Best Alcohol and Drug Rehab FL in Poinciana, FL

Naz Andekian Joined 1st Step in 2014 as Director of Program Development. After working 4 years as director of admissions in steps to recovery, Naz brought his expertise and knowledge to First Step Behavioral Health. Naz was a client in 2010 and says he knew this place had the ability to save and change many lives. “I am grateful to have been given this opportunity to work for the very place that saved my life, and now work with humility as part of a team that helps others to save their own on a daily basis.” Naz is convinced that he works for the best treatment center in the nation, and is proud to be part of such a caring team of individuals who always put the needs of our clients first.

Armi has served as the Director of Nursing and Infection Control Officer for Recovery First Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale since 2018. She supervises all operations of the nursing staff. Armi holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arellano University in Manila, Philippines. Her career includes more than 30 years of nursing and healthcare experience in hospital and outpatient psychiatric and substance abuse settings. Before joining Recovery First, she worked as Clinical Nurse for an Internal Medicine private practice primarily serving the geriatric population. She brings a wealth of expertise with strengths in crisis prevention, risk management, quality assurance and nursing maintenance. Armi’s devotion to high-quality care earned her awards for nursing excellence in behavioral health from Broward General Medical Center 4 years in a row. She is passionate about helping others turn their lives around, stating “Working in Substance abuse and Psychiatric and mental Health setting gives me the opportunity to serve the most vulnerable clients who are usually at their lowest point in their lives….Seeing these same patients at the end of their rough journey to being able to manage the challenges of everyday temptations and gaining insight of what they had gone through is truly a fulfilling experience.” She currently resides in Parkland, Florida and has 3 daughters.

Francisco U Cruz, M.D. is board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has been practicing psychiatry for 14 years and has extensive experience treating mental illness and substance use disorders in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and detox levels of care. Dr. Cruz believes in a holistic approach to mental illness incorporating bio-psycho-social-spiritual elements to help patients achieve emotional stability and true inner peace. He strives to provide excellent client centered care and use new treatment modalities to improve the quality of life and overall health of his patients.