Thomas Whinnett – CEO
Thomas Whinnett is the Chief Executive Officer and provides oversight for the facility and its leadership team and staff. Thomas joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in September of 2022. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Christopher Newport University. Thomas believes that a positive impact can be nurtured through compassion, collaboration, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Thomas has worked in the mental health field since 2011 and has experience across the behavioral health continuum. Thomas is a certified substance abuse counselor in Virginia and is committed to caring for those in need and contributing to sustained environments for recovery and healing.

Damian T. Tucker, LPC-S, LSATP, C-DBT – COO
Damian T. Tucker serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Newport News Behavioral Health Center, providing leadership for organizational strategy, operational performance and the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based clinical services. Since joining the center in 2016 as a therapist intern, Damian has steadily advanced through multiple roles, including Primary Therapist, Lead Therapist, Director of Clinical Services and Director of Clinical Operations, before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2026. Damian is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-S), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Provider (LSATP) and Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist. His clinical training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT, Aggression Replacement Training, Seven Challenges and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Rooted in a deep commitment to trauma informed practice, Damian believes that healing begins with understanding the whole person, their experiences, culture, needs and inherent strengths. He is dedicated to fostering clinical excellence that is holistic and grounded in empathy, competence, collaboration and meaningful connection. In parallel, his focus is to advance operational reliability by ensuring systems, processes, and teams function with efficiency, accountability and compassion. His leadership focuses on building treatment environments and organizational structures that support safety, trust, empowerment and sustained growth for both clients and staff. Beyond his work within the facility, Damian serves as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trainer for the Newport News Police Department, supporting community safety and strengthening law enforcement responses to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

Michael Rogers – Director of Education
Michael Rogers is the Education Director who oversees the school programs for youth at NNBHC. He joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in August, 2013. Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from New College at the University of Alabama. Michael believes that all children are capable of learning and deserve the highest quality, specialized educational experience possible to meet their unique needs while in a behavioral healthcare setting. Michael has counseled children in grades 3-8, taught middle school for eight years, taught alternative middle and high school, taught incarcerated adults for five years, authored several grants, articles, and a book called “Nathan: He Would Be Somebody,” published in 2000 by RBC Publishing in Sacramento, CA. He is an award winning educator who serves on the accreditation and governmental affairs committees of Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities.

Belinda Hampton – Director of Utilization Review
Belinda joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in 2004, and has held several positions that include Utilization Review Coordinator, Director of Admissions and Director of Utilization Review. Prior to joining NNBHC, she worked as a Behavioral Counselor at Cumberland Hospital. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University; B.A. in Social Work from Christopher Newport University; and AAS in Public Administration from Thomas Nelson Community College.

Terry Rethamel – Director of Support Services
Terry Rethamel is the Support Services Director who oversees the Maintenance, Housekeeping and Dietary departments; he, also, serves as the facilities’ Safety Officer and Emergency Management Coordinator. Terry joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in May 2015. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Terry believes that helping youth in a tough world/time is vital to their entitlement to be happy, healthy and productive citizens of the community; providing them delicious nourishment and a safe, secure and comfortable environment are just a few of the important tasks of the facility to help youth heal/recover. Prior to his arrival in this position, Terry was a 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force.

Eugene Yemofio – Director of Business Development
Eugene Yemofio is the Director of Business Development who is directly responsible for maintaining and nurturing the core relationships between referring stakeholders and our facility. One other primary responsibility is to develop new business opportunities for the facility by way of contracts, paying attention to innovative treatment options that meet the needs of our community and serve as a liaison between the community and the facility. Eugene joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in July 2020. He holds a Master’s Degree in Executive Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Eugene believes that thriving youth equals thriving communities and that an all-hands-on-deck approach between providers, stakeholders and business partners is required to build at-risk youth into successful and thriving adults who can contribute to their communities. Eugene has enjoyed over a decade working with and advocating for at-risk children, adolescents and family in need of residential or community mental health and counseling.

Darryl Richardson – Health Information Manager
Darryl Richardson is the Health Information Manager maintains medical records of residents in accordance with Federal and state legal requirements and JCAHO standards. He supervises the activities of the Health Information Department, oversees the chart audit and clinical pertinence functions, and participates in Hospital Management of Information function. Darryl joined Newport News Behavior Health Center in March 2024. Darryl Richardson earned his A.A.S. in Health Information Management at ECPI University. Darryl’s interest in joining this company is something that holds close to him, family! Darryl has a sincere interest in how those who suffer are treated and how best they can overcome. From Darryl, “Working with youth is special as it allows this company to help those suffering from a form of trauma prior to reaching adulthood. Successful completion of the various programs offered here allows our patients a good opportunity to move on and live a productive adult life moving forward.”

Chardon Rich – Director of Risk Management and Performance Improvement
Chardon Rich is the Director of Risk Management and Performance Improvement who job is to protect the facility’s assets from loss. She is responsible for coordinating the loss control efforts and advising management and administration on all potential sources of loss and for making recommendations to minimize or eliminate exposure. She joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in January 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies/Human Services from Cambridge College. She is motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world. Whether it’s through my work directly or through the company’s mission, I find that I’m most energized when I feel like I’m contributing to something bigger than myself. I want to be part of an organization that is making a difference and creating a better future for everyone.”

Joe Cooper – Director of Information Systems
Joe is the Director of Information Systems. He joined Newport News Behavioral Health Center in Feb 2024. He previously served as Network Administrator and IT Administrator at Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center, Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health and Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center, all UHS facilities in Hampton Roads. Joe has been working in the Information Technology field since 1987 and holds a Networking Certificate in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix. Joe also holds various other Information Technology Certifications. He believes that from a technology perspective, his job is to make the jobs of everyone else easier and he is serious about what he does to help others. Joe is also a highly decorated retiree of the United States Air Force.

Avtar Dhillon, M.D., D.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M.
Dr. Dhillon has served as Medical Director for Newport News Behavioral Health Center since 2003. He is board-certified in psychiatry, addiction, forensic psychiatry, pain management and psychosomatic medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. In addition, Dr. Dhillon is board-certified in adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Adolescent Psychiatry and in addiction medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Dhillon has served as the President of the Peninsula Psychiatric Society. He is a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Brad Z. Berger, M.D.
Dr. Berger is Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Adolescent Psychiatry. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL. He completed his Psychiatry Internship and Residency at the University of California San Francisco, and his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Washington University of St. Louis. Dr. Berger most recently worked as a psychiatrist at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL, with prior employment at the Gulfport Behavioral Health Center, as Chief and Medical Director of Psychiatry. He is a member of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

John G. Phocas, III, M.D.
Dr. Phocas is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He received his medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He completed his psychiatry training at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Phocas previously served as the inpatient medical director and vice chairman of psychiatry for Shore Health Services and worked as a psychiatrist for Dorchester County Public Schools’ Mental Health Services program. He also worked at Atlantic Psychiatric Services, Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center and the Pines at Kempsville. Dr. Phocas is a full-time attending psychiatrist for the Acute Inpatient Care facility at Newport News Behavioral Health Center.

Dr. Norriece L. Piggott, Staff Psychiatrist
Dr. Gibson graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine (Detroit, MI) and went on to complete residency and fellowship from VCUHS (Richmond, Virginia) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN) respectively. In 2016 she was featured in Richmond Magazine and chosen as a Top Doctor (as chosen by their peers).
She is a member of APA as well as AAGP; has 2 Board Certifications by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has been with NNBHC since July 2021.

Newport News Behavioral Health Center provides quality mental health treatment services to children and adolescents in a therapeutic environment. If your child is struggling with behavioral health issues, please call us at 757-888-0400. We offer no-cost assessments 24/7.