Michelle Melendez, MS, LCSW, CASAC, CHC, Behavioral Health Director of the STAR Program since 2009, oversees comprehensive mental health, substance use counseling and case management services at both STAR Health Center (SHC) sites. She is a NYS Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), a Certified Community Chaplain, and a Certified Health Coach (CHC) by the American Council on Exercise. She is currently Project Director of the SAMHSA funded SHC Integrated Mental Health & Primary Care Services Project which uses Motivational Interviewing as the primary intervention with individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) or co-occurring disorders (COD) living with or at risk for HIV and/or hepatitis. She holds Master’s degrees in Guidance and Counseling and Clinical Social Work. She has also been a NYS Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor since 1999. She has worked as a clinician and administrator in various out-patient programs for adults and their families. Her research and clinical interests include PTSD/trauma and substance abuse, particularly among women.
Codelle Aime, LMSW, is a Support Counselor in the Supportive Counseling Program providing mental health services. She joined the STAR Program as a Patient Navigator on the care coordination team in February 2016. She holds a BA in Psychology from York College and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. She has extensive experience in behavioral health and developmental disabilities. Prior to joining STAR, she worked for various organizations as a Care Coordinator, Day Habilitation Specialist and Community Habilitation Specialist, providing services to populations with mental health disorders either living with HIV or at risk of HIV and/or substance use.
Mark Frederick, CASAC-T, joined the STAR Program as a Patient Navigator with the Behavioral Health Team. Prior to joining STAR, Mr. Frederick worked at the AIDS Service Center of NYC in lower Manhattan, where he provided services as a Health Coach supporting patients by helping them stay linked to medical care, practicing adhering to medications, and promoting harm reduction. He also worked at Exponents as a harm reduction mentor and later as a substance use counselor where he facilitated recovery skills, healthy relationships, and LGBTQ groups. He has a CASAC-T and over 10 years of experience in the field of substance use treatment and prevention.
Morgan Gebhardt, LCSW, CASAC, has been working with children, adolescents, and adults exhibiting psychiatric disturbances and/or problematic substance use since 2005. In 2011 she joined the STAR Program as a Senior Social Worker and has been actively involved in the clinic’s buprenorphine program. She currently provides mental health, substance abuse, and supportive counseling services at the STAR Health Center. She holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work and is a NYS licensed clinical social worker.
Jean Frantzso Richard, BSW, joined the Supportive Counseling (SC) Program in September 2015 as a Community Health Worker. He accompanies SC patients to medical and other appointments and makes home visits to coordinate services. A human service professional with over 7 years’ experience, Mr. Richard most recently worked as a trainer and supervisor for peers at Harlem United’s HIV outreach program. He also has experience working with immigrant professionals and providing social services to older populations. He conducted HIV training for World Relief Corporation in Port au Prince, Haiti for many years and is trilingual in Creole, French and English. Mr. Richard received a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from York College of CUNY.
Dr. Viswanathan is a psychiatric consultant to the HIV Program. He is also Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. He is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine, Forensic Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. His research interests are in the areas of anxiety, coping skills, and medical ethics.
