Novus Detox Centers - Staff

Medical Director, Dr. Brent Agin
Dr. Agin, our medical director, is board certified in Family Medicine. He attended medical school at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. Experienced in counseling and detoxification for both illicit drugs and prescription medications,
Dr. Agin is one of a very select group of physicians certified in buprenorphine therapy for both maintenance and rapid detox. His research in nutrition and vitamin therapy supports an important component of our detox program.

Director, Kirk Burness
A certified business management consultant, Kirk has had more than 20 years of hands-on experience helping literally hundreds of medical practices improve in efficiency and ability to help their patients. Also with a degree in radiography and direct experience in hospital care, hospice, home care, nutrition and working one-on-one with patients, he brings a wealth of diversified experience to us. Kirk chose to come to Novus to utilize all of his medical and organizational experience to help Novus expand and become the premier medical detox center of its kind, helping as many as possible who want to be free of drugs and start a new life.

Director of Nursing Staff, Jean Ruble
Jean received her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and is certified in IV Therapy. Her expertise is in working one-on-one with patients and during her years as a nurse she has worked in acute care, home care, hospice and wound care clinics. She has always been interested in treating patients to find the underlying causes of their pain or illness rather than just addressing symptoms with drugs. She has pursued education in nutrition and more natural alternatives to help the body heal itself. Jean brings to Novus a caring and nurturing spirit that safeguards and encourages our patients.

Director of Counseling Staff, Hayden Potter
Hayden struggled with addiction for over ten years until he went to rehab in 2004.  At the beginning of his treatment he had several discipline problems and was resistive to sobriety.  Around the halfway point he saw the light and totally turned things around,  so much so that he was offered a counseling job upon completion of the program and started his career in the addiction field.  Hayden now has six years experience of working directly with hundreds of clients at the inpatient detox level.  He completes his Bachelor’s Degree of Human Services in April, 2011 and will then become licensed as a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP).

Admissions Counselor, Paul Weiss
Growing up in the drug culture, Paul spent many years enmeshed in all that involves. After recovering from his own drug addiction, Paul became a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and has worked for the last 8 years to help others escape the control of drugs in their lives. His personal understanding of what it takes to decide to change one’s life makes him invaluable for anyone needing a concerned and caring ear. Now happily married and a new father, Paul works every day to be a haven for those who want to be free of the influence of drugs.

Admissions Counselor, Stefanie Watkins
Stefanie’s personal experience with legal and illegal drugs almost ruined her life and the lives of the people closest to her. After completing her own rehab in 2003 and becoming sober, Stefanie was able to mend her torn family relations and went on to work in the drug rehabilitation field. Now also having received an education from the University of Colorado, there is nothing more important to her than helping others get clean and assisting them in regaining the lives they have lost. Simply put, she is enthusiastic about living a sober life and has dedicated her life to helping others to achieve this as well.