Skokie

Dave Woods brings over 30 years of behavioral Health and substance use experience prior to joining Gateway Foundation in August 2020. After receiving his BS in psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, he began his career as an inpatient counselor for nine years before moving into business development then operations and administration. This experience brings a unique insight and perspective for the provision of programs and services to those in need.

Dave has held progressively responsible roles as Director of Business Development, Director of Intake, Program Director, Senior Director, Associate CEO and Vice President of Operations with other healthcare companies encompassing both single and multiple location oversight.

Dave obtained his MBA in 2005 and holds Silver certification in LEAN for Team Leadership of Mission Control, Value Stream Scoping and Analysis, Pull Systems, Standard Work, 6S, Visual Management and establishing a Model Flow Cell, as well as certification in FEMA Incident Command System.

Dave believes that everyone should have the same access to high quality care and services, and is honored every day to work alongside such a caring and highly dedicated group of people here at Gateway Foundation.

Dr. Gaonkar started his medical career at Albert Einstein University affiliate hospital in New York. He currently manages a private practice in Naperville and works at Amita Mercy Medical Center in Aurora.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gaonkar has held chairmanship and directorship positions at hospitals, community outpatient programs, and long-term care facilities. He strives to provide patients and their families with effective treatments through compassion, patient education, and research.

Dr. Gaonkar completed his psychiatric residency with academic honors from Rosalind Franklin University in Illinois.

Tim discovered his passion for working with families and individuals who have been affected by mental health illness through various volunteer endeavors. In 2013, he made the decision to pursue a counseling career; so, he enrolled in National Louis Universities Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Since then he has focused his efforts on working with non-profit organizations.

Tim joined Gateway Foundation in 2016 as a counselor working with patients on one of Gateway’s residential treatment units in Aurora, IL. In 2018, he transitioned to our Outpatient location in Joliet, IL. He currently holds the role of Program Director of Outpatient services at our Downers Grove, Gurnee, Joliet and Skokie treatment locations. Tim’s approach is patient focused. He is passionate about educating and providing individuals and families affected by Substance Use and Mental Health illnesses insight into the science of the disease process of these very treatable disorders.