Wellness Leadership
Associate Dean of Students and Director of CHS, Campus Co-lead for COVID response
Education: Elisa received her Masters and PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. She is a licensed psychologist and health care provider in the state of MA. Elisa received her BS in Psychology at the University of PR, Mayaguez.
Role: Elisa now oversees counseling and health services, as well as case management, the PEAR grant, and wellness education. Since spring of 2020 she has co-lead the campus pandemic response to COVID-19. Elisa also co-leads the SSU Care and Concern Team. Elisa also provides consultation to students, families, faculty and staff on issues related to wellness, health and safety.
Interests: Elisa believes that college is a critical time for personal growth, as well as academic achievement. All of us can benefit from attending to our wellness and seeking services or supports when needed. She has focused her career on providing mental health, health and other wellness services to a diverse college population. She has been interested in a public health approach to prevention, as well as a trauma-informed and inclusive approach to interventions.
Fun facts: Elisa lives in Salem, MA with her family. For her own wellness she engages in a weekly yoga practice, and enjoys spending time in nature.
Associate Director of Health Services, Nurse Practitioner
Education: Kalei received her MSN and BSN in Nursing from Regis College and a B.A in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and has completed additional training programs in college health, sexual health, and dermatology. She is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner
What Kalei does at CHS: Management and operations of our administrative, medical billing, medical services, and sexual health programs, clinical, medical student services and appointments, oversight and promotion of health education.
Kalei also does COVID-19 public health liaison and development and management of our COVID19 medical-related operations including testing, vaccination, contact tracing, and quarantine and isolation.
What Kalei is most passionate about in regards to work: “Working closely with students and ensuring our services represent what students want and need to ensure their success here at SSU and beyond is what I am most passionate about in my work here at SSU.”
Fun fact: “When not working, I try to practice what I preach to maintain my own wellness and prioritize being present with my family and friends and meditative type activities such as yoga, knitting, hiking, and gardening!”
Education: Liz received her MSW from Wheelock College in 2011 and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW).
Role at CHS: She oversees the counseling center, including the master's training program. She also oversees prevention, wellness, and case management services. Liz also provides brief therapy and crisis intervention for Salem State students.
Most passionate topic at work: Liz is passionate about working with college students, as well as providing supervision to staff and trainees in order to best serve our SSU students. She specializes in social justice, alcohol and other drug prevention, sex therapy, and college mental health.
Health Staff
Assistant Director of Health Services, Nurse Practitioner
Education: Joan received her MSN from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Role at CHS: Joan oversees immunization compliance and immunization visits. Joan is interested in helping students with medical concerns, health visits or questions in supporting the students' knowledge in relation to their personal health. Joan leads student outreach for programming and flu clinics across campus.
Most passionate topic at work: Joan is passionate about health education in whatever format meets the students' topics and needs. Joan has been at SSU since 2007 and loves being part of the student success to be able to meet their educational goals.
Nurse Practitioner
Education: Cassandra attended Boston College where she earned her MS in Nursing and is certified as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Her undergraduate degree is from Salem State University (go Vikings!), BS in Biology with a concentration in biomedical science and minors in chemistry, physics, and music. She previously worked as a bedside nurse at a nursing and rehabilitation facility. Cassandra has taken specialized courses in sexual health and has experience with quality improvement projects. She is also currently working towards a post-master’s certificate student at the University of Massachusetts Boston to receive her Family Nurse Practitioner license.
Role at CHS: Cassandra sees patients for medical visits, assists with Covid-19 testing and protocols, assists with contact tracing, creates some of the health promotion posts for our Instagram (@salemstatewellness), and does tabling and campaigning on campus.
Most passionate about at work: “I love helping students feel comfortable and like they belong here at CHS. I want students to leave feeling like they were heard and the health decisions made during their appointment were a group effort between the two of us.”
Fun Fact: I can play five instruments and I have a Yorkie named Rocky. I would also love to see a picture of your pet during appointments!
Nurse Practitioner
Education: Karen earned her BSN degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She went to the University of Connecticut for her MSN degree. She has worked at many college health centers over the course of her career, and thinks CHS at Salem State University has the best students and staff!
What Karen does at CHS: Karen sees students for all types of medical visits at CHS.
What Karen is most passionate about in regards to work: “As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I have expertise in all aspects of providing care, but my specialty and what brings me the greatest joy is providing reproductive health. If you need to talk about sex, please make an appointment. I look forward to meeting you”
Supervising Physician
Education: Dr. Beaulieu attended Salem State University for his undergraduate degree, and then attended the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for his MD.
Role at CHS: Dr. Beaulieu is the supervising physician of health services and has worked at SSU since 1990. His professional specialty is internal medicine.
Education: Chantal received her MSN and BSN from Northeastern University. She earned her undergraduate degree from Western New England University (BA in Psychology). She is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She has experience in emergency and urgent care settings.
Role at CHS: Chantal oversees the COVID surveillance testing site where students and staff have access to COVID testing. She additionally manages and helps train new staff working at the testing site. Chantal also sees patients in our office for medical visits.
Most passionate topic at work: Chantal is most passionate about providing patient education and providing preventative care.
Fun fact: When not at work, Chantal enjoys gardening, cooking, bad reality TV shows, loves animals, and spending time with her son and husband.
Patty Wheeler Shea, PMHNP-BC, ANP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Education: Patty holds dual board certification as both a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Nurse Practitioner. She has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from University of Massachusetts/Lowell, a Master of Science in Nursing from Simmons University, and a PMHNP Post Master’s certificate from University of Massachusetts/Amherst.
Role at CHS: Recognizing the prevalence of mental illness and the impact that mental illness can have on one’s life, Patty is dedicated to providing mental health care to patients of all backgrounds and identities and is a proud LGBTQ+ ally. Maintaining a compassionate, non-judgemental approach to healthcare is of the utmost importance to Patty. Her extensive experience as an Adult Nurse Practitioner offers an in-depth understanding of the relationship between medical and psychiatric illnesses. Patty’s clinical practice includes psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment that is tailored to each unique individual. She believes in the importance of an integrative mind-body approach to provide clients with holistic, personalized care to address both their mental and physical health needs with the goal of improving the quality of their life. Her approach is collaborative, and she finds it important to work with your primary care provider, therapist, and other treatment providers as a team.
Practice areas include:
- Psychopharmacology/Medication Management
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Depression
- Mood Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Substance Use Disorders
- Pharmacogenetic Testing
Counseling Staff
Education: Christine received her PhD from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio
Role at CHS: Starting at CHS as the training director, she continued to forward the mission of the counseling center: to provide and train future counselors in trauma-informed, culturally-responsive care. She currently sees students for counseling and has also taught in SSU’s counseling psychology program.
Most passionate topic at work: Christine’s work is informed by her experience in grassroots rape crisis work, commitment to equity in economics and health care, and mission to help students with persistent mental health issues obtain their degrees. Her approach focuses on a non-judgmental and open approach to exploring what brings a person to counseling, and interventions which fit a person’s clinical needs, values, and worldview.
Fun Fact: When she is not counseling, she is probably cooking or gaming.
Education: Jori received a BA in Psychology from UNH in 2003 and has been working in the mental health field ever since. In 2013, Jori received his Masters's degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco, CA, and began working as a counselor at Salem State in 2017.
Role at CHS: Jori strives to approach counseling with a compassionate and non-judgmental attitude, empowering students to take the lead on where they would like to focus and what changes they wish to make in their lives. Jori offers a holistic, collaborative, culturally-attuned, and trauma-sensitive approach to supporting mental health and well-being.
Education: B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration, M.Ed. in Higher Ed., MSW - focus in Health/ Mental Health
Role at CHS: Jay provides brief treatment and crisis intervention for Salem State students. He also works to support initiatives that aim to foster the psychosocial-cultural wellbeing of students from diverse backgrounds.
Most passionate topic at work: Jay is passionate about anything surrounding identity, wellness, or empowerment.
Education: BSW from Wheelock College in 2012. MSW from Boston College in 2014. Licensed social worker in the state of Mass in 2015.
Role at CHS: Rachael is providing brief therapy and crisis intervention to SSU students at CHS.
Most passionate topic at work: Rachael has always believed that education is a powerful tool. This belief has led her to focus her counseling career in and around academic settings. From elementary school to college age students, she has found the most joy and fulfillment in supporting student and learners of all ages in meeting their goals.
Fun fact: Rachael is a proud dog mom who loves to cook and especially loves to eat!
Role at CHS: Lucianne provides brief treatment and crisis intervention for Salem State students. She also works to support initiatives that aim to foster the psychosocial-cultural wellbeing of students from diverse backgrounds.
Most passionate topic at work: "Through my career, I saw the need for Spanish Speaking/Latinx mental health providers. As a Latina, as a woman of color, I understand that representation matters. I continue to work towards educating myself in cultural diversity and inclusion to offer the communities I serve a safe space to be their authentic selves within the therapeutic room. What drives my practice is not only destigmatizing but also decolonizing the world of mental health and making it more accessible in communities of color."
Fun Fact: I am learning to play the drums, I love most animals, and I consider pizza an important food group.
Education: Melissa Campbell received their MSW from Salem State University in 2022 and is awaiting LCSW certification in Massachusetts. They completed a BA in Cultural and Media Studies at the New School in 2011.
Role at CHS: Melissa provides brief counseling and crisis intervention for Salem State students, and works with the Center for Justice and Liberation to support LGBTQIA+ students on campus.
Most passionate topic at work: Melissa has a background in feminist organizing, advocacy, and activism, and has worked extensively at the intersection of adolescent wellbeing and hypermediated hypercapitalism. Their goal at Salem State, and in the world, is to work alongside adolescents and young adults in order to shift social, emotional, and political consciousness for the benefit of all beings.
Bridget Austin, Counseling Intern
Education: Graduated with a BS from Merrimack College in 2021. Continued her education at Merrimack College and is currently studying to receive her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Role at CHS: Counseling intern providing brief therapy to SSU students at CHS.
Belinda Miranda, Counseling Intern
Education: Belinda is completing her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Merrimack College. Belinda received her BS in Psychology from SSU.
Role: Belinda is a counseling Intern in CHS. She provides same-day appointments and ongoing appointments for students at SSU.
Fun Fact: Belinda often travels out of the country to Guatemala when on vacation.
Administrative Staff
Education: Melissa received her Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from Monroe College in New York. She has a background in healthcare ranging from medical centers such as Partners HealthCare and Spaulding Hospital.
Role at CHS: Melissa oversees patient scheduling, data entry and provides excellent customer service to students, staff and faculty
Most passionate topic at work: “I aim to treat all with respect and I’m an active participant on campus. I value the role of healthcare in the lives of all college students.”
Fun Fact: “I love to eat, but hate cooking!”
Education: Sheila studied Paralegal Studies at Marian Court College. She has a strong background in medical healthcare with experience working at Lynn Community Health Center. In addition to working at CHS, she also works at Spaulding and has been there for nine years.
Role at CHS: Sheila greets students and staff upon entering CHS, she schedules appointments, assists with administrative office tasks, patient phone calls, and triage.
Most passionate topic at work: Sheila aims to help students and staff in any way possible.
Fun Fact: “I wear a lot of cardigans!”
Education: Cecile is a medical billing specialist with over 20- years of medical billing and coding experience.
Role at CHS: Cecile helps to verify insurance coverage for our students, obtain necessary referrals for visits, and submit all visit documentation to insurance companies and billing.
Wellness, Prevention, and Case Management
LICSW, Assistant Director, Student Wellness, Prevention, and Case Management
Education: Jessica has her master of social work from Boston College and is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts.
Role at CHS: Jessica oversees the PEAR Program and student wellness case management services to provide advocacy, support, and resources to Salem State students who have experienced interpersonal violence, mental or physical health concerns, food/housing insecurity, and other disruptive life events. She is passionate about using a trauma-informed approach to support students. She also helps coordinate prevention and wellness efforts on campus.
Fun Fact: Jessica loves podcasts and comedy shows.
LICSW, Pear Advocate
Education: Kristen earned her MSW from Boston College. Kristen has worked as a clinical social worker with children, adolescents, and young adults specializing in trauma-based therapy in Salem and the North Shore area. She is also a certified trauma-based yoga instructor.
Role at PEAR: Kristen provides advocacy and support services to Salem State students who have experienced sexual assault, domestic and relationship violence, and/or stalking. She uses an empowerment-based model and is passionate about supporting students wherever they are in their healing process. She also teaches Yoga for Healing classes for Salem State Students who have experienced sexual assault, domestic and relationship violence, and/or stalking.
Education: Leighton graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from Framingham State University where they were very involved in their campus community acting as an Administrative Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, and Alternative Spring Break Leader. They are currently pursuing their master’s degree in social work through Salem State University.
Role at CHS: Leighton Jones is the PEAR Project Coordinator and Prevention Educator. Before acting in their current position, they worked in the behavioral health field with disabled children and adults.
Fun fact: They are excited to provide support and education for the students, faculty, and staff with which they share a campus community.
Education: Susan received her Master’s in Health and Wellness Management from Merrimack College.
Role at CHS: Susan aids Salem State students as they navigate, learn about, and connect with appropriate support resources both on and off campus. She focuses much of her time on students facing housing and food insecurities and works to better meet the basic needs of these Salem State students. Susan also manages the Salem State food pantry and collaborates with various organizations on and off campus to provide food to students in need, increase understanding of support systems in place to aid students in need, raise awareness about food insecurity, and help stop hunger on our campus.
Amy Schram, Student Wellness Case Management Intern
Hollis Helton, Student Wellness Case Management Intern
Kathleen McDonald, Student Wellness Case Management Intern
Education: Denice earned her Bachelors of Science in Sociology with a minor in Computer Science from Salem State University.
Role: Denice is a Student Wellness Case Manager and Multicultural Specialist. She assists in ensuring Salem State students of diverse communities have equitable access to resources as well as promotes personal wellbeing. She is also responsible for providing wellness and prevention education, centered on the experience of marginalized students, with a focus on mental health awareness, campus resources, and suicide, substance abuse, and relationship violence prevention.
Fun fact: When she is not working, she is either painting, meditating, or exploring new nature spots!
Public Health Team
Education: Annie graduated from Tulane University in 2020 where she studied public health, art history, and Spanish. Annie has been working with us for 2+ years.
Role at CHS: Annie is the Public Health Educator and Outreach Coordinator. She helps manage the COVID response on campus by coordinating with CHS, residence life, dining, and the local board of health for students impacted by COVID. Annie also works with work-study students to promote the various wellness programs offered within CHS.
Most passionate topic at work: Annie chose to work in public health because she has studied the importance of disease prevention and knows how valuable public health tools can be to keep a community healthy and happy. She is excited to be working with Salem State University to protect students, faculty, staff, and the Salem community.”