Meet the CHWS Team

Medical Director/Associate Director

(she/her)

Libby graduated from her nursing program at the University of Michigan in 2002 then worked as an ICU nurse in NYC before completing her nurse practitioner program at the University of Washington in 2005. As a family nurse practitioner, she has worked in urban and rural settings caring for people throughout the lifespan. She volunteered and practiced medicine in Thailand for 2 years with the Akha hill tribe people. There she fell in love with the culture and people, studied the language, and enjoyed the rich culture (and food!) of the hill tribe and Thai people. Over the past 10+ years, she has found the joy of working with college students, encouraging personal growth and self-care during these formative years. Body positivity, gender alignment, and health advocacy are core values in Libby's practice as well as promoting natural medicine and empowering students to make healthy lifestyle choices. Libby loves the outdoors, enjoys cold water swimming and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys time in her garden and saving seeds to plant for next year.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

(she/her)

Amy became a nurse in 2006 and worked in immunization research while continuing in school to become a nurse practitioner. Since then she has worked at Seattle Children's Hospital in several roles before starting at University of Puget Sound in the Fall of 2023. Initially she worked in a hospital setting and after a few years transitioned to working in a pediatric community health clinic and a school based health center in a high school in Seattle. She enjoys working with people of all ages and in particular loves working with adolescents and young adults. She values working with people to help them achieve their health goals and empowering them to make healthy lifestyle choices. Amy's interests include but are not limited to: the connection between physical and mental health, promotion of self-care, reproductive and sexual health, and gender affirming care. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, exploring the beauty of the PNW with her family, listening to music, and exploring new restaurants.

Doctoral Intern

(He/Him)
 
Brandon is a new doctoral intern joining the team from Los Angeles. He has experience working with students navigating concerns related to identity exploration, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC identities, masculinity, athletics, body image, first-generation experiences, anxiety, and depression. His approach is collaborative, supportive, and grounded in creating an inclusive, judgment-free environment where students feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves. Brandon strives to meet students where they are and recognizes that each person's experiences are shaped by their unique identities, relationships, and environments. His goal is to collaborate with students as they navigate life's challenges, develop greater self-awareness, build confidence, and work toward meaningful personal growth. While Brandon drove all the way from Los Angeles to begin his internship, he is originally from Michigan.

Wellness Education & Prevention Specialist

(she/her)

Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Arizona, a masters of arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a bachelor of science in nursing from Northern Arizona University. She has taught students in the Tucson Unified School District, at Pima Community College, the University of Oregon, Qatar University, and Northern Arizona University. After a fun and rewarding decade or so of teaching, she returned to school to become a registered nurse. Locally, she worked at St. Joseph’s Medical Center prior to beginning her work at CHWS in November of 2020.  When she’s not at work, you might see her around the campus walking her two sweet rescue pups, Bernie and Flo!

Pre-Doctoral Intern

(She/Her)

Kjersten is a doctoral pre-intern obtaining her PsyD degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Seattle. Kjersten holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Concordia University in Portland, OR. Kjersten has previous work experience as a case manager in Pierce County, as a toddler teacher, a crisis interventionist, and working with both civilly and forensically committed individuals in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Kjersten draws from Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, Motivational Interviewing, and somatic techniques to focus on solution-centered therapy. In her spare time, Kjersten enjoys watching movies, cooking with no recipes, and going to Mariner's games.

Pre-Doctoral Intern

(she/her)

Elizabeth is a pre-doctoral intern pursuing her PsyD in Counseling Psychology at Northwest University. Prior to entering her graduate program, she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Brigham Young University- Idaho, where she worked as a researcher for a creative agency and on various university projects. In her clinical work, Elizabeth takes a holistic and collaborative approach. She enjoys learning about the intricacies of clients' lives and working with them to develop creative solutions. She is passionate about supporting university students as they navigate major life changes and draws from evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT). Outside of the office, Elizabeth enjoys playing volleyball, pickleball, and tennis, as well as watercolor painting and spending time with her cats. 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

(she/her)

Alixandra Fenton is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) certified through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Alixandra earned a BS in Food Science and Nutrition from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo while competing on the Division 1 Women’s Soccer team. She completed her post-graduate Dietetic Internship at Central Washington University. With 15 years of experience in the nutrition field, Alixandra is committed to providing her clients with scientific based nutrition information that educates and empowers them to properly fuel their bodies. She meets her clients where they are at in their nutrition and fitness journey and provides them with the tools necessary to make impactful changes to achieve health goals. With her strong background in sports and athletics, she is passionate about living an active lifestyle and motivating those around her to find joy in movement. She is a busy mom of two young girls, but loves finding time to play pickleball, take their yellow lab on long walks, read, and experiment in the kitchen.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

(she/her/hers)

Sarah graduated from Seattle University with her Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 2012. She worked in hospital nursing for a number of years at the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins. She then decided she wanted to work on preventing so many of the health conditions that she encountered in the hospital setting, so she obtained her Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. After working in infection control for a handful of years she decided to go back to school to become a family nurse practitioner to work one on one with patients. She graduated from the University of Portland in 2022 and practiced in family medicine before taking this opportunity in campus health at the University of Puget Sound. She is excited to use both her public health and clinical skills to care for students and the campus community. Her care philosophy focuses on partnering with patients and communities to meet their health goals. She wants to provide health education to empower her patients to make their own health decisions. Lastly, she wants to honor each of her patient's unique life experiences and individualize their care accordingly. When Sarah is not at work, she enjoys time outside in the beautiful PNW, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Bookkeeper & Medical Record Specialist 

(she/her)

Pam started work in the medical field providing emergency care as one of a handful of the first female paramedics in Los Angeles County. The work was exciting and rewarding and she is thankful for the opportunity to have served others in their emergent need during the early years of the paramedic program. Since that time, she has moved over to the administrative side of healthcare with decades of experience including a physician office, a small, rural hospital and a large, urban hospital. Upon her recent move to the beautiful PNW, her passion for assisting others has taken on a new capacity in a rewarding position at CHWS and also as a volunteer for the Point Defiance Park program. She appreciates the energy of the students here on campus, and looks forward to the years ahead. She hopes to see you on the trails! 

Outreach & Prevention Coordinator

(she/her)

Michaelea (pronounced Ma-shay-la) Lemons graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Psychology. After graduating, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the United Way of Pierce County. There she found her passion for working in education and with youth. This led her to working in several outreach and education roles in the Tacoma and Pierce County area for the last ten years. She has volunteered in various organizations around Tacoma, including Leaders in Women's Health, Hilltop Action Coalition, and the City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission. She recently returned to the US after spending two years in Northern Japan working as an Assistant Language Teacher in the JET Program. During her time in Japan, she also served on the board of two organizations, working to strengthen relationships amongst foreigners and the Japanese Community. Michealea is excited to be back in Tacoma and is looking forward to working with Puget Sound students. When she isn't out in the community, she is watching anime,spending time with her friends, or finding new hobbies to enjoy!

Licensed Psychologist & Intercultural Engagement Specialist

(she/her)

Megan Martinez is a former doctoral intern at CHWS. After working at a private practice in Colorado for a few years post internship, she is excited to return to CHWS in the role of Prevention Specialist. Megan completed her doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a minor in Statistics and Research at the University of Northern Colorado. The majority of Megan's counseling experience has been in college counseling centers and private practice settings, working with individuals who are dealing with a wide range of concerns. Megan's clinical interests are varied. She enjoys working with students who are struggling with interpersonal relationships, identity development, first-generation college students, and individuals who are struggling with disordered eating or body image concerns. Megan utilizes an integrated theoretical approach, often using Interpersonal Process Therapy (IPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and some Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches. Megan focuses on building a collaborative and safe relationship with her clients. Megan enjoys being outside and is an avid hiker and runner. She also enjoys playing soccer and can be (slightly) competitive. Megan enjoys trying new restaurants and spending time with the people (and pets) she loves. 

Office Manager

(They/Them)

Lia is originally from the San Diego area but has lived in the Tacoma area since moving here to attend UPS in 2017. After their Freshman year at UPS, they took a gap year, sadly leaving the UPS community to work for Disney through the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida, as a Star Tours Flight Attendant. After their gap year, they realized they loved cultural anthropology and graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a degree in Arts, Media, and Culture, with a focus on Food Anthropology. After college, Lia gained experience as the Child Advocate Program of Pierce County's Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Specialist and led their social media management team, as well as other sectors including elder care and hospitality. Officially making UPS their home once more, Lia is excited to be back in the community of Loggers, supporting the campus community through their Office Management role at CHWS. When not at the front desk, Lia enjoys LARPing (Live Action Roleplaying), reading, cooking, and roller skating! If you see them around campus, don't hesitate to say hello!

Pre-Doctoral Intern

(she/her)

Eva is a Pre-Doctoral intern pursuing a PsyD in Counseling Psychology at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is the first in her family to pursue a doctoral degree after having earned her bachelor's in Hispanic Studies and Secondary Education from Pacific Lutheran University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Eva is passionate about supporting young adults who navigate the challenges that come with pursuing a college education and entering adulthood. Eva's prior work in secondary education provides her with a unique perspective to pull from when supporting students and their growth. Eva is a Mexican-American Latina who is bilingual/biliterate in Spanish and English, enjoys spending time with her family, and is currently working on improving her sourdough bread.
 

Doctoral Intern

(she/her)

Madison is a Doctoral Intern who provides individual and group therapy for students and participates in campus outreach. She has experience supporting individuals navigating identity-related challenges, anxiety, depression, panic, and complex trauma. She is especially passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities. Originally from Maine, Madison recently drove across the country from the East Coast to make the move to Tacoma! Outside of work, she can usually be found thrifting, taking dance classes, or spending time at the beach. 

Mental Health Clinician & Referral Specialist

(he/him)

Sperry graduated from Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, MA, where he received a master’s of social work. As a clinical social worker, Sperry is an ally and an advocate, working from a psychodynamic and liberation health model. This means that while the therapeutic relationship is a deeply personal one, it cannot be separated from sociopolitical systems of oppression and the influence they have on our mental health and wellbeing. Much of Sperry’s clinical work has focused on acute and chronic trauma, incorporating evidence-based modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Outside of the office Sperry spends his time in the gym, watching anime, or foraging around the Puget Sound.

Licensed Psychologist & Director of Training

(they/them/theirs)

erin is originally from Philadelphia, PA where they received their psy.d. in clinical psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (pcom). erin traveled across the country with their cat, soot, to complete their doctoral internship at University of Puget Sound during the 2015 - 16 academic year. erin returned to CHWS several times since their doctoral internship, and accepted a full-time position with CHWS in 2019. erin is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy; however, they incorporate a variety of therapeutic tools and techniques into their clinical work. Clinical interests include, but are not limited to: supporting clients in navigating queer identities; providing gender affirming care for trans and non-binary individuals; helping clients explore thoughts and emotions through art and other creative mediums; engaging in horticulture therapy techniques of grounding and connecting with nature. When erin is not in CHWS, they are likely knitting, crocheting, listening to audiobooks, spending time on their small farm, or hanging out with their chickens (sometimes, all at the same time).

Medical Assistant & Clinic Assistant Supervisor

(she/her)

Cherlynn graduated from Broadview University in Provo, UT with an associates degree in Health Science. She went to work for the state of Utah working with individuals with mental illness. She moved to Washington in 1989. She taught Medical Assisting at Everest College then went back to school to complete her bachelor's degree in Public Health from Southern New Hampshire University and graduated in 2020. She has been working in CHWS at Puget Sound since 2017.