heather.lopez(at)sjc.edu

Dr. Lopez is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Counseling and Wellness Services. She earned her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from Immaculata University, an APA-accredited doctoral program. Currently a member of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), Dr. Lopez has worked in the mental health field for close to 20 years across inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, crisis intervention, and hardware- and staff-secure residential placements. She specializes in child and adolescent/young adult psychotherapy, as well as comprehensive psychological assessment. In therapy, Dr. Lopez has a compassionate, non-judgmental style and is committed to creating a safe space for all clients to explore difficulties, develop insight, and improve emotional and overall well-being. Utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions, including Brainspotting as appropriate and desired, treatment is individualized and guided by each client’s needs.

richard.doyle(at)sjc.edu

Rich is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) with over 15 years of mental health experience working with diverse populations across outpatient mental health, child welfare, and primary care settings. He earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He specializes in working with individuals and families who have experienced significant trauma and holds considerable training in the realm of trauma reprocessing, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting. In therapy, Rich believes it is essential to develop a supportive relationship built on safety, trust, and collaboration. He takes a curious and accepting stance to understand challenges, identify strengths, and enhance well-being in his clients. He recognizes variation is the norm and creates an individualized treatment plan based on each client’s needs.

amelia.nigro(at)sjc.edu

Amelia is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) and Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (C-DBT) with over 10 years’ experience working with individuals in school-based settings, health care facilities, and mental health clinics. Amelia’s previous career as a special educator further informs her practice by giving her keen insight into the intricacies of the education system. She completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the University of Maryland and has obtained post-masters training in varying therapeutic modalities, including DBT, Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Amelia is particularly drawn to supporting individuals who are struggling to balance academic and emotional needs. Using a strengths-based approach, she meets her clients where they are; she helps them explore and access present coping skills, as well as discover new and manageable tools that can bring about positive change. Amelia brings the four cornerstone skills of DBT (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness) into sessions. Whether clients are looking for support in navigating life’s challenges or looking to strengthen their overall mental and emotional wellness, Amelia can help.

sean.heffernan(at)sjc.edu

Dr. Heffernan, known as “Dr. H” to clients, is a double board-certified psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience in the field. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. In addition to general psychiatry training, Dr. H has completed two fellowships for specialty training in psychosomatic medicine and treatment-resistant mood disorders. Dr. H joined the SHWC staff in 2021. He is concurrently the Director of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Well-Being, and he maintains an Assistant Professor appointment in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Psychiatry. Prior to focusing on student health, Dr. H owned and operated a private practice for seven years in Annapolis. His clinical areas of expertise include mood disorders, the mind-body connection, and working in collaborative care settings.

danielle.bellezza(at)sjc.edu 

Danielle earned bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Business Management from Washington College, followed by a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. For the past ten years, she has successfully operated an acupuncture practice and holistic wellness center, specializing in pain management, mental health, and fertility. This hands-on experience has enriched her understanding of integrative health approaches and the significance of holistic care in promoting overall well-being. Having lived in Annapolis during her graduate studies, Danielle is excited to return to the area and support St. John’s students as our new Wellness Outreach Coordinator. Passionate about empowering individuals to take charge of their health, she looks forward to contributing to this unique college community, promoting wellness initiatives that address both physical and mental health, and enhancing student wellness resources. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, reading and learning new things, and traveling the world.

Meet one of our Chief Comfort Officers, our delightful therapy dog “Mandalorian” (or “Mando”)! Mando is a German Shepherd and a gentle and loving therapy dog who brightens the lives of everyone he meets. From a young age, Mando demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Whether he's offering a paw to shake, snuggling close for a gentle hug, or simply sitting by someone's side, he intuitively knows how to provide the emotional support that people need during difficult times. With his soft smile and warm brown eyes, Mando exudes comfort and calmness. He was specifically chosen for his friendly and sociable nature, making him a perfect candidate for therapy work.

Mando’s training includes obedience training, socialization with various environments and people, and exposure to different scenarios to ensure he remains composed and adaptable in any situation. He continues to work with his handler and Senior Staff Clinician, Amelia Nigro, to ensure he’s applying the skills he’s learned. His presence alone has a remarkable impact, reducing stress and anxiety and eliciting smiles from all around him. Mando’s boundless affection and natural empathetic abilities have touched the hearts of many, leaving a trail of positive change wherever he goes. We're incredibly grateful to have Mando as a part of our Counseling & Wellness Services team, and we can't wait for you to meet him and experience the joy he brings to our community.

Outside of his therapy work, Mando loves going on long walks, playing fetch and tag, and spending quality time with his human family.

Buddy is a Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever mix and one of our Chief Comfort Officers. He has been training his entire life to be a working dog. At 2 months old, he arrived at Hero Dogs Inc., a non-profit that raises, trains, and places service dogs and other highly-skilled canines. After 20 months of training with Hero Dogs, they determined Buddy was best suited to become a facility dog. A facility dog works full-time with a qualified handler within a designated facility using their special skills and training in animal-assisted interventions to help the handler achieve specific treatment and program goals. Buddy was placed with his handler and Senior Staff Clinician, Rich Doyle, on 10/31/2023 and now works full-time with Rich within the Student Health & Wellness Center (SHWC).

Buddy brings many strengths to his role within the SHWC. His gentle and friendly nature helps clients relax, feel safe, and engage in the therapeutic process. His training allows him to employ a variety of interventions, for example, placing his head on or near a client’s lap, sitting between a client’s legs, or lying beside or on a client’s feet. He also holds training in recognizing and responding to specific visual stress cues. His playful and affectionate demeanor brightens any room he enters and promotes comfort and joy to all those that interact with him. Buddy is excited to be a full-time working dog that gets to use his skills and training to positively impact the St. John’s community.

410-626-2553 | nancy.calabrese(at)sjc.edu

Nancy is a board-certified nurse practitioner and the Director of Student Health Services. She has over 40 years of medical experience—more than half of which have been dedicated to working with St. John’s students—and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland (NPAM), and the Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians (MAAPC). Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and then a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Bowie State University. She has a wide range of experience providing healthcare, including internal medicine and surgery, and began her career as a research biologist at the University of Pennsylvania. Nancy practices with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and prides herself on being a supportive patient advocate.

410-626-2553 | lynda.turner(at)sjc.edu

Lynda is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and has served as Associate Director of Student Health Services since 2009. She has extensive experience working in neurology, women’s health, medical-surgical, medical research, and palliative care settings. Lynda began her career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and later worked at a U.S. military hospital overseas, in a rural Florida hospice practice, at Georgetown University with rotations to Whitman-Walker clinic, and in a regional walk-in clinic. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Georgetown University. Lynda is passionate about taking a holistic approach to medical care that accounts for the full range of factors affecting her patients’ health, and she empowers her patients to understand and take charge of their health and well-being.

410-626-2553 | allison.achenback(at)sjc.edu

Allison is the Student Health & Wellness Center (SHWC) Office Manager. She has more than 10 years of experience in healthcare settings and even more in office management. She also works at the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center emergency room as a patient care secretary. Allison enjoys working with the college-age population and guiding them to independence with their healthcare management. Allison has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in criminology from the University of Maryland.

410-626-2553 | danielle.carmickle(at)sjc.edu

Danielle grew up around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, prior to attending and receiving a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Mississippi State University. She went on to have a very full career in Laboratory Sciences. She continues to work in laboratory management for a large fertility organization, helping individuals grow their families with the assistance of reproductive technologies. Danielle says, “Joining the Health and Wellness team at St. John’s College is a lot of fun. To be able to live and work in such a wonderful area has always been a priority in my life. The interaction with the community at St John’s makes me happy to come to work. I enjoy helping people feel better in their day-to-day lives.”