Chief Executive Officer
Pamela Alvich
Pronouns: She/Her
Pamela Alvich is a mission-driven executive with 18 years of nonprofit leadership and behavioral healthcare experience. She has worked for many years in executive roles within the psychiatric and addiction area for adults and adolescents as an innovative business builder, adroit at strengthening sustainable patient services while leveraging philanthropic initiatives to advance care and education.
She spent numerous years at Silver Hill Hospital, a leading private not-for-profit psychiatric hospital treating adolescents and adults with psychiatric, substance use and co-occurring disorders, where she was responsible for improving procedures in the admissions process, expanding customer service for Silver Hill’s patients and families, and developing business relationships and referrals that resulted in significant growth for the 90-year-old organization. After Silver Hill Hospital, Pamela developed business development and admissions processes for new programs in the NYC Metro area.
Prior to her experience in the mental health category, Pamela worked in the fashion and luxury goods world, overseeing global product development and management for Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Polo Ralph Lauren. Her leadership role with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as a State Officer and current President of her co-op board, further enhance her qualifications to work well with the community at NYCFL.
Medical Director
Eric D. Collins, MD
Pronouns: He/Him
Dr. Collins completed his undergraduate studies in economics at Yale in 1984, following which he spent two years teaching chemistry and physics at Tabor Academy, a private high school for boarding and day school students in Marion, MA. In 1986, Dr. Collins enrolled at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he earned his MD in 1990 and subsequently stayed to complete his postgraduate residency training in Psychiatry and fellowships in both Addiction Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Dr. Collins then joined the psychiatry faculty at Columbia and pursued addiction research, including the publication as the first author in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2005 of a landmark clinical trial comparing heroin detoxification methods, including anesthesia-assisted detoxification.
In 2005, Dr. Collins became the Medical Director of Substance Abuse Services at New York-Presbyterian, a role in which he provided direct care to and administrative oversight for patients struggling with addiction, both at the Columbia medical campus of New York-Presbyterian and at the Columbia midtown outpatient treatment center. In 2012, Dr. Collins accepted the opportunity to become the Physician-in-Chief at Silver Hill Hospital, a private, not-for-profit psychiatric hospital in New Canaan, CT, where he oversaw and helped improve and advance psychiatric care, particularly addiction care, in their inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings. In November 2019, Dr. Collins joined the Metropolitan Center for Mental Health, a community mental health center in New York City, as its Medical Director. In September 2021, Dr. Collins joined the New York Center for Living as Medical Director, a role in which he continues to serve.
Dr. Collins is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. He has published over 30 articles and book chapters, and he has extensive experience caring for psychiatric patients, particularly those with addiction and co-occurring mental and physical illnesses. In addition, Dr. Collins lectures in pharmacology, teaches students and fellows at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, and maintains a private practice of general and addiction psychiatry.
Chief Operating Officer
Manuel Moscoso, CASAC II
Pronouns: He/Him
Manuel has more than a decade of commitment in various law enforcement agencies and worked with one of the largest non-profit organizations introducing community-based programs and training. Manuel has a long history of mentoring and fostering relationships based on trust and professional boundaries, which enable growth, development and healing. His depth of experience provides necessary skills to meet each client on their own path to recovery offering inspiration, guidance and influence.
Manuel is a CASAC ll, Credentialed Acupuncture Specialist-NADA, and an ASHI instructor. He has provided various treatment modalities in detox, residential, intensive outpatient and outpatient facilities for more than ten years. He has specialized in assisting opening new OASAS licensed facilities, and specializing in OASAS regulations and continued certification.
- American Red Cross Instructor Trainer 2010
- CASAC ll 2018
- ASHI Instructor 2018
- National Acupuncture Detoxification Association September 2019
- Narcan training September 2022
Clinical Director
Darwin Abreu, LCSW-R
Bio to come.
Psychiatrist
Shannon Caspersen, MD, MPhil
Pronouns: She/Her
Dr. Caspersen completed her B.S. at Yale University in Molecular and Cellular Biology, followed by a master’s degree in art history at the University of Cambridge, UK. She attended Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed her general psychiatry training at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and her child & adolescent psychiatry training at the combined Cornell and Columbia program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is board-certified in general psychiatry, child & adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine. She worked at Silver Hill Hospital from 2014-2017 and has maintained a private practice in New York City since 2013. Dr. Caspersen is on the voluntary faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College, where she teaches medical students, residents, and fellows in classroom and clinical settings. She is has published widely in the academic and popular press, including The New York Times, on topics ranging from medicine to visual art. She speaks regularly at medical conferences and as an invited guest on mental health and wellness podcasts.
Education and Training
- Fellowship, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NY Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia and Cornell (Chief Resident)
- Residency, General Psychiatry, NY Presbyterian Hospital – Cornell
- MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
- MPhil, Cambridge University UK
- BS, Yale University
Certification
Triple-boarded in adult and pediatric psychiatry and addiction medicine:
- Board Certified by The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry
- Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Board Certified by The American Board of Preventive Medicine in Addiction Medicine
Certified in Invitation to Change Approach (CRAFT, ACT, and MI) to Help Families Struggling with Substances, 2018
Controller
Camille Ostezan
Pronouns: She/Her
Camille is a dedicated professional who graduated with a BS in Business Administration, Major in Financial Management from the University of Santo Tomas. Her academic background equipped her with a strong foundation in financial principles and management strategies, while maintaining a value-driven and balanced life.
She brings a distinct background in finance and accounting as the Controller of New York Center for Living and is dedicated to ensuring the fiscal health of the Center while optimizing its financial resources.
Prior to joining NYCFL, she was a finance specialist in the Controllership team of a beverage manufacturer and was exposed to different areas of the business, from commercial, supply chain and logistics, sales and marketing and human resources.
Her tenure as a finance associate in an academic institution afforded her insight into the unique financial dynamics of educational settings and reminded her that there is joy in learning.
Her past role as a senior accountant for an accounting firm in New York City exposed her to an in-depth understanding of diverse cultures, financial structures and practices that lead her to work as a Controller for a law firm specializing in personal injury and medical malpractice litigations. She developed a keen eye for compliance and regulatory intricacies and considered the job as one of her fulfilled dreams— to be part of a NYC law firm that helps victims of negligence.
In her free time, Camille likes spending time with her husband–traveling, hiking, trying different cuisines and restaurants and playing basketball. She also has a passion for photography and loves nature and landscapes.
Selected Trainings:
- Procure to Pay Champion Training
- Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
- Effective Presentation Skills
- Making Sense of Business: A Simulation
- CCFPI Tax Lecture Series
Peer Recovery
Patricia Bogan, CRPA-P
Pronouns: She/Her
After struggling with substance use in her late teens and 20s, Patricia is now enjoying her 32nd year in recovery. Her journey to this sober and joyful way of life led her to discover that teaching and mentoring were something of a calling. This led her to Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) training, which in turn led to joining the team at NYCFL.
Familiar with the challenges of early recovery, Patricia places a lot of faith in taking things one day at a time and creating manageable goals and nurturing positive intentions. In her own life she has trained in many healing modalities to aid recovery which focus on the physical as well as the mental self. These include certifications in ISSA Fitness Training, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga and Reflexology.
Patricia believes recovery requires a blend of routines, affection, music, and a sense of community. It is her hope to bring all her training and experiences to bear working with clients here at NYCFL.
- CRPA-P 2022
- International Sports and Sciences Assoc. Certified Fitness Trainer – 2011
- Wake Up Yoga Yin Yoga Teacher Training 2014
- Sonic Yoga Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher Training 2017
- Laura Norman School Reflexology 1998
Primary Therapist and Creative Art Therapist
Sara Kropf, LCAT
Pronouns: She/Her
Sara’s educational journey by earning a BA in Psychology from Pace University in 2010, which opened the door to the creative arts, allowing her to combine passion for dance with the exploration of the human mind. Receiving a Master of Science from Pratt Institute led her to become a registered dance/movement therapist, as well as, a licensed creative arts therapist. After working closely with those who benefited from applied behavior analysis, she later became a registered behavior technician (RBT) through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The combination of her educational background has allowed for expansion of clinical experience across many settings, treating people with various abilities, mental health issues, and ages from 3-103.
Some of the settings include: schools, in-patient psychiatric units, community-based day centers, residential homes, and private practice, where some have included adolescents and young adults with substance use and mental health issues. She also has experience working with individuals experiencing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Conducting work both on a one-to-one basis, as well as in small to very large groups, Sara derives treatment from a person-centered approach which is inclusive of the whole person and the many backgrounds which are incorporated in their identities.
- Laban Movement Analysis: Anatomy and Kinesiology (Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies; 2012)
- Basic Life Support: CPR/AED (National CPR Foundation; 2021)
- 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician Course (BACB; 2022)
Coordinator Alumni Relations/Primary Therapist
Peter Newland, CASAC
Pronouns: He/Him
Peter’s work in the field of chemical dependency spans 30 years, first with Phoenix House as a case manager with adolescents and then Director of Adolescent Ambulatory Services where he supervised several outpatient modalities; that included peer groups, multi-family groups and individual sessions. Peter then helped develop a chemical dependency program at Harlem East Life Plan which assessed and treated individuals with the goal of abstinence from alcohol and drugs. In a multidisciplinary setting, Peter was the Coordinator of Adolescent Services at the Realization Center, facilitating family group, peer group and family workshops.
Peter has conducted numerous seminars and presentations to schools, parent groups, hospitals and mental health professionals. Topics have covered substance abuse and teens, detecting early warning signs for a teen in need of a intervention, how to engage a teen and their family in treatment, and strategies for long term recovery.
- CASAC – 1995
- Caron’s 2015 Addiction Professional Award for the Greater New York Region
- Specialty in Substance Abuse
Primary Therapist
Nadine Raia, LMSW, CASAC-T
Pronouns: She /Her
Nadine was influenced to pursue a master’s degree at NYU Silver School of Social Work after working with adults struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns at Integrity House in Newark and Secaucus, New Jersey, and adolescents with eating disorders, substance use disorders and co-occurring diagnoses at Next Generation Village Sebring, Florida. Within the master’s program at NYU, Nadine was part of the Substance Use Focusing Learning Opportunity which is a specialized program focused on clinical work with individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Nadine gained valuable experience as a Clinical Intern at The Door NYC, working with Young Adults in Crisis and at Inter-Care, an OASAS licensed outpatient treatment center in Manhattan and Westchester. She received her BS in Journalism from Boston University and her MSW from NYU. She holds additional certifications in Mental Health, Trauma and Addiction Yoga through Kula for Karma and Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. She works from an integrative strengths-based, inclusive and solution-focused approach, focusing on mindfulness, movement, and the gut/brain connection.
Selected Training
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Intensive Training (Behavioral Tech; 2023)
- SARET: Personal Impact of Substance Use Disorders, NYU Langone Health 2021 SAMSA: Substance Use Disorder Treatment/NCSACW 2021
Mandated Reporter: NYS Office of Children and Family Services 2021
NCTSN: The Child Protection System 2021 - NCTSN: Immigration and Trauma 2021
- NCTSN: Intergenerational Developmental Trauma 2021
- MAT Training 2022
- Narcan Training 2021, 2022
- CPR Training 2022
- Cornell University/T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies: Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition 2012
- Flow Yoga, NJ, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification 2015
Karma Kids, NYC, Children’s Yoga Training Certification 2016
Laughing Lotus, NYC, Bridge to Lotus Training Certification 2016
Kula for Karma, NYC, Mental Health Trauma and Addiction Yoga Training Certification 2020
Family Support Advocate
Melody Rodgers, RCP
Pronouns: She /Her
Melody is a certified Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) and has been working with individuals and families affected by substance use and trauma for several years. Her role at NYCFL is to support, guide, and educate families through the process of change.
Prior to joining New York Center for Living, Melody held her own private practice as a recovery coach working with individuals and families. Melody’s work within her private practice led her to join NYCFL as a Parent Support Advocate.
Melody also has also facilitated parent support groups in Newtown, CT through the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery organization (CCAR)
Selected Training
- 2021 – Trauma Thrivers
- Level 1 designed for Recovery Coaches 2021-2022
- Level 2 course work ongoing 2023
- 2021 New Roads Behavioral Center DBT Foundations
- 2020 CCAR Recovery Coach Professional designation
Peer Recovery Coach
Dylan Tabouchirani, CRPA
Pronouns: He/Him
Dylan’s personal experience with substance use as a teen led him to his current position as a Peer Recovery Coach at NYCFL.
After completing his own treatment, he resided in a sober living house in the city where he was inspired by the staff who helped those who were on journeys like his. After moving out, Dylan began working at the house and discovered a passion for helping young adults that led him to envision a future in the field. Dylan’s journey brought him to NYCFL, where he was first a client, and is now working to help young adults overcome the same issues he dealt with so they might become their best versions of themselves and live healthy and productive lives.
A former student of the famed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and the University of Hartford’s musical theatre program, Dylan loves to make music and is exploring the ways music and therapy can be integrated to help his peers.
- CRPA June 2023
- CRPA-P November 2022
- Narcan Training October 2022
Psychiatrist
Satin Zarkar, DO
Pronouns: She/Her
Dr. Zarkar completed her undergraduate education at University of California, Irvine, obtaining a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She went on to attend Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine where she received her medical degree before completing her residency in adult psychiatry at Mount Sinai Morningside/West Hospital. It was there, during residency where Dr. Zarkar’s passion for working with children and adolescents grew. This guided her to attend the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she is currently serving as chief fellow. Through her training, Dr. Zarkar has been fortunate to work extensively with both adolescents and adults struggling with addiction in both the inpatient and outpatient setting giving her a unique and compassionate approach to care.
Education and Training
- Fellowship, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Mount Sinai Hospital (Chief Fellow)
- Residency, General Psychiatry, The Mount Sinai Hospital – Morningside/West
- DO, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
- BS, University of Califronia – Irvine
Certification
- Board Certified by The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult Psychiatry
- Board Eligible by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Reception
Alexandria Zekarias
Pronouns: She /Her
Alexandria started her education as a nursing student at Vanderbilt Hospital, where she gained experience on the adolescent mental health unit. There she learned to build rapport with patients and observe psychological evaluations. This prompted a pivot to a Bachelor of Science in psychology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Alexandria also undertook QPR Gatekeeper Program training, focusing on preventative measures for those facing suicidal ideations. Alexandria enjoys the opportunities that NYCFL brings her, as she interacts with clients and their families in a mental health environment.