Melissa Orshan Spann, PhD, LMHC is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor. Dr. Spann is currently the Chief Clinical Officer at Monte Nido and Affiliates where she oversees the clinical operations and programming for Monte Nido, Clementine and Oliver-Pyatt Centers. Prior to serving as the CCO, Dr. Spann was the Vice President of Admissions for MNA. Dr. Spann is an accomplished presenter who presents nationally on topics related to body image development, eating disorders in the Jewish community, and the intersection of trauma and eating disorders. Dr. Spann is a passionate clinician who has spent her career working in eating disorder higher level of care. She is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders, the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals as well as serving on iaedp Certification Committee, and serves on the South-East Eating Disorder Conference committee. She received her Doctoral degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, Master's degree from the University of Miami, and her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. She is a native Floridian who lives in Miami with her husband and two incredible kids.

Cherie Monarch graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida. Cherie has been married for 31 years with two daughters. She has chaired/hosted many silent auctions and fundraising events, including five eating disorder walks and a national eating disorder awareness campaign. Cherie sits on the board for The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness and is the Chair of the Alliance’s Family Action Committee for Eating Disorders: Instilling Truths (FACEIT). She is very active in the eating disorder community and has been involved in many national advocacy events (most recently overseeing the delivery of more than 1,000 medical education packets to healthcare providers across the U.S. and Canada). Cherie was recently awarded the National Mom Making a Difference Award for 2017 for her work with eating disorders. She works diligently to support families on this journey with their loved ones.

Dr. Michael Chiumiento has been a part of the Walden family for almost eight years. He is passionate, brilliant and committed to the recovery success of those that he works with and their families. In his current role, Michael provides training and consultation to our adolescent treatment programs with an emphasis on evidence-based interventions including Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Michael also provides training and consultation to schools and outside agencies and continues to facilitate skills and support groups for parents and other caregivers across our adolescent continuum of care.
Michael has received extensive training in FBT and DBT, sits on a DBT consultation team and provides outpatient individual and family therapy services. He received his graduate education in clinical psychology at William James College and completed a doctoral dissertation on the use of group therapy interventions for parents engaged in adolescent eating disorder treatment.
Michael’s passion for his clients and their families is felt by all those who have the pleasure of working with him. His patient and empathic demeanor help him to create meaningful and trusting relationships with his clients and their families. When he’s not wearing the “parent guru” hat – as he has been affectionately called by his colleagues – Michael enjoys writing, meditating and spending time at the beach.

Leah Graves, RD, LD, CEDRD-S, FAED is Vice President of Nutrition and Culinary Services for Accanto Health with brands The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative. She is a founding member and fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders with over 30 years of experience. Leah has presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Symposium, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in addition to numerous regional conferences and has written publications on nutrition and eating disorders. Leah is respected within the eating disorders field for expertise in nutrition therapy/counseling and clinical supervision.

As an Individual and Group Therapist, specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy at Timberline Knolls, Emily supports residents with co-occurring mental health disorders such as Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, Self-Harm behaviors and Trauma. Emily supports the therapeutic relationship to teach and implement the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to support recovery and build a meaningful life.

Emily is actively engaged in professional outreach to serve the Mental Health community on Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy related to Co-Occurring Disorders, Group Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Emily earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology as well as a Graduate Certificate in Eating Disorders from Northern Illinois University. She was awarded a Master’s of Education in Community Counseling from DePaul University. Emily started at Timberline Knolls of March 2015 as a Behavior Health Specialist before transitioning to DBT Specialist in June 2015 and is in her current role as an Individual Therapist and Group Therapist in the TK Partial Hospitalization Program in February 2021.

Meredith Nisbet, MS, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and member of the Clinical Response Team with Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center, where she enjoys engaging with patients, families, and providers seeking admission nationwide. In addition to her work for ERC-Pathlight and in her private practice, Meredith also provides education and training on weight stigma and Health At Every Size-informed care around the country. Meredith earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University; she is currently awaiting approval of her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist accreditation through IAEDP. Meredith resides in Raleigh, North Carolina where she spends her free time listening to true crime podcasts, practicing hot yoga, and snuggling with her dog, Mac.

Elizabeth Wassenaar, MD is the Associate Medical Director at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Behavioral Health in Denver, Colorado.  Dr. Wassenaar is a board-certified adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist and is a certified eating disorder specialist (CEDS).  She completed pediatric and psychiatric residencies at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and University of Cincinnati in the Triple Board Program.  She obtained additional psychotherapy training in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapy from the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute and family-based therapy for eating disorders from University of California San Diego Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Center.  She is a member of The American Psychiatric Association, The American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, and The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.  Dr. Wassenaar has published and presented on a variety of topics related to eating disorders, mental health and developmental issues in mental illness.