Our Mission
It is the mission of Pacific Psychiatry, Inc. (PAC), to provide the absolute highest level of care to patients in a warm, friendly and supportive environment. We are committed to the prevention as well as treatment of psychiatric illness, always seeking to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes in support of the optimal outcome for patients.
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OUR TEAM
Richard Altesman
M.D.
Richard Altesman, M.D. is a nationally renowned Biological Psychiatrist, specializing in clinical psychopharmacology and neuropsychiatry, affective and mood disorders, anxiety, dual diagnosis and substance use disorders.
Dr. Altesman completed medical school at the State University of New York and went on to psychiatric residency training at Harvard Medical School McLean Hospital where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Altesman has held leadership, research and clinical appointments at Harvard Medical School as Chief of Clinical Psychopharmacology, McLean Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, the National Institute of Mental Health in Washington D.C, the New York Medical College and New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.
Dr. Altesman has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the Exemplary Psychiatrist National Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and the Outstanding Teacher Award at Harvard Medical School McLean Hospital. He has also served as an officer of the Mental Health Association. Dr Altesman is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the Americans Psychiatric Association.
Serving the medical community in a number of capacities, Dr. Altesman has been a long-term Representative to the American Psychiatric Association's national Assembly and is also currently on the Executive Council of the Northern California Psychiatric Society.
Edward Valkov
M.D.
Dr. Edward Valkov has more than forty years of research, teaching, and clinical experience. He is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, embraces pharmacology and psychotherapy treatment modalities, and specializes in the assessment and care of mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Dr. Valkov works closely with the patients under his care to utilize their life experiences and strengths in the creation of treatment plans that empower them to achieve their mental and physical wellness goals.
Dr. Valkov graduated from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed psychiatric residency at the University of Chicago Hospital. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Addiction Medicine, a certified cognitive therapist with the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and holds medical licenses in California, Colorado, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
In recent years, Dr. Valkov has served as the Director of the In-Patient Psychiatric Unit at Camden County Health Services Center, taught as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, and was the attending psychiatrist for the In-Patient Unit at the West Pines Behavioral Health Hospital. He is currently a member of a prestigious team of researchers at CCHSC for Rutgers University, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.
Dr. Valkov is a passionate proponent of the ancient principle “Mens sana in corpore sano: a healthy mind in a healthy body” - that mobilization of inner strength, vitality, and potential that enriches his patients’ lives. As a lifelong competitive swimmer, he practices what he preaches and pledges attentive support and dedication to the population he serves!
Douglas Murphy
M.D.
Dr. Douglas P. Murphy M.D. is a highly respected Clinical Psychiatrist in San Luis Obispo who approaches the care of his patients with a combination of expert training and varied life experiences. Dr. Murphy is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc., a member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties who is Board Certified in the specialty of Psychiatry and the subspecialty of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. As the founder of Pacific Psychiatry, Inc. Dr. Murphy believes strongly in his practice’s mission: to provide expert psychiatric care in a warm and supportive environment.
Dr. Murphy attended the University of California, San Diego, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Revelle College with a degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Dr. Murphy went on to attend medical training at UCSD School of Medicine where further work in basic neuroscience inspired him to pursue a career in psychiatry. Residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at Denver was followed by fellowships in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute where Dr. Murphy was selected to serve as Chief Fellow, and in Forensic Psychiatry at the USC Institute of Psychiatry and Law.
Dr. Murphy highly values community engagement, and has served in a variety of leadership and teaching activities: participating on the Volunteer Clinical Faculty at UCLA Neuropsychiatric as clinical instructor in forensic child psychiatry, serving on the Children's Leadership Team for San Luis Obispo County, and serving as clinical and legal consultant to PG&E Diablo Canyon and the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Juvenile Division. In addition, Dr. Murphy has given continuing education lectures for families, physicians and other mental health professionals at a variety of venues including the Cuesta Learning Disabilities Conference and French Hospital Grand Rounds, and developing the San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Series (SLO-BHS) – an educational series of presentations the goal of which is to improve knowledge and awareness of important behavioral health issues.
Julia Davison
Physician Assistant, B.C.
Ms. Julia Davison is Pacific Psychiatry’s resident Physician Assistant, completing diagnostic evaluations for the development of treatment plans including medication prescription, assessing medication response and effectiveness, and providing supportive therapy.
Ms. Davison received her Physician Assistant training at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and holds a certificate of added qualification in Psychiatry from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Ms. Davison has provided psychiatric services in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient treatment settings since 1984, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities. Ms. Davison often treats older teenagers and adults, and has a particular interest in women’s issues including PTSD and postpartum depression.
Mary Garrett
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Garrett is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is qualified to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications for children, adolescents, and adults. Ms. Garret specializes in the treatment of ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Substance Abuse, and Trauma. As one who believes in the treatment of the whole person – mind and body, Ms. Garrett implements both traditional and alternative treatments (such as vitamins and supplements). Ms. Garret also employs therapeutic treatment practices including applied behavioral analysis, critical debriefing, and mindfulness.
Ms. Garrett attended Avila University where she received her Bachelors of Science and Nursing (BSN), and later earned her nurse practitioner certificate at University of California Long Beach.
Over her career, Ms. Garrett has worked as a nurse, nursing supervisor, and nurse practitioner. Her practice areas include oncology, dialysis, medical/surgical, forensics, drug and alcohol services, inpatient/outpatient mental health, Applied Behavioral Analysis (Positive Behavior Support Team and previously utilized by school districts), PTSD Treatment (Seeking Safety), Critical Incident Debriefing, FEMA. Ms Garrett finds her work with the patients of Pacific Psychiatry incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.
Douglas Williamson
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Douglas Williamson is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, qualified to diagnose psychiatric mental health disorders and implement evidence-based treatment modalities that are client-centered, recovery-orientated, and provided in a caring and supportive environment. His experience includes serving clients suffering from mild to severe mental health disorders including: depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, psychotic and other mood disorders. Mr. Williamson’s philosophy is based on the Nursing Care Model: a holistic approach to patient care focused on the mind, body, and soul, while implementing a combination of brief psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and self-care activities.
Mr. Williamson earned his Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) as well as his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of San Francisco, where he was twice awarded the Dean’s Medal for Professionalism in Nursing, selected as a Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholar and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He is an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco and works alongside fellow faculty to mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Mr. Williamson is committed to serving in his community and addressing public healthcare needs. He has been a correctional counselor for the Division of Juvenile Justice, trained as a nurse in the VA Healthcare System, and a nurse practitioner treating low-income individuals with moderate to severe complexity.
Eric O. Hixon
Physician Assistant, B.C.
Eric has joined Pacific Psychiatry after over 20 years of serving patients on the Central Coast at other practices and has also helped staff mobile health units and community health outreach initiatives. Eric’s care philosophy is that patients should always be placed at the center of their medical care, knowing that each patient he cares for is complex and unique. He is known by his patients for being caring, empathetic, committed, and personable, and cares deeply about bringing quality healthcare to the San Luis Obispo community.
Eric Hixon graduated from California Polytechnic University here in San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology, Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona CA with a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, and was Certified as a Physician Assistant in 2002. Eric is also an esteemed member of the California Association of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Eric provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and treatments for conditions such as depression, bipolar spectrum, ADHD, anxiety conditions, and other mood disorders. Eric appreciates when patients take the time to share all pertinent medical and life experiences both past and present so that he can provide the best care possible.
Eric says “The challenge of practicing medicine continues to be one my greatest privileges and experiences. Overcoming my own obstacles has enriched my ability to care for others and fostered a deep desire to serve people with passion.”
Kira Mesman-Hallman
Physician Assistant, B.C.
Kira earned her Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Psychology at Claremont McKenna College, and her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Midwestern University. After completing her schooling and clinical rotations, Kira served at New Horizons Medical in Massachusetts where she provided medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders in collaboration with supervising psychiatrists, substance abuse counselors and case managers. Kira also spent time working at HealthDrive, where she was a psychiatric consultant for residents of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, treating a broad range of psychiatric conditions including mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia and acquired brain injury. In 2021, Kira was the recipient of the 2021 Dr. Stephen Van Gorden Mission Award for excellence in the field of geriatric psychiatry.
Kira provides comprehensive psychiatric assessments and treatment, addressing conditions such as depression, bipolar spectrum, ADHD, anxiety conditions, and other mood disorders.
Kira is dedicated to providing compassionate, holistic and evidence-based care to Pacific Psychiatry’s patients.
Susan Lozier
Physician Assistant
Susan (who goes by Suzy) Lozier is a Mental Health Physician Assistant with Pacific Psychiatry. She received her Physician Associate and Master of Medical Science degrees from Yale University School of Medicine and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University. She began her career in family medicine in 2000 and has been practicing psychiatry for the past 9 years.
Suzy has treated children, adolescents, and adults in a private psychiatry group practice setting. In 2015, she designed and instituted the psychiatry program in telemedicine for Action Urgent Care. She worked for several years as team leader and primary clinician at a highly-regarded intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization program in the Bay Area. She was the senior clinician treating patients with ketamine for treatment-resistant depression and other psychiatric diagnoses, and has studied and conducted research in the emerging field of psychedelic medicine.
Ms. Lozier prioritizes the relief of suffering and the pursuit of well-being in partnership with her patients. She lives in Oakland, California with her daughter and their dog, Violet.
Michael Quiceno
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Michael Quiceno, a board-certified Nurse Practitioner, brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to the world of healthcare. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he hails from diverse South Florida and proudly served in the U.S. Army Medical Department.
Michael's passion lies in psychiatric care, and he has left a lasting impact on communities in California and Florida. With a versatile medical background spanning Primary Care, Psychiatric Care, Pain Management, and more, he is a well-rounded practitioner. His education journey is equally impressive, including a Post-Master Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (P.M.H.N.P.) from Herzing University in 2018, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Chamberlain University, where he graduated with Highest Honors/Magna Cum Laude.
Beyond his medical duties, Michael is a man of varied interests, from science research and real estate to sports, fishing, and culinary pursuits. He lives by the values of holistic health, emphasizing nutrition, exercise, and balanced living. In his own words, Michael's mission is to guide individuals toward a brighter, healthier life.
Katie Bailey
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Katie Bailey has over 9 years of experience in the mental health field. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama in 2019, and is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is passionate about helping people improve their well-being and quality of life, and continuously seeks to enhance her knowledge and skills.
As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Katie provides expert assessment and treatment to Pacific Psychiatry’s patients, treating a variety of mental health conditions with compassionate and individualized care. Her approach to treatment is holistic, with the use of psychotherapy and traditional medications. Katie collaborates with her patients and clinical team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans, using evidence-based research and practices.