Staff

Meaghan Fesler, M.S., LLP, Clinic and Operations Manager

Meaghan is the Clinic and Operations Manager at MARI. She supervises the call center and HR generalist.  She also oversees all facility and clinical operations for MARI.  Meaghan graduated with her Master's in clinical health psychology from U-M Dearborn in 2018. Meaghan also is a trained psychometrist and assists with both psychoeducational and neuropsych evaluations.

Madeline Miller, Marketing & Communications Outreach Specialist

Madeline has been with U-M since 2021. Previously, she worked on a Michigan Medicine research team before moving to Central Campus. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Journalism from the University of Cincinnati in 2019. She has experience working with nonprofits in social media and website management, and digital communications. Outside of the office, she enjoys local coffee, reading and spending time with family.

Victoria (Vikki) Dudley, B.B.A., Intermediate Financial Analyst

Vikki is the budget and operations analyst and financial unit liaison in the MARI central administration office. She has been working in the field of accounting for over 25 years, the last 15 of which have been at the University of Michigan. Vikki works closely with the Institute and Center directors establishing, monitoring and reporting on the fiscal year budgets as well as performing all pre and post-award grant management activities.  Additionally, she serves as the unit liaison for Internal Controls and the annual Unit Certification for MARI. 

Shani White, Senior Billing Clerk/ Patient Account Specialist

Shani is the Senior Billing Clerk/ Patient Account Specialist for MARI. She has been in the field of customer service for 18 years with the last seven spent working at the University of Michigan. She has previous experience at the University of Michigan Dental School as the Senior Billing Clerk/ Patient Collector. Shani’s commitment to our client accounts ensures each client has a positive experience.

Eddie Verdonk, Patient Services Associate

Eddie joined the MARI call center team in May 2023. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2016 with degrees in Women’s Studies and Psychology, and seeks to pursue a career in mental health services long term. Prior to working with MARI, Eddie was a pastry department manager for local restaurants and bakeries. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the arcade, reading manga, and weightlifting.

Erica Runstrom, Patient Services Associate

Erica joined MARI call center in 2023. Before this she was a preschool teacher for 7 years and had her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. She loves being a mom and doing things with her son. She loves watching her family play softball. She also loves being outside and being by the water.

Remy Rincher, SHRM-CP, HR Generalist

Remy is the HR Generalist at MARI. She has been with U-M since 2015, working both at Michigan Medicine and Central Campus. Remy graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University and an MS in Human Resources from Central Michigan University. Remy also holds her SHRM-CP certificate. Outside of the office she enjoys running, a good book, and all things food.

Cindy Davis, M.Ed, Senior Patient Services Advocate

Lisa Freeman, Senior Billing Clerk and Account Representative

Lisa has been working in the medical industry for 10 years. Her focus for the past five years has been in medical billing. She enjoys warm weather and the beach. 

Mackenzie Narkun, Administrative Assistant

Mackenzie joined MARI in 2023, and works primarily with the University Center for Language and Literacy. She has five-plus years of administrative and customer service experience. She also has experience working in the ABA therapy field, as a behavioral therapist. Outside of work, she enjoys walking her dog, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Kelly Anderson, Front Office Supervisor

Kelly joins the MARI team with over 20 years of experience. She has been with the University of Michigan since 2012. She has led teams in both the Adult and Children's Emergency Services at Michigan Medicine, contributing to customer service and operational excellence amongst the patient services team. Outside of work, she loves to travel with her family.

Erin Hunter, Ph.D., Director

Erin Hunter, Ph.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies for children, adolescents, and families, including parent management training, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and mindfulness treatments. Erin has a particular interest in working with pre-teens, teenagers, and their families as well as with LGBTQ youth, focusing on issues related to identity development, relationships, depressed mood, anxiety, inattention and behavior problems. She received a Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Washington, completed an internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and came to Michigan for a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical child psychology at UCCF. She became director of UCCF in 2021 after acting as interim director throughout 2020.

Richard R. Dopp, M.D., Medical Director

Richard R. Dopp, M.D. is the Medical Director for the University Psychological Clinic and the University Center for the Child and Family. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan. His clinical interests and specialty expertise pertain to the evaluation and treatment of depression and anxiety, chronophysiology (including the importance of sleep regulation, physical activity), psychiatric medications and metabolism, and the treatment of university students and student athletes. He has a strong interest in the prevention and early identification of depression in at-risk populations.

Anupama (Anu) Agrawal, LMSW, Supervisor

Anupama (Anu) Agrawal, LMSW, is a clinical social worker at the University Center for Child and Family (UCCF). Ms. Agrawal has had years of clinical experience before coming to the Mary A. Rackham Institute, including clinical experience as a psychoanalytic psychotherapy fellow at the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society and as a clinical instructor at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work before coming to Michigan.

Nina Banozic, MSW, Supervisor and Intake Coordinator

Nina is a Clinical Social Worker, supervisor, and the Intake Coordinator at UCCF. Her work includes providing evidence-based and strengths-focused treatments for children, adolescents, and families experiencing a variety of challenges. She has special training and interest in mindfulness-based interventions and mind-body approaches for emotional regulation and mental health, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Nina takes a multicultural approach to therapy, taking into consideration how systems of oppression impact clients’ well being. Prior to UCCF, Nina worked in therapeutic school settings and community mental health in the Boston area. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College.

Lawrence (Larry) R. Kowalski, MS, BCBA, Clinician

Lawrence Kowalski, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), works in the University of Michigan Autism and Consultation Treatment Services (UM-ACTS) program managing and supervising Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Lawrence received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan and his Master's Degree in Clinical-Behavioral Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. Previously, Lawrence has worked in the Simon’s Simplex Collection (SSC) gathering phenotypic data of families with one child diagnosed with ASD, the Early Steps Study (ESS) as a therapist implementing the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) with toddlers, and provided in-home behavioral therapy for children with ASD. He also has advanced experience administering diagnostic instruments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), cognitive testing protocols, as well as a variety of other standardized protocols. In addition, Lawrence has worked clinically with individuals suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

Ellen Barrett-Becker, Ph.D.

Dr. Barrett-Becker is a licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in clinical supervision, psycho-educational assessment, and evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Wayne State University. She completed her doctoral internship at Mary A. Rackham Institute, and postdoctoral fellowship at Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry in Clinical Child Psychology. Dr. Barrett-Becker is specifically interested in the assessment and treatment of mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, behavior problems, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) with particular focus on how these concerns manifest across the lifespan. Clinically, Dr. Barrett-Becker approaches assessment and treatment from a multicultural lens and considers the impact of intersecting and marginalized identities, family and attachment relationships, and culture in her work with clients. Treatment approaches include parent management training, emotion focused therapy, brief dynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, family therapy, and trauma-informed interventions. 

Kristen Kalymon, Ph.D., BCBA-D, UM-ACTS Program Manager and Clinical Psychologist and Behavior Analyst

Licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with expertise assessing and treating behavioral concerns displayed by children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as other developmental disabilities, through the use of evidence-based parent-training and individual psychotherapy.  Areas of specialization include behavioral excesses (i.e., tantrums, self-injury, aggression, and noncompliance) as well as behavioral deficits (i.e., increasing sleep, toileting, and coping skills). Dr. Kalymon received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completed an internship and fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and then remained on staff as a supervising psychologist and director of clinical operations prior to transitioning to UCCF.

Ashley Stevens, M.A., BCBA, Behavior Analyst

Angela Fish, Ph.D., Supervising Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor

Dr. Fish is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and UCCF psychology training coordinator. She completed her graduate training at Wayne State University, internship at Hawthorn Center and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center. Therefore, she has expertise in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. She enjoys working with young people and their families with a variety of presenting concerns utilizing an integrative trauma-informed treatment framework with elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), parent management techniques, and systems perspectives. She is also passionate about training the next generation of clinicians.

Lily Gershenson, LMSW, Supervisor

Lily Gershenson, LMSW is a Clinical Social Worker and supervising faculty member whose focus in her clinical practice is on mindfulness-based approaches to psychotherapy, the intersection of trauma and attachment, and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) modality. Ms. Gershenson has particular interest in working with clinical tools related to helping clients foster self-compassion and build their own in-depth understanding, or map, of the many distinct parts that comprise their experience. She completed her masters in social work at the University of Michigan, serving as a post-MSW fellow at the Psychological Clinic, before working in private practice for ten years.

Jonathen (Jon) Ross, M.S.W., Supervisor

Jonathen (Jon) Ross, M.S.W., has been with the Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI) since 2003. He coordinates client care and manages office procedures. Jon also provides individual and group clinical treatment for clients who are focused on changing behaviors. Jon has worked as an educator in the past, an experience that has helped enhance his clinical skills.

Georden Jones, Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist and Supervisor

Dr. Jones received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa and completed a pre-doctoral internship at the Centre for Psychological Services and Research in Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Jones adopts a collaborative and client-centered psychotherapy approach to reach client's goals, improve wellbeing, and improve quality of life. Dr. Jones integrates diverse evidence-based treatment approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and third-wave CBT approaches (ACT, mindfulness) in her therapy approach.

Dr. Jones has particular interest in assisting individuals to cope with significant life stressors, chronic health conditions, trauma, family or origin and adult attachment issues, interpersonal difficulties, grief and loss, and existential issues. Dr. Jones also has interest and expertise in working with couples to navigate interpersonal difficulties, increase connection, and relationship satisfaction.

Michelle (Shelly) Van Etten Lee, Ph.D., Director of Psychology Training

Michelle (Shelly) Van Etten Lee, Ph.D., is the director of psychology training at the Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI). She has been working as a clinical psychologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, since 1997. She joined MARI in 2005 and has been the director of psychology training since 2009. She currently holds two adjunct faculty titles in the Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry at U-M. Inspired by the effectiveness of the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety disorders, Shelly has studied and developed an expertise in CBT over the course of her career, bringing this method of treatment to MARI.

Jody Hoffman, Ph.D., Senior Supervisor

Jody Hoffman, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist with specialty training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and IPT.  At MARI she works with a range of presenting problems within a framework of psychotherapy integration. She received her Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University, completed her internship at the University of Calgary Medical School, and received postdoctoral fellowship training at the University of Michigan's Department of Psychiatry. 

Carol C. Persad, Ph.D., ABPP, Director 

Dr. Persad joined the University of Michigan as a faculty member in 2003 and has been director of UCLL since 2011. She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry with an Adjunct Associate Professor appointment in the Department of Psychology.

Jennifer Corey, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinic Manager and Senior Speech-Language Pathologist 

Jennifer is the Clinic Manager at UCLL, guiding all of the speech-language programs and the daily operations of the clinic, including the U-M Aphasia Program (UMAP). She has been a Senior SLP at UCLL since 2008. She received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from McGill University in Montreal. She has also held roles in acute care, outpatient, and subacute rehabilitation and has worked with clients across the lifespan. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through ASHA, and she is currently licensed to practice in Michigan, Florida and California. 

Mimi Block, M.S., CCC-SLP, Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Mimi has been with the UCLL since 1992 and began her career as a staff speech and language pathologist. During that time, she has worked with hundreds of clients, often keeping in touch with them for years after their time with UCLL and UMAP. Mimi has taken on additional roles within UCLL, including Clinic Services Manager for more than a decade and recently moving into a different role focused on new programming and aphasia community development. She is licensed to practice in Michigan and Iowa.

Gordon Krainen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Gordon recently celebrated 40 years as a speech-language pathologist. He has worked in various settings with all age groups. He presently treats adults with neurological disorders due to stroke and head injury. He also runs the Mastering the American Accent seminar. Gordon holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA and is licensed in Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, Colorado and Missouri, allowing him to conduct teletherapy sessions with clients from those states. Gordon especially enjoys helping U-M Aphasia Program (UMAP) clients achieve their language potential.

Elizabeth Mercado, M.A., CCC-SLP,
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Elizabeth has been working at UCLL since her clinical fellowship in 2011. She received her B.S. in Speech and Language Impairments from Eastern Michigan University and her M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from Wayne State University. She provides intervention to adults at the U-M Aphasia Program (UMAP) and via teletherapy. She also treats speech, language, and literacy disorders in preschool- and school-aged children. Elizabeth holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence through the ASHA, and is licensed to practice in both Michigan and California.   

Amanda Sheridan M.A., CCC-SLP,
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Amanda has been with UCLL since 2014. She earned her B.A. in Education from Central Michigan University and began her career as a public school educator. She later earned her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University. Amanda holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through ASHA and is licensed to practice in Michigan, Louisiana, and New York. She provides intervention to adults in the University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP). Amanda also provides reading intervention and/or speech-language therapy to school-aged students drawing on her experiences as a former educator and her training in Orton-Gillingham and Lindamood-Bell instructional practices.

Keli Licata, M.A., CCC-SLP, Education Coordinator,
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Keli joined the clinical staff at UCLL in 2013. She earned her B.A. in Linguistics and Psychology from the University of Michigan and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Indiana University. Keli holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through ASHA and is licensed to practice in Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas and Florida. She currently provides speech-language intervention to adults in the U-M Aphasia Program (UMAP) and via teletherapy, and she organizes and leads the UMAP caregiver program. She also takes part in providing comprehensive neuropsychological, language, and literacy evaluations for children and young adults. As Education Coordinator, Keli is responsible for coordinating graduate student internships, as well as undergraduate observation and volunteering opportunities.

Elise Jones M.A., CCC-SLP,
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Elise joined the staff at the University Center for Language and Literacy in 2016. She earned her B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Indiana University. Elise holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through ASHA, and is licensed to practice in Michigan, Georgia, Indiana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. She currently provides speech and language intervention to adults in the U-M Aphasia Program (UMAP) and clients via teletherapy. Trained in Orton-Gillingham instructional practice, Elise also provides reading intervention to school-aged students.

Bailey Blaisdell M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist

Bailey officially joined the staff at the University Center for Language and Literacy in 2023 after completing her clinical fellowship here. She earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Central Michigan University and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Central Michigan University. Bailey holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through ASHA and is currently licensed to practice in Michigan. She provides speech and language services to adults in the UMAP (U-M Aphasia Program) for both teletherapy and in-person services, as well as reading intervention services to school-aged students.

Dinah Young, Assistant Clinical Services Manager

Dinah joined UCLL in 2007 to provide project management for It's a RAP: Celebrating 60 Years of the University of Michigan Aphasia Program gala event. Her background combines over 20 years of administrative experience, including seven years in the non-profit sector as the grants coordinator for the Association for Asian Studies in Ann Arbor.