Amanda Davarn, MA, LPC-S, EMT-B
Founder & President of the Board of Directors
Anthony Lerma
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Lerma, CCEMT-P, I/C, FF, BaS, AA
Director of Educational Programs
Clifford VanDeusen III, Captain, FF, EMT-B
Director of Life Coaching and Peer Support
As Chief Operating Officer of The S.T.R.O.N.G. Center Foundation, Anthony Lerma brings over 20 years of leadership in high-risk operations, multi-agency coordination, and first responder training environments. With a career rooted in command center management, use-of-force instruction, crisis response, and large-scale incident operations, Anthony understands firsthand the operational and psychological demands placed on first responders.
He has led integrated security, medical, and emergency communications operations supporting federal, state, and local agencies, while also serving as a nationally certified firearms and high-liability instructor. His background in Incident Management Systems (IMS), crisis intervention, disaster response, and workforce development uniquely positions him to build structured, resilient systems that support both operational readiness and long-term wellness.
At The S.T.R.O.N.G. Center, Anthony oversees strategic operations, continuing education development, safety compliance, and cross-agency partnerships — ensuring the Center remains a trusted, professional, and mission-driven resource dedicated to strengthening the mental health, resilience, and professional growth of first responders and their families.
Amanda Davarn is the Founder of The S.T.R.O.N.G. Center Foundation. As both a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Amanda brings a rare dual perspective—clinician and responder—grounded in firsthand understanding of the operational, psychological, and cultural realities of emergency services.
With advanced training in EMDR, trauma-informed therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Critical Incident Stress Intervention (ICISF), Amanda specializes in serving first responders, healthcare professionals, veterans, and high-stress populations. She currently serves as Clinical Director of a multi-provider outpatient behavioral health practice, providing clinical leadership, licensure supervision, policy development, and operational oversight for a team of mental health professionals.
Amanda’s career includes experience in emergency medicine, substance use treatment, high-intensity residential services, and outpatient behavioral health program development. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member and EMS advisory board participant, strengthening the bridge between clinical mental health and continuing education for responders.
As CEO of The S.T.R.O.N.G. Center, Amanda leads strategic vision, clinical programming, responder-focused curriculum development, and statewide partnerships—ensuring that mental health services are culturally competent, operationally informed, and built specifically for those who serve on the front lines.
Heather Lerma serves as Director of Education for The S.T.R.O.N.G. Center Foundation, bringing extensive experience in EMS program leadership, critical care transport, and postsecondary paramedic education. A licensed Paramedic and Instructor/Coordinator in the State of Michigan, Heather has built a reputation for high-reliability outcomes, structured program management, and measurable student success.
As EMS Program Manager and former Lead Paramedic Instructor at Dorsey College, Heather achieved 100% NREMT pass rates by the third attempt across multiple EMT and Paramedic cohorts, while maintaining the highest retention performance among campus programs. Her leadership emphasizes early at-risk identification, structured remediation systems, consistent documentation standards, and instructor mentorship — creating resilient learners prepared for both certification and field performance.
Heather’s operational background includes critical care transport, large-scale event medical direction, and progressive field roles spanning EMT, Paramedic, Instructor, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher. She integrates peer-support principles and high-performance accountability into educational design, ensuring students are both clinically competent and psychologically prepared for the demands of emergency services.
At The S.T.R.O.N.G. Center, Heather oversees continuing education development, accreditation alignment, instructor standards, and responder-focused curriculum design — building structured, sustainable educational systems that strengthen clinical readiness, certification success, and long-term professional resilience for first responders.
Ellie Mae
Chief Snuggle Officer
Breanna O'Keefe, DO
Medical Director
Clifford VanDeusen is a devoted family man who has been married to his high school sweetheart for more than 30 years. Together, they have raised two daughters, now 31 and 26, and recently welcomed their first grandson. Cliff often says he is “the luckiest man alive” and firmly believes that he would not be here, in more ways than one, without the love and support of his family.
Cliff has proudly served the Grand Ledge Fire Department as both a volunteer and career firefighter in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He began his service in January 1996 as a volunteer firefighter and quickly advanced through the ranks. In October 2000, he accepted a fulltime career position with the department. Over the past two decades, Cliff has served as both an EMT and an officer and currently holds the rank of Captain and Public Information Officer. He also served as President of I.A.F.F. Local #2627 for nearly 16 years, advocating for firefighters and strengthening the profession from within.
A passionate advocate for mental health in the fire service, Cliff is an active member of the Capital Area Peer Support, a multi-jurisdictional team serving departments across three counties in the Greater Lansing area. His work in mental health is driven by both professional training and deeply personal experience. Cliff has completed extensive Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management training, participated in numerous mental health conferences, and received care and education through the Sparrow Adult Psychiatric Unit and the IAFF Center of Excellence.
Cliff’s advocacy has also extended beyond the firehouse. He is a published author with Firehouse Magazine and has shared his story and experience as a guest on the Front Line Strong podcast, helping bring national attention to the importance of mental wellness in the fire service.
Cliff’s mission is simple and unwavering: To leave the fire service better than he found it. If his story can help even one person feel less alone or find the courage to seek help, then every step of his journey has been worth it.
Board of Directors
Snapshots highlighting our support for Michigan’s first responders.