Meet Our Clinicians

Elliot Hong, M.D.

Director, Psychiatrist

Elliot Hong, M.D.

Director, Psychiatrist

Dr. Hong is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. He serves as Chief of the MPRC Neuroimaging Research Program, and is the Director of the University of Maryland Center for Brain Imaging Research. Dr. Hong earned his medical degree from Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences in Guangzhou, China and received residency training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine from 1998-2003 and has been working in the clinic since 1999.

Frances
Schoonover, M.D.

Psychiatrist

Frances Schoonover, M.D.

Psychiatrist

Dr. Schoonover is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine along with a Research Fellowship in Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1992 and has been on the faculty almost continuously since then. Special interests include teaching and supervising medical students and residents, treating pregnant and nursing mothers, community psychiatry, and chronic mental illness.

Josh
Chiappelli, M.D.

Psychiatrist

Josh Chiappelli, M.D.

Psychiatrist

Dr. Chiappelli is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry with the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. He earned his M.D. from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2008 and completed his psychiatry residency training with the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Hospital program in 2012. His hobbies include gardening and painting.

Beth
Steger, LCSW-C

Lead Counselor

Beth Steger, LCSW-C

Lead Counselor

Beth is a licensed clinical social worker and an approved clinical supervisor in the state of Maryland who graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s in social work from the University of MD, Baltimore. She came to MPRC in 2005 and currently has 12+ years of experience in direct clinical practice and research specializing in schizophrenia. Beth believes in an integrative approach, drawing upon various theories of psychotherapy to best meet the needs of each individual and where they are at any given time. Personal interests include yoga, travel, and anything that involves her golden retriever.

Caroline
Silva, LCPC

Senior Counselor

Caroline Silva, LCPC

Senior Counselor

Caroline graduated with a BA from Goucher College and went on to complete her Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Maryland in 1994. She is an approved clinical supervisor and has 20 years of clinical experience working in multiple settings, both inpatient and outpatient. She has extensive experience working in palliative care and oncology and has taught medical students, nursing students, and social work students for 10 years.

Judy Liu, RN, MS.

Counselor, Nurse

Judy Liu, RN, MS.

Counselor, Nurse

Judy earned her M.S. degree from the University of Maryland, School of Nursing, and graduated from the Psychiatric Nursing Department. In her time at UMB, she specialized in adult psychiatric patient care. Judy has been a member of our clinic since 1998. She enjoys spending time with her family when she is not working.

Kavita
Thangavelu, LCSW-C

Counselor

Kavita Thangavelu, LCSW-C

Counselor

Kavita is a licensed social worker who graduated with her MSW from the University of MD, Baltimore. She is also a certified phlebotomist conducting laboratory work. She has over 5 years of research experience including coordinating research protocols, managing teams of research staff for protocol implementation, and quality assurance of data collection. She has experience in implementing structured clinical assessments, neuropsychological battery testing, and other exercises to be used for research & clinic purposes. She has direct clinical experience providing therapy & case management for patients in the First Episode Clinic.

Krissa
Jackson, LGPC

Counselor

Krissa Jackson LGPC

Counselor

Krissa is a licensed graduate professional counselor, who earned her M.A. degree in clinical psychology from Towson University with a focus on severe psychopathology and psychosis. Prior to obtaining her graduate degree, she worked in the medical field for greater than 20-years, a portion of which was spent in clinical research. Krissa has experience working in community mental health as a child, adolescent, and adult therapist, as well as inpatient settings as an occupational therapy assistant. Understanding the importance of healthy work-life balance, Krissa spends her time outside of the clinic gardening, hiking, running, camping, backpacking, skiing, and crabbing, as well as enjoying leisure time with family and friends.

Krista
Wisner, Ph.D.

PostDoc

Krista Wisner, Ph.D.

PostDoc

Dr. Wisner began working at the clinic in 2017. She previously earned her Ph.D in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota and completed her clinical internship at the University of Maryland/Baltimore VAMC Consortium, where she did rotations in serious mental illness and post traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Wisner has training in assessment and psychotherapy with an emphasis on cognitive and behavior based therapies and motivational interviewing. Dr. Wisner is also engaged in behavior and neuroimaging studies at MPRC. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and reading.

Zachary
Millman

Psychology Extern

Zachary Millman

Psychology Extern

Zak earned his BA in psychology and neuroscience from the University of Colorado, and his MA in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Currently, he is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at UMBC, where his clinical and research activities focus on adolescents and young adults experiencing significant mental health concerns. Prior to joining the clinic in 2017, Zak worked at the University of Maryland's School Mental Health Program and the Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital's outpatient clinic. Zak enjoys backpacking, seeing live music, and spending time with friends.

Samantha
Lightner, BA

Employment and Education Specialist

Samantha Lightner, BA

Employment and Education Specialist

Sam earned her B.A. in psychology from Penn State University and joined the clinical team in June of 2014. She is the clinic's first in-house IPS (Individual Placement & Support) Specialist, offering up assistance to the patients' vocational and educational needs. Before joining the clinic, Sam worked in a variety of work environments within the corporate/business setting. Sam will collaborate with the clinical team to provide support in all phases of the vocational and educational process for her clients. In her spare time, Sam spends time with her husband and friends and traveling to PA to visit her family. Sam is an avid football fan and looks forward every year to the start of football season!

Meet Our Clinicians

Elliot Hong, M.D.

Elliot Hong, M.D.

Frances Schoonover, M.D.

Frances Schoonover, M.D.

Josh Chiappelli, M.D.

Josh Chiappelli, M.D.

Beth Steger, LCSW-C

Beth Steger, LCSW-C

Caroline Silva, LCPC

Caroline Silva, LCPC

Judy Liu, RN, MS.

Judy Liu, RN, MS.

Kavita Thangavelu, LCSW-C

Kavita Thangavelu, LCSW-C

Krissa Jackson, LGPC

Krissa Jackson LGPC

Krista Wisner, Ph.D.

Krista Wisner, Ph.D.

Zachary Millman

Zachary Millman

Samantha Lightner, BA

Samantha Lightner, BA

Frances
Schoonover, M.D.

Josh
Chiappelli, M.D.

Beth
Steger, LCSW-C

Caroline
Silva, LCPC

Kavita
Thangavelu, LCSW-C

Krissa
Jackson, LGPC

Krista
Wisner, Ph.D.

Zachary
Millman

Samantha
Lightner, BA