Sue Whitney, NP-C
Nurse Practitioner – Behavioral Health
● Hello, my name is Sue Whitney. I am a board-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in behavioral health, with over 10 years of experience in both outpatient and inpatient mental health settings.
● I began my career in education, earning a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Michigan and teaching elementary school in inner-city Flint. My passion for healthcare led me to pursue a nursing degree from the University of Wyoming, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Gonzaga University.
● My clinical focus is in behavioral medicine, and I believe strongly in a patient-centered, collaborative approach to care. I am committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for every individual I work with.
● Outside of work, I enjoy life on our small family farm—gardening, caring for our 12 chickens, and spending time with my children and grandchildren.
Sean O'Morrow is a certified Physician Assistant who earned his degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. With a strong foundation in evidence-based medicine and a commitment to compassionate care, Sean is dedicated to building trusted relationships with his patients and helping them achieve their health goals. He looks forward to making a positive impact in the lives of those he treats through personalized, attentive medical care.
● Outside of the clinic, Sean enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children. Together, they love traveling, cooking new recipes, and exploring the outdoors on family bike rides.
Pavithra is a Psychiatric Physician Assitant at Cognosis Hillside located in Grand Blanc MI. Pavithra received her degree from Western Michigan University in Physician Assistant Studies in 2022. In addition to Physician Assistant studies, She received her undergraduate degree in Physical Therapy in 2005, and a Master of science with emphasis in Cardiac rehab in 2007. Her overall clinical experience has given her an important insight and the ingrained belief that active listening, education, self-empowerment, and collaboration are essential to positive patient care. She believes through education and pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, each patient can be empowered to be their best self. Pavithra enjoys her time with family and spending time in nature, camping and outdoor activities.
Dr. Liegmann is currently living and practicing in Michigan. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and is board-certified in Sleep Medicine. He previously served in the US Navy as a Corpsman prior to going into medical school. Dr. Liegmann obtained his degrees from Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, LA and from American University of the Caribbean on Sint Maarten. He then completed his internship through a rural family medicine track in Casper, Wyoming before transferring to Louisiana State University for his Psychiatry residency and subsequently completed his Sleep Medicine fellowship. Dr. Liegmann was previously a staff physician at different VA Medical Centers treating veterans in the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic. He also is actively treating all members of the EMS community.
I am a certified Physician Assistant(PA-C). I graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy. I also have a Certificate of Added Qualification(CAQ) in Psychiatry, from NCCPA. I see all ages and treat a wide range of Mental Healt conditions, including ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and Schizophrenia. I recently moved from another provider in Grand Blanc to Cognosis Health.
Dr. Purna Surapaneni, MD is a psychiatry specialist in Grand Blanc, MI and has 47 years experience. They graduated from SRI KRISHNADEVARAYA UNIVERSITY / GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE. He currently practices at Cognosis Hillside Center for Behavioral Heslth in Grand Blanc MI. Dr. Surapaneni has experience treating conditions like ADHD and-or ADD, Mood Disorders (Dysthymia and Cyclothymia) and Chronic Depression (Dysthymia) among other conditions at varying frequencies. Their office accepts new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Surapaneni also speaks Hindi. Dr. Surapaneni accepts multiple insurance plans. He can be reached at 810-428-1181.
Hello, I believe we all try to make our life easier with physical and mental health care. I am a Master of Social Work graduate and licensed with the state of Michigan. I am a therapist that believes you are the expert of your own life and your treatment should be based on your choices. I am treating patients from ages 2 - though aduthood for Solution -Focused Therapy with a variety of interventions that fit your needs for you and your family to live a life of optimal wellness. My specialties include Autism, Attention Defiant/Hyperactviy Disoder, Oppisional Difiance Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Post Tramatic Stress Disorder, Loss and Grief, Realtionship issues,and Social phobias. I have lived in Genesee County my entire life and enjoy working with people and my new work family here at Cognosis Health Hillside offices.
Phillip Mosby has a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Phillip has forty-three years of clinical experience providing mental health and co-occurring services. Phillip believes every person has unique needs and having a confidential, trusting, and safe environment is necessary for healthy growth. He is passionate about individuals and families having the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of being ridiculed or shamed. Phillip’s proven strategy is helping individuals to feel understood and to assist in redeveloping confidence while coping with stress and feeling good about self. He utilizes a person-centered individualized plan of care that focuses on where the individual is in treatment. His primary best practice is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; used to address issues of depression, stress, anxiety, substance use, grief, co-dependency, post traumatic disorder and marital relationship problems. Phillip looks forward to bringing his ministry of counseling to Cognosis Health where he will provide services to individuals seventeen and older, families and couples.
Sheila is a graduate of Oakland University where she earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a fully licensed professional counselor, and member of the National Board of Certified Counselors, she understands that life has many challenges that can leave us feeling isolated, alone, or confused about how to move forward in life. It is her belief that each person entering her office has the power within them to grow emotionally and mentally, enabling them to approach life from a position of strength and confidence and make the best decisions for their life goals. Her emphasis is placed on providing clients with a safe space to explore their concerns while providing them with the tools necessary to reach their full potential. Each of her clients is unique; therefore, she chooses her treatment methods based on the individual. Sheila would be honored to walk with you on your path of growth and healing. She currently works with individuals between the ages of 5 and 64 years old. Her areas of focus include the following: Adjustment Issues, Anger Management, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD), Bereavement-Grief Counseling, Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Communication Skills, Depression, Life Transitions, Panic Disorder, Parenting Issues, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Stress Management, Women’s Issues
James grew up in Genesee county Michigan. He went to school in Flint for undergraduate where he got degrees in psychology and philosophy. James attended graduate school at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. He has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in the inpatient setting as well as partial hospitalization and for the last 33 years. In addition James has been in private practice for that time caring for his patients with a variety of complexities. He treats adults and children as young as 6 and provides provides therapy for Mood disorders,anxiety disorders,behavioral difficulties, eating disorders and specializes in ADHD for adult adolescents and children.
Janine is our Front Desk Lead, a role she has excelled in for over 34 years and counting. Known for her deep commitment to patient care, Janine has become a familiar and trusted presence for many of our patients. Outside of work, she has a passion for gardening and enjoys spending time cultivating her garden.
Danyelle is an integral member of our billing and front desk team, where she contributes to ensuring smooth operations and excellent service for our patients. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Danyelle enjoys outdoor activities and cherishes quality time with her dogs and family.
Alyssa is a valued member of our front desk team, bringing over five years of experience in customer care. With a strong dedication to assisting patients, she is committed to providing exceptional service and support in every interaction. In her personal time, Alyssa enjoys reading and knitting.
Maddy is a dedicated member of our billing team, committed to ensuring that patients fully understand their bills and the reasons behind the charges. She takes pride in providing clear, thorough explanations to help patients navigate their billing inquiries with confidence. Outside of work, Maddy enjoys playing football with her younger brothers and watching anime with her wife.
Sufyan brings more than 10 years experience in the hospitality industry and brings extensive expertise in customer service, operational management, and relationship-building. His career has been shaped by the dynamic, people-focused nature of the hospitality sector, where he has honed his attention to detail, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service. On the weekends Sufyan spends his days with his wife and three boys staying active through sports, or relaxing by watching football.
Tamer Kazan, a native of Haledon, NJ, grew up as the eldest of three brothers in a family that faced its share of personal struggles. After graduating from Manchester Regional High School, he joined the Army, serving with distinction during the Baghdad Surge, one of the most pivotal periods of the Iraq War. Following his service, he transitioned to a career as a Sheriff's Officer after completing the Civil Service Test. Despite his professional achievements, Tamer faced significant personal challenges, including the loss of fellow service members to suicide and a rapid decline in his own mental health. His journey through adversity, including divorce, multiple inpatient rehab stays, and a suicide attempt on St. Patrick’s Day 2022, reflects a battle with inner demons and the resilience required to confront them. Today, Tamer draws on his experiences to inspire and advocate for mental health awareness among veterans and first responders, embodying a message of hope and recovery.
Deb has over 35 years of experience in the medical field, including 20 years specializing in psychiatry. She is deeply passionate about patient care and dedicated to helping others. Outside of work, Deb enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. As a proud grandparent, she is one of her grandkids’ biggest supporters, especially when it comes to their sports activities.
Angela grew up with a deep sense of compassion and a drive to help others, which led her to a career in nursing. She spent years working directly with patients, witnessing firsthand the profound impact that quality care can have on their well-being. However, as she continued in the field, she realized that true change doesn't just happen at the bedside- it starts at the top. That realization led her to transition into healthcare administration, where she could advocate for both patients and staff by improving systems, policies, and the overall quality of care.
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Angela has managed teams, streamlined workflows, and worked to create supportive environments for both providers and patients. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, recognizing that real healing requires more than just medical treatment- it requires understanding, compassion, and a commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.
Angela's work is driven by the belief that every patient deserves not just care, but care that is delivered with dignity and respect. She is dedicated to fostering a workplace where staff feel supported, and patients receive the best possible experience.