Meet Our Team of Neuropsychologists
Mary Healy Cristiano, Psy.D., ABPP-CN
Board Certified Clinical NeuropsychologistMary Healy Cristiano is board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. She also has been awarded the subspecialty certification in pediatric neuropsychology. She received formal training in neuropsychology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY. Dr. Cristiano specializes in neuropsychological (and developmental) assessments of children under 10 years old.
William Mautz, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistWilliam Mautz received formal training in neuropsychology at Children’s Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital-Northwestern Medical School, and the University of Chicago Hospitals. He earned his Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology at DePaul University following a Master’s in Education from Harvard University.
Wendy McKernon, Ph.D., ABPP-CN
Board Certified Clinical NeuropsychologistWendy McKernon is board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. She also has been awarded the subspecialty certification in pediatric neuropsychology. She received formal training in neuropsychology at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Bedford VA Medical Center-Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. McKernon earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Loyola University of Chicago. Dr. McKernon specializes in neuropsychological assessment of adolescents and young adults. She also works with adults who have concerns about possible neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Matthew S. Conway, Psy.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistMatthew Conway earned his Doctorate in Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with a concentration in neuropsychology, and his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brown University. He has received formal training in neuropsychology from top tier hospitals and clinics around the U.S., including Advocate Illinois Masonic, Central DuPage Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, and most recently completed his two-year pediatric neuropsychology fellowship with us at Children’s Neuropsychological Services. Matthew has a unique ability to connect with his clients and their families, utilizing a strengths-based approach to help facilitate meaningful change. His primary areas of clinical specialization include Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and executive functioning deficits, neuro/developmental disorders, and complex differential diagnosis.
Meredith Amaya-Hodges, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistMeredith Amaya-Hodges earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology, child/adolescent focus, from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. She received formal training at the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and she completed her internship in pediatric psychology and two-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC. Dr. Amaya-Hodges has experience in working with youth with a variety of developmental, psychological, and medical diagnoses. She has specialized training in the evaluation and management of concussions and other acquired brain injuries. She also focuses on neuropsychological assessment of children with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Kathryn Bradbury, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistKathryn Bradbury earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Connecticut with a concentration in Pediatric Neuropsychology and her Bachelor’s in Neuroscience from Colgate University. She has received formal training in neuropsychology in a variety of settings across the United States, including children’s hospitals and private practices. Dr. Bradbury completed her clinical internship at the University of Minnesota Medical School/Masonic Children’s Hospital in pediatric neuropsychology and psychotherapy. She completed her two-year pediatric neuropsychology fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University/Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, with a dual-focus in medically complex presentations and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic assessment. Her primary areas of clinical specialization include early childhood assessment, ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and complex medical presentations, including epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.
Rachel So, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistRachel So earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut and completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Chicago Medicine. She completed her two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She works with youth with a variety of neurodevelopmental, medical, and psychiatric presenting concerns. Using a humanistic and developmental approach, she contextualizes a child’s strengths and challenges in their lived experiences and develops recommendations that best support their ongoing development in a meaningful way.
Thomas Zurfluh, Psy.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistThomas Zurfluh graduated with honors from the University of Paris VII and went on to earn his M.S. in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University. He earned his Doctorate in Psychology from The Wright Institute (Berkeley). Dr. Zurfluh worked as a child and adolescent psychotherapist for twenty years in private practice and various well-respected hospitals and counseling centers, including University of California San Francisco (UCSF), California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), and Middlebury College. He has worked extensively with children and adolescents with a wide range of behavioral and psychiatric disorders
Ilana Reife, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistIlana Reife earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. She completed her internship in pediatric psychology with specialty training in pediatric neuropsychology at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. Her fellowship was completed at Children’s Neuropsychological Services. Prior to internship she received formal training in pediatric neuropsychology at various institutions, including Amita Health Neurosciences Institute and The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Dr. Reife has extensive experience and expertise in evaluating toddlers, children, adolescents and young adults with a wide range of medical (i.e., genetic disorders, prematurity, concussion), developmental (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, learning disorders) and psychological conditions (i.e., anxiety or depression). Her evaluations are child and family-centered and emphasize learning about a child’s unique strengths and areas of vulnerability in order to provide a plan to facilitate a child’s positive developmental trajectory.
Margaret Pulsifer, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistMargaret Pulsifer received formal training in neuropsychology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, in Baltimore, MD. She earned her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo following an M.A. in Psychology from Boston College.
In addition to her work at Children’s Neuropsychological Services, Dr. Pulsifer works at the Psychology Assessment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA and holds an academic appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Harvard Medical School.
Kimberly Fitzgibbon, Ph.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistKimberly Fitzgibbon earned her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, with specialization in neuropsychology, from Nova Southeastern University. She completed an APA-accredited doctoral internship in clinical psychology within the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Along with internship, she received formal training in neuropsychology in a wide variety of settings including community mental health, private practice, hospitals sports medicine facilities and most recently completed her two-year pediatric neuropsychology fellowship at Children’s Neuropsychological Services.
Jessa Malatesta, Psy.D.
Clinical NeuropsychologistJessa Malatesta earned her Psy.D. in clinical psychology, child/adolescent focus, from West Chester University of Pennsylvania following an M.A. in clinical psychology. She has received formal training in neuropsychology in various settings, including community mental health centers, children’s hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and private practice. Dr. Malatesta completed her predoctoral internship in clinical psychology with the State of Delaware’s Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, and she completed her two-year postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at Children’s Neuropsychological Services. She enjoys working with preschoolers to young adults who have neurodevelopmental, medical, and psychiatric conditions. Her goals are to help families understand how to address their child’s developing abilities so that they can advocate for their needs and help them lead happy, healthy lives.
Anna Johnson
Lead NeurotechnicianAnna Johnson earned her master’s degree in Psychology at Western Carolina University, with a concentration in Clinical Psychology, and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Lipscomb University. She has also received specialized training in autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Before becoming a part of the CNS team as Lead Neurotechnician, Anna practiced as a Licensed Psychological Associate in Asheville, North Carolina, providing psychotherapy and psychological testing at a multi-disciplinary pediatric clinic. Anna draws on her education, clinical experience, and years of working with high-need and neurodiverse children and adolescents in order to provide a kind and strength-based approach to neuropsychological evaluation.
Vernon Hickey
Chief Operating OfficerAs COO, Vernon is responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the company including administration, accounting, sales, marketing and human resources. Maintaining an equal focus on both the employee experience and customer experience is key to long term success.
Patricia Gaeta
Office ManagerPatty Gaeta’s professional experiences have resulted in a skill set remarkable for attention to detail, sound communication skills, and a keen awareness of how compassion is appreciated by parents seeking services for their child. Patty has previously been on the administrative staff of Beth Israel Deaconness Neurology Department, and has actively worked with children in preschool and elementary school settings.
Leslie Thompson
Billing SpecialistLeslie Thompson relies on her diversified work experience and natural attention for detail to serve as our Billing Specialist. She has worked in various administrative and bookkeeping roles in a range of industries including Fortune 500, small business and church organizations.
Kristi Palmisano
Scheduling CoordinatorKristi Palmisano has worked several years in the public schools with special needs and social emotional students providing her with the necessary skills to compassionately assist families seeking services for their children.
Deanna Carpinteri
AdministratorDeanna Carpinteri draws from her experience as active business owner and excellent communication skills to enhance the delivery of CNS services. She has worked with children and families for over 30 years, facilitating the development of children and adolescents through her education and dance instruction.