Psychiatry Providers

Torsten Nieminen, PA-C, began his career in business, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from Marquette University. After several years in the corporate world, he followed his passion for medicine, obtaining a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Marquette. His diverse background in business, emergency medicine, and behavioral crisis care gives him a well-rounded and compassionate approach to psychiatry.

At our Kenosha location, Torsten specializes in medication management and therapy for mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, as well as anxiety, OCD, PTSD, psychotic disorders, and ADHD. He emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based care tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Torsten was drawn to psychiatry because it merges science with deep human connection. He finds great fulfillment in helping patients build resilience and reclaim their lives—whether through medication, therapy, or lifestyle changes. Outside of work, he enjoys training for triathlons and marathons, MMA, films, books, and spending quality time with family and friends. His unconventional journey from business to psychiatry serves as a reminder that growth comes from embracing change.

Leonard Gilbert, PMHNP-BC, is a highly experienced Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at A Ray of Hope, providing compassionate care at the Libertyville and Kenosha locations. Leonard holds an MSN in nursing education from Elmhurst University and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of St. Francis. A retired Chicago Fire Department fire paramedic officer with 38 years of service, Leonard combines his frontline experience with a passion for education, serving as clinical faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing while continuing to pursue his Doctorate in Nursing. With over 40 years of expertise in mental health, trauma care, and crisis management, Leonard is dedicated to supporting individuals through comprehensive medication management and psychotherapy.

He specializes in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and ADHD, and offers vital support to hospice patients, caregivers, cancer patients, and first responders. Leonard employs trauma-focused therapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, to guide adolescents and adults toward healing and resilience.

Beyond his professional commitments, he enjoys long-distance cycling, gardening, travel, and music. His enduring dedication to mental health stems from a desire to address disparities in care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.

Paku Thor, PMHNP-BC, is one of our board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at A Ray of Hope, working at our Kenosha location. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. She has experience working with adult and geriatric populations across hospitals, clinics, and nursing home settings with a strong foundation in ICU and hospice nursing. Paku brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to psychiatric care.

Paku evaluates and treats a wide range of mental health symptoms, focusing on medication management and therapeutic communication. Her primary goal is to create personalized treatment plans through shared decision-making, ensuring that patients feel empowered, understood, and confident throughout their mental health journey. She finds deep fulfillment in listening to her patients and being someone they can truly feel heard by. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, laughing, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Frank Levandowski, FNP-C, PMHNP-C, is a dual-board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in healthcare. Born and raised in Arizona, Frank proudly served eight years in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning into medicine—a path that reflects his lifelong commitment to service and care.

Guided by the belief that every patient deserves to be heard, treated with dignity, and provided with meaningful options to improve their quality of life, Frank approaches each individual with empathy and respect. Outside of his clinical work, he enjoys golf, weight training, traveling, and spending time with his wife and growing family as they prepare to welcome their first child.