Michael J. LaFarr, Psy.D.

Executive Director

PsyD Clinical Psychology, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, 2010
MA Higher Education Administration, University of Denver, 2008
BA Education, Johnson State College, 1993

Professional Interests: Health care disparity & access, health and wellness, college mental health, differences in learning, grief counseling, giftedness, psychodynamic treatment, sexual therapy, non-majority sexual orientation & transgender mental health.

Professional Experience: New member of the DU HCC May 2017. Former Executive Director of Health and Wellness at Brandeis University. Former Director of Student Affairs at the Harvard School of Public Health. Education and Health Promotion, Peace Corps of the United States, served in Mali, West Africa.

Chris Wera, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CFA

Director of Administration & Finance

MACC, Master of Accountancy, University of Denver
Ph.D. in Research Methods and Statistics, University of Denver

Certifications: CPA, CMA, CFA

Professional Interests: Responsible for the day to day Financial and IT operations of the Health and Counseling Center. Serves on the HCC management team as well as the Student Life Senior Staff. Also is the Student Life representative to the University of Denver Sustainability Committee.

Professional Experience: Over fifteen years of financial experience, including a dozen years of controlling, financing, planning and developing budgets, with 12 in healthcare. I have served in various financial capacities including Business and Finance Officer, Controller and Chief Financial Officer. I have also served on served on the Board of the Butterfly Pavilion, and have advised several non-profit boards and committees

Janelle Gonzalez, B.S.

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

BS Healthcare Administration and Management, Colorado State University 2015

Professional Experience: Served as Community Support Specialist for the Larimer County Department of Human Services where she was able to assist community members in obtaining health care benefits through multiple government assistance programs. Janelle also worked at Colorado State University where she served as Marketing Coordinator for the student diversity office, El Centro.

Sarah Johnson, B.A.

Assistant Director of Finance & Compliance

BA Management, Metropolitan State College of Denver, 2004

Professional Experience: Accounts receivable, accounts payable, internal reporting and data analysis, process integration, streamlining communications, learning new software and instructing staff

Erica Mischke, B.A.

Assistant Director of Administration

AOS Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America, 1990
BA Leadership and Organization Studies, University of Denver (2014)

Professional Experience: DU Health and Counseling Center since 2005

Nicholas Peterson, B.S.

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

AA in Business at Red Rocks Community College 2009
BS in Exercise Science at University of Northern Colorado 2014

Professional Experience: Previously served in the U.S. Army working in positions as a Physical Therapy Technician, Physical Therapy Clinic Manager, and most recently as a Physical Therapy Sergeant at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Sara Robbins, B.A.

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

BA at Colorado College, Class of 2014. Major in Biology, Minor in Spanish

Professional Experience: Public Interest Fellow at the Colorado Health Institute, former EMT and a summer intern at the American Embassy in New Delhi, India Health Unit. Most recently, Sara was the Business and Training Specialist for Old Navy.

open position

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

open position

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Jacaranda Palmateer, Psy.D.

Director of Counseling Services

PsyD Clinical Psychology, University of Denver, 2005
MA Clinical Psychology, University of Denver, 2002
BA Psychology, Colgate University, 1997

Professional Interests: College Counseling, trauma, cognitive and personality assessment, ADHD, LDs, grief counseling, individual/group psychotherapy, couple's therapy, giftedness, psychodynamic treatment, eating disorders, Prolonged Exposure, DBT.

Professional Experience: Employed at DU HCC August 2004-August 2005, and August 2006- present. Completed other training experiences at UC Boulder's CAPS, and at Metro State University's counseling center. At DU's HCC, I have also coordinated the assessment, outreach and training programs prior to becoming director.

Nissa Baker, B.A.

Victim's Advocate

BA: Psychology, The University of Colorado at Boulder, 2001

Professional Interests: Providing assistance to victims of gender-based violence since 2000, I have a strong passion for helping vulnerable populations and have experience working with mentally ill individuals, victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, families of homicide victims, and people with physical and developmental disabilities.

Professional Experience: Case management background, experience training, supervising, and managing volunteers on a crisis hotline, providing crisis intervention to victims of crime for the police department and ongoing emotional support and advocacy to victims involved in the legal process at the district attorney’s office. I serve on the board of directors to The Blue Bench and was a contributor in the production of the Sexual Assault Advocacy and Crisis Line Training Manual, used to train rape crisis hotline advocates across Colorado. I am also bilingual Spanish-speaking.

Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and love to ski, cook, run, and travel.

Anand Desai, Psy.D.

Staff Psychologist / Group and Outreach Coordinator

PsyD: Counseling Psychology, 2012, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, MN
MS: Counseling Psychology, 2005, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
BA: Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

Professional Interests: College counseling, group therapy, couples therapy, grief/loss concerns, relational trauma, experiences of oppression/discrimination, sexual assault/dating violence, family of origin concerns, disordered eating, relationship concerns, psychodynamic treatment, emotionally-focused treatment, multiculturally-focused treatment.

Professional Experience: I have worked mostly as a therapist in college counseling centers (University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, and University of North Carolina) and also have experience in assessment (LD/ADHD, personality, vocational). I have an extensive background in group therapy and am currently serving as the group and outreach coordinator at HCC. I also enjoy experiences with supervision/training.

Kayla Ham, M.S.W

Coordinator of CAPE Advocacy Services & Staff Counselor

M.S.W., Master of Social Work, 2016; University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
A.A.S.W., Animal Assisted Social Work Certificate, 2016; University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
B.S.W., Bachelor of Social Work, 2012; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

Professional Interests: Generalist background with special interests in individual counseling, advocacy, Animal Assisted Social Work, organizational leadership, and prevention/education. I like working in areas of self-esteem, trauma, and interpersonal violence on all levels—individual, community, and policy.

Professional Experience: Domestic violence shelters, resource center for individuals experiencing homelessness, gender-based violence prevention and education, facilitation, advocacy, intake, case management, crisis intervention, interpersonal violence, trauma, and trauma informed practice.

Personal Interest: I enjoy an array of outdoor activities, traveling to new places, and connecting with friends or family over good food!

Gillian Kaag, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Trauma Response
/ Interim Director for Health Promotion

PhD Clinical Psychology, Miami University, 2009
MA Clinical Psychology, Miami University, 2005
BA Psychology, Women and Gender Studies Minor, Middlebury College, 2003

Professional Interests: Strong generalist background with special interests in trauma, gender-based violence (sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking), social justice issues, career and professional development, training, depression and self-injury, relationship and interpersonal effectiveness, self-esteem, body image, mind/body connection, grief and loss (including survivors of suicide), life transitions, dreamwork, and existential issues.

Professional Experience: Medical centers (outpatient, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and mobile crisis settings), university counseling centers, community mental health, domestic violence shelter, residential treatment center, team lead for Dialectical Behavior Therapy program (groups and individual), Cognitive Processing Therapy, Trauma Focused – CBT, Suicide Assessment and Prevention, Community Psychology and Program Evaluation (with a particular emphasis on gender-based violence issues).

Marjorie Lavin, M.D.

Staff Psychiatrist

MD, Cornell University
Psychiatric Residency, Boston University

Professional Interests: Psychopharmacology, nutrition, wellness, and alternative therapies.

Professional Experience: Chief at Mental Health Kaiser (1983-1986); Chief at Mental Health Harvard Community Health Plan (1986-1991); Consultant/Editor at McKesson, Inc. (2000-present); Lecturer, supervisor, teacher in psychopharmacology, time limited therapies.

Ann Leibovitz, Psy.D.

Sport & Performance Psychologist

Psy.D.: Clinical Psychology, 2015

Professional Interests: Sport & Performance, Trauma, Anxiety, Pain, Sleep, Relationships & Sexual Health

Professional Experience: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System) and Department of Defense (Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center)

Personal Interests: My family, skiing, the great outdoors, U.S. history

Wendy Morrison, Ph.D.

Psychological Assessment Coordinator / Staff Psychologist

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Carolee Nimmer, Ph.D.

Training Director / Staff Psychologist

PhD Clinical Psychology, 1987

Professional Interests: ​Eating disorders; Trauma, character disorders, mood disorders, EMDR, DBT, EFT

Professional Experience: Interned with a psychosocial rehabilitation center working with adults who have a persistent mental illness. Interned with the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence by teaching about bystander intervention, vicarious trauma, and domestic and sexual violence.

Tiffany Nowell, Ph.D.

Behavioral Health Consultant

PhD: Clinical Psychology, 2015, Saint Louis University
BA: Psychology, 2006, Keene State College

Professional Interests: My professional interests include working with, and advocating for, underserved student populations. Additionally, I enjoy working with individuals whose presenting concerns consist of sleep difficulties, alcohol and other drug use, symptoms of anxiety and depression, trauma related difficulties, family of origin problems, interpersonal distress, and identity development.

Professional Experience: I completed my clinical training at Stony Brook University and University of California, Santa Cruz where I worked with undergraduate and graduate students from a broad range of cultural backgrounds on issues surrounding sexual assault, childhood abuse, relationship violence, anxiety and depression, gender and sexual orientation identity development, as well as alcohol and other drug use.

Personal Interests: In my free time I enjoy spending time with loved ones, exploring Colorado with my partner, hiking national parks, obsessing over my dog, playing freeze dance with my niece and nephew, and eating delicious food.

Erin Unkefer, Ph.D.

Multicultural Outreach and Services Postdoctoral Fellow 2016-2017

PhD: Counseling Psychology, University of Georgia, 2016
EdM: Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2011
MA: Counseling Psychology, Teachers College Columbia University, 2010
BA: English, Secondary Education, Film Studies, Michigan State University, 2004

Professional Interests: access to mental health care and treatment for underrepresented students, social identity development, gender-based violence and trauma, strength-based interventions, college mental health, first generation concerns, acculturation concerns, psychoeducational assessments

Professional Experience: college counseling centers, community mental health, psychological assessments (with the Department of Family Child Services and community mental health in Georgia). I am also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Malawi, 2005-2007).

Personal Interests: film and film criticism, travel, listening to all types of music and podcasts, reading, watching bad television and being completely at peace with it.

Megan Vasile, M.D.

Psychiatry Resident 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Julie Wolfe, M.D.

Psychiatry Resident 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Melissa Cole, Psy.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Lauren Scholder, Psy.D.

Multicultural Outreach and Services Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Jacqueline Blanco, M.S.

Psychology Intern 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Leisha Chiles, M.A.

Psychology Intern 2017-2018

MA: Clinical Psychology – University of Denver, 2015

BA: Psychology; Minor: Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies – The Ohio State University, 2011

Professional Interests: Cultural Diversity, Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, Suicide Prevention

Professional Experience: College Counseling Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Integrated Care Behavioral Health Consultant

Personal Interests: Photography, reading or listening to poetry, playing pool, hiking, playing with my dogs, creating meals

Lauren Levine, M.A.

Psychology Intern 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Sarah Lukens, M.A.

Psychology Intern 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Jazmyne Peters, B.S.

Graduate Student Trainee 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Emma Porter, M.A.

Graduate Student Trainee 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Kaitlin Ross, MS.Ed.

Graduate Student Trainee 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Ellen Shupe, M.A.

Graduate Student Trainee 2017-2018

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests:

Kimberly Liao, MPH

Louis Richard Girouard III, Director of Health Promotion

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

E Madarasz

BOSS Peer Education Coordinator

B.A. English Literature & Philosophy; Swarthmore College

Professional Interests: LGBTQIA athlete identity development, gender violence prevention, higher education and its social context, social justice, sexual health.

Alexander Limas, B.S.

Health Educator

B.S. Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Families and Personal Relationships; The University of Texas at Austin; 2013

Professional Interests: Sexual health, social determinants of health, social justice, LGBTQ health, public policy, health and social behavior

Professional Experience: Peer education & health promotion at UT Austin's Health Promotion Resource Center; Sexual health education & teen pregnancy prevention with Healthy Futures of Texas.

Alex Leach, MSW, MPH, CHES

Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience:

Andrea Thyrring, M.A.

High Risk Prevention Specialist

​Bachelor of Science, Health and Exercise Science; Minor, Women and Gender Studies - TCNJ, 2011
Master of Arts, Higher Education - DU 2013

Professional Interests: ​Sexual Violence, Dating Abuse, Stalking, and Harassment Prevention; Edducational and restorative justice programming

Professional Experience: Violence Prevention Program Coordinator and Confidential Advocate for Victims, Regis University
Health Specialist, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

Amy Wang, B.S.

Health Promotion Graduate Fellow

B.S. Communication Sciences and Disorders, Penn State University

Professional Interests: disability services, community engagement, diversity and multiculturalism, APIA community

David Odell, MD

Medical Director / Staff Physician

MD, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1995
Residency, Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Family Medicine, 1998
Fellowship, Ohio State University, Columbus, Sports Medicine, 1999

Professional Experience: Board Certified Family Medicine Physician; private family practice, 2000-2003; urgent care medicine, 2003-2013; University of Denver Health & Counseling Center Medical Director, 2012 to present.

Lori Graybill, RN

Nurse

Denise Gubrud, CMA

Medical Assistant

Tracy Hoey, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Certified

BS in Biochemistry, University of Denver, 1998.
MMS in Medical Science and Physician Assistant, St. Francis University, 2003.

Professional Interests: Preventative care and wellness, travel medicine, acute care, and women’s health.

Professional Experience: I have been practicing women’s healthcare, family medicine, and acute/urgent care since 2003 here in Colorado.

Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with my husband and two boys exploring the great outdoors here in Colorado.

Jamie Jones, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

Phlebotomy Certificate: Front Range Community College, 2012
Associates of applied science in medical assisting: Red Rocks Community College, 2016
Certified Medical Assistant, 2016

Professional Interests: I am a true Vampire. I love Phlebotomy. I am also very interested in Obstetrics and Gynecology. But most of all I love to help. I want to put a smile on every face I see.

Professional Experience: Prior to coming to the DU HCC, I worked at SCL Health Systems Saint Joseph Hospital. I was a phlebotomist there for 4 years. Prior to that, I have worked as a CNA.

Grae Nakama, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Certified

Undergraduate education at Trinity University and University of Colorado at Boulder
Physician Assistant program Wake Forest School of Medicine 1996

Professional Interests: I am especially interested in prevention, nutrition and women’s health

Professional Experience: I have worked in family practice in the Denver area for 20 years, and recently at the Health Center at Auraria.  I am familiar with alternative medicine treatments after working in an integrative medicine clinic for 13 years.

Cornelia Nelson, CMA

Medical Assistant

BSBA, University of Denver
Certified Medical Assistant, Red Rocks Community College

Professional Experience: CMA, DU Health & Counseling Center since 2005

Girish Paranjape, DO

Staff Physician

DO, Oklahoma State University, 1996
BA, University of Oklahoma, 1992
CAQSM, Fellowship, Primary Care Sports Medicine, University of Colorado, 2000
Residency, Family Medicine, University of Colorado, 1999

Board Certifications - Sports Medicine and Family Medicine - (CAQSM and ABFM)

Professional Interests: Musculoskeletal Injuries and Rehabilitation, Preventative Care, Travel Medicine

Professional Experience: (2002-present) - Staff Physician University of Denver Student Health and Counseling Center. (2002 - present) - Medical Director, Head Medical Team Physician University of Denver Pioneers.

Jennifer Rysavy, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Certified

BS in Biology, University of Minnesota, 2001
MPAS- Masters in Physician Assistant Studies, Augsburg College (Minneapolis, MN), 2004

Professional Interests: Women’s health, preventative care and acute care

Professional Experience: I have worked in family practice for 12 years in the Denver area.

Personal Interests: I enjoy running, reading, and spending time with my husband and two children.

Ashley Stepp, RN

Nurse

Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Ohio University 2014
Associates of Applied Science in Nursing from Shawnee State University 2013

Professional Interests: Emergency Nursing, Health and Wellness, Family Nursing

Professional Experience: 2.5 years ER experience and 1 year progressive care unit (ICU step-down) experience.

Personal Interests: Traveling, cycling, hiking, camping, trying new food, reading, playing with my dogs

Stephanie Stroz, RN

Nurse

B.S. in Nursing from Neumann University, Aston PA; 1988

Professional Interests: college health nursing and pediatrics

Professional Experience: Staff Nurse at The University of Delaware Student Health Center and School Nurse Consultant for Douglas County School District

Afton Williamson, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Washington 2013
Masters in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Washington 2012
ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner, 2012
Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, St Olaf College, 2007

Professional Interests: Women’s healthcare, travel medicine, health promotion and education.

Professional Experience: Family Nurse Practitioner, private family practice; Seattle, WA. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Harborview Medical Center; Seattle, WA. Registered Nurse, Mayo Clinic; Rochester, MN

Personal Interests: Alpine and cross country skiing, playing the piano, and spending time with my family.

Kacie Worth, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

EMT, Front Range Community College, 2012
Associates of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, Red Rocks Community College, 2016

Professional Interests: Women’s health. I’m all about women empowerment and being in charge of your health is an important part of that.

Professional Experience: I worked in a drug and alcohol testing facility for almost 2 years and before that I worked on an ambulance as an EMT.

open position, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

education

Professional Interests:

Professional Experience: