Jessi Herr, BSN, BA, RN
Director of Nursing
Jessi was raised in central Tennessee but moved to North Carolina in 1992 to attend Warren Wilson College, where her focus was on plant biology and horticulture. After her graduation, she secured jobs in Asheville at Beanstreets, Salsa’s, and Lark Books. In 1999, she embarked on a road trip that concluded in Seattle, where she resided for five years. During her stay, she got married, welcomed a child into the world, and earned certifications as a postpartum doula and Pilates instructor. Jessi made her way back to North Carolina in 2004 and, by 2005, had opened a small Pilates studio, which she managed until 2018. That same year, she began the accelerated BSN program at Western Carolina University, graduating among the top of her class in 2019.
Jessi was motivated to join The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® due to her personal connections to individuals battling mental health issues and addiction. She is immensely honored and thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the recovery and healing of her clients.
Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, hosting dinner parties, reading, and, recently, playing tennis. She shares her home with her husband, who is an acupuncturist, their therapy dog, Cooper, and a cat named Leo. Her adult son, who has established himself as a blade smith/blacksmith in Weaverville, NC, and her daughter, who has just begun her college journey in Colorado, complete her family.
Karly Smith, EMT
Medical Services Coordinator
Karly comes to Red Oak Recovery with the desire to help others heal. With a background in sciences and a passion for understanding and applying medicine, Karly used that passion to join the world of first responders where she worked as an EMT in the high call volume area of Durham, NC. Some of her favorite calls to assist became the ones dispatched as “psych” which typically involved behavioral health and/or substance use. She enjoyed “meeting people where they’re at” in order to provide a safe and empathetic environment.
Karly has a deep passion for patient/client advocacy that led her to work with the city’s newly developing alternative police response. Typical dispatches were to behavioral health crises, individuals who participated in substance use, and/or unsheltered individuals. With personal and family experience in substance use, Karly believes that every person is capable of healing.
Karly arrived in NC in high school after becoming accustomed to relocating while growing up in a military household. She relocated to The Triangle to attend NCSU and later began working in EMS. Once she found and experienced the mountains of NC, she visited frequently and eventually relocated to the area. Personal hobbies include tree watching, plant medicine, meditation, documentaries, and spending time with loved ones and fur babies.
Jodi Mabry, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Jodi started her nursing career in 2011. After relocating to Western North Carolina (WNC) in 2017 she saw the growing need for providers who specialized in substance abuse and mental health. With this realization she committed to furthering her education. She has been serving the WNC community since 2021 by providing care to those who were embarking on their path to recovery. She has found joy in witnessing the progress that her clients have made and being able to be part of their journey.
Sarah Larson, RN
Registered Nurse
Sarah grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and moved to Western North Carolina in 2017 to explore the area’s extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation. In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, frequenting different swimming holes, learning how to cook, and inexpertly tending to her plants.
She began her journey with Red Oak Recovery as a Recovery Guide in 2019. During this time Sarah began to develop a more mature understanding of substance abuse, the recovery process, and healthy communication. Sarah left Red Oak Recovery for a time to work in the Mission Healthcare System, during which time she earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Sarah returned to The Willows at Red Oak Recovery after earning her Associate’s Degree in Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Her experience in both a residential and hospital settings has given her the opportunity to transition to supporting the medical needs of clients through utilizing her diverse skills to provide care while creating a safe environment for all. Sarah enjoys the opportunity to show up for clients and be a source of support during their healing process.
Reach Out to The Willows Medical Team
We understand that seeking help for addiction and mental health issues can be daunting. That’s why our clinician-led team is here to support you every step of the way. Our compassionate approach to treatment focuses on addressing underlying issues that help women find a better way forward. Call The Willows at 828.518.6941 or contact us online today.
Discover more about our unique approach to women’s addiction treatment and how we can help you or your loved one embark on a journey of renewal. Contact us online or call 828.518.6941 today. Everyone deserves a chance to thrive and live their best life.