Office alongside the Office Manager. In October, 1998 She was promoted and moved to the Spartanburg office in HR as Human Resource Specialist. In April, 2011, she was promoted to Human Resource Manager and still continues her role as Benefits Administrator.

     
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    Kristin James

    Clinic Director – Spartanburg Clinic

     

    Kristin is currently the Spartanburg Clinic Director. She has been with the Department of Mental Health since 2001. Kristin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and holds two master’s degrees: One from UNC – Chapel Hill in Rehabilitation Psychology and a Master’s in Public Health (concentration in Emergency Management) from American Military University.

     
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    LaRonda Frye

    Clinic Director – Union Clinic

     

    LaRonda worked with the Department previously for 3 years in the TLC programs and briefly in the CAF department. LaRonda was employed with Vocational Rehabilitation for 16 years. She recently returned to the agency and serves as the Clinic Director at Union Mental Health Clinic. LaRonda has a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University.

     
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    Freda Miller

    Clinic Director – Cherokee Clinic

     

    Freda is the Cherokee Mental Health Clinic Director. She started with the department at the Spartanburg Clinic in 1993 working in Adult Services. She was the Adult Services Director at the Spartanburg Clinic. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addictions Counselor.

     

  • Holly May

    Program Manager, Deaf Services

     

    Holly May lives in Columbia, SC and is the Program Manger for the state-wide program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing for almost 15 years. Holly started her career with SCDMH as an intern in 1999. Holly holds her license in professional counseling (LPC) as well as her National Interpreting Certification (NIC) and her Qualified Mental Health Interpreting (QMHI) certification.