SOUTHPORT EATING DISORDER PROGRAM

Amy Patnode, MS (She/Her)

Amy graduated from the University of New Haven with bachelor’s in Legal Studies and History which lead her on to receive her Master’s in Education at the University of Bridgeport. Amy’s combined passions of learning and teaching others provided her an opportunity to fulfill the Teacher and Counselor dual role at Center for Discovery. Throughout her experience with Center for Discovery, Amy has progressed from a Milieu Manager, Northeast CPI trainer, and now in her current position as Executive Director of Southport. Her goal is to continue to mentor, support, and encourage the growth of all of the Southport team and patients that she comes in contact with.

Alexandria D’Aurio

Alexandria D’Aurio has received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Long Island University as well as her Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling with a Graduate level certification in Laban Movement Analysis from Columbia College Chicago. Alex’s passion for movement and mental health began in high school and continued with her through her undergraduate studies eventually leading her to combine her two passions in her Master’s studies. Alex has a background working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and group settings with substance abuse, developmental disabilities, autism, and behavioral and emotional difficulties. Alex is excited about bringing a movement based approach to her work here at Center for Discovery.

Sara Levine, MD, MPH, FAAP

Dr. Levine is board-certified in both general pediatrics and adolescent medicine.  She graduated from Yale University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency and adolescent medicine fellowship at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.  Dr. Levine is in private practice at Greenwich Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, and she has been a medical consultant to Center for Discovery since 2012.

Dr. Ilana Karpenos, MD

Dr. Ilana Karpenos graduated from Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/ SUNY Downstate, a 7 year BS/MD program. She completed her training in pediatrics, psychiatry and child psychiatry at North Shore University Hospital and NY Presbyterian Hospital.

She has been in private practice in Westport for the past 20 years and has worked with CFD since 2012.
In addition, Dr. Karpenos has worked with IOPs as well consulted for multiple school districts in Fairfield County.
She’s board-certified in adult psychiatry and neurology as well as child and adolescent psychiatry.

Logan McKechnie

Logan McKechnie received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Sacred Heart University along with her master’s degree in social work also from Sacred Heart University. Logan was previously a counselor for a few years at Center For Discovery before becoming a therapist. Logan has a background in working with both children, adolescents, and adults in school, hospital, and private practice settings. Logan is excited to continue her work at Center For Discovery and pursue her passion of working with adolescents in recovery.

Colleen Armitage, LCSW

Ellen Grossman-Kase RN, BSN

Ellen joined our team as the Director of Nursing Services. She has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings, including emergency and critical care, as both a clinician and administrator. Throughout her professional career she has practiced a holistic approach to patient care with emphasis on the mind and body connection. She assesses well-being through observation, communication and assessment of vital signs, laboratory results and responses to medical treatment. In her down time, she enjoys her family, skiing, hiking and knitting.

Melissa Weaver M.A. LPCA

Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacred Heart University along with her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Fairfield University. Melissa was previously a counselor for a few years at Center for Discovery before becoming a therapist. Melissa has a background working with children, adolescents and adults in individual and group settings with substance abuse, developmental disabilities, autism and behavioral and emotional difficulties. Melissa is excited to continue her work at Center for Discovery and pursue her passion of working with adolescents in recovery.

Artemia Martinez

Artemia joined Center for Discovery’s Southport team in March 2021 as the Education Liaison and Counselor. She brings patience, compassion, and a holistic perspective to her role as counselor, as well as years of experience working in an educational environment as a teacher and tutor.

Artemia graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. This led her into the field of human services before returning to Western to receive a Bachelor’s in Health Promotion, with a concentration in Holistic and Integrative Health. This degree allowed Artemia to broaden her knowledge on whole-body wellness and develop an in-depth understanding of reconnecting the mind, body, and spirit through various modalities such as yoga, meditation, and energy healing. Artemia has experience working with preschool and school age children, as well as adults with developmental disabilities, helping to promote cognitive development and social skills. She is a certified Reiki Master Teacher, and plans to continue her education and obtain her Master’s in Health Administration.

Delia McCoy

Delia received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Connecticut State University along with her master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut. Delia began as a Counselor ll at Center for Discovery in 2018. Prior to this, Delia worked as a Youth Advocate and Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator in the community of Norwalk, CT. Delia has experience working on a community level as well as direct care level with children, adolescents, and adults. Delia is excited to continue her work at Center for Discovery in the role as Lead Counselor and continue to gain experience working with adolescents and families.

Dr. Marcie Schneider, MD, FAAP, FSAHM

Dr. Schneider graduated from Brown University, and attended medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her residency was in Pediatrics at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, followed by a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine was at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. She remained at North Shore for a total of 13 years and during that time became Associate Chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Medical Director for the Eating Disorders Day Program. She was recruited by Greenwich Hospital to start an Adolescent Program, which ran from June 1999 through June of 2005. Since July 2005, she has been in full time private practice of adolescent medicine. Additionally, since 2012 she has served as medical consultant for Center for Discovery’s Fairfield county adolescent and young adult residential facilities. Dr. Schneider is board certified in Pediatrics and in the subspecialty of Adolescent Medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. She has served on the board of directors of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, and was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition from 2005 – 2011. She was has served on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Adolescent Health November since 2013.