Neuropsychiatrist
Dr. Cherish Smith is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and eligible Neuropsychiatrist with 5 plus years’ experience of diagnosing and treating a variety of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric conditions. Dr. Smith earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Xavier University School of Medicine in Oranjestad. She completed a fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Her training includes expertise in cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s Dementia, and pre-DBS psychiatric evaluations. At the Memory Care center she evaluates, diagnoses and manages an array of cognitive disorders.
Interests: working to uncover complex cognitive disorders and managing difficult psychotic and mood disorders.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Stephen is one of the nurse practitioners at the Memory Care Center. Stephen received his Master’s in Nursing from the Yale School of Nursing in 2019. Stephen is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and, immediately following the completion of his graduate nursing education, completed a post-graduate nurse practitioner fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the Institute of Living. Stephen works primarily with older adults who have already been diagnosed with neurodegenerative illnesses that impact thinking and functioning. In clinical practice, Stephen emphasizes education and patient-practitioner collaboration to inform treatment decision-making. Stephen is especially attentive to and interested in the appropriate use of medications to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis and, as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), educating care partners of individuals with progressive cognitive illnesses on the use of non-medication approaches to managing BPSD.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Lucia (Lucy) Samulis is a Nurse Practitioner at the Memory Care Center. Prior to joining The Memory Care Center in October 2023, Lucy worked at The Hospital of Central Ct and Aetna, where she found an interest in post-traumatic stress disorder, neurological changes, care partner fatigue and related psychiatric care. Her educational background includes a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the University of Saint Joseph, a master’s degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Hartford, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Saint Joseph and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Maine. She completed her Nurse Practitioner practicum at the Middlesex Hospital Emergency Room, Paragon Behavioral Health, and Manchester Pediatric Associates. Lucy enjoys working with a patient-centered, holistic approach to medicine that considers the patient’s physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Interests: Neurocognitive Disorders, Care Partner Fatigue, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Military Veteran Care and Holistic Medicine Approach.
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Dr. Rice is a Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Memory Care Center. She completed her doctoral internship at Northwell Health – Staten Island University Hospital and earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Dr. Rice works primarily with older adults with thinking and memory problems, usually causing concern for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. She also has experience conducting neuropsychological evaluations of refugees, neuro-oncology patients, and individuals with multiple sclerosis. Her clinical interests also include cognitive-behavioral interventions for persons with cognitive impairment and for caregivers of those with dementia. In addition, Dr. Rice is interested in, and dedicated to, eliminating the racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, especially for older adults.
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Ashley Schoener is a Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Memory Care Center. She completed her graduate education at the University of North Dakota and Ball State University, where she received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, respectively. Her specialized neuropsychology training includes a Predoctoral Neuropsychology Internship at Maine VA Healthcare System and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology at Geisinger Health System.
Dr. Schoener has worked with a wide range of patients presenting with concerns for thinking skills and brain health across the lifespan, but much of her recent experience has been with older adults and those concerned about changes to thinking related to neurodegenerative or neurological disorders. Dr. Schoener acknowledges the various factors that contribute to one’s overall health, including those occurring at the individual level, within the family system, and as a result of larger institutions. She is passionate about her work, takes an individualized approach for each patient based on their specific needs, and believes optimal patient care involves promoting individual strengths even in the process of diagnosis.
Neuropsychological evaluations are Dr. Schoener’s primary area of professional practice, but she has also provided individual psychotherapy, facilitated mindfulness group interventions, and offered cognitive skills training to patients in the past. She attempts to integrate these skills into all aspects of her work.
Adrianna Tyc, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker
Adrianna Tyc is the licensed clinical social worker at the Memory Care Center. Her role at the clinic is to offer support to individuals living with neurocognitive disorders and their care teams. Adrianna works with individuals, families, and groups to offer education and support in ways that most effectively meet a patient’s needs. Adrianna favors a strengths-based, collaborative approach to identify existing strengths and assets by seeing the person as an individual with strengths and abilities, not solely who they are by nature of their diagnosis.
Adrianna’s educational background includes a master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Central Connecticut State University.
Jennifer Cruz, RN
Registered Nurse
Damaris Sanchez
Office Manager
860.545.7550
Fax: 860.545.7180