Peninsula Mental Health and Addiction Services
Staff

Staff

Mental Health

Michael B. Finegan, Ph.D., ABPP

Michael Finegan, Ph.D., ABPP, is the Executive Director of Peninsula Mental Health and its divisions which include Peninsula Addiction Services and Peninsula Police Psychological Services.

 

Losing his father when he was just a young boy, his trauma taught him to help others with their own. He learned the value of giving back, and of humility. Loss comes on so many levels, but nonetheless, it needs to be grieved, learned, navigated, and it needs to be survived.

 

Knowing his path, Dr. Finegan received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1984 and is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist. He served his APA Clinical Psychology Internship at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Geriatric Clinical Psychology at the Texas Medical Center.

 

Dr. Finegan’s clinical interests and dedication focus on treatment of trauma, substance abuse disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and serving the special needs of law enforcement.

 

Having served passionately as Lead Psychologist with the Maryland State Police, in 2015 Maryland’s Governor Hogan appointed Dr. Finegan to the Maryland Emergency Heroin Opioid Task Force to address the state’s opioid epidemic. Additionally, he is the governor’s appointee to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

 

Dr. Finegan has responded to disasters in India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Haiti, providing front-line psychologic interventions to survivors, first responders, and community and national leaders. He is a frequent guest on local CBS and ABC affiliate television stations and has also been featured nationally on NBC’s Dateline, CNN Headline News, and in The Washington Post.

 

He has served as an invited speaker to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine as well as guest speaker at the International Conferences hosted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

 

Dr. Finegan’s love of the outdoors is his refresh button, and when he is unplugged, he enjoys the water and being in it, on it, or sitting next to it.

 

 


Eugene White, Ph.D., LCPC

Dr. White earned his doctorate degree in Human Development from the University of Maryland, College Park and was a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Salisbury University from 1978 to 2011.

 

He has been with Peninsula Mental Health Services since 1991 and is presently the Clinical Director of the practice.

 

He specializes in cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal and Adlerian therapies, providing services to individuals, couples and families. He is licensed in the state of Maryland as a Clinical Professional Counselor.


Efigenio Bautista, M.D.

Dr. Efigenio Lynes Bautista is a psychiatric consultant Peninsula Mental Health Services. Joining the practice almost thirty years ago, the value he has brought to both his patients and fellow care providers is immeasurable.
Following his passion to care for others, Dr. Bautista pursued his education at St. Thomas Aquinas University School of Medicine and Surgery and he trained at New York City’s Manhattan State Hospital, with affiliations at New York Medical College and the Metropolitan Hospital.

 

Dr. Bautista is a retired United States Naval Medical Officer, rising to the rank of Captain (0-6). During his twenty-two years of service, he was assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet, Naval Hospital at Subic Bay, and Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and served a five-year tour with the 2nd Marine Division F.M.F. Camp from 1981 to 1986. A proud and passionate US Navy psychiatrist, he cared for active duty and retired warfighters for twenty years.

 

Families struggle, too. In the mental health space and addictive disorders, individuals battle their challenges, and their families fight alongside them. Dr. Bautista partners with both to navigate the challenges of substance abuse together. Through treatment and medication, healing can begin, and from the start of his patients’ journeys to brightness again, Dr. Bautista shows them how to close this chapter and open the next.

 

Dr. Bautista has such an artistic gift. He gets lost in his love of The Arts with his pens and paintbrushes. He’s a humble artist, quietly inspired by things he’s seen and things he’s imagined. He is never far from his canvases and journals, writing or painting with his watercolors…, and we think he needs his own art show!

Dawit Demissie, MD, MBA

Raised in Salisbury, Dr. Demissie earned his medical degree at the University of Missouri in 2014. He completed his residency training in 2017 and, in 2021, earned his MBA from Indiana University.

 

Dr. Demissie has served patients in multiple settings — as a hospitalist and in both urgent and primary care. The challenges of addiciton know no boundaries nor any specific kind of person to attack. A lesson well-noted during his time off the Eastern Shore studying and training across the country. Addiciton affects anybody and everybody, it doesn’t matter who.

 

Seeing firsthand the detrimental journeys of those navigating the challenges of a life controlled by substances or behaviors, Dr. Damissie felt compelled to come home and help the people of his own community stand back up and fight. Neighbors are community, community is family, family is home. And to be able to support his own hometown medically and psychologically through these mucky waters brought on by forrces much greater than us, he considers a privilege.

 

While educating and caring for his patients is his passion and purpose, his own self-care includes soccer — he’s a big fan and has always enjoyed pulling on his cleats and shin guards to play and also rarely misses a World match, watching the seamless talent and skill of soccer players from all corners. He’s and avid DIYer, too, happily unwinding with home renovation projects to enjoy with his lovely wife and their two beautiful German Shepherds.

 

Addictions

Steven Daggs, MS-LGADC

Change is possible. And Steven Daggs is committed to helping others understand that change is possible for them.

 

Steven is a living testament to the incredible power of change and personal growth. His life’s journey has taken him from a troubled past, marked by two felony convictions and a history of addiction, to becoming an inspiring figure in the field of counseling.

 

Through sheer determination and a relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement, Steven has earned an Associate Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling, a Bachelor’s in Science in Addiction Counseling, a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and even a Post-Master’s Degree in Trauma Counseling. Steven’s turning point came when he decided that his past did not have to dictate his future. He realized the profound impact that addiction had on his life and recognized that he had the potential to help others facing similar struggles. This epiphany ignited a fire within him to transform himself and, in turn, help transform the lives of those battling addiction and trauma.

 

Steven embarked on a remarkable educational journey, driven by a burning desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.  His commitment to change and growth has led him to achieve extraordinary milestones, such as the 2019 NBCC Minority Fellowship Award. Today, Steven Daggs is not only a highly-qualified and dedicated counselor but also an inspiration to those who know, and don’t know, his story.

 

Through his work, and since joining our care team almost eight years ago, he has touched countless lives, guiding them on their own paths to recovery and healing. One of Steven’s most defining characteristics is his deep-rooted commitment to the community. He understands the importance of giving back and has actively contributed to various community initiatives. Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, or organizing events, Steven is always eager to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

 

Sports have played an integral role in Steven’s life. His love for sports goes beyond mere fandom — it is a source of inspiration and motivation. Whether as a player or a spectator, he finds solace, camaraderie, and joy in the world of sports. He recognizes the power of sports to unite communities and instill values like teamwork, perseverance, and discipline.

 

Steven Daggs stands as a beacon of hope and an embodiment of change. His journey from adversity to triumph serves as a powerful example of what individuals can achieve when they embrace change with resilience and determination. Steven’s ongoing role as Peninsula Mental Health and Addiction Services’ liaison for Wicomico County’s Adult Drug Treatment Court stands as testimony to his presence in each of his clients’ journeys and in their success.

 

His unwavering commitment to giving back to the community and his passion for sports inspire those around him to follow their dreams, effect change, and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. His dedication to self-improvement, coupled with his tireless efforts to uplift others, has made him a cherished figure within his community. Steven’s love for sports further underscores his ability to find inspiration and unity in the world of athletics. As a true definition of change, Steven continues to inspire and empower others to overcome adversity, achieve their goals, and make a positive impact on the world around them.

 

 

Andre Twilley, CSC-AD

Andre Twilley is a dedicated individual with a personal mission and deep belief that people are his purpose. He has made significant contributions to the community through his work with the Wicomico County Opioid Intervention Team, and because of his strong background in healthcare navigation and a deep commitment to helping others, Andre has been a valuable asset to the team and the people he serves. He began his educational journey at Anne Arundel Community College, where he pursued his associate degree. His educational foundation provided him with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in his future career. However, Andre first served his country in the United States Coast Guard, where his sense of discipline, dedication, and the commitment to serving others was not only instilled but took root and guides him daily.

 

In 2022, Andre joined Peninsula Addictions. His role as a Health Care Navigator for Veterans is particularly noteworthy, guiding fellow veterans through the complex healthcare system to ensure they receive the care and support they deserve. Andre’s journey in counseling began in 2012, and this extensive experience has further enriched his ability to make a difference in people’s lives. Over the years, he has provided counseling services to individuals facing various challenges, including addiction, mental health issues, and other life obstacles. His compassionate and empathetic approach to counseling is easy to see through the trust and respect of those he has helped.

 

Andre has a deep passion for jazz music. Whether he’s attending live performances or listening to his favorite jazz records, the beautiful music is both his inspiration and relaxation. Being a grandfather brings him immense joy, his family plays a central role in his life, and he cherishes time spent with his grandchildren creating lasting memories and sharing his wisdom.

 

What truly drives Andre in both his work and personal life is his belief that people are his purpose. Andre spent time in Liberia’s bush country building churches and schools and credits his faith as his strongest asset. He sees every day as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. This unwavering commitment to serving the community, especially in the critical area of addiction intervention, counseling, and support, has made him a respected and beloved figure among those he works with and helps.

 

Andre’s journey from the Coast Guard to the Wicomico County Opioid Intervention Team, his education and work with Peninsula Addictions, and his extensive experience in counseling reflect a lifelong dedication to serving others. His love for jazz, his role as a grandfather, and his counseling expertise provide balance, joy, and a strong foundation for his meaningful work.

 

Kacey Cowley, ADT

Kacey’s love for her work as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor is two-fold. It is the gateway to her passion for simply helping others. And it is the front-row seat in seeing the growth each individual who enters the program experiences. Being able to guide someone out of the confines of addiction with the knowledge, compassion, and care that Kacey embodies is a gift she both embraces and fluidly shares with her clients.

 

With an Associate’s Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling, Kacey helps lay the foundation for the next chapter in the life of a person who has been struggling under the weight of alcohol and drug misuse, a place that can quickly become deep, dark, and daunting. Currently holding an Alcohol and Drug Trainee status, she is positioned to guide your next steps of this walk utilizing healthy coping skills, tools, and compassion. The journey itself is rewarding, the outcome is even greater.

 

Connection is key. Anyone can develop an addiction, everyone can be affected by it. The patient, their friends, their family, their pets. Everyone. Successful treatment depends on meeting each patient where they are standing right now. With engaged listening, Kacey treats dependency issues and helps her patients find the root cause, and she re-establishes hope, trust, and independence for a lasting recovery.

 

Kacey enjoys life here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and has pursued her studies and education at WorWic Community College. She’s a Neflix-er, snack foodie, and loves to relax playing video games in her free time.

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