About the Division of Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health

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.

Dr. Guille has transitioned her research into the area of Perinatal Psychiatry investigating biological markers of postpartum depression. Her clinical practice focuses on the management of mental health problems in pregnancy and postpartum.

Rubin Aujla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. After completing her Masters in Public Health at Tulane University, Rubin Aujla attended the University of South Carolina for medical school. She then returned to Tulane for her psychiatry residency, including a year as chief resident. Dr Aujla completed her perinatal psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Caroline where she now works as a perinatal psychiatrist and the Clinic Director for the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Clinic.

Dr. Claire Smith is an Associate 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 is the program and research coordinator for the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Program. 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. 

Ellen Gomez is a Program Manager with the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health (WRBH) Division in clinical research. Prior to joining WRBH, she coordinated research and student experiences at the Hollings Cancer Center. She completed her undergraduate degree at Eugene Lang College – New School for Social Research, and her Master of Arts in Public Communication at Fordham University.

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 is a Program Coordinator II at MUSC, working with the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Division in clinical research. She holds a master's degree in health administration and completed her bachelor's degree in health services with a concentration in public health at the University of Southern Indiana. In her free time, Ashleigh enjoys practicing yoga, visiting new states and ballparks with her husband, Aaron, and taking adventurous walks with her Bulldog mix, Remy.

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 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.

Nina Perry is an Outpatient Services Coordinator in the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health (WRBH) Division at MUSC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Concord University and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University. Outside of work, she enjoys coaching youth soccer, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her dog.