Experts Guide
As a leading statewide provider of services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities, Monarch employs professional staff who are experts and leaders in their respective fields. We are pleased to share that expertise with the community as it relates to health and wellness topics, current events and other areas of interest.
If you need assistance identifying a Monarch expert for media interviews or community presentations, please email Laurie Weaver, Vice President of Marketing and Philanthropy at [email protected].
Peggy Terhune, Ph.D., MBA, OTR/L
President & CEO
Dr. Peggy Terhune has served as the president and chief executive officer of Monarch since June 1995. Under her leadership, Monarch has moved toward evidence-based and best practice in all areas, successfully added services, enhanced community integration, improved customer satisfaction, reduced turnover and successfully developed programs to serve consumers with multiple disabilities. She is an expert in developmental disabilities, autism, mental health and substance abuse and the services that are used to treat these individuals. She has taught classes in these areas, as well as leadership and occupational therapy at Duke, Wingate, and Pfeiffer Universities, and masters business courses at Rochester Institute of Technology and Strayer University. She is also an expert in non-profit management.
Erica Bales, MSW, LCSW
Senior Therapist, Wake County
Erica Bales joined Monarch in 2018 as a behavioral health therapist and she became a senior therapist in 2021. Prior to working at Monarch, she served for three years at Pinnacle Family Services where she was first a mental health therapist and then a family centered specialist (supervisor). She received her Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University.
Mary Katherine Carmon, P.A.-C.
Physician Assistant
Mary Katherine Carmon is a physician assistant (PA) at Monarch. Previously, she was a PA in psychiatry at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where she completed specialized training through a psychiatry fellowship. She received her physician assistant training at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Britni Eaton, M.S., LCMHC-S, LCAS
Vice President of Clinical Services, Behavioral Health, Mecklenburg County
Britni Eaton is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and qualified supervisor (LCMHC-QS) as well as a licensed clinical addictions specialist (LCAS). She began her career at Monarch as a therapist on an Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) in 2015 before being promoted to a team lead position and then Director of all Monarch's ACT Teams. She currently serves in a Vice President role working with all of the agency's psychiatric care providers.
Caroline Fisher
Senior Vice President, LTSS
Caroline joined Monarch in 2005 and has worked as a Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Regional Director, Director of Quality Management, and recently as Senior Vice-President of LTSS Services. Caroline has over 30 years of experience in the long-term and quality management/performance improvement fields. Prior to working at Monarch Caroline worked for 15 years at Piedmont Behavioral Health Services both in long-term services and quality management.
Amanda Matthews, M.A., LPA, HSP-PA
Director of Psychology, LTSS, Mecklenburg County
As the director of psychology for Monarch's long term services, Amanda Matthews actively supports, educates and empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has been a frequent presenter at professional conferences including the NC TIDE Conferences, National Adolescent Perpetration Network (NAPN) International Conference and Spring North Carolina Juvenile Services Association (NCJSA) Conference. She has also authored numerous publications.
Robert McHale, M.D., M.Sc., DFAPA, ABPM, FASAM
Medical Director, LTSS and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, Stanly County
Since 2010, Dr. Robert McHale has held a position as Monarch’s medical director. He provides supervision and oversight for the behavioral health services working with people of all ages dealing with mental illness and substance use disorders. He has a special interest in intellectual disabilities and general medical conditions of the people we serve. Dr. McHale is Board Certified in Psychiatry by The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Board Certified in Addiction Medicine by The American Board of Preventative Medicine, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Christy Shaver, MHA
Executive Vice President, COO
Christy oversees major clinical and administrative operations as well as developing and ensuring the implementation of new and existing programs and services for Monarch statewide. She has been employed by Monarch for over 20 years. Christy has helped lead Monarch’s residential, vocational and community services in supporting, educating and empowering people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to choose and achieve what is important to them.
Jacqueline Smith, M.D.
Associate Medical Director, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Wake Counties
Dr. Jacqueline Smith provides administrative support to outpatient clinics in Gaston, Mecklenburg and Wake counties. She cares for children, adolescents, and adults in the outpatient setting; collaborates with Monarch’s leadership team; and supervises nurse practitioners as well as other general psychiatrists. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Smith is board certified in adult, child- adolescent and forensic psychiatry.