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Collaborators

Claire Cammarata, PhD

Dr. Cammarata worked for the New York City Fire Department’s Counseling Services Unit from 1995-2016. In 2001, following September 11, Dr. Cammarata was promoted to Clinical Director of CSU. She now works as Deputy Director of the New York City, Office of Labor Relations Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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Grace Carpenter

Grace Stephanie J. Carpenter worked at the Warriors Research Institute for almost two years as a research assistant before moving to Portland, Oregon to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Portland State University.

Grace has specific interests in studying and treating depression, especially in women during and surrounding pregnancy. During her time at the WRI she contributed to a variety of research projects including Project RECRUIT and Project REACH OUT.

Thomas P. Carpenter, PhD

Dr. Tom Carpenter is a psychologist, researcher, and quantitative consultant. Dr. Carpenter currently works as a faculty member at Seattle Pacific University, where his research focuses on two primary lines: implicit cognition and preference, and the psychology of moral transgression, reparation, and wellbeing. His primary teaching areas include introductory and advanced quantitative classes and research methods coursework.

Dr. Carpenter received his doctoral training at Baylor University in social / personality psychology and has a strong quantitative background. In addition to his academic work, he serves as a quantitative consultant for a number of academic and private institutions.

Tessa Denman

Tessa Denman worked at the Warriors Research Institute for two years before pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree at the University of Texas at Austin. During her time at the WRI, Tessa contributed to a number of projects including: Building Peer Support and Telehealth for Central Texas Veterans (Vet PaTHs), Expanding Evidence-Based Treatment via Telehealth to Fire Service (ACCESS), Evaluating Efficacy of Peer Support Training and Supervision for Texas Firefighters, Stamp Out Stigma (SOS), and Project RECRUIT.

Fatima Dobani

Fatima Dobani worked at the Warriors Research Institute for two years before pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Syracuse University under the mentorship of Dr. Aesoon Park. During her time at the WRI, Fatima contributed to a number of projects including: Building Peer Support and Telehealth for Central Texas Veterans (Vet PaTHs), Expanding Evidence-Based Treatment via Telehealth to Fire Service (ACCESS), Evaluating Efficacy of Peer Support Training and Supervision for Texas Firefighters, and Project RECRUIT.

Jessica Dupree

Jessica worked as a research assistant at WRI from 2018-2020. She graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology, International Studies, and Spanish in May 2018. During her time as an undergraduate, she participated in the Butler Summer Institute where she conducted research on religious acceptance in the Indianapolis community.

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Sara Dolan, PhD

Dr. Dolan currently serves as an Associate Professor and Graduate Clinical Program Director in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department at Baylor University. Prior to her time at Baylor, Dr. Dolan worked as a National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-funded Postdoctoral Fellow and subsequently a National Cancer Institute-funded faculty member at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. While at Brown, she also served as a Research Scientist at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, as well as the Assessment Coordinator at Psychological Associates, in Warwick, RI.

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Lisa Flynn

After earning a Master’s degree in Theology, Lisa came to work at the Warriors Research Institute as a Research Associate. During the 3 years Lisa worked at the WRI, she contributed to Project RECRUIT, Project REACH OUT and Project RESPONDER before relocating to pursue new opportunities in Houston, TX with her husband, son, and beagles. We look forward to collaborating with Lisa as she has proven herself a gifted writer and vital contact.

Denise Gomez

Denise Gomez worked at the Warriors Research Institute for two years before pursuing a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. During her time at WRI, Denise contributed to a number of projects including: Building Peer Support and Telehealth for Central Texas Veterans (Vet PaTHs), Evaluating the Efficacy of Peer Support Training and Supervision for Texas Firefighters, Stamp Out Stigma (SOS), First Responder Couples Resillience Project, Project Responder, and Idenitfying Frequency of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in Firefighters.

Nate Kimbrel, PhD

Dr. Nathan Kimbrel is a Clinical Research Psychologist at the Durham VAMC and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Duke University Medical Center. He was previously affiliated with the VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans and Texas A&M University Health Science Center.

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John Klocek, PhD

Dr. Klocek is the Director of Clinical Training of Baylor’s clinical psychology doctoral program as well as the Director of the Baylor Psychology Clinic (which offers clinical services to the citizens of Waco). A Chicago transplant to Texas at the age of 12, Dr. Klocek grew up in the Fort Worth area and began his academic journey at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Dr. Klocek then moved on to complete his graduate education at Saint Louis University.

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Marc I. Kruse, PhD

Dr. Marc Kruse is the staff psychologist for the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. He is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and completed his clinical internship at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown Medical School and the Providence, Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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Kevin Lentz

Retired Firefighter Kevin Lentz has 20 years of experience as a career firefighter with Garland Fire Department and over 15 additional years as a fire service consultant. Kevin collaborated with Dr. Gulliver on the Peer Support Training and Supervision for Texas Firefighters study.

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Capt. Frank Leto

Capt. Frank Leto is a 30-year veteran of the FDNY and the Deputy Director of its Counseling Service Unit (CSU). His association with the CSU began over 20 years ago as a Crisis Counselor for incidents such as line of duty deaths and mass casualty events. On September 11th, 2001 he responded to the World Trade Center as an officer in charge of a rescue team. Since 9/11, Capt. Leto has developed innovative outreach, counseling and education programs for firefighters and their families who have experienced potentially traumatic events.

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Alton McCallum, MA, LPC

Alton has experience working with PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, identity, relationships, fatigue/burnout, and transitional and development issues. Among other therapies, he is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) which is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma.

As a retired combat veteran, Alton has a special interest in helping service members, veterans, and their family members overcome life's circumstances that affect career, marriage, family and social relationships.

Eric Meyer, PhD

Dr. Meyer is a licensed clinical psychologist, experienced clinician, researcher, trainer and mentor. His clinical expertise is in evidence-based treatments for people living with post-traumatic stress and commonly co-occurring problems such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol and other substance use problems.

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Sandra Morissette, PhD

Dr. Morissette received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Boston University. She is a professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Morissette’s expertise is in studying co-occurring anxiety and addictive behaviors, having published numerous articles and book chapters in this area.

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Lt. William Ostiguy

Lt. William Ostiguy retired from Boston Fire Department with 40 years of service, many of which were spent developing Behavioral Health systems for the fire department. He has been a standing member of the IAFF’s Behavioral Health Committee for 23 years, and brought Recovery High Schools to the Boston Metropolitan Area.

Lt. Ostiguy has collaborated with Dr. Gulliver since 2001, beginning with the RAPID grant. Since then he has also contributed to the ASD grant, Project PREVENT, Project REACH OUT, Project RESPONDER, and Project RECRUIT.

Keith Sanford, PhD

Dr. Sanford joined the WRI Team in 2014 as an investigator on the First Responder Couples Resilience Project. He earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Michigan State University, and he earned his B.A. in psychology, with a second major in religion, from Seattle Pacific University.

From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Sanford served as associate editor for the Journal of Family Psychology. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, composing and recording music and woodworking.

Jordan Strack

Jordan worked as a research assistant at WRI from 2018-2020. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience in May 2018. During her undergraduate career Jordan worked as an undergraduate research assistant in a lab studying Coldheartedness, Vigilance, and Contagious Yawning. She was also the fundraising chair for the Baylor Quidditch team.

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Samantha Synett, MSSW, LMSW

Samantha Synett worked at the Warriors Research Institute for a year before pursuing a Master’s of Science in Social Work at University of Texas in Austin. During her time at WRI, Samantha contributed to a number of projects including: Project Stamp Out Stigma (SOS), First Responder Couples Resilience Project, Testing Family Interventions to Motivate Veterans to Seek Treatment, and Firefighter Risk and Resilience.

She is now employed as a Research Therapist for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she collaborates with both the CoE in Waco and STRONG STAR Research Consortium at Ft. Hood in Killeen providing Prolonged Exposure Therapy to Veterans with PTSD.

Peyton Thomason

Peyton graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Baylor University in May 2016. During her time at Baylor, she worked at the Central Texas VA as an Undergraduate Research Assistant. There, she worked on understanding the role of social cognition in veterans with PTSD and suicidal ideation.

Peyton worked as a Research Assistant at Warriors Research Institute, and is now working at Broadspire. In her spare time, Peyton enjoys spending time with her dogs, crafting, and reading.

Victoria Torres

Victoria Torres worked at Warriors Research Institute for two years before pursuing graduate education. During her time at WRI, Victoria contributed to a number of projects including: Project Stamp Out Stigma (SOS), First Responder Couples Resilience Project, Testing Family Interventions to Motivate Veterans to Seek Treatment, Firefighter Risk and Resilience and the creation of WRI’s website.

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Maxine Trent, LPC-S, LMFT-S

Maxine Trent, LMFT has 20+ years of practical experience in variety of behavioral health settings. She specializes in facilitating collaborative work environments that provide optimal behavioral health care for patients and assists in prevention of compassion fatigue for providers.

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Research Therapists

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Sakina Ali

Sakina Ali is a fifth-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Texas A&M University. She has worked at multiple community clinics and the Austin VA as a supervised therapist. Sakina values a biopsychosocial approach when working with clients and works collaboratively with her clients to ensure their goals are met.

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DeAngela Bynum

DeAngela joined Warriors Research Institute (WRI) in September 2018 after graduating with honors from Tarleton State University. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree in May of 2018 and is currently in the Tarleton State University Masters of Social Work program. Prior to working with WRI, she volunteered at the Waco Police Department in the Victim Services Unit. She is also a part of the peer support team for Behind The Badge, promoting the emotional and psychological health of the officers who work for Waco PD and their families.

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Rudney Danquah

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Lindsay Lange

Lindsay joined the Warriors Research Institute in July of 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Carleton College in 2003. Her thesis examined cognitive dissonance’s impact on moral reasoning through the lens of Aristotelian virtue ethics. In May of 2016, Lindsay graduated from Texas A&M University – San Antonio with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Guidance.

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Alex Meyers

Alex Meyers joined the Warriors Research Institute in June 2020 as a practicum student. She is currently a third year Doctoral Program student in Clinical Psychology at Baylor University. Prior to joining WRI, she completed training rotations at the Baylor Psychology Clinic and the Baylor University Counseling Center in Waco, Texas.

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Hyeji Na

Hyeji joined the Warriors Research Institute (WRI) team in October 2018. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Emory University and is currently working on her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University.

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Mariah Stickley

Mariah joined the WRI team in September of 2019. She received her B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience from East Tennessee State University in 2017 and her M.Ed. in counseling psychology from Texas A&M in 2018. She is currently a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Texas A&M University.

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Brandon Smith

Brandon joined the Warriors Research Institute (WRI) in September 2019. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in December of 2016, followed by his Masters of Educational Psychology in December of 2018. He is currently working towards his PhD in Counseling Psychology at A&M in College Station.

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Hillary Warrington

Hillary Warrington joined the Warrior’s Research Institute team in June 2019. Hillary graduated with a master’s degree in psychology (2012), a master’s degree in clinical psychology (2017) and is currently a doctoral student at Baylor University working on her degree in clinical psychology. Prior to joining the WRI, Hillary completed clinical practica at the Baylor Psychology Clinic, Talitha Koum Institute, MHMR Counseling Center, Hillcrest/Baylor, Cenikor Foundation, Christian Farms Treehouse Rehabilitation Center, Scott & White Rehabilitation Unit, and with the Area Agency on Aging.

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Jane Zimmerman

Jane Zimmermann joined the WRI team for the 2020-2021 year as a practicum therapist. She is currently enrolled in Baylor University’s Psy.D. program and expects to graduate in 2023. Prior to joining the WRI, Jane completed clinical training rotations at the Baylor Psychology Clinic and the Baylor University Counseling Center in Waco, TX. She also received a Masters in Psychology from The Fuller School of Psychology in Pasadena, California before moving to Texas to pursue her doctorate.

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Baylor Scott & White Health Employee Peer Supporters

Veteran and veteran family members attended an interactive Peer Support Training at the WRI taught by Mr. Alton McCallum, retired Army Major, Dr. Suzy Gulliver, veteran family member, and Dr. Elizabeth Coe, WRI Clinical Director. Through didactics, video clips, and roleplays, these individuals increased their communication skills, learned behavioral health screening assessments, and developed warm hand-off techniques. They now serve as trouble-shooters to their peers, helping them work through challenges that arise and getting them connected to professional care, when needed. They also participate in monthly peer support check-ins for six months following their initial training.

Angie Fraticelli, LMSW, MHA

Tarrant County
Veteran Family Member

Angie's passion for health and well-being began as a social worker and clinical therapist for several non-profit organizations, where her emphasis was on early childhood development, child abuse prevention and treatment, effective parenting, and women's health. This unique experience shaped her future career aspiration of eventually leading the Comprehensive Care Management program and several outpatient clinics at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth. Today, Angie is the Administrator of the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center. Additionally, serves as the hospital's oncology service line leader.

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Phil Kendzior

Dallas County
U.S. Army Veteran

Phil Kendzior is a veteran who served seven years in the United States Army Infantry. Originally from Rochester, New York, he now works and lives in Dallas, Texas. Phil holds a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University.

Michelle Inzunza-Hall

Tarrant County
Veteran Family Member

Michelle is a Registered Nurse with Trauma/ER/Critical Care experience. She is the wife of a disabled Army Vet. She rides a motorcycle for wind therapy and participates in 22KILL events empowering veterans, first responders, and their families.

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Marie Lincoln

Williamson County
U.S. Army

Marie grew up in a Navy family and joined the Army fresh out of high school. She met her husband at AIT (Advanced Individual Training). She chose to go to nursing school rather than continue in the military, but her husband stuck it out and retired.

James Swandol

Collin County/Denton County
U.S. Army Veteran

James is a veteran of the United States Army. He served eight years on active duty. During his time in the Army, James was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, and Fort Campbell, KY. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 for a year and again in 2004 for another year. While in the Army, he was an 88M (Motor Transportation). Since his time in the Army, James went to school for electronics and computer technology and began working on medical equipment in 2008. He recently earned my MBA in Healthcare Management. James is currently working as a BioMed Manager for Baylor Scott & White Health supporting the anesthesia maintenance/repair field service team, BSW McKinney, The Heart Hospital Denton, and The Heart Hospital McKinney. He has been with Baylor Scott & White Health since 2015. For hobbies, he enjoys hunting, fishing, playing softball, and coaching youth sports. James has been coaching a variety of youth sports since 2014. He has a huge passion to help his fellow brother and sister veterans in need.

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Aaron Herrera

Dallas County
U.S. Army and Louisiana Army National Guard

Aaron enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard for 4 years during college as a Tanker (19K) and worked his way towards a degree and a commission into the active-duty Army. He spent 12 years on active duty as a Field Artillery Officer (13A). Aaron traveled all over, including 2 tours to Iraq and 1 tour to Afghanistan. He has been at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) as the Central Supply Chain Manager since 2019.

Veteran and Veteran Family Peer Supporters

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Amy Anderson

Hill County
Veteran

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Tim Branch

McLennan County
Veteran

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Lemont Cannon

Bell County
Veteran

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Frank Cash

Bell County
Veteran

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John Craig

Bell County
Veteran

Markeba Gregory

Bell County
Veteran

Eric Hammer

Dallas County
Veteran

Eric is passionate about the care and wellbeing of veterans and their family members. He served as a Chaplain Assistant in the National Guard and Army Reserve for ten years. During his service, Eric attended Truett Seminary at Baylor University where he earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 2000. He went on to complete a two-year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Afterwards, Eric became a Board-Certified Professional Chaplain (BCC) in healthcare with experience in both hospice and hospital settings.

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Wendy Kimbley

Bell County
Veteran

Wendy is an oncology/hematology social worker at Baylor Scott and White’s Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center in Temple, Texas. Prior to starting a new career as a social worker, she spent nearly 24 years on active duty in the United States Army. Wendy retired after serving in a variety of duty stations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including deployments to Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Kosovo, and Iraq. She is also a Veteran Family Member (VFM), married to another retired Army Veteran with four combat tours in Iraq. Wendy’s passion for service to others transitioned to a new career in Oncology Social Work. She graduated from the Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, in 2018 with a specialization in Psychosocial Oncology. She is committed to providing patients and families empathetic bio-psychosocial spiritual care.

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David Lammers

Hill County
Veteran

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Robert Lammers

McLennan County
Veteran Family Member

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Alex Love

Travis County
Veteran

Alex is a US Navy Corpsman veteran working and living in Austin, Texas. He served for 5 years at Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, Mother-Infant Care Center, and onboard the USS Nimitz CVN-68, Medical Department. Alex looks forward to connecting with veterans, sharing experiences, and building relationships.

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Johnny Neal

McLennan County
Veteran, Veteran Family Member

Johnny R. Neal II is a United States Army Reserve Veteran who served eight years, and who lives and works in Waco, Texas. Working as a dual-licensed broker in the real estate and insurance industries, Johnny seeks to provide financial solutions to mitigate personal financial loss, while maximizing investment returns for his clients. Johnny volunteers in his community through various capacities and serves as a youth mentor for Waco Independent School District. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Baylor University. He has been married for over 15 years to Rochonda, and together, they have one son.

Janie Smith

Coryell County
Veteran Family Member

Janie Smith is a Peer Support Specialist, Military Spouse & Mother, Caregiver, Author, Speaker, Coach. Janie’s passion is guiding military families through traumatic events, specializing in brain injury, PTSD issues.

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Hyacinthe Thibodeau

Dallas County
Veteran

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George Wankmueller

Bell County
Veteran

George Wankmueller is a Retired SSG, Army Medical Corps, 91B Army Medic, 91R Food Inspector, 71G Medical Records Specialist, Member of DAV (Life member), VFW 9192 (3yr trustee), and Commander JWV (Jewish War Veterans) Post 795 in Ft. Hood, Texas. He is employed at the VA Hospital Lab in Temple.

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Ricky White

Hill County
Veteran