Amanda Vail, FACHE, LCSW-S, Chief Executive Officer

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with over 15 years of experience in the behavioral health industry.  An established leader across various roles within medical and behavioral health systems, joining UHS in 2022.  Expertise includes patient-centered care, regulatory compliance, operations and healthcare management, admissions, and business development.  A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor (LCSW-S) holding a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Michelle Person, CPA, Chief Financial Officer

Michelle joined Cypress Creek Hospital in 2024 as the Chief Financial Officer.  She has over 10 years of healthcare finance experience, including 6 years in the behavioral health industry.  With a strong foundation in financial leadership and a passion for supporting mental health services, Michelle brings both strategic insight and a people-first approach to her role.  She is committed to making a positive impact in behavioral health be ensuring financial stability with supporting the delivery of compassionate care.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Memphis and a Master of Accountancy from Middle Tennessee State University.

Kimberly Laughlin, RN, Chief Nursing Officer

Kimberly Laughlin possesses over 10 years of experience as a nurse with 8 years in behavioral health. She joined Cypress Creek Hospital in 2019 and has since held numerous leadership roles including ECT Coordinator, and Clinical Supervisor in the Intake and Admissions Department. Her deep commitment to patient-centered psychiatric care and ability to provide empathic, clinically grounded leadership made her Chief Nursing Officer in 2023. Kimberly is dedicated to mental health and to a creating safe and compassionate environment. Under her leadership, Cypress Creek’s nursing team continues to grow in skill, energy, and commitment with a vision for delivering the highest quality of care.

Kimberly holds a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Victor Oderinde, MD, Medical Director

Dr. Oderinde has been in private practice in the Houston area for over 20 years. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University College of Medicine in Ile Ife, Nigeria. He completed his General Adult Psychiatry training followed by a combined Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship/ a Research Fellowship at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He stayed on as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry with the UT Medical School for many years before going into full-time private practice.

Dr. Oderinde has been medical director of Adolescent Psychiatry Departments in multiple hospitals over the last 20 years.

Dr. Oderinde is Board Certified in General Adult Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

He has received multiple awards over the years including:

• NIDA Minority Supplement Award 2000 for research in the role of serotonin and treatment of impulsive aggression co morbid with substance abuse in young adults
• Wyeth-Ayerst/American Association of Directors of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (AADPRT) Mentorship Award 2001.
• Dean’s teaching excellence Award 2006 at the UT Houston Medical School.

Dr. Oderinde is the Medical Director at Cypress Creek Hospital.

Dr. Oderinde treats patients with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, impulsiveness and aggression issues and eating disorders.

Hilary Akpudo, MD, MPH

Dr. Hilary Akpudo graduated from College of Medicine, University of Nigeria. He completed his Psychiatry residency training at Meharry Medical College, Nashville Tennessee.

Dr. Akpudo is board certified in psychiatry by the American Board and is a Master of Public Health. He is also certified in health management and policy.

Ajinder Dhatt, MD

Dr. Ajinder Dhatt has provided behavioral healthcare to children, adolescents, and adults in the Houston area for over ten years, and he has been in private practice since 2008. His professionalism, excellent communication, diagnostic skills, and passion for the field of psychiatry are evident in his caring and dynamic treatment techniques. He brings to Cypress Creek his vast experience in clinical care and looks forward to providing excellent care to all who stay at the hospital.

He is board certified in psychiatry (psychiatry and neurology) by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a former assistant clinical professor of UT Medical School. Dr. Dhatt completed his general adult psychiatry training at UTMB, Galveston and is fellowship-trained in child and adolescent psychiatry from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.

Larry Flowers, MD

Dr. Larry Flowers has been in private practice in the Houston area for over 27 years and continues to treat adolescent and adult populations, targeting mood disorders. He also serves as the President of Medical Staff at Cypress Creek Hospital.

Dr. Flowers earned a degree in biology from Jackson State University. While at Jackson State University, Dr. Flowers was a National Institute of Health (NIH) scholar and completed an internship in Bethesda, Maryland. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Flowers attended Meharry Medical College, graduating medical school in 1982.

In 1986, Dr. Flowers completed his psychiatry residency at Baylor University, Houston, Texas, and began his professional career. To fulfill his National Healthcare Service Scholarship requirements, he worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). His tenure with TDCJ began in 1986, where he ultimately rose to Regional Director of Psychiatry and was instrumental in the implementation of a program assisting offenders with addiction.

Dr. Flowers has also been awarded for his dedication and leadership: Cambridge Who’s Who Lifetime Member, Registry of Executives and Professionals 2011; Black Psychiatrists of Greater Houston, Legends Honoree, 2016; and Psychiatry Top Doctor 2016, Top Psychiatrist in Houston Texas.

Athi P. Venkatesh, MD

Dr. Athi P. Venkatesh is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his psychiatric training at Scott & White Hospital affiliated with Texas A&M University and graduated from one of the prestigious medical schools in India. He has an outpatient practice in Kingwood and The Woodlands, Texas, and has been in private practice since 2004.

Dr. Venkatesh believes in a holistic approach to mental illness, integrating physical, emotional and, spiritual health to restore inner peace and balance. His areas of expertise include treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder in adults.

We cannot offer diagnosis, counseling, or recommendations online, but an assessment and referral specialist is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 281-586-7600. In case of a mental health crisis, call 988 or seek the nearest emergency room.