Our Team

Constance Guille, M.D., MSCR

Constance Guille is the Director of the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. Dr. Guille completed her psychiatry residency training and subspecialty training in perinatal psychiatry at Yale University. She established the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Rubin Aujla, M.D., MPH

Rubin Aujla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. Dr. Aujla attended the University of South Carolina for medical school, and completed her MPH and psychiatry residency training at Tulane University in New Orleans. She returned home to Charleston and completed a fellowship in perinatal and reproductive health at MUSC. Dr. Aujla currently works at the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Clinic at MUSC. When not at work she can be found volunteering at a local horse rescue and baking for friends.

Claire Smith, M.D.

Dr. Claire Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. She received her medical degree from ETSU Quillen College of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency training and reproductive psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her professional interests include treating pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, substance use, or life stress.

Christina Tolbert, M.D.

Dr. Christina Tolbert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. Dr. Tolbert received her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed her internship, residency, and child and adolescent fellowship training at the Medical University of South Carolina. At the National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center at MUSC, Dr. Tolbert gained experience with trauma exposure, PTSD, and economic and racial diversity in youth. She has also earned the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Pilot Research Award. Dr. Tolbert’s specialty interests are youth and perinatal psychiatry. She is currently treating pregnant and postpartum women in the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Division, adults and youth through the MUSC outpatient telepsychiatry program and youth at the MUSC Children’s Day Treatment Program.

Elizabeth Monter, D.O.

Dr. Elizabeth Monter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. Dr. Monter attended medical school at Kansas City University and completed her general psychiatry residency training at Eastern Virginia Medical School. She also completed a fellowship in reproductive psychiatry at MUSC. Her professional interests include treating women with peripartum depression and anxiety, OCD and trauma-related disorders.

Dawn Boender, M.D.

Dr. Dawn Boender is an Assistant Professor in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. Dr. Boender is a board certified OB/GYN. She attended medical school at Sanford School of Medicine in South Dakota, and completed OB/GYN residency through the University of Kansas (KU) Wichita. Her professional interests include treatment of mood and anxiety disorders that are affected by hormonal changes, including the perinatal, menstrual, and perimenopausal time periods. Outside of work she can be found spending time with her husband and four children.

Melissa Kennedy, M.D.

Dr. Melissa Kennedy is an Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB/GYN). She is board certified and has over 10 years of experience. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. She completed OB/GYN residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, where she was the clinical chief resident. She has been working in private practice after residency, as a general OB/GYN. She also has been teaching residents and medical students about OB/GYN care in both the office and hospital setting. She enjoys pregnancy and delivery care as well as routine gynecologic care of all ages. She is also interested in women’s mental healthcare. She enjoys creating a team with her patients to evaluate and treat their concerns. This includes getting ready to become pregnant, prenatal care and birth planning, and post-partum care after delivery. It also includes taking care of gynecologic concerns, like discussing birth control options, abnormal bleeding patterns, or gynecologic surgical needs. She enjoys helping women stay healthy with preventative screening exams as well, including completing pap smears and mammograms as recommended. In the last several years, she has volunteered at a free clinic providing gynecologic care for women in the Metro-Detroit area in Michigan. She is excited to be on the MUSC team and looks forward to meeting you!

Erin Phlegar, PA-C

Erin Phlegar is a Physician Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina's Physician Assistant program and received a degree in Neuroscience from Middlebury College. Erin previously worked at HarvardUniversity in The Buckner Lab exploring deep dynamic phenotyping and cognitive psychology. She has a strong interest in Women's Mental Health. A Charleston native, she enjoys playing with her two rescue pups, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Victoria Bowen, LPC, NCC

Victoria Bowen is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Delaware and earned her Master’s of Science in Community and Trauma Counseling at Philadelphia University. Victoria has extensive experience working with women, specializing in trauma, perinatal issues, and substance use. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and going to the beach.

Elizabeth Parker, LMHC, LPC, LPCS

Elizabeth Parker is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Roanoke College and earned her Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine. Elizabeth has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and women managing mood and anxiety disorders, perinatal issues, trauma, and life transitions. Additionally, Elizabeth serves on the Board of the South Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work and teaches online for Boston University’s Master in Social Work program. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.

Tara Ancrum, LPC

Tara Ancrum is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Psychology at The College of Charleston and earned a Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Webster University. Tara’s experience covers 16 years of working with children to adults in areas of behavior modification, anxiety, depression and trauma. She also has a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Tara enjoys reading and is open to learning new things. When she’s not working she loves spending quality time with her family.

Jacey Verdicchio, LPC-A

Jacey Verdicchio is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Division. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling from the Citadel. Her professional interests include issues of identity and motherhood, life transitions, perinatal anxiety and depression, and pregnancy and infant loss. Outside of work, Jacey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to podcasts, reading, and taking walks.

Michelle Hammack, LISW-CP

Michelle Hammack is a Licensed Independent Social Worker of Clinical Practice in the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Division. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at University of Maryland (College Park), she obtained her Master of Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore with a specialization in Child, Adolescent, and Family Health. While she has experience working across the lifespan, her passion working with young children and their caregivers led her to earn her Infant Mental Health-Endorsement® as an Infant Family Specialist and Endorsed Reflective Supervisor. Attachments and reflective practice are foundational to her approach working with caregivers. Michelle has a particular focus on supporting perinatal issues, grief, and loss; infant mental health and early relationships; and individual and community-level trauma. Her own journey as a mother of two is a part of her daily "why." The most recent part of her story brought her from MD to SC to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and community of people.

Caitlin Shadek, LISW

Caitlin Shadek is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division. Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Colgate University and earned her Master of Social Work from Rutgers University School of Social Work. Prior to her career in perinatal mental health, Caitlin was a litigation attorney, earning her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. Caitlin’s personal experiences as a mother of 3 boys inspired her career change. Caitlin’s professional interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, the transition to motherhood, the mother-infant dyad, infertility and pregnancy loss. Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys watching her boys play ice hockey and exploring Charleston’s beaches and waterfront with her family when they’re not at the ice rink.

Marie Hayes, Ph.D.

Marie Hayes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. She received her PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from UNC Charlotte and completed a predoctoral internship at Duke University Medical Center with rotations in reproductive medicine, psycho-oncology and behavioral sleep medicine. Dr. Hayes completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Levine Cancer Institute. Her professional interests are globally centered around health psychology and health behavior change and include reproductive behavioral health, infertility and pregnancy loss.

Sara Witcraft, Ph.D.

Sara Witcraft is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Mississippi and completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at MUSC. Within the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division, Dr. Witcraft primarily conducts clinical research but maintains a small psychotherapy caseload. Her research leverages transdiagnostic psychological mechanisms and utilizes innovative solutions to improve quality and access to evidence-based behavioral and pharmacological treatments for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring all that Charleston has to offer with her husband and dogs.

Courtney King, Ph.D.

Courtney King is an Assistant Professor at MUSC and works with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division in clinical research. She received her doctoral degree in Neuroscience from MUSC, working within the Charleston Alcohol Research Center. She is active in the community as a recovery advocate and co-leads a local nonprofit organization, Iron Wolf Recovery. When not at work she enjoys staying active through yoga, hiking, and exploring with her dogs.

Leah Holcomb, Ph.D., M.S., MPH

Leah is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. She received her PhD in Applied Health Research and Evaluation from Clemson University and her MPH from The University of Georgia. Her research interests include perinatal substance use disorder and maternal functioning. As a methodologist, she has an interest in dissemination and implementation of evidence-based strategies around substance use disorder treatment, as well as utilization of qualitative modes of data collection and analysis. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants with her husband, as well as cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs each fall.

Kerry Blome, LISW-CP

Kerry Blome is a Care Coordinator in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Kerry received her undergraduate degree from Marist College and completed her Master of Social Work degree at Boston University. She has perinatal experience in several states and now calls Charleston home. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the fabulous Charleston restaurants and beautiful beaches with her family.

Edie Douglas, MPH

Edie Douglas is a Program Manager at MUSC and works with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division in clinical research. Edie completed her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences at Furman University and a Master of Public Health at the University of Alabama Birmingham. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking and traveling.

Tychia Brown, BA

Tychia Brown is a Program Coordinator with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. Tychia received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Claflin University. She believes that if you can just impact one person you made a difference. Tychia enjoys spending time with family and cooking different recipes that she finds on Pinterest.

Ashleigh Kormelink, BS

Ashleigh Kormelink is a Program Coordinator at MUSC and works with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division in clinical research. Ashleigh completed her undergraduate degree in Health Services with a concentration in Public Health at the University of Southern Indiana (USI) and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Health Administration at USI. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and dog at the beach, traveling, exercising, and trying new restaurants in Charleston.

Claire Johnson, BA

Claire Johnson is a Program Coordinator with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. Claire received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in women and gender studies from Sewanee. She enjoys trying out new recipes to enjoy with her family and friends, spending time outdoors, and swapping out new books to read at the local library.

Lucrecia Mitchell, MS

Lucrecia Mitchell is a Program Coordinator with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. Lucrecia received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Morris College and earned a Master’s of Science in Human Service with a minor in Organizational Management and Leadership at Springfield College. She believes each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women. Lucrecia enjoys spending time with her children and creating memories with them.

Abbie Broadhead, BS

Abbie is a Program Coordinator with the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at MUSC. Abbie received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys seeing live music, spending time outside, and trying new coffee shops with friends.