DPBH Leadership

A fourth-generation Nevadan raised in the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Tahoe, Dena Schmidt has dedicated over two decades to public service, shaping policies and programs that enhance the well-being of Nevadans. Her career began in 2001 with the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services in Elko, where she gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by individuals seeking vital support.

From early roles in Medicaid policy to executive leadership positions within the Department of Health and Human Services, Dena has played a key role in implementing major healthcare reforms, strengthening services for aging and disability communities, and fostering interagency collaboration to improve public health.

In June 2025, Dena was appointed Administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, bringing her strategic leadership and deep commitment to serving Nevada’s diverse populations. With a passion for progress and a vision for a healthier future, she continues to champion initiatives that support the well-being of all Nevadans.

Dr. Ihsan Azzam oversees public health surveillance, epidemiology and disease control activities. He advises state and local health authorities, healthcare providers and community-based organizations, and provides professional education, guidelines, clinical updates and recommendations to prevent, control and contain disease outbreaks. Dr. Azzam represents Nevada on state and national forums, advisory bodies, and academic institutions, and he coordinates investigations and surveillance activities among state, local and federal agencies.

Dr. Azzam earned his medical degree from Cluj University of Medicine in Romania in 1982 and completed his OBGYN residency in 1986. He also holds a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Demography from the University of Seattle School of Public Health and Community Medicine, and a CDC Chronic Disease Epidemiology Certificate from the Penn State College of Medicine. At the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Azzam completed his MPH in 2002 and PhD in 2010. He has been the recipient of several awards, including the 2011 National Sheppard Award for Excellence in Epidemiology.

Annette Altman has lived in Nevada since 1997 and has been employed with State of Nevada since 2006. Though Annette completed her education with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology, she has built a career in the management of human resources. While employed with the State of Nevada, she has held titles ranging from Human Resource Analyst 1 through Human Resource Officer 3.

Currently, Annette serves the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, supporting Human Resources and the Office of Information Technology as the Chief Operations Officer. Annette has shown her dedication and passion for health and human services having been employed with DPBH (previously Mental Health and Developmental Services) for the entirety of her state career.

Andrea Rivers is a Nevada native and has been in state service since 2003. Andrea has a Master's Degree in Management and Leadership, as well as a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Journalism and Public Relations.

Andrea has experience in data analytics and public health programming with a focus on service the maternal child health population for DPBH, as well as working at the Legislative Counsel Bureau as a performance auditor. 

Julia Peek is a native Nevadan, born and raised in the Carson Valley. She went to school at Douglas High School, then went on to the University of Nevada, Reno to get her Bachelor's Degree in Health Ecology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies and a Certificate in Gerontology. Julia moved to Seattle to get her Master's Degree in Health Services Administration with a focus on rural and underserved communities at the University of Washington. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Great Basin Public Health Leadership Institute and is currently enrolled in the state's Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program.

Julia has been with DHHS since 2006, starting as a health resource analyst and then was promoted to the manager of the Office of Public Health Informatics and Epidemiology (OPHIE). During her public health career thus far, Julia has received several awards for her work, including the Dr. John E. Worden Award for excellence in public health from the University of Nevada, Reno and the Public Health Leader of the Year and Public Health Advocate of the Year from the Nevada Public Health Association.

Kyle Devine was born and raised in the Reno area. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Education from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1989 and a Master’s in Social work in 1996. In his 30 years working in public and behavioral health, Kyle’s career has involved building and evaluating programs in both Nevada and rural Northeastern California for non-profit agencies, local governments, private sector business, and state government. In his more than 20 years working for the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, he has managed most programs within the division, including Maternal and Child Health, Chronic Disease, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, outpatient mental health services, and regulatory programs. Kyle is a graduate of the Great Basin Public Health Leadership Institute and has a green belt in LEAN/Six Sigma.

Leon Ravin, MD, is a board-certified general adult and forensic psychiatrist who completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Dr. Ravin has been working for the State of Nevada in various clinical and administrative roles since 2006 and has been the Statewide Psychiatric Medical Director for the DPBH since August 2015. Dr. Ravin is a vice chair of the Statewide School Safety Committee for the State of Nevada and a vice chair of the Executive Committee of the Medical Directors Council of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.

In addition to holding academic appointments with several universities, including his appointments as a Clinical Professor with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, and with Roseman University College of Medicine, Dr. Ravin has been one of the lead trainers for the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Ronna J. Dillinger has been in state service since 2013. Dr. Dillinger has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and was board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology in 2012.

Her career has primarily focused on forensic psychological assessments. She first joined state service in Nevada as a psychologist at Lake's Crossing Center, performing competency to stand trial and mental state at the time of the alleged offense evaluations. She also served as the Psychology Director at Lake's Crossing Center and in 2024, accepted the job of Deputy Administrator of Clinical Services.

Dr. Mitch DeValliere is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor’s degree in biology.  He then graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles and was in private practice for 28 years.  As Agency Manager, Mitch oversees the public health infrastructure and workforce development initiatives for the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.  His extensive public health management background includes epidemiology, program management and quality improvement.  Mitch is an experienced Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and will use the principles he has learned through his professional and personal experiences to ensure quality improvement, process flow and efficiency.

Melissa Bullock is the Nevada State Medical Epidemiologist. In this role, Melissa oversees the Office of State Epidemiology, which is comprised of multiple and interrelated epidemiology disciplines, including infectious disease, environmental health, chronic disease, health equity, occupational health, facility specific infection control, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, informatics, the Nevada Central Cancer Registry, and the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity program. These epidemiology disciplines come together to support preparation, prevention of outbreaks and poor health outcomes, and proactive surveillance to help drive upstream policy and decision making.

Melissa has an extensive background in public health and epidemiology, having served as both a disease investigator and epidemiologist at Washoe County Health District from 2005-2016. Melissa also served as the Nevada State Epidemiologist before accepting the position as the Nevada State Medical Epidemiologist. Melissa holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Nevada, Reno and is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Environmental Sciences.