About Us

With over 35 years collective experience, our practitioners and facility are dedicated to the advancement of healthcare for seniors, by providing comprehensive care while conducting ethical, thorough research.

 Jaron L. Winston, MD

 Principal Investigator

For over 19 years, Austin-area patients, families, physicians, and professional caregivers have called on Jaron L. Winston, M.D., for his compassion and vast knowledge in the field of Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Winston graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 1981. He then completed a fellowship in Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, practicing both internal medicine and pediatrics. He received his post-graduate training in psychiatry at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Board-certified in Geriatric and General Psychiatry, Dr. Winston has served for many years as Medical Director of Geriatric Services at St. David’s Pavilion. He often lectures and consults locally and nationally on the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other psychiatric disorders in older adults. Dr. Winston founded Senior Adults Specialty Healthcare, P.A., in 1997.

Cliff Whitehead

Over the course of his 17 years in the field, Cliff Whitehead has worked across a variety of medical settings devoted to the care and advancement of treatment for geriatric patients.  Since 1997, Cliff has been Chief Operating Officer of Dr. Winston’s private practice, Senior Adult Specialty Healthcare, P.A.  In 2001, Cliff partnered with Dr. Winston to open Senior Adults Specialty Research, Inc. continuing his career long work of improving healthcare options for seniors.

Larisa Schertz, RN

With over twenty years experience in psychiatric health care, Larisa Schertz, R.N. has worked across hospital, emergency and research settings treating adult and geriatric populations.  As a clinical research coordinator, Larisa has worked on studies across both psychiatric and medical disciplines.  As project specialist, Larisa is responsible for all regulatory documentation, as well as oversight of all ongoing clinical trials.

Dorothy Y. Walker, LVN

With a long term interest in geriatric medicine, Dorothy Y. Walker, L.V.N. has worked in nursing home, inpatient psychiatric hospital, home health care and hospice settings.  Dorothy’s interest in community healthcare has included volunteering with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Since joining Senior Adults Specialty Research, Inc., Dorothy has coordinated clinical trials involving memory impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, anemia and mild cognitive impairment.