Dr. Patrick Savaiano has devoted his career in mental health to working with students in higher education. Originally from Chicago, IL, he completed his undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame and subsequently earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. Patrick completed his Predoctoral Internship at San José State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services and his Postdoctoral Residency at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara. Prior to joining the team at Palomar College in 2019, he worked as a staff psychologist for UC San Diego Counseling and Psychological Services. Patrick is committed to social justice and multicultural frameworks as well as preventative services that reduce stigma and reach students who may not historically have had access to mental health services. He brings a specialty in mindfulness and self-compassion based interventions as well as a wealth of experience in crisis intervention, peer education, student mentorship, outreach and education, and consultation with college staff and faculty.

License: Psychologist PSY26216

Lenka Schalkle is a Certified Health Education Specialist with a master’s degree in Public Health from Cal State Fullerton. She attended American River College, Cal State Sacramento and Cal State Fullerton for her education. When Lenka moved to southern California in 2005, she discovered her passion for college health as she started her career in Student Health and Counseling Services at Cal Sate Fullerton and then Cal State San Marcos. She joined the Palomar College Health Services team in 2010 and has enjoyed coordinating wellness programs ever since!