Medical Management Providers

Arom Evans, MD – CEO; Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist –
Licensed in AK, TX, FL, AL, AZ, GA, HI, ID, IL, MN, MO, MT, ND, PA, UT, WA, WV, WI

Dr. Evans is the Chief Executive Officer of Orion Behavioral Health Network. As a board certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist he has a breadth of experience in treating individuals from all walks of life. He grew up in Anchorage and is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine Alaska WAMMI program. He completed his adult psychiatric residency at the University of California Irvine and fellowship training at Cedars-Sinai in Beverly Hills, California. He has practiced in Alaska since 2004 and operated Orion Behavioral Health Network since 2009. He maintains faculty appointments and is committed to training the next generation of doctors, psychiatrists and Physician Assistants for the University of Washington. Licensed in Alaska, Florida, and Texas.

Jeffrey Litzinger, M.D. - Adult, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist –
Licensed in AK (via telepsychiatry from NC)

Dr. Litzinger provides primary and consultative comprehensive psychiatric treatment to children, adolescents and adults, working both solo and as part of a collaborative team. He does comprehensive mental health evaluations, medication management and individual psychotherapy. He has provided service to more than 4000 unique patients in private practice, teenage and adult residential treatment centers, inpatient psychiatric facilities, substance abuse treatment centers, eating disorder residential facilities, active research programs, homeless outreach programs, board and care facilities, the military and correctional facilities. While Dr. Litzinger spends most of his time in North Carolina, he makes use of telepsychiatry to maintain established private practice patients in Seal Beach, California as well as providing treatment to underserved areas in Alaska. Dr. Litzinger is highly specialized in the use of Computerized Performance Testing for the optimization of stimulant dosages in children and adults with ADHD. While having a special interest in ADHD, Dr. Litzinger’s broad based experience allows him to effectively treat the full gamut of psychiatric conditions in children and adults with and without ADHD.

Mercedes Dodge, PA-C, MPAS, CAQ-Psychiatry –
Texas Site Director – AK, TX, FL

Mercedes is a Board-Certified Psychiatric PA with Orion Behavioral Health Network, providing telemedicine-based psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults. She earned her undergraduate degrees from Rice University, completed her PA training at UC Davis Medical School, along with a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Psychiatry. Practicing since 2008, PA Dodge has extensive experience in primary care and behavioral health, working across outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings. She takes an integrated, patient-centered approach, emphasizing collaborative care and behavioral health education. A certified Parent Educator and Coach, she also advocates for telemedicine and psychiatric access, serving in leadership roles with PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine and the Association of PAs in Psychiatry. Fluent in Spanish, she is committed to inclusive, culturally competent care. Licensed in Alaska, Florida, and Texas.

Catherine Link, PA-C, MMSPA, MPH, CAQ-Psychiatry

Catherine Link is a board-certified physician assistant with a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Truman State University, her Master of Public Health from the University of Missouri – Columbia, and her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Catherine provides compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults. She is especially committed to advancing access to mental health services in the communities she serves. Outside of her clinical work, Catherine enjoys staying active, reading, traveling, and spending time with family.

Carlene Boden, PA-C, BCBA –
Dual certification in psychiatry and behavior analysis – AK

Carlene is a psychiatric medical provider at Orion Behavioral Health Network. She returned home to Alaska in 2014 and loves raising her family here. She completed her Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2004 from Chatham University. She has prior experience in primary care and oncology. She completed her certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2017. She enjoys developing collaborative and comprehensive treatment plans centered on achieving patient/family goals, which incorporate behavior support strategies and education. Carlene is incredibly involved with the special needs community and is an autism mom herself. She enjoys all outdoor activities but especially biking, boating, and fishing in the summer.

Ulyana Nepokulchytska PA-C –
Fluent in Ukrainian; military-connected – AK, FL

Ulyana is a psychiatric medical provider at Orion Behavioral Health Network. Ulyana earned her Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree and her Bachelor of Science with a psychology minor from Drexel University in Philadelphia. After completing her graduate studies and certification, Ulyana started working in psychiatry with patients throughout the lifespan in outpatient office practice as well as more acute inpatient and partial hospitalization programs with a large hospital system in Chicago. Through the years, she has also enjoyed working with military service members on completing their yearly complete health assessments. Ulyana is enthusiastic about providing compassionate care, engaging, and educating patients in their treatment with integrated psychotherapy as well as exploring detrimental coping skills and barriers to care. She was raised in Ukraine and immigrated to Chicago in the early 2000s. She is active in her culture and appreciates learning about people from all walks of life. In her free time, she enjoys being close to nature with gardening, hiking, and fostering animals in need as well as exploring mindfulness and patient centered care. Licensed in Alaska and Florida.

Mallory Driscoll, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry – AK, FL

Mallory Driscoll is a certified Physician Assistant at Orion Behavioral Health. Mallory received her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and is CAQ certified in Psychiatry. She has worked in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric settings, and also has experience working in Primary Care. Mallory is passionate about providing psychiatric care to rural communities and has participated in medical volunteer trips in Peru and Africa. She enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and riding horses in her free time. Licensed in Alaska and Florida.

Cherise Hug, PA-C – Medical Director – AK

Cherise is the Medical Director. She was raised in a military household. She moved around frequently before finally making Alaska home in 2005. She worked in primary care prior to attending PA school at the MEDEX Northwest training program through the University of Washington. After graduation Cherise gained experience in psychiatry working at an acute inpatient care facility.

Dr. David L Mischel DNP, PMHNP, CARN-AP, FIAAN –
Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry & Addictions

My name is Dave Mischel and I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric and Addictions Nurse Practitioner with a primary focus on the Pediatric and young adult populations. I completed my Masters and Doctorate degrees through the University of North Dakota. Most of my training and experience is with ages 4-25 which includes inpatient adolescent care, residential substance use disorder treatment and outpatient psychiatric care.

In addition to my certification as a PMHNP, I am also a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse- Advanced Practice (CARN-AP). Further work in the addictions field led to my induction as a Fellow of the International Academy of Addictions Nursing (FIAAN).

My previous practices in Wyoming and Wisconsin focused on providing care for children and young adults who were born exposed to substances in utero, have diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing) and families where substance use has impacted their mental health. I also teach student Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners with a focus on Child and Adolescent care.

In my free time I enjoy reading science fiction, playing Dungeons & Dragons, kayaking and cooking.

AYLAR ANSARITALESH, PA-C

Introducing Aylar Ansaritalesh, a board-certified Physician Assistant with over six years of experience in critical care medicine. In high-acuity ICU settings, Aylar cared for medically complex patients while also supporting individuals experiencing acute psychiatric concerns such as anxiety, depression, delirium, substance withdrawal, and emotional distress related to severe illness. 

Her ICU work involved close collaboration with psychiatry, neurology, and interdisciplinary teams, allowing her to develop a thoughtful, integrated approach to mental and physical health. Aylar is known for her calm presence, trauma-informed care, and ability to support patients and families during some of life's most vulnerable moments. 

As she transitions into virtual primary care with a behavioral health focus, Aylar is committed to providing holistic, compassionate, and patient-centered care. Inspired by both her clinical background and motherhood, she strives to create a supportive space where patients feel heard, empowered, and cared for as whole people.