Administration

The Institute's administrative team is comprised of experienced professionals.

Melinda Staveley, MS
President/Chief Executive Officer
melinda.staveley@risb.org

Melinda Staveley joined the Senior Leadership of Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara in 1993 as V.P. of Clinical Services. She served subsequently as V.P. of Clinical Services/Nurse Executive, V.P. of Clinical Services/COO and in September 2000 became Acting President/CEO. Ms. Staveley was appointed by the Board of Directors to the position of President/CEO in March 2001.

Ms. Staveley received the Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY in 1965. After teaching for 15 years, she graduated from the University of Arizona in 1980, with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 1982, she received the Masters Degree in Community Health Nursing also from the University of Arizona. Ms. Staveley has 23 years experience in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, beginning her career as a Registered Nurse, obtaining specialty certification, Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN), in 1985.

Ms. Staveley is active nationally, serving as a CARF, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, surveyor since 1988, and as a member of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association.

In Santa Barbara, Ms. Staveley serves on the Board of Directors of Wood Glen Hall and as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Montessori Center School. She is a member of Rotary Club of Santa Barbara and the CEO Club of Santa Barbara County United Way. This year she serves as the Area Representative for the Healthcare Association of Southern California.

Scott Silic, MBA
Vice President of Operations/Chief Financial Officer
scott.silic@risb.org

Mr. Silic joined RISB in 2002 after leaving his position of CFO/HR Director at Transworld Healthcare, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida. He is responsible for the supervision of 18 staff members and oversees physician and hospital billing, medical records, facilities, utilization review, data processing, IT and accounting. He is also responsible for the coordination and management of the budget process, annual audit, and interfaces with the Board of Directors. Mr. Silic holds a BA in economics from Trinity College, NH, and an MBA in finance from Dartmouth College, NH.

Cheryl Ellis, MD, MHA
Vice President of Medical Services/Medical Director
cheryl.ellis@risb.org

Cheryl A Ellis, M.D., MSHA is a native Californian, growing up in the San Fernando Valley when orange trees still decorated the landscape. She received her undergraduate education at California State University, Northridge, graduating Summa Cum Laude with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1978. Dr. Ellis attended the University of California, Irvine for Medical School and earned the Degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1982. She continued at the University of California, Irvine for her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). In 1987 she achieved her Board Certification in the medical specialty field of PM&R. Dr. Ellis attended the Executive Program at the University of Colorado, Denver School of Business from 1994 to 1996 and earned her Masters of Science in Health Administration. She has had a private practice and has provided physician leadership in her field of expertise for nearly 20 years.

Currently, Dr. Ellis holds the position of Vice President of Medical Services / Medical Director at Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara.