PhD, CBIS

Wesley “Wes” Cole is a Research Associate Professor with the Matthew Gfeller Center in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also serves as a neuropsychologist for the Transforming Health and Resilience In Veterans (THRIVE) Program. Wes completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology from James Madison University in 2000. He obtained his masters (2003) and doctoral (2006) degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina. As part of his graduate training, he completed a pre- and postdoctoral training at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, a member of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.

Wes joined UNC and the THRIVE Program in 2022 after 13 years at Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Liberty (then Fort Bragg), where he served as a neuropsychologist, research lead, and chief of behavioral health services for the Intrepid Spirit Center. He has been the Principal Investigator for multiple TBI-related studies and has authored or co-authored numerous peer reviewed publications. He frequently presents at conferences and professional meetings on various topics related to brain injury. His primary research interests are with cognitive assessment and outcomes following concussion, autonomic nervous system dysregulation after concussion, return to duty assessment for military warfighters, and innovative treatments for postconcussive symptoms.

MS, CCC-SLP

Amanda Cole is a dedicated speech-language pathologist with the UNC THRIVE Program. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, and her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Amanda completed her clinical fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, specializing in outpatient neurological rehabilitation. She has continued her work in the outpatient neurorehab field at VCU Health in Richmond, VA, and WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, NC. Currently, Amanda leads monthly communication training sessions for the Triangle Aphasia Project in Cary, NC. She is passionate about working with adults who have acquired brain injuries, focusing on person-centered care with collaborative goal setting, implementing effective cognitive-communication strategies, and family education. Amanda is very excited to join the team at the THRIVE Program and serve Veterans and first responders.

MS, CCC-SLP

Daniel Fenton serves as a speech-language pathologist for the UNC THRIVE program. He earned his B.A. in psychology here at UNC Chapel Hill and his clinical master’s degree in communication sciences & disorders at East Carolina University. Daniel’s prior experiences include graduate training in intensive neurological rehab at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC, as well as a clinical fellowship in intensive inpatient neurological rehab at UNC Nash Hospital. Prior to joining THRIVE, Daniel spent over 4 years working in outpatient neuro rehab at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, NC, with a focus on multidisciplinary post-TBI rehab.

His areas of expertise include concussion, TBI, stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, dysphagia, and post-COVID rehab. He has also engaged in extensive advocacy and education for patients affected by TBI and stroke through local TV and radio appearances, as well as engagement with local non-profits. Daniel joined the THRIVE team in May of 2023, and as someone from a family with deep military ties, he is thrilled by the opportunity to serve veterans and first responders in such a cutting-edge program.

MD

Dr. Christine Flicek is one of the Psychiatrists for the THRIVE Program. Dr. Flicek attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and graduated from Texas A&M College of Medicine in 2016 with her Doctorate in Medicine. She completed her residency in General Psychiatry in 2020 and fellowship training in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry in 2021 at University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals. After completing her fellowship, she joined the faculty as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Her clinical roles include outpatient psychiatric consultation in integrated and collaborative care models and psychiatric consultation on the Inpatient Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service for patients who are hospitalized on a medical or surgical service. Her sub-specialty training focuses on the care of individuals with both mental health and general medical conditions, including individuals with traumatic brain injury. She has an interest in expanding mental health access through collaborative care and integrated care models and values the interdisciplinary approach provided to participants in the THRIVE Program.

PT, DPT

Erica Gaskins serves as a physical therapist for the THRIVE Program. Erica earned her Bachelor of Science, with Honors, in Health and Exercise Science and a minor in Neuroscience from Wake Forest University. Through these studies, she became passionate about the mind-body connection and continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Here, she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and was the recipient of the distinguished Margaret L. Moore Student Recognition Award and several scholarships. Erica focuses her practice on outpatient neurological and vestibular rehabilitation and has experience working with individuals with traumatic brain injury, concussion, spine impairments, stroke, degenerative disease, and balance problems. She has participated in clinical research, attended multiple conferences, served as a mentor to physical therapy students, and been recognized by her colleagues for her outstanding responsibility, pride, and teamwork. She is passionate about working on a multidisciplinary team and treating individuals holistically to help them achieve improved quality of life. As part of the THRIVE Program, she is excited to give back to Veterans and first responders by contributing to their recovery and wellness journey.

LCMHC, LPCC, LMHC

Alexandra “Ali” Giacona serves as the Expressive Art Therapist for the THRIVE Program and is also a licensed therapist. She holds a license in North Carolina, California, and Massachusetts, After graduating college in 2010 she knew she wanted to combine her love of counseling and art to help others in need. She helped develop and implement a Life Skills program in the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, NJ working with incarcerated women. She then earned her master’s degree from Lesley University in 2013 in Cambridge, MA. She studied both expressive art therapy and mental health counseling. She delivered the commencement speech for her graduating class in 2013. Alexandra worked at McClean Hospital in Belmont, MA for five years post graduate school in both the adolescent residential program as well as the adult inpatient unit serving as a group therapist. Simultaneously, she gained experience, and a specialty, working with eating disorders at Monte Nido Eating Disorder Treatment Program in Medford, MA. This inspired her to continue her education at the Academy of Healing Nutrition in NY earning her certificate in nutritional counseling. After living in the Boston area, she moved to California and worked as a primary therapist at Paradigm Treatment Center serving adolescents in the San Francisco area. She then joined a group practice where she served private outpatient clients. She moved to North Carolina in 2022 to serve as the Clinical Director at the Art Therapy Institute, a nonprofit mental health agency that focused on providing expressive art therapy to the community. She is thrilled to now be part of the THRIVE program. She loves working with the veteran population and helping to utilize both counseling and art therapy to help foster therapeutic growth and healing.

PT, DPT

Heidi Greata serves as the vestibular physical therapist for the THRIVE Program. A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, she graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester in 2008 with a B.S. in Health and Human Services and minors in Psychology and Gerontology. She then continued on for her doctorate in physical therapy at Nazareth College; graduating in 2010. She has served in a variety of clinical settings in Colorado, North Carolina, and Florida focusing on acute and subacute neurological impairments, and is primarily passionate about vestibular rehabilitation and craniofacial pain. At St. Mary’s Medical Center, she was an influential clinician in educating residents at the acute level on differentially diagnosing and treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and became certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation Theory, Evidence and Practical Application. During her time at Northwest Florida ENT, she was the lead therapist in the balance center and furthered her studies and treatment of craniofacial pain. In 2021 she joined therapy services at UNC’s Center for Rehabilitation Care in Chapel Hill. She is eager to support Veterans in their recovery.

LCSW, LCAS, CBIS

Amelia Howard received her Master of Social Work from East Carolina University with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Use. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. She brings 16 years of experience working in the behavioral health field to the THRIVE Program. Upon receiving her MSW, she worked in a residential substance use disorder treatment program for women who were pregnant or parenting. She transitioned to community-based work in 2010, first working as a Substance Use Counselor before being promoted to the Program Director for a multidisciplinary community-based program working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Orange County, NC and the surrounding area. Amelia then followed a need with the nonprofit she worked for and spent several years working as a State Director developing and implementing several programs working with adults with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. It is through that work, that she began working with Veterans and became a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Throughout the various positions she has held, Amelia’s work has involved working with a team of professionals to provide comprehensive whole person care. Amelia is excited for the opportunity to work at the THRIVE Program where she can continue being a part of a holistic treatment program working with Veterans but is also passionate about getting the chance to support the First Responder Community, as she is the wife of a career firefighter.

PhD

Dr. Kanser serves as the neuropsychologist for the THRIVE Program. He received his B.S. in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan where he gained his earliest experiences working with veterans with history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the Ann Arbor VA. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). He completed his 1-year residency and 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in Neuropsychology at the James A. Haley VA (Tampa, FL). In 2021, he joined the clinical faculty of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Working with civilians, veterans, and active-duty service members with histories of TBI has been a primary clinical/research interest throughout his career.

PhD

Dr. Dana Lebo serves as the Clinical/Counseling Psychologist for the THRIVE Program. Born on a naval base to a naval lieutenant and mother of a lieutenant in the army, the military has played an ongoing role in Dr. Lebo’s life. Last year, she volunteered at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin for Operation Allies Welcome (OAS) to provide behavioral health services to Afghan refugees. For 25 years, Dr. Lebo has applied her extensive background in psychologies of performance, health, leadership, sports, mind-body and whole brain integration to help hundreds of individuals, retired professional athletes, teams, couples, and families achieve their personal and professional goals. Dr. Lebo devotes her career to helping people build the skill sets of managing the stress, conflict, complexities and opportunities of busy home and work lives. Over the years, she has also specialized in areas of trauma, substance abuse and pain management.

Dr. Lebo earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University and Master’s degrees from Columbia’s Teachers College and Georgetown University’s School of Graduate Studies. She completed her psychology internship at Manhattan Psychiatric Center and supported residents dealing with substance abuse and trauma. She began her career in the field of international development with fellowships to study anthropology and Arabic in the Middle East, manage projects at a global relief agency in Cairo, and teach English and resettlement skills to refugees at the American Cultural Center in Alexandria, Egypt.