Michael J. LaFarr, PsyD

Executive Director

Pronouns: He/Him/His

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: Leading the HCC team since 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, PhD, CPA, CMA, CFA

Director of Administration & Finance

Pronouns: He/Him/His

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.

Professional Experience: Over fifteen years of financial experience, including a dozen years of controlling, financing, planning and developing budgets, with 15 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

Erica Mischke, BA

Assistant Director of Budget and Finance

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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

Sarah Johnson, BA

Assistant Director of Information and Systems

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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

James Larcus, MA

Project Manager for Strategic Initiatives

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Masters of Arts, Higher Education and Student Affairs, The Ohio State University, 2015
Bachelors of Science, Sports Management, The Ohio State University, 2013

Professional Interests: Holistic student development, positive psychology interventions, social justice, diversity and inclusion, intersectionality, self-authorship, building capacity for resilience, mental health, peer education and leadership development.

Professional Experience: James is a new member of the University of Denver Health and Counseling Center as of September 2017. Previously, James worked at Ohio State where he served the Wellness Coaching program.

Lee Puckett, BS

Manager, Healthcare Administrative Specialists

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, 2018

Professional Interests: Lee is interested in Empowering Teams to deliver high-quality clinical care, Integrated Health Care & Patient Advocacy.

Professional Experience: Lee is a new member of the Health & Counseling Center as of February 2019. Previously, Lee worked for Kaiser Permanente for the last 7 years, where her last job was in leadership with the Surgical Specialty departments.

Personal Interests: Traveling, reading, spending time with family.

Elshadaye Eshete

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

Pronouns: Coming Soon

Professional Interests: Coming Soon

Professional Experience: Coming Soon 

Chism Mattson, BA

Healthcare Administrative Specialist - Finance and Billing

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies/Theatre at MSU Denver 2018

Professional Interests: Interpersonal Communication and Human Relations, Student life and development in Higher Education.

Professional Experience: Chism is a new member of the Health and Counseling Center as of April 2019, he has 6 years of previous customer service experience as well as experience collegiately as a respondent/co-host for Met Media. He has spent time as a student and peer coach in public speaking & performance and is very passionate about working with students.

Maria Rios-Gomez

Healthcare Administrative Specialist

Pronouns: Coming Soon

Education: Coming Soon

Professional Interests: Coming Soon

Professional Experience: Coming Soon

Personal Interests: Coming Soon

Jacaranda Palmateer, PsyD

Director of Counseling Services

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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.

Chaney Cook, PsyD

Associate Director of Counseling Services

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University, 1990
Masters of Education degree in Community Counseling from University of Oklahoma, 1994
Masters of Arts and Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Denver, 2001

Colorado licensed Clinical Psychologist

Professional Interests: Dr. Cook's areas of interest include working with clients who are struggling with issues related to depression, anxiety, personality disorders and self-mutilating behaviors. She uses clients’ strengths and a collaborative approach to determine the best course of treatment. Dr. Cook also enjoyed providing clinical supervision to trainees and new professionals seeking mental health licensure.

Professional Experience: She has over twenty years of experience working with young adults, couples, families and adolescents, especially those within college and university settings. Dr. Cook was the Director of Counseling and worked on staff at Regis University for 17 years before coming to DU as the Associate Director/Clinical Director. In addition, she has maintained a small private practice for over 20 years.

Personal Interests: Dr. Cook enjoys watching football (big Broncos fan and raised a Cowboys fan), traveling to foreign countries (on country number 58), playing/walking her dog and spending time creating stone art with her partner.

Nahed Barakat, PsyD

Staff Psychologist / Coordinator of the Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Doctor of Psychology, University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
MA Psychology, Pepperdine University

Professional Interests: Focus on anxiety, depression, OCD, multicultural issues, as well as identity and interpersonal issues. I particularly enjoy working with international students, and students who identify as holding a minority status or is from a historically marginalized population.

Professional Experience: My main experience and interest is working on college campuses with college students. I received my final year of training at the University of Denver’s Health & Counseling Center, then finished a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I worked at Regis University’s counseling center for the past 3 years.

Personal Interests: I enjoy snowboarding, road biking, stand up paddle boarding and kite surfing. I do not have any pets, but I am the official dog sitter for all of my neighbors!

Anand Desai, PsyD

Staff Psychologist / Group and Outreach Coordinator

Pronouns: He/Him/His

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.

Ashley Hunt, MS

Assistant Director of Advocacy Services, CAPE

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Conflict Resolution/Peace Education, MS from Portland State University 2013
Gender Studies, Religious Studies, BA from Iowa State University 2011
Victim Advocacy Certification, State of Colorado 2020
Green Dot Certification, 2017

Professional Interests: ​Survivor/Victim Advocacy, Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Harrassment, Stalking, Trauma, LGBTQ+, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, Violence Prevention Education, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Restorative Justice, Men's Engagement.

Professional Experience: ​I have over seven years' experience facilitating trainings on topics of violence prevention, anti-oppression, and social justice. Most recently I was the Leadership and Engagement Manager for the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking. Before then, I served as a sexual assault victim advocate and prevention educator, both within community-based sexual assault programs and higher education settings. As a victim advocate, I primarily served LGBTQ+ survivors, incarcerated survivors, and college-aged youth.

Previously, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I managed an online violence prevention program administered to 4,000 students each year and led program evaluation efforts to ensure the program met the needs of students disproportionately impacted by violence, specifically students with marginalized identities. While at UW-Madison I also offered victim advocacy services, supervised and mentored a feminist activist organization dedicated to ending violence, instructed a course for fraternity men through the School of Social Work to support their engagement in the anti-violence movement, and was a leader in diversity, equity, and social justice initiatives across campus.​

Personal Interests: ​Star Trek [most Sci-Fi and Fantasy and Geeky genres], Board Games and Video Games, Comic Books, Hiking and the Outdoors, Thrift Shopping, Sewing, Cats, Creative Writing.

Stacy Kolcum, MNO

CAPE Advocate

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Master of Nonprofit Organizations: Case Western Reserve University, 2016; BA Psychology: Syracuse University, 2013

Professional Interests:Providing support to victims of gender-based violence, trauma, crisis intervention, self-esteem, empowerment-based wilderness/adventure therapy, working with marginalized populations including LGBTQ+.

Professional Experience: Primarily in the nonprofit sector including domestic violence shelter advocacy, sexual assault hotline advocacy, guiding and coordinating outdoor trips, and at a resource center for at-risk teens and young adults.

Personal Interests: Hiking, backpacking, yoga, climbing, podcasts, reading, and spending time snuggling my dogs and cat.

Briana Johnson, MA, LPC, LAC

Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Support Services /Staff Counselor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

BS in Psychology and French from Furman University, 2009
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary, 2013

Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Addiction Counselor

Professional Interests: I believe we do what works and that people are brilliant and creative at meeting their needs but some solutions have unintended consequences down the road. I ask clients to examine the consequences they're facing and work to help clients find authentic ways of meeting their needs with consequences they can live with. I enjoy working with substance use, LGBTQIA (particularly trans & non-binary) issues, making big decisions, relationship problems, etc. I am also trained in EMDR via the Maiberger Institute to treat trauma-related symptoms.

Professional Experience: I specialize in substance use work and I have worked previously performing biopsychosocial assessments for healthcare professionals with behavioral health concerns, providing group and individual substance use treatment at the outpatient and intensive outpatient level of care including DUI Education and Therapy, and providing counseling for LGBTQIA individuals in a private practice setting.

Personal Interests: I enjoy being outside, reading, good conversation, traveling to new places, dreaming about traveling to new places, doing art (not often enough), practicing yoga, and eating good food with friends and family.

Ann Leibovitz, PsyD

Sport & Performance Psychologist

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

PsyD, PGSP-Stanford Consortium, 2015
MS, PGSP-Stanford Consortium, 2013
BA, Dartmouth College, 2006

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

Professional Experience: Sport Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Health & Rehabilitation Psychology, Couples Psychotherapy

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

Wendy Morrison, PhD

Psychological Assessment Coordinator / Staff Psychologist

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2016.
MA in Counseling Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2012.
MS in Psychology, Villanova University, 2008.
BA in Psychology and Spanish, Muhlenberg College, 2005

Professional Interests: University student mental health, cognitive and personality assessment, therapeutic assessment, ADHD, family of origin concerns, relationship concerns, trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, multicultural and diversity issues, graduate student issues, community outreach, individual and group counseling, early intervention, crisis intervention.

Professional Experience: Doctoral internship at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Wardenburg Health Center. Post-doctoral fellowship providing wellness interventions at the Jefferson Center for Mental Health and CU Anschutz Medical School.

Personal Interests: Playing with my dog, exploring Denver, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Carolee Nimmer, PhD

Staff Psychologist

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

BA in Psychology and English, 1979 University of KS
MA in Clinical Psychology, 1983 Wichita State University
PhD in Clinical Psychology, 1987 Virginia Tech

​Carolee works from a strengths based collaborative perspective. She focuses on self-compassion, mindfulness, pragmatic solutions and acceptance in her clinical practice. Research demonstrates that the therapeutic relationship is the critical factor in making progress in treatment. Carolee strives to develop a warm accepting atmosphere to work on life's struggles. She welcomes feedback from her client's as therapy progresses to ensure that their expectations are met. Recently she has completed training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment Issues in Clinical Practice and Brene' Brown's work on shame and vulnerability.

Clinical Areas of Expertise: : Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Family of Origin Issues, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Couples therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Chronic Pain, Grief, Divorce, Certified in EMDR, Trained in Clinical Hypnosis

Professional Interests: In her personal time, Carolee enjoys hiking, working out, reading, films, attending local theatre, travelling and playing with her two dogs. She has two grown children who live out of state.

Jennifer Schroeder, LCSW

Behavioral Health Consultant

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

BA in Psychology The University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006. Masters of Social Work and Trauma certificate: The University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, 2008. LCSW obtained in 2011

Professional Interests: I come from a generalist background with specific interests in working with individuals struggling with grief and loss, anxiety, depression, stress management, interpersonal violence, and trauma.

Professional Experience: I have been in the social work field for over a decade predominantly in the medical setting. I have worked in hospitals both in Colorado and Washington DC with individuals and families. I have expertise in providing counseling to individuals in crisis and struggling with complex or overwhelming situations.

Personal Interests: I love to read, spend time outside hiking with my partner and dogs, travel, and game nights with friends and family.

Marjorie Lavin, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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.

Kevin Cowperthwaite, MD

Psychiatrist

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Professional Interests: Young Adult Mental Health and Development, psychopharmacology, mood and anxiety disorders

Professional Experience: 2012-Present: Outpatient and Hospital Psychiatrist, Denver, CO 1999-2011: Psychiatrist, Health Center at Auraria, serving Metro and UCD

Personal Interests: People, Travel, Books, History, Food, Getting outdoors

John Whittier, MD

Psychiatry Resident 2020-2021

Pronouns: 

Amanda Weaver, PsyD 

Postdoctoral Fellow 2020-2021

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Doctor of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, The Illinois School of Professional Psychology, 2020
Masters of Arts, Clinical Psychology, The Illinois School of Professional Psychology, 2018
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, DePaul University, 2015 

Professional Interests: I have a strong interest in college counseling, relational feminist therapy, helping clients tolerate difficult emotions, identifying and expanding upon client's strengths, increasing self-compassion, and understanding how societal context influences client's concerns. I am invested in anti-racism and exploring psychology's place in that endeavor. I also have interests in trauma, relational concerns, identity exploration, anxiety, and family of origin difficulties.

Professional Experience: I have worked with adolescents and young adults throughout my training and have spent the last two years working specifically with college students. During that time I have gained experience in providing therapy to clients struggling with adjustment difficulties, relational and familial concerns, trauma, depression, anxiety, body image, and discrimination. I also gained experience facilitating interpersonal process groups, anxiety skills groups, and trauma support groups.

Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time outside, cooking and baking, listening to podcasts and music, reading, watching reality tv competition shows, forcing my cats to snuggle with me, playing a variety of games, and traveling/exploring new places.

Kaity Brock, MEd, LPC

Doctoral Intern 2020-2021

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Doctoral Psychology Intern from the Counseling Psychology PhD program at Texas Woman's University
Masters of Education (MEd) from the University of Oklahoma, 2014

Professional Interests: College counseling, relational trauma, couples therapy, creativity, wellness, psychological assessment, group therapy, campus outreach, and diversity.

Professional Experience: I am currently a doctoral candidate working on my Ph.D. in counseling psychology. Prior to starting my current degree program, I obtained a Master's of Education degree in Community Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. I am certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Colorado and Oklahoma. I have previously worked with victims of natural disasters and trauma, pre-school populations, as a Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator, college students at university counseling centers, and with clients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I have worked with a diverse range of clientele, including children from four years of age to adults in elderly adulthood.

Personal Interests: Hiking, puzzles, binge-watching television series, playing with my dogs and cat, spending time with friends and family, and sewing.

Tom Gaus, MA 

Doctoral Intern 2020-2021

Pronouns: He/Him/His

MA Clinical Psychology, Spalding University, 2018
BA Psychology, University of Tulsa, 2014 

Professional Interests: I have a generalist background with a focus on anxiety disorders, OCD, and trauma. I am particularly interested in working with clients who are interested in learning how to better manage their strong, sometimes uncomfortable emotions. I aim to facilitate a safe, understanding, collaborative, and genuine therapeutic relationship while predominantly utilizing Cognitive-Behavioral and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques.

Professional Experience: I have experience in both college counseling and private practice settings. I began my clinical work at the University of Indiana – Southeast Counseling Center where I saw students presenting to treatment for a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, disordered eating, and interpersonal difficulties. I then spent the next two years working in private practices specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and eating disorders. I also have experience working with athletes who are interested in improving their mental health and mental approach to performance.

Personal Interests: I love getting outside to camp, hike, ski, fish, play sports, and spend time with friends and family. I also enjoy listing to a wide range of music and exploring new places with my partner.

Mike Hart, MS 

Doctoral Intern 2020-2021

Pronouns: He/Him/His

MS, Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky, 2013
BA, Mass Communication, Illinois State University, 2005 

Professional Interests: My clinical interests include anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, assessment, forgiveness, grief, career concerns, and substance abuse. I typically work integrating a humanistic approach with cognitive behavioral therapy. I also have experience using acceptance and commitment therapy, forgiveness therapy, motivational interviewing and interpersonal approaches.

Professional Experience: I have worked with college students providing individual therapy, assessment (e.g., ADHD evaluations), and outreach services while training at college counseling centers at the University of Louisville, Indiana University Southeast, and Bellarmine University. I also have experience in group therapy, teaching, and consulting with university faculty and staff. Prior to my doctoral training, I worked for a period in substance abuse counseling and completing intake evaluations at a psychiatric hospital.

Personal Interests: I enjoy listening to music, playing guitar, running, hiking, playing games (including D&D), and watching baseball. I love to travel and have been privileged to make several international trips (my favorite countries visited are Italy and Japan).

Rich Williams, MA 

Doctoral Intern 2020-2021

Pronouns: He/Him/His

MA Clinical Psychology, University of Denver, 2019
MFA Theatre Studies, Brown University, 2011
BA English Literature, Washington & Lee University, 2004 

Professional Interests: College Counseling, relational and psychodynamic therapy, systems, couples and relationship concerns, ADHD, depression and anxiety, working with athletes and artists, cognitive health, and business consulting.

Professional Experience: Externship at –

Regis University, Aug 2019 – May 2020
Ardent Grove, June 2019 – June 2020
KPLA, July 2018 – July 2019
New Start Clinic, Sept 2017 – Sept 2018
NYU RUSK Rehab Hospital, Sept 2016 – Aug 2017

Personal Interests: Playing music, fishing, skiing, golf, tennis, reading & writing, and film & theater

Breigh Jones-Coplin, MA 

Advanced Practicum Student in Sport Psychology 2020-2021

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Candidate, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver, 2022
Master of Arts in Sport and Professional Psychology, University of Denver, 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology minor in Journalism and Coaching, 2016

Professional Interests: Sport and Performance Psychology, Perinatal Mental Health, Black Mental Health, Couples and Family Therapy, and Group Therapy

Professional Experience: Clinical Extern providing psychological services at Girls Athletic Leadership School (2018-2019), Mariposa Family Enrichment Center (2019-2020), Caring for You and Baby Clinic (2019-Present), Professional Psychology Clinic (2018-Present), and Center for Performance Excellence (2016-Present)

Personal Interests: Interior design, floral design, blogging, trying out new foods, and spending time with family and friends

Courtney Agorsor, MS 

Graduate Student Trainee 2020-2021

Pronouns: 

Professional Interests: 

Professional Experience: 

Personal Interests: 

Devin Kelly, BA 

Graduate Student Trainee 2020-2021

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

BA in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, 2018 

Professional Interests: I strive to provide a trauma-informed, collaborative, and authentic environment to help clients process and thrive through confusing, challenging, or painful experiences. In particular, I enjoy working with clients to explore the ways that gender, sexuality, and relationships interact with their experiences of violence, anxiety, depression, and substance use. I have an interest in helping clients heal their relationship with their bodies and eating through a weight-inclusive approach and meet often-stigmatized concerns such as self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and substance use with a compassionate and strengths-based attitude.

Professional Experience: I have experience in advocacy and crisis support to survivors of gender-based and relationship violence as well as those experiencing severe mental health crises requiring inpatient mental health support. I have also worked in outpatient settings providing individual and group therapies to those struggling with substance use, trauma, LGBTQ+ identity exploration, and eating disorders.

Personal Interests: As a former collegiate downhill ski racer, I enjoy skiing and all things snow and mountains in the winter. I also enjoy traveling to new places (mainly in search of good food!), both locally and internationally but also hanging out at home with a good book and my cat.

Anne Neuweiler, MA 

Graduate Student Trainee 2020-2021

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

MA Counseling Psychology, University of Denver, 2020
BS Psychology, Saint Mary's College of California, 2017 

Professional Interests: Individual and group psychotherapy, trauma, correctional populations, LGBTQIA+ populations

Professional Experience: Worked at Denver County Jail and Porter Adventist Hospital

Personal Interests: Spending time with family, catching up with friends, and playing sports

Tye Stephens, MA 

Graduate Student Trainee 2020-2021

Pronouns: He/Him/His

MA in Forensic Psychology from DU GSPP, 2018 

Professional Interests: I enjoy working with clients who have experienced life-changing events and are now redefining themselves on their own terms. I have worked with people with histories of substance abuse, trauma, or relationship violence, and I enjoy helping clients regain meaning and purpose in their lives. I believe in normalizing therapy and digging into shame to help people become their most empowered, authentic selves, regardless of what labels or judgments may have been cast upon them.

Professional Experience: While in my master's program, I worked at Mental Health Center of Denver, where I provided therapy and case management to people with substance abuse histories and various mental health concerns. After that, I worked at Creative Treatment Options as a therapist, specializing in addiction, trauma, and domestic violence.

Personal Interests: Like many Coloradans, I enjoy spending time outside, traveling, and finding new places to eat.

Dallas Vallar, BA 

Practicum Student for Alcohol and Other Drugs 2020-2021

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

BA Psychology, Skidmore College, 2019 

Professional Interests: College Counseling, substance use, interpersonal and relationship concerns, academic student issues, career, multicultural and diversity, mindfulness, adjustment, and anxiety

Professional Experience: I have experience providing individual therapy, crisis counseling, and mediations for students in a public-school environment. Prior, I have worked to support the development of conflict resolution skills and workplace skills within families and for individual family members. I also have experience providing community outreach and advocating awareness of eating disorders and student anxiety on a college campus

Personal Interests: Painting, puzzles, exploring galleries, spending time outdoors, tennis, and playing video games

David Odell, MD

Medical Director / Staff Physician

Pronouns: He/Him/His

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.

Georgianne “Gigi” Cotton, MCMSc, PA-C

Associate Director of Medical Services / Staff Physician Assistant, Certified

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Education: Master of Clinical Medical Science and Physician Assistant Studies, Barry University (Miami, FL), 2015
BS in Journalism, University of Colorado (Boulder, CO), 2011

Professional Interests: Medical treatment of eating disorders, women’s health, and mental health

Professional Experience: I have worked as a PA in family medicine since 2016. During my undergraduate years I worked with the community health program at the University of Colorado, and have a passion for college health.

Personal Interests: I enjoy skiing, paddle boarding, music, travel, and spending time with my family and friends.

Abbey Drake, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Certified

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Education: Bachelors of Science in Human Physiology, Boston University, 2003
Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 2006

Professional Interests: Women’s Health, Urgent Care, Public Health & STI Prevention

Professional Experience: Johnson & Wales University Health and Counseling Services, 2013-2021; urgent care medicine, 2011-present; Child Family Health International and Para el Mundo, 2009-2010; North Shore Fertility, 2006-2008

Personal Interests: I love international travel, good food, trains, backpacking, and used book stores.

Lori Graybill, RN

Registered Nurse

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Denise Gubrud, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sarah Hwang, RN

Registered Nurse

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

BS in Nursing from Regis University in Denver, 2009 

Professional Interests: Women's Health, Public Health

Professional Experience: ER, Public Health, Urgent Care

Personal Interests: Outdoor activities and cooking

Cornelia Nelson, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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

Pronouns: He/Him/His

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.

Annie Kate Randall, RDN

Registered Dietitian

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences Texas Christian University, 2017
Coordinated Program of Nutrition and Dietetics, Texas Christian University
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, 2017 

Professional Interests: I am interested in helping anyone who is motivated to make changes in their life to better their health. I aim to stray away from the negative connotation of a "diet" and a dietitian as restriction and move towards enjoying a variety of foods and taking care of the body you have been given. I specialize and have the most experience with weight loss and management, nutrition for cardiac and diabetic patients, women's health, eating disorder patients, athletes and overall healthy eating.

Professional Experience: I attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas and went through the Coordinated Program of Nutrition and Dietetics to be eligible to become a RDN with all the required interning hours and courses. I graduated in May of 2017. I interned 1200 hours over the course of two years in a variety of locations such as hospitals, private practice, schools, senior living homes, and several others. After graduating, I became the Dietitian for a private practice working with a wide variety of patients who all wanted to better their health, one way or another. After that, I worked at the cardiac rehabilitation center for Baylor Scott & White hospital. I taught a nutrition class called Leap for Life and worked one-on-one with the cardiac and diabetic patients recovering from heart procedures and various heart conditions. I also got a second job at the one and only Trader Joe's!

Personal Interests: Outside of work I enjoy hiking and skiing in the mountains. I love to travel and experience new cultures. I also like to cook, bake, host people at our house and take care of my plants, garden and puppy.

Jennifer Rysavy, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Certified

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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.

Stephanie Stroz, RN

Registered Nurse

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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

Carla Torres-Zegarra, MD

Dermatologist

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Kacie Worth, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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.

Waltrina Defrantz-Dufor, PhD

Director of Collegiate Recovery Community

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

PhD Higher Education - Leadership, Indiana State University, 2007
MS Organizational Management, Misericordia University, 2004
BA Communications, The Pennsylvania State University – University Park, 1991

Professional Interests: Recovery advocacy and education, transdisciplinary competencies, overdose prevention, holistic wellness, substance prevention and intervention, student success and persistence, intersectionality, appreciative inquiry, leadership development, and social justice.

Professional Experience: New member of the DU HCC October 2018. Former Academic Advisor/Instructor at Ohio University. Served as the Interim Dean of Academic Affairs at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Associate Dean of Students at Taylor University, and Behavioral Health Technician for Westbrook Health Services Amity Treatment Center. Other experience includes teaching graduate students, student activities, multicultural and international affairs, and admissions.

Personal Interests: Yoga, meditation, wellness, and beginner triathlete.