Leadership & Team
Seasoned behavioral health professionals led by Medical Director Dr. J. Gibson Pennington, MD, Executive Director Ebenezer Aluma, PhD, PA-C.
Our broader team
Our team includes psychiatrists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors, licensed drug and chemical dependence counselors, chemical dependency counseling assistants, and qualified behavioral health specialists.
Dr. J. Gibson Pennington
Medical Director
Dr. J. Gibson Pennington serves as Medical Director of Fresh Start Behavioral Health, Inc. He is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience in behavioral health, addiction medicine, and trauma-focused care. He currently serves at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Dayton, Ohio, where he provides psychiatric care across inpatient, consult-liaison, emergency, and substance use treatment settings. Dr. Pennington is experienced in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders and serves as a supervisor for psychiatric physician assistants.
Ebenezer Aluma, PhD, PA-C
Executive Director
Dr. Ebenezer Aluma is the Executive Director of Fresh Start Behavioral Health, Inc. He established Fresh Start on a simple belief — that everyone deserves the opportunity for a fresh start. Dr. Aluma leads the organization's mission to deliver integrated, whole-person behavioral health care, combining psychiatry, counseling, substance use treatment, primary care, and sober living across its Ohio locations. He provides clinical and organizational leadership across all sites and sees patients at the Cincinnati and Milford offices.
Isatou Kassama, MSW, LSW
Practice Manager
Isatou Kassama is the Practice Manager and Corporate Compliance Officer for all four Fresh Start Behavioral Health locations. She oversees practice operations and compliance across the organization, ensuring every office delivers safe, ethical, and high-quality care.