Lighthouse inpatient team
Robert Bunyon
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse
Robert “Bobby” Bunyon is Interim Chief Executive Officer at Recovery Centers of American at Lighthouse.
For over a decade, Bobby has been an influential leader within the addiction treatment field. Before assuming his current role, he served in many leadership roles at RCA including Interim Chief Executive Officer at Recovery Centers of American at Capital Region, Corporate Vice President of Strategic Growth CEO and Chief Executive Officer at RCA at Bracebridge Hall.
Prior to RCA, he worked at Retreat Behavioral Health, a provider of substance use disorder and mental health services in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Bobby received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology from the University of Phoenix.
Bob Whedbee
Senior Alumni Coordinator for Lighthouse
If you would like to get in contact with Bob regarding alumni volunteer opportunities, events, or meetings for RCA at Lighthouse, please email [email protected].
Prior to his work at RCA, Bob served three years in the US Army, and upon discharge, he started his own successful business in construction which he operated for over 20 years. Bob’s passion for helping others along their journey in recovery began when he found himself battling the disease of addiction. In 2016, Bob got sober with the help of RCA, and once he became an alumnus, he happily served as the first chair for the Alumni Association at Lighthouse. In 2017, Bob accepted an offer to work as a driver for RCA and from there he held many positions within RCA including RSS, Clinical Intern, and Recovery Instructor. Now, Bob has truly come full circle in his journey to join the Alumni Team and assist in building the Alumni Program at Lighthouse where he serves as the Alumni Coordinator.
What do you hope to accomplish as an Alumni Coordinator?
I hope to create an atmosphere that allows RCA to be integrated into the community as a whole and the recovery community specifically. I also feel that being Alumni Coordinator puts me in a position where I can help educate the community about addiction, reduce the stigma, and be a part of the solution. This is very exciting to me seeing firsthand what a little guidance and hope can do for someone.
In your opinion, why do you believe an alumni program is so important for those who want to achieve long-term recovery?
I believe lack of connection is one of the main driving forces of addiction. When a patient comes to RCA we try to help them rebuild those relationships that were lost while in active addiction. I feel strongly that having a strong Alumni community will help to further this process. With the many activities and volunteer opportunities, the Alumni Association offers, the patient will be able to reintegrate back into the community and therefore have a much better chance at long-term recovery.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I love working with people, getting to know them and be part of the process that helps them achieve long-term recovery. The joy I get when I can see in people’s eyes that they have begun to have hope again is beautiful to behold. So many have lost hope and what I have realized is a lack of hope is tied to not knowing of anyway to solve their problem. I believe recovery is a process of rediscovery. If I can be just a small part of that process that would be most rewarding to me.
What are the major driving forces in your life?
My wife, children and grandchildren are the reason I get out of bed each day. They are what keeps me motivated to help others. I am very blessed to be given another chance and I do not take lightly. Being given the opportunity to help give what has been given to me is such an amazing thing.
Joseph Ognibene
Nursing Director
Joseph brings a wide knowledge base on patient care, addiction and mental health. He hopes to utilize this knowledge and experience to help create a bond of learning and growth though his leadership role as Director of Nursing. This will help enhance our nursing department which in turn will impact our patients. This will only help to get that much closer to RCA’s mission of saving one million lives. Joseph attended Episcopal School of Nursing which is part of Temple University full time while working Episcopal hospital full time in the ED, all this while making the Dean’s List. He felt he had to show his children what can be achieved when you set your mind to it. He gravitated towards the ED. As he worked and learned, he couldn’t help but noticed the amount of addiction and mental health that was funneling into the ED with very little options for follow up treatment upon discharge. Joseph came to RCA in 2019. Prior to coming to RCA, Joseph had developed an extensive knowledge in substance use and co-occurring disorders. He particularly enjoys working with his team to identified trauma, co-occurring issues, as well as a special interest in mental health disorders.
As the Director of Nursing, Joseph oversees the operations, and helps manage day-to-day responsibilities and functions, as well as the growth process for his nursing team. Joseph understands that to be a good leader it must reflect in those around you.
Joseph’s greatest pleasure is having the opportunity to work alongside a new nurse and help teach and mold them to be great nurses. Working in the field, such as addiction can be hard at times, however Joseph believes in RCA’s mission and strives to provide the utmost dignity, respect, and compassion for all clients that come to treatment. Joseph stands by the saying, “don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” With this company and Team, he believes that couldn’t be truer. Each day is an honor and a privilege to be able to help someone.
Joe Parisano
Facilities Manager
Joseph A. Parisano has over 20 years experience in law enforcement as an officer and supervisor. He has over 10 years experience working in the substance abuse field, working in security management.
His combination of personal and professional experience and passion to help others works exactly with RCA’s mission to save 1 million lives. He started with Lighthouse as the Black Car Driver, then to Transportation Supervisor and ultimately to his new role as Facilities Manager. He earned his degree in Criminal Justice along with many other law enforcement courses and programs. He is a longtime homeowner and 5-year resident of Atlantic County.
Edward Quirk
Medical Director
Dr. Quirk has over 36 years of medical experience and holds board certifications in Addiction Medicine, Preventive Medicine Subspecialty, and Anesthesiology, and is a Certified Medical Review Officer.
He has experience in all forms of medication-assisted treatment and inpatient and outpatient management. As the Medical Director of Lighthouse,
Dr. Quirk is dedicated and focused on making an impact on the lives of our patients and families. His goal is to assist in providing the direction to achieve long-term recovery, health, and overall well-being for the patients, as well as education and support the families.
