10333 E 21st N Suite 106, Wichita, Kansas 67206, United States
(877)-393-AIWC (2492) Fax (316) 854-5194
Sonia Slaba DNAP, APRN, CRNA, FNP-C, PMHNP-C
Personal Story John 15:13 🌻
Depression and mental health are very close to my heart. My brother suffered from depression most of his life and succumbed to it when he took his own life September 2, 2015. Suicide is the most devastating aspect of depression. He tried medication and therapy which helped but could not sustain him. It is my life goal to spread mental health awareness in my brothers honor. Depression is a terrible disease to have to live with. My family and I have been actively involved in suicide prevention activities since his death. I am actively involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and I am a member of the Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Bringing ketamine infusions to the Wichita area for the treatment of psychiatric conditions is a personal passion of mine. I wish these services would have been available and offered to my brother in the hope that it would have helped his condition. I promise to make your experience at AIWC be the best that it can be!
Sonia graduated with an Associates Degree in Nursing in 1996. She worked in a small rural hospital while obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University. Sonia’s Master in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner was obtained in 2000 from the University of Kansas. After working for a family practice clinic as a primary care nurse practitioner for 4 years, Sonia decided to begin pursuing her career in anesthesia. Graduating in 2006 with a Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthesia and in 2017 with a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice both from Texas Wesleyan University. Sonia obtained her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from Washburn University in 2020. Sonia is triple board certified in nurse anesthesia, as a family nurse practitioner, and as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Her Nurse Anesthesia Certification is held by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), her Nurse Practitioner certification is through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) and her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification is through American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is a member of the the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners where she is a member of the Advanced Practice Provider Panel. Sonia also belongs to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American Nurses Association.
Sonia is fluent in Spanish and English.
Sonia is trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychedelic Therapy through Polaris Insight Center (https://www.polarisinsight.com/). Sonia has completed the first 4 of 5 phases of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) assisted psychotherapy training with Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MA PS). 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is still in the clinical trial phase with hope of FDA approval very soon. Check out MAPS website for the latest information. https://maps.org. Sonia has completed the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses waiver training
for administering buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Sonia is enrolled in the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship through the University of South Florida with anticipated graduation in 2023.
Her experience as a registered nurse, certified family and psychiatric nurse practitioner, and certified registered nurse anesthetist give her the ability to evaluate, recommend, administer and monitor ketamine treatments in a safe and effective manner.
Jason Burk, DNP, APRN, CRNA, FNP-C, PMHNP-C
Jason currently lives in south central Kansas with his two children. After high school Dr. Burk attended Coffeyville Community College and graduated in 1997 with a Mobile Intensive Care Technician (Paramedic) certificate. Working part time for Butler County EMS, Jason also attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 2001 with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Before attending nurse anesthesia school, he obtained critical care experience at Wesley Medical Center in the emergency department and surgical ICU. Graduating from Texas Wesleyan University in 2006 with his Master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia, Jason immediately began working at a rural hospital providing anesthesia and analgesia care. In 2016, Jason graduated with his Family Nurse Practitioner Post Masters Certificate from Maryville University in St. Louis and completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Creighton in May 2019. His doctoral project focused on ketamine infusions and treatment resistant depression. Dr. Burk is double board certified as a nurse anesthetist and a nurse practitioner. His nurse anesthesia certification is held through the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) and his nurse practitioner certification is through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. He is a member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and is a committee chair for the Kansas Board of Advanced Practice Nurses.
Dean Heideman, DNAP, CRNA, NSPM-C
Dean started his nursing career in northeastern Kansas with a Licensed Practical Nursing diploma in 1997 and then an Associates Degree in Nursing in 1999. Dean worked in the intensive care unit in Stormont Vail while earning his Bachelors of Science in Nursing through the University of Kansas. In 2004, he entered the anesthesia program at Texas Wesleyan University where he graduated with a Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthesia in 2006 and a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice in 2017. He also completed a Pain Management Fellowship through Texas Christian University in 2017. Most of his anesthesia career has been in rural practice in Kansas and Iowa. Dean holds his nurse anesthesia certification through the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists as well as the Non-Surgical Pain Management Certification. He has four children, 19 year old twins, a 13 year old and an 11 year old. Dean enjoys reading and exercising.
Sara Friesen, PMHNP-C
We are so pleased to announce the addition of our mentor Sara Friesen to our team. She comes with 30 years of experience and a passion for psychiatric care. She attended Southwestern College where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Thereafter, she attended Wichita State University where she graduated with her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. She is board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
She is a 2013 -National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mental Health Professional of the Year. She has been recognized at both the local and state levels for her high-quality, patient-centered care and genuine relationships with vulnerable populations, as well as strengthening the community’s awareness of mental illness.
Sara provides psychiatric services which include evaluation and medication management. She sees patients from 17 to 75 years of age. Be sure to call to schedule an appointment with Sara Friesen.
“I believe people are not their illness—each individual has a unique story to share,” Friesen.
Sara enjoys sewing, quilting, knitting, baking, K-State football, exercising and playing with her grandkids.
Karen Jacobs, RN, BSN
Karen joined Advanced Infusion & Wellness Center in 2021. She joins the team with a passion for psychiatric care and has loved every minute of being a part of the AIWC Team.
Karen graduated from Eureka Jr/Sr High School in 2001 & furthered her education attending Kansas City Kansas Community College, Wichita Area Technical College, Wright Career College & most recently earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Southwestern College. She has worked as a surgical tech at Wesley Medical Center and gained further medical experience working for an independent anesthesia group for nearly 8 years. She began her nursing career at the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas working as a staff RN and discovering her passion for helping others achieve and maintain their mental health wellness. Following her time at MHA, she was a proud school nurse working for USD 490 in El Dorado, Kansas before joining AIWC. Karen and her family reside in Butler County and when not attending her kids’ athletic events, she enjoys going to the lake, playing tennis, and watching the Kansas City Royals.
Bereniz Granados, Office Administrator
Bereniz brings extensive clinic based experience. She has experience as a medical assistant, in administrative, and operational roles. She is currently pursuing her nursing degree.
Bereniz resides in Wichita with her family, her two cats (Loui & Gerdy ) and her two dogs (Ollie and Tootsie). She enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as being out in nature.