Catawba Valley Psychiatric Services

Dr. Adina Gabor-Gagea has been providing evidence-based psychological services to adults in North Carolina since 2012 in both outpatient and inpatient settings. A large part of her current psychotherapeutic work focuses on treating anxiety and mood disorders, personality dysfunction, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, somatic disorders, trauma, impulse related disorders, as well as addressing relationship challenges, increasing motivation, improving parenting skills, and implementing healthy behaviors. She also conducts psychological evaluations for medical procedure readiness. With a particular passion for helping women thrive personally and professionally, Dr. Gabor-Gagea takes a collaborative approach that respects each person’s unique story and strengths.

Prior to joining CVPS, Dr. Gabor-Gagea served as Chief of Specialty Services at Broughton State Hospital, where she oversaw care for geriatric, deaf, and adolescent populations in addition to providing pre-trial restoration to inpatients going through legal processes. Her extensive background includes forensic psychology, community mental health, and supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.

Dr. Gabor-Gagea earned her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Argosy University and completed her internship at Elgin Mental Health Center.

When she’s not working, she enjoys cross-stitching, baking bread, and tending to her garden.

Debra Engelmann is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been practicing in Hickory, NC since 1995. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta.

Mrs. Engelmann has extensive experience providing individual, group, and family therapy to a diverse population. Her clinical work spans various settings, including acute care facilities, partial hospitalization programs, outpatient clinics, HIV clinics, Catawba Valley Medical Center’s gastric bypass support group, and community mental health centers.

Throughout her career, she has treated individuals with a wide range of mental health concerns. Her expertise includes working with clients experiencing depression (both simple and complex), anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, complicated grief and loss, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), life transition challenges, anger management, relationship and work-related issues, weight-related concerns, and parenting difficulties.

Mrs. Engelmann utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, behavioral modification, and mindfulness-based interventions. She focuses on helping clients understand the origins of their thoughts and feelings and supports them in making meaningful changes to enhance their emotional well-being. In addition, she has training in mediation and has provided services to clients involved in the court system.

One of Mrs. Engelmann’s greatest strengths is her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with her clients. She creates a safe and supportive environment where individuals can openly express their feelings and work toward improving the quality of their personal and professional lives.

Dorothy Kebaso is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She began her nursing career in 2013 after earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from Middlesex County College in Edison, New Jersey. She started working in psychiatric nursing immediately and quickly developed a strong foundation in patient-centered mental health care.

While continuing her clinical work, Dorothy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Appalachian State University in 2016. Her passion for advancing mental health services led her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her graduate studies in May 2020 and earned certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Dorothy is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing psychiatric challenges. She values a holistic, team-based approach to treatment and is committed to improving the lives of her patients through empathy, education, and clinical excellence.

Outside of work, Dorothy enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in her local community, and watching basketball.

Dr. Ethan Leabhart was born and raised in Pennsylvania, prior to moving to Lewisburg, WV where he attended the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

For his clinical years in medical school, he landed in Huntington, WV where his interest in psychiatry began.

After graduating from WVSOM in 2020, he pursued a research associate position with Marshall Psychiatry in Huntington, WV. He ultimately completed the Marshall Psychiatry residency program in 2025.

During his final year of residency training, he signed on with CVMC, after being taken with Hickory’s natural beauty and the friendliness of the people. He looks forward to helping patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Outside of the hospital and clinic, he enjoys spending time on the lake with his family, lifting weights, and grilling.

Polina Koptelova is a board-certified physician assistant with over eight years of experience in psychiatry and a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Central Michigan University.  She is committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate mental health care through a collaborative, patient-centered approach.

Rigardy (Gardy) Munoz, MD has been serving the Mental Health population of the Unifour area for the past 28 years.  After completing his residency and fellowship in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry at University of Missouri-Columbia, he moved here with his family to provide the psychiatric needs of the community.  He was in private practice at Piedmont Treatment Center and Carolina Treatment Associates and served as the Medical Director of the Child Adolescent Psychiatric Unit at Frye Regional Medical Center.  He likewise has provided care for Family NET, seeing children and adolescents who are in the care of Catawba County Social Services. Dr. Munoz has been affiliated with Catawba Valley Medical Center since 2013 and continues to provide excellent psychiatric care to adults and children in the community, both in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

He has been involved with the local community theater as an amateur actor.  He and his wife, Sharon, love to travel and enjoy their two lovely daughters and beautiful grandchildren.

 

Dr. Sidney Myles is a dedicated physician known for his exceptional patient care and a strong reputation in both clinical practice and academia. His expertise encompasses various medical disciplines, showcasing his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches in healthcare. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from East Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Virginia.

Having settled in the Hickory area after his residency, Dr. Myles has worked at Catawba Valley Internal Medicine and Internal Medicine and Psychiatric Services of the Piedmont, PLLC, before taking on a full-time role at Catawba Valley Medical Center, where he currently serves as the Psychiatry Medical Director.

Passionate about the success of his local community, Dr. Myles has dedicated numerous hours to community service, notably as Chairman of the Commissioners at the Hickory Housing Authority from 2009 to 2024. He remains actively involved in initiatives related to affordable housing, a cause close to his heart. In his leisure time, Sidney enjoys deep-sea fishing.