Our Staff

Jennifer Pius Gifford
Chief Executive Officer
jennifer@thecolemaninstitute.com

Jennifer is an experienced leader in addiction treatment services, having spent 25 years at The Coleman Institute, where she currently serves as CEO. She has held various positions at TCI, such as Clinical Supervisor, Director of Clinical Services, Director of Patient Experience & Affiliate Operations, and Executive Director, specializing in compassionate, evidence-based medical detox services for the Richmond, Virginia community and beyond. Passionate about leading multidisciplinary teams, developing strategic initiatives, and fostering community partnerships, Jennifer consistently improves patient outcomes. She is committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and innovation in addiction recovery.

During her spare time, Jennifer is a mom who enjoys relaxing at the beach, traveling, and cheering on her favorite college basketball team, the VCU Rams.

Alex Augustus
Nurse Practitioner

Alex Augustus is a Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Adult Health Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and helping people feel heard, understood, and supported during their recovery journey.

Outside of work, Alex is a mom who cherishes time with her family.

Kimberly Perry
Receptionist

Kimberly Perry has worked as a Certified Medical Assistant for 12 years and has been with the Coleman Institute since 2013. In Kim’s tenure here, she has worked every area of the clinic. She currently works as our Front Desk Receptionist and greets every visitor with a big smile. Kim is passionate about her work and our patients and says: “Working in addiction medicine has been the most rewarding experience. It has allowed me to meet the most amazing people. My favorite part is helping our patients realize they can manage this disease and achieve their goals.”

Kim has a special way with patients and is often heard engaging in a big laugh with them. Her passion and compassion shine through every day. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with family, traveling, camping and drawing wildlife with pen and ink.

Jelisa Clanton
Admissions Coordinator

Jelisa Clanton is the Admissions Coordinator for the Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine. She has an associate’s degree in healthcare administration and has worked in the medical office setting for six years prior to joining our team. She finds fulfillment in helping others and loves being a part of helping them through their treatment journey. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and traveling.