Our Expert Staff

Kevin O’Grady, M.S. CRADC

Chief Executive Officer

Kevin has been involved in the field of mental health for over 14 years. Growing up in Georgia, addiction and other co-occurring disorders were prevalent in his own household. After his own battle with drugs, alcohol, and anxiety as a young man, he found a natural passion to help others find a way to break away from the misery of addiction, and develop ways to cope with his mental health. This passion prompted Kevin to begin a career studying and understanding the various techniques in which to approach and treat patients with behavioral health disorders. Through his many opportunities working in health care, Kevin has developed the understanding that behavioral health needs to be treated with time, care, and understanding. As a member of long-term recovery himself, Kevin is able to promote the values of honesty and integrity in his daily practice.

In his free time, Kevin is an avid sports fan, and enjoys a number of recreational sports leagues. He believes that recovery is meant to be filled with joy, excitement, and fun! He and his wife Claire live here locally in Kansas City with their two sons, Graham and Calvin. They are so proud to be able to serve their community and hope to make a difference in many people’s lives.

CJ Heinz

Prior to joining Midwest Recovery Centers, CJ co-founded Performit Group, a Kansas City-based buy-side M&A advisory firm. He brings extensive experience across public and private market investing, corporate venture capital, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions.
CJ previously served as an investment professional at Cobalt Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital and private equity arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Prior to Cobalt, he was an associate at Gates Capital Management, an event-driven hedge fund based in New York, where he focused on special situations investments across a broad range of industries, including healthcare, consumer products, chemicals, industrials, automotive, software, and professional services.

CJ began his career in the Asset Management division of J.P. Morgan. He is a graduate of Kansas State University, where he earned degrees in Finance, Accounting, and Economics.

CJ is excited to bring his experience to the behavioral health field, where his work can have an impact beyond business performance. He is passionate about contributing to an organization whose growth and success directly support individuals and families seeking life-changing care.

Katie Connell
Vice President Of Operations

Katie is an accomplished behavioral health leader whose professional expertise is strengthened by her own lived experience with addiction and recovery. Her personal journey has shaped a deep commitment to helping individuals find recovery, rebuild their lives, and experience lasting hope.

As an Executive Director overseeing treatment centers across multiple states, Katie has led teams and helped build environments where both clients and staff can thrive. Her leadership style is grounded in compassion, accountability, and authenticity, with an emphasis on developing people’s strengths and creating a culture where team members feel supported, valued, and empowered.

Katie believes the strongest outcomes in behavioral healthcare are built through genuine human connection and a shared commitment to excellence. She brings that philosophy to every aspect of her leadership, from supporting the individuals receiving care, to investing in the teams who serve them.

Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with friends and her favorite furry companion, Marty, who takes his self-appointed responsibility of herding Katie very seriously, and makes sure she never strays too far from his watchful supervision.

Shay McNeal, NP-C

Medical Director

Vice President of Innovations

Dr. John D. Rogers

MD Consultant

Dr. Rogers is a graduate of the University of Kansas. He also graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, and has primarily been working as a Hospitalist for the past 10 years.

He is a member of the American College of Physicians organization.

He enjoys playing board games with his family and friends, reading, and watching movies – he is looking forward to theaters being an option again!

Suzanne Brown LCSW

Clinical Director

Suzanne Brown has been working with individuals impacted by Substance Use Disorder since 2012. Prior to starting her work in this field, she completed her Bachelors degree in Social Welfare at the University of Kansas and her Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Suzanne is in long-term recovery and has personal experience battling this chronic disease. She has witnessed first-hand the devastation that this illness can cause for families. This experience continues to fuel her passion for this work.

Suzanne has extensive experience in treating both the individual with the addiction and their loved ones. Research shows that the best outcomes occur when all family members receive adequate support and education.

Suzanne is considered an expert in her field and is often called upon to give presentations and trainings in the Kansas City area. Some of her favorite presentation topics include, “Parental Substance Use and the Impact on Children”, “Working with Individuals Impacted by Substance Use Disorder”, “Recovery and Relationships” and “Addiction and the Family”.

Outside of her professional life, Suzanne spends most of her free time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include cooking, biking, board games (or, lets be honest, anything competitive) and any activities around water!

Taylor Brown, CRADC

Vice President of Business Development

Taylor Brown graduated from UMKC with a degree in Interpersonal Communication. He had nearly six years clean and sober and suffered a relapse into his addiction. Taylor came through Midwest Recovery Centers and was asked to work at Midwest after completing his Phase 1 and 2 of treatment. Taylor brings a decade of experience working in healthcare as well as with business to business sales and marketing, organizing and arranging networking events. Taylor is one of five children and is very family oriented. When he is not working, Taylor enjoys boxing, kickboxing, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs play football. Taylor served as a Peer Support House mgr for Midwest, before being promoted to Admissions & Marketing Director. Taylor has also earned his CRADC certification for interventions and to help to run group sessions for Midwest Recovery. Taylor is forever grateful to Midwest for helping him rediscover his recovery, as well as his new-found passion in life, helping others!

Dan Poole, MAADC II

Facilities & Program Director

Dan is originally from Patchogue, New York, just 45 minutes outside the city. After facing a long and arduous battle with drugs and alcohol, Dan made the choice to move to Kansas City for treatment at Midwest Recovery Centers. After successfully completing his stay in Phase 1 and 2, Dan was asked to work for Midwest as a Peer Support. Dan studied under the supervision of the Clinical Director and earned his certification as MAADC II, and began running groups for Midwest. After serving a couple years of managing the Phase 1 house, Dan was promoted into the role of Facility Manager. Dan’s work and responsibilities continued to expand and he moved into the position of the Facilities & Program Director.  Dan grew up surfing and hunting in New York, and has carried hunting with him into his new home in Kansas City. Although he remains an avid New York Jets fan, Dan does watch in support of the Kansas City Chiefs. Dan hopes to remain a part of Midwest Recovery Centers long term, so he can continue to give back the support, compassion and accountability he was given when he entered treatment.

Jenni Rusk, BSN, RN

Director of Nursing

Jenni Rusk brings over 15 years of dedicated mental health expertise to her role as Director of Nursing at Midwest Recovery Centers. After earning a degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences, Jenni attended Wichita State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Before joining the MRC team, Jenni served as a Staff Nurse, House Supervisor and Nurse Manager in mental health facilities in both Wichita and Olathe. Jenni has a passion for working with the patients society often casts aside or looks down upon, recognizing the importance of treating the whole person and meeting people where they are. Having grown up in the Kansas City metro area, Jenni is a lifelong Chiefs fan and thought she’d never live to see the day they would win a Super Bowl, let alone three. She was thrilled when her husband’s job opened the door to move back to her home town. Jenni has three daughters who keep her busy, providing endless joy, sass and comic relief. She enjoys spending time at her family’s lake house on Table Rock Lake and loves to travel and try new cuisines. Jenni is thankful for the opportunity to join the amazing leadership team at Midwest Recovery Centers. She is excited to be a part of a facility committed to providing innovative, person-centered care that grows to meet the needs of the community.

Geffen Liberman

Alumni & Family Coordinator

Geffen is a founding member of MRC and is a CRADC in the state of Missouri.  Having been in personal recovery for over 25 years and having worked in treatment for over 20, Geffen is passionate about creating an opportunity for people in the Kansas City area to receive high quality treatment.  Geffen has worked in all facets of treatment which allows him to bring a unique perspective to the process.   Geffen uses a combination of humor, experience and developed education to provide empathy and support to clients at MRC.

In his spare time, Geffen enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in all things related to most every sport.  Oh, and eating plenty of the world’s best BBQ, which can only be found right here in Kansas City!