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Teesha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from UConn with her BA in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work. Teesha has been in the Behavioral Health field for a decade now and has worked in a variety of settings. Teesha’s clinical experience has come from working as a case manager, inpatient and outpatient clinician, crisis worker, and clinical director in Substance Use Rehabilitation Programs. Teesha is an experienced leader who leads with compassion, ethics, and discipline. She believes in guiding and motivating the people she works with to develop the skills necessary for strategic decision making and the execution of goals and growth.

Teesha has a self-proclaimed passion for working with adults with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Teesha specializes in substance use and mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and mood disorders. Teesha is both EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) trained to help those struggling with trauma. Additional therapeutic approaches Teesha utilizes include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, AcuDetox, and solution-focused techniques, to help clients develop coping skills, improve mental health, and work through life challenges.

Teesha believes therapy is a team collaboration between the client and the clinician built on mutual respect, trust, and open communication. Effective treatment begins with recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, strengths, and challenges, and clinical care should reflect that complexity. Teesha's approach emphasizes meeting clients where they are, integrating evidence-based practices with individualized care that respects each person’s story, culture, and goals.

Outside of Teesha's professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, adventures outdoors, and is an avid reader.

Todd Halper, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and family medicine physician at Halper Family Medicine in Rockville Centre and Bayport, New York. Dr. Halper grew up watching his father treat patients in his community and form lasting relationships throughout their care. Today, he works hard at his private practice to take care of his patients as if they’re members of his own family and helps them avoid getting ill with preventive care.

Dr. Halper earned his degree in medicine from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine St. Augustine in Trinidad. He then moved back to his home state of New York for a residency in family practice at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 2009 during this residency, his outstanding communication skills and knowledge were recognized when he earned the Resident Teacher Award.

Halper Family Medicine is known as the best health care facility in the area. Dr. Halper offers a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including Botox® injections, IV infusions, regenerative medicine using their own PRP or stem cells, and annual physical exams. He dedicates the necessary time to explain his patients’ conditions and treatments in-depth so that they have a complete understanding of their own care.

When he isn’t at Halper Family Medicine caring for patients, Dr. Halper loves to give back to his community through volunteer work. He teaches future doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University and Hofstra University in Hempstead.

Casandra is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in family medicine. She has been a Nurse Practitioner since 2020. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing from SUNY EmpireState College and a master's degree from Mount Saint Mary College as a family nurse practitioner. Casandra has worked in critical care, emergency medicine, and surgerical services for over 30 years. During her time spent in the acute care setting, she developed a desire to help patients with their health before they fall ill. Casandra has a special interest in integrative health, anti-aging medicine, hormone replacement therapy, and weight loss with a focus on peptide therapy.

When she has free time, she likes to be in the kitchen cooking.

Michael G. Grill, DO, is a skilled board-certified primary care physician practicing at Stoneleigh Primary Care, which has locations in Brewster, Jefferson Valley, Pawling, and Yorktown Heights, New York. He provides exceptional care to patients living in and around Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. 

Dr. Grill earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. He then went on to complete his residency at Clarion Hospital in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Grill has been practicing medicine for nearly 25 years, and in that time he has received numerous awards for his high-quality medical care. In 2019, the readers of Hudson Valley Parent Magazine recognized Dr. Grill as one of their Favorite Physicians.

Dr. Grill is now accepting new patients and looks forward to partnering with them at Stoneleigh Primary Care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Grill or another member of the team, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today. 

Haley (Bookbinder) Wipper is a board-certified Physician Assistant, originally from Rhode Island. She graduated Summa cum laude from Bryant University’s Physician Assistant Program and was inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society. Prior to PA school, Haley received a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Education in Athletic Training. She is passionate about fitness & nutrition, and enjoys playing volleyball and going to the beach in her free time.

Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology – Long Island Offices

Brooke Cahill, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology at MDCS Dermatology’s Long Island locations. She holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry with Honors from Sacred Heart University.

A Diplomate Fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Brooke is also an active member of the New York State Society of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She maintains certifications in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Brooke has advanced training in diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, and skin cancer. She is skilled in an array of cosmetic treatments such as laser therapies, microneedling, chemical peels, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for hair restoration, neurotoxins, and dermal fillers.

With a patient-centered philosophy, Brooke is passionate about providing individualized, evidence-based care. She remains committed to continuous learning to ensure her patients benefit from the most advanced dermatologic treatments available.

Christopher Xikis, PA-C, is a certified physician’s assistant at Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. 

Chris started his education at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, where he earned an associate’s degree in biomedical engineering technology and was inducted into the Alpha Eta National Honor Society for Allied Health. He then completed a Physician Assistant Bachelor of Science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he was the recipient of the Outstanding Professional Service Award and president of the Physician Assistant Student Society.

Prior to joining Victory Recovery Partners, Chris held several physician assistant positions in New York, including a private cardiology practice, vascular surgery, and in a chemical dependency unit at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York. While at St. Charles Hospital, he also received training for medication-assisted treatment in opioid and alcohol abuse disorders. 

Chris is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a guest lecturer for the Stony Brook Physician Assistant’s Program.

Steven J. Salvatore, DO, is board-certified in emergency medicine and is the Chief Medical Officer at Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. 

A Long Island native, Dr. Salvatore majored in biology at Fordham University in The Bronx, New York, before completing a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York. He then completed a medical internship at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and a residency in emergency medicine at the Long Island Jewish Hospital in Lake Success, New York, which is currently part of the Northwell Healthcare System.

His early work experience includes several emergency department positions at New York City hospitals and a medical director position with two medical facilities in Farmingville and Ronkonkoma, New York.

An experienced television host and medical correspondent, Dr. Salvatore shared his knowledge on The Dr. Steve Show, a nationally syndicated program. He also appeared on CW 11 Morning News, Discovery Channel, Fox 5 News, Fox News Channel, and CNN as a medical correspondent.

Dr. Salvatore is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He also maintains certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Paolo T. Coppola, MD, FACEP, is an experienced physician who serves as the Medical Director for Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. Dr. Coppola is board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine.  He relies on his years of experience providing medication-assisted treatment to people experiencing substance use disorders.

Dr. Coppola simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at New York University and a Bachelor of Engineering at The Cooper Union in New York in 1990. He completed his medical degree at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. 

He then completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, before beginning his career as an attending physician in the emergency department of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in East Patchogue, New York.

To better serve the diverse communities in New York City, Dr. Coppola is multilingual and speaks English and Italian fluently. He is board-certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society of Chest Pain Centers.