Addiction Treatment
Programs in Maryland

Charlie Pleeter serves as the Executive Director of Avenues Recovery Center at Eastern Shore. Based in Baltimore, He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College, alongside formative studies at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore. Initially on a path as a nursing home administrator in training, he shifted gears upon joining Avenues, where he found purpose and joy in supporting not only clients but also his team. This decision has been transformative for Charlie, shaping his outlook on life and deepening his gratitude for the positives in his own journey.

In his time working in addiction recovery, Charlie has observed that addiction does not discriminate; it erodes trust, self-confidence, and self-worth, leaving people feeling unworthy of love and appreciation. For him, the cornerstone of healing is empathy—providing unconditional support and care as clients work toward self-love and reconnection. He believes in fostering a strong foundation of trust, empowering clients to rediscover their value and helping colleagues find meaning in their roles.

Outside of his professional life, Charlie is passionate about personal growth and enjoys spending time outdoors. He loves playing with his kids and throwing around a baseball, bonding over time spent and special moments created together. Every day, he is committed to becoming a better person, appreciating his journey and lessons learned along the way.

Tammy Brown hails from Baltimore, Maryland, but has made her home in Salisbury for the last 16 years. She serves as the administrator of Avenues Recovery Center at Eastern Shore, and is a Certified Peer Support and a Registered Peer Supervisor. Tammy is passionate about her work and takes pride in being able to help people just like her.

As a person in long term recovery, Tammy has not used any mood or mind altering substances for almost 16 years. This journey has been challenging but rewarding, and she takes great joy in being able to give hope to others who are struggling with similar issues. Watching hope come back into clients’ spirits where they were once hopeless upon intake is a priceless experience for her.

Tammy is a proud mother of three grown children, aged 37, 33, and 25, and a grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren. The beach - any beach - is her best therapy, as any stress melts from her body the minute her feet hit the sand. She looks forward to her Cancun trip every year anew! She is truly grateful for the life she is living today as a person in recovery and tries to live every day to the fullest because she has never seen this day before.

Andrea Travers, Clinical Director at Avenues Recovery Center at Eastern Shore, is a dedicated mental health professional from the city of Laurel in Sussex County, MD. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Delaware, followed by a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Wilmington University, as well as a post-master's certificate in Mental Health Counseling. With nearly 14 years of experience, Andrea has made it her mission to help individuals with mental health and substance use disorders uncover the connections between their behaviors, emotions, and past experiences to foster healing and recovery. She is particularly interested in how rewiring thought patterns can positively impact not only the client but also their families and communities. Andrea hopes to one day return to school to return for her PsyD in Clinical Psychology, as well as certification in Trauma and EMDR Therapy.

In her personal life, Andrea is a devoted mother to her spunky 8-year-old daughter Charley. They live in Cambridge, MD alongside their dog Duke, gecko Goldie, and two hermit crabs, Spot and Sophie. An avid traveler, Andrea hopes to one day see the Northern Lights and explore Europe and Australia. She also loves camping (or "glamping") and is a fan of Marvel and DC comics. In her downtime, she enjoys watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory and The Office. 

Moshe Schonbrun serves as the executive director at Avenues Recovery Center at Prince Frederick. Moshe’s passion for recovery is fueled by close personal encounters with the ravages of addiction, and the transformative power of treatment and recovery.  Prior to joining Avenues, Moshe directed a non-profit organization at The University of Arizona in Tucson.

As Executive Director, Moshe oversees all organizational functions to ensure that every task, employee, and client interaction is imbued with the Avenues philosophy and mission.
Moshe is obsessed with his three children, and loves spending his time with them. He enjoys espresso, sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, trees, sad music, and CrossFit. He is also struggling in his attempts to learn to play the flute.

Dr. Paul Kulpinski hails from Silver Spring, MD. His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Tech and a Medical Doctorate in Family Medicine & Addiction Medicine and Behavioral Medicine from the University of Maryland. He completed his residency at UMD, showcasing his commitment to the medical field.

Dr. Kulpinski's impressive list of degrees is a testament to his dedication to his profession. He continues to enhance his skills by focusing on counseling, motivational interviewing, medical expertise, and acceptance therapy.

His career choice was deeply influenced by personal experiences, having witnessed friends and family struggle with mental health and co-occurring disorders. Driven by a genuine interest in psychosocial aspects and helping individuals transform their lives, he found his calling in addiction medicine and behavioral medicine, where he specializes in aiding those feeling trapped in their behaviors.

Beyond his professional life, Dr. Kulpinski cherishes moments spent with his wife, two teenage children, and their two beloved dogs. He's an avid fan of the Orioles, having attended numerous games, and enjoys participating in community events, demonstrating his commitment to both family and community.

Katie Erly is a dedicated clinical director at Avenues Recovery Center, hailing from Huntingtown, MD. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and went on to pursue a Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. With over 26 years of experience in social work and mental health, Katie has a passion for addiction treatment and helping others.

In December 2022, Katie joined Avenues Recovery Center to lead the clinical team. Her vast clinical expertise and guidance enable her to provide the best possible treatment and outcomes for clients. Katie believes in proper diagnosis and treatment as the foundation for success in recovery, and she brings a unique perspective to addiction treatment.

Outside of work, Katie is a family-oriented person with five children and one grandchild on the way. She lives in Calvert County with her two dogs and enjoys traveling, skiing, relaxing at the beach, and baking desserts in her free time.

Ruthie Jackson is a dedicated addiction treatment professional originally from St. Marys. She has a BA in Psychology from Salisbury University and a BA in Art from Catholic University. Ruthie expanded her knowledge of the field by achieving her Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, as she found many of her clients in Mental Health were dually diagnosed. Although she did not expect to work directly in addiction treatment, she was offered a part-time position and has never looked back. Ruthie loves her job at Avenues and is grateful that life guided her in this direction.

In her personal life, Ruthie believes that family is everything. She spends all of her free time with her husband and son, traveling and experiencing new adventures together. Ruthie knows that life is short, and she treasures every precious moment.