The Directors and Staff at any program is the real backbone and we are proud to introduce ours to you:
Directors
 Richard K. Smith, Ph.D., C.R.C.- Founder, Program Consultant
Joining the Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center's renowned head injury team in 1975, Dr. Smith worked in the trenches on the head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and neurology services and was instrumental in developing one of the first successful vocational rehabilitation programs for the head-injured. Dr. Smith co-designed and directed the South Bay Community Re-Entry facility in Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1983 and returned to Rancho Los Amigos to design and implement their Transitional Living Residence in 1984. Currently in private practice as a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Smith has 33 years of experience with head-injured adults in both clinical and administrative capacities. He earned his M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling at California State University, Los Angeles in 1974 and his Ph.D. in Psychology at United States International University in 1991. He has lectured and published widely in the rehabilitation community. Dr. Smith is a past member of the Southern California Head Injury Foundation Board of Directors and of the San Bernardino County Department of Mental Health Commission; he currently sits on the San Bernardino County Domestic Violence Consortium.
 Peggy Harris- Senior Administrative Director (Ventura Office)
Peggy Harris, MPH, Senior Administrative Director, Back in the Saddle, Central Coast, a home for survivors of brain injury in Ventura, California.
Peggy's involvement in head injury began abruptly on August 10, 1992 when her 16-year-old daughter Jennifer, had an auto accident that left her in a coma for three months. Peggy and her husband, Jeff Harris, worked hard to learn all they could to help Jen through the critical stages of recovery. Nine months after Jennifer was discharged from the hospital, it was clear that she could no longer live with the family. Jennifer's younger sisters were 7 and 10 years old when she was first injured. Jennifer's behavior led Jeff and Peggy to take her to live at Back In the Saddle, Apple Valley.
With the help and guidance of Rick and Erica Smith, Jennifer graduated from Apple Valley High School after years of effort. She learned to control her anger and violent tendencies. As Peggy attended staff meetings and worked with Rick at Back in the Saddle, she also kept up with research and conferences on caring for brain injured survivors.
After exhaustive searches for appropriate homes closer to family, Peggy decided to create an Adult Residential Facility in Ventura to meet the needs of head injured adults who want to enjoy their lives in a comfortable, well designed home.
Peggy holds a BA, Cum Laude, in English and a Masters in Public Health from UCLA. She has worked at LA County-USC Medical Center and USC School of Medicine as Assistant Director of their Office of Federal Health Relations. As Vice President of Jeff Harris's private practice of pediatrics and general medicine in Malibu for twenty years, Peggy helped in both front and back office work. Following a divorce, she pursued her interest in gardening as healing. She took courses at UCLA in landscape design and formed her own business, P.M. Harris Landscape Design, based in Santa Monica. In 2005, she moved to Ventura County and took a job at Harwil Corporation where she was promoted to Marketing Manager. In 2008, Peggy's dream of forming a home for head injured adults merged with Isaac Mutabazi's interest in starting a second facility for Back in the Saddle.
Contact Peggy Harris at 805 659-2106 for further information on this exciting new Ventura home.
 Isaac Mutabazi- CEO/Director
Isaac Mutabazi became interested in brain damage when
a family member sustained a life altering injury. He
brings an international reputation for business, a
vision for the future and has put together a strong
and dedicated staff.
Staff
 Renee Showe - Life Skills Instructor/House Manager
Renee has 6 years experience as Recreational Activities Coordinator and then as Life Skills Instructor here at Back In The Saddle. She continues to serve in the trenches while picking up additional duties in staff training, marketing and community resource development.
 Heidi Anderson - Life Skill Instructor/House Mom
Heidi has 20 years experience in Allied Health. Her energetic spirit, creative ideas and can-do attitude make her a valuable member of our team.
 Laura Mitchell - Life Skills Instructor/House Mom
Laura is a Certified Physical Therapy Aide. She has 18 years experience in the medical field. Her outgoing personality and sense of humor help create a fun atmosphere for clients and staff.
 Lynn Ray - Secretary
Lynn keeps busy in our office with phones and paperwork,however she is always
willing to lend a helping hand with clients and staff if needed.
Note: Each staff member completes many hours of continuing education yearly. Topics include CPR, Drug Abuse, Sexuality, Disruptive Behavior Management, Eating and Impulsivity Disorders, Disaster Preparedness, The Mechanics of Head Injury, and Confidentiality.
Periodically, Tai Chi and movement therapy instructors teach on-grounds as well. Academic tutors and allied health personnel are utilized regularly and as needed. |
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