Team
Nathalie Avignon, MSN, NP, PMHNP-BC
Director of Provider Relations and Development
Nathalie is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She completed her undergraduate studies at New York University, with a double major in Journalism/ Mass Communications and Psychology. After school, she went on to work for a fertility clinic and then as coordinator in the hematology/oncology clinical trials division at WCMC. Her interactions with the patients she encountered at work became the catalyst that led her to go back to school to study nursing.
She returned to NYU where she obtained her BSN and later on her MSN, specializing in psychiatry.
Since entering the field of psychiatry, Nathalie has set out a goal that is focused on destigmatizing the need for mental health services. This is something she hopes to do both locally and abroad. Her life-long interest in mental health has become her profession, though she still does enjoy writing.
Nathalie speaks English, French, and Creole. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and watching movies.... scary movies.
Adrian Balestra, MSN, NP, PMHNP-BC
Lead NP
Adrian studied economics at Brandeis University and attended Beth Israel School of Nursing and Stony Brook University on his path to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Integrating meditation, spirituality, philosophy, Buddhism, practicality, and insight wisdom in his work, Adrian helps patients heal, improve their lives, think positively, and find greater harmony.
He spent nine months studying at Ashrams in India and nine months studying Theravada Buddhism meditation in Myanmar. His style is honest, direct, non-judgmental, warm, and engaging.
Formerly a classical viola player, Adrian loves classical music. He also spends his time outside work being a husband, creating a balanced life, taking care of 33 plants, meditating and cultivating his vision of making the world a happier and healthier place.
Amanda Lundberg, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Amanda is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who obtained her education from Indiana University of South Bend in 2014. Her background includes Pain Management, Neurology, and Psychiatry. For the past 3 years, she has developed a passion through her work with the aging population struggling with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other mental health conditions. Her goal is to use this passion to work with an interdisciplinary team to improve quality of life.
Amanda enjoys spending time with her young son (Max), her husband (Darin), and her Golden Retriever (Oliver), and Giant Flemish Rabbit (Norman). She loves bike-riding, taking walks, reading, and doing puzzles with her son. Her favorite vacations include Banff National Park in Canada, California, and St. Thomas.
Her dream is to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, caring for orphaned elephants. Amanda is an eternal optimist. She loves to spread joy and make people laugh.
Brighid Gannon, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Founder
Dr. Gannon is a New York State board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner specializing in dementia and late-life depression. She trained in geriatric psychiatry at the Penn Memory Center and the Mercy Life Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Yale University.
She was inspired to work in geriatrics by her Irish grandmothers, Esther and Peggy, who saw age as just a number and lived their lives to the fullest.
Born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Dr. Gannon received a BA in Dance from Wesleyan University before getting into nursing.
Outside of work, Brighid loves meditating, visiting Mexico, busting moves on the dance floor, and spending time with her 9-year-old labradoodle, Finn McCool.
Carole Falletta, MA, MS, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Carole is board-certified as a Nurse Practitioner in both family health and psychiatry with a sub-specialty in integrative therapies. She received a Bachelors degree in business administration from Baruch College, and a Masters degree in education from New York University before embarking on her healthcare career. She graduated from Columbia University with a Masters degree in family health and later went on to receive a Post-Master's advanced certificate in psychiatric mental health from Hunter College, City University of New York.
Carole believes the mind-body continuum is central to one's well-being. With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, she has an extensive knowledge in working with individuals across the life span. Her expertise is fostering one's self-care, utilizing preventative practices in managing life stressors, reducing the risks of postpartum depression, and providing psychiatric services to geriatric adults. Carole incorporates a holistic approach, utilizing a full range of evidence-based practices tailored to a person’s needs. She has been a devout practitioner of mindfulness and breath/body techniques to support balance in one’s life.
In her spare time, she teaches at a local college, enjoys time with family, and has a passion for gardening.
CHARISSE WILLIAMS-STEWART, PMHNP-BC
Charisse Williams-Stewart is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She completed her undergraduate studies at Herbert Lehman College and later continued her studies obtaining her Masters Degree at Stony Brook University.
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she specializes in providing compassionate and comprehensive mental health care to individuals across the life span. With a strong background in nursing and advanced training in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment, she is dedicated to promoting mental health wellness and improving the lives of her patients. She combines evidenced-based practices with empathy. She is committed to on-going learning and professional development, to deliver high-quality patient-centered care that empowers individuals to achieve their optimal mental health outcomes.
Outside of being a PMHNP, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants and spending time with her family and friends.
Dumo M. Opuiyo, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Opuiyo is a three-time Board-Certified clinician. He holds a doctorate in Nursing Practice from Grand Canyon University, a Masters in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from Hunter College, and a Master’s in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University.
With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare across Africa and North America, Dr. Opuiyo provides psychiatric services to geriatric adults in long-term care facilities. He visits nursing homes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, and Staten Island.
Dr. Opuiyo enjoys various sports, particularly baseball and is a proud New York Yankees fan. He loves travel trivia and can name more than 80% of world capitals from memory.
KISHA GARNER, PMHNP-BC
Kisha is a dedicated and experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years of nursing experience. She pursued her Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner education at the University of South Alabama, where she developed a profound commitment to advancing mental health care and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. Her journey into the field of nursing began with a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Over the years, she has honed her skills and knowledge, working across various nursing specialties. Her extensive experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of patient care, which she now applies to her specialized field of psychiatry.
Kisha's passion for psychiatry is particularly evident in her work with geriatric adults. She is deeply committed to providing compassionate and effective mental health care to this vulnerable population, recognizing the unique challenges they face. She strives to create a supportive and understanding environment for her patients, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care. Kisha's dedication to her patients' well-being and her expertise in psychiatric care make her a valuable asset to the mental health community.
Outside of her professional life, Kisha enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and playing chess. These activities reflect her dedication to maintaining a balanced and fulfilling personal life, which in turn enhances her professional practice.
Linda S. Lee, MSN APRN FNP
Linda is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bethel College and her Master’s degree from Indiana University in 2010.
Her experience includes Emergency, Urgent Care, and Psychiatry and, for the past several years, she has worked with nursing homes and assisted living facilities providing psychiatric care for residents with Dementia, as well as other psychiatric conditions.
Linda believes that it is incredibly important and rewarding to work with the Dementia population and improve their quality of life.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, two rescue dogs, and her very large family that is spread out from New York to Seattle. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, walking the dogs, entertaining, and skiing with her husband. Above all, Linda is passionate about helping others, which is always the ultimate reward in life.
Louisa Chan, MSN, NP, PMHNP-BC
Louisa earned a Bachelor of Psychology from New York University and both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master’s of Science in Nursing from Columbia University.
She has worked as Psychiatric Registered Nurse at Gracie Square Hospital volunteered as an EMT in college. Louisa works in Assertive Community Treatment, Intensive Mobile Treatment, and Shelter Services across Bronx and Brooklyn providing care for under-served and chronically mentally ill New Yorkers. Louisa chose psychiatry to focus on providing mental health treatment and public education to the Asian community in NYC.
Originally from California, Louisa speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and Fujianese. She enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles, going to the movies and recently took up baking bread from scratch.
Manjit Gill, MSN, PMHNP
Melissa Martyn, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Melissa is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a sub-specialty in palliative care. While attending New York University for her graduate studies, Melissa had her first clinical rotation with the Bellevue Palliative Care Team. This is where she developed her extensive compassion and desire to care for people in their most vulnerable moments.
She loves being a nurse and a patient advocate and combines her psychiatric and holistic skill set to support patients and their families.
Her free time is mainly spent with her children watching scary movies or spending quality time at museums or the beach.
RAVEN MORTON, PMHNP-BC
Raven Morton is a highly skilled and compassionate board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who completed her studies at the esteemed University of Alabama At Birmingham. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, she brings a patient-focused approach to care, ensuring that each individual receives personalized attention and support.
Raven excels in program management, conducting thorough physical and behavioral assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of her patients' needs. She takes pride in implementing positive behavior modeling techniques and developing well-organized treatment plans that promote optimal mental health outcomes.
With Raven's dedication to delivering exceptional care, patients can trust in her commitment to their well-being and recovery journey.
SERIA MULLEN, PMHNP-BC
Seria Mullen is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with licenses in New York and Georgia. - Please add what schools she attended
With extensive experience in evaluating adolescents, adults, and geriatric individuals across diverse clinic settings, Seria brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. Notably, she holds the unique privilege of prescribing medical marijuana for PTSD, showcasing her comprehensive approach to treatment.
SIFAT AMEEN, PMHNP-BC
Sifat is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who completed her studies at Hunter College, City University of New York. She is passionate about providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services.
Her ongoing areas of interest include integrating nutrition, physical activity, and improved sleep practices as foundational components of multi-level care.
In her free time, Sifat loves traveling, exploring new cuisines as a foodie, and indulging in her passion as a weather enthusiast.
SUZE PACIUS, PMHNP-BC
Suze Pacius is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Suze earned her Masters in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Molloy University in Rockville Centre and completed her residency at Mount Sinai - South Nassau.
She understands that seeking psychiatric care can be a deeply personal and often challenging decision. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where the patient can comfortably discuss their concerns, collaborate on treatment plans, and work towards their mental health goals.
With three years of professional experience as a board-certified PMHNP, she has had the privilege of helping individuals with a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Suze’s approach to psychiatry is patient-centered, evidence-based, and holistic. She believes in a collaborative partnership between patient and provider to achieve the best possible outcomes.
TRIESHA GAYLE-LAWSON, DNP, ANP-C, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Gayle-Lawson is a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner. She completed her nursing undergraduate studies at Molloy College and nursing graduate studies at Adelphi University. Dr. Gayle-Lawson practiced in Long Term care managing complex disease and behavioral health. She has over 17 years of Advance Practice Experience. While working with the adult and geriatric population, she was inspired to specialize in psychiatry and went on to complete a Post-Master’s and Doctorate degree from Wilke’s University and Chatham University respectively.
With a strong passion for psychiatry and working with the adult and geriatric population, she continues to serve as a provider in Long Term and Sub-Acute facilities. She has a strong desire to reduce barriers for those who have difficulty accessing mental health care. With that, Dr. Gayle-Lawson is also a private practice psychiatric provider serving patients in her community.
Dr. Gayle-Lawson enjoys cooking, art, traveling and world history. She is also a huge basketball fan!
YELENA ANBINDER NP-P
Yelena Anbinder NP-P received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from New York University. She also obtained her Master's degree from Hunter College and became a certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Yelena worked as a case manager and as a certified health coach before becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Through this work Yelena gained experience in outpatient, inpatient facilities, and in long-term care. She did her training at the Coney Island Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Yelena has a strong passion for treating those who are mentally challenged. For Yelena, waking up everyday and helping others is a dream and it brings her a lot of joy.
Yelena wants to devote her life to psychiatry and to use her knowledge to make the world a better place.
NICHOLE MINA, MSW, LCSW
Nichole is a firm believer that prioritizing our mental health positively impacts our overall health. She sees therapy as a joint venture where our experiences and thoughts can be processed and explored in a safe, non-judgemental environment to create solutions for the future. Everyone deserves and should have the opportunity to grow, learn and sometimes unlearn, and evolve no matter where they may be in life. Nichole’s approach has always been individualized and eclectic, using a mix of different theoretical frameworks and combining approaches including relational, CBT, and psychodynamic theories. She has been lucky enough throughout her career to work with many different people, at many different stages of life. She specializes in chronic/acute illnesses and those 65+ who are facing many life transitions.
Nichole is passionate about the work that happens in the therapy room and working together with patients for future success!
Med Elite Group
Ivy Psychiatry is proudly managed by the Med Elite Group. Med Elite provides full administrative support to our clinicians so that we can focus on patient care and not get bogged down by administrative burden.
Aaron Kurtzer, Facility Representative at the Med Elite Group
Aaron is in charge of making sure that the facilities we service are receiving everything they need. Aaron believes that there is always a solution to everything and he is our in house problem solver. Aaron is a native New Yorker and received his MBA from Bellevue University. He is a proud father, car lover and an avid gamer.