Office Manager, Administrative Assistant [Honorific: Ms. | Pronouns: she/her/hers]
Allison is the office manager and administrative assistant in the Student Health & Wellness Center. She has more than 10 years of experience in healthcare settings and even more in office management. She also works at the Anne Arundel Medical Center emergency room as a patient care secretary. Allison enjoys working with the college-age population and guiding them to independence with their healthcare management. Allison has a BA degree in criminology from the University of Maryland.
Ms. Allison Achenback can be contacted directly at allison.achenback(at)sjc.edu.
Director of Student Health Services [Honorific: Ms. | Pronouns: she/her/hers]
Nancy is a board-certified nurse practitioner with more than 40 years of medical experience and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland, and the Maryland Academy of Advance Practice Clinicians. Nancy earned a BA degree (biology and chemistry) and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree before earning a master of science in nursing from Bowie State University. Nancy has a wide range of experience in many areas of healthcare, including internal medicine and surgery, and began her career as a research biologist at the University of Pennsylvania. Nancy practices with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine, and her practice is always guided by being first and foremost a patient advocate.
Ms. Nancy Calabrese can be contacted directly at nancy.calabrese(at)sjc.edu.
Senior Staff Clinician & Administrative Lead [Honorific: Dr. | Pronouns: she/her/hers]
Dr. Lopez is a licensed clinical psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) who has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years across inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, partial hospitalization, crisis intervention, and hardware- and staff-secure residential placements. She has served in mid- and senior-level management positions and has provided clinical supervision to a variety of clinicians. She earned her doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) degree from Immaculata University, an APA-accredited doctoral program, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Dr. Lopez specializes in child and adolescent/young adult psychotherapy, as well as comprehensive psychological assessment. In therapy, she works in a compassionate, non-judgmental style and is committed to creating a safe place for all clients to explore difficulties, develop insight, and improve emotional and overall well-being. Treatment is individualized and guided by each client’s needs.
Dr. Heather Lopez is the administrative lead in the SJC Counseling Center and can be contacted directly at heather.lopez(at)sjc.edu.
Senior Staff Clinician [Honorific: Mr. | Pronouns: he/him/his]
Rich is a licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C) with over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field. He has worked with diverse populations within outpatient mental health, child welfare, and primary care settings. He has specialized in working with children and youth who have experienced significant trauma. He earned his Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has also completed considerable training in the realms of trauma and resilience, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In therapy, Rich believes it is essential to develop supportive relationships built on safety, trust, and collaboration. He takes a curious and accepting stance to unpack challenges, identify strengths, and enhance resources in his clients. He employs a variety of techniques to help clients meet their goals (e.g., creative arts, music, mindfulness, and talk therapy). He utilizes the three prongs of past, present, and future to help guide treatment and promote wellness through the processing of past adverse events, maintaining balance in the present, and feeling hopeful about the future.
Mr. Richard Doyle can be contacted directly at richard.doyle(at)sjc.edu.
Senior Staff Clinician [Honorific: Ms. | Pronouns: she/her/hers]
Amelia is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) and Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (C-DBT) with over 10 years’ experience working with individuals in school-based settings, health care facilities, and mental health clinics. Amelia’s previous career as a special educator further informs her practice by giving her keen insight into the intricacies of the education system. Amelia is particularly drawn to supporting individuals who are struggling to balance academic and emotional needs. Amelia completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Maryland, and she completed post-masters training in varying therapeutic modalities, including DBT, Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Using a strengths-based approach, Amelia meets her clients where they are; she helps them explore and access present coping skills, as well as discover new and manageable tools that can bring about positive change. Amelia also brings the four cornerstone skills of DBT (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness) into sessions. Whether clients are looking for support in navigating life’s challenges or looking to strengthen their overall mental and emotional wellness, Amelia can help.
Chief, Psychiatric Services [Honorific: Dr. | Pronouns: he/him/his]
Dr. Heffernan is a double board-certified psychiatrist with more than ten years of experience in the field. Dr. Heffernan earned his bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and his doctorate from Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his med-psych internship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and psychiatry residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Heffernan has completed two fellowships for specialty training in psychosomatic medicine and treatment-refractory mood disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital, respectively. He opened his private practice in Annapolis in 2015, where he provides psychotherapy and psychopharmacology services. He also maintains an Assistant Professor appointment in the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry. His clinical expertise is in the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders and the psychiatric care of people with chronic medical illnesses.
Dr. Heffernan can be contacted directly at sean.heffernan(at)sjc.edu.
Associate Director of Student Health Services [Honorific: Ms. | Pronouns: she/her/hers]
Lynda is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and has served as associate director of St. John’s College Student Health Services since 2009. Lynda has extensive experience working in neurology, women’s health, medical-surgical, medical research, and palliative care settings. She began her career at the National Institutes of Health and later worked at a U.S. military hospital overseas, in a rural Florida hospice practice, at Georgetown University with rotations to Whitman-Walker clinic, and in a regional walk-in clinic. Lynda earned a bachelor of science in nursing from West Virginia University and a master of science in nursing from Georgetown University. Lynda is passionate about taking a holistic approach to medical care that accounts for the full range of factors affecting her patients’ health, and empowers her patients to understand and take charge of their health and well-being.
Ms. Turner can be contacted directly at lynda.turner(at)sjc.edu.
