Meet Our Team

Elaine Weiner, MD
Medical Director
410-402-7694
eweiner@som.umaryland.edu

Dr. Weiner has been at the MPRC for almost 30 years, working with people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders to make gains in their recovery from what can be a devastating illness. As Medical Director in both the Outpatient Research Program and First Episode Clinic, it is her responsibility to ensure that patients obtain individualized, person-centered, state of the art psychiatric care. She provides direct patient care, supervision of clinicians, and psychiatrist training, as well as performs a myriad of administrative tasks. As part of MPRC’s mission, Dr. Weiner supports the ongoing success of the research agenda by facilitating the recruitment of subjects and working with the investigators to ensure the safety of subjects as they move through protocols. Helping patients to quit cigarette smoking has been both a clinical goal and research interest of Dr. Weiner’s over the last many years.

Kelly Register-Brown, MD
Psychiatrist
410-402-6825
kebrown@som.umaryland.edu

Dr. Brown is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Rochester and her master’s degree in Comparative Social Policy from the University of Oxford. She then completed her psychiatry residency training and child/adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt. Her interests include supporting transition to adulthood for individuals with psychosis and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Josh Chiappelli, MD
Psychiatrist
410-402-6827
jchiappelli@som.umaryland.edu

Dr. Chiappelli is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He earned his MD from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2008 and completed his psychiatry residency training with the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Hospital program in 2012. His hobbies include gardening and painting.

Beth Steger, LCSW-C
Lead Counselor
410-402-6833
bsteger@som.umaryland.edu

Beth is a licensed clinical social worker and an approved clinical supervisor in the state of Maryland who graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She came to MPRC in 2005 and currently has 18+ years of experience in direct clinical practice and research, specializing in schizophrenia. Beth believes in an integrative approach, drawing upon various theories of psychotherapy to best meet the needs of each individual and where they are at any given time. Personal interests include yoga, travel, and anything that involves her golden retriever.

Judy Liu, RN, MS
Counselor, Nurse
410-402-6832
jliu@som.umaryland.edu

Judy earned her MS degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and graduated from the Psychiatric Nursing Department. In her time at UMB, she specialized in adult psychiatric patient care. Judy has been a member of our clinic since 1998. She enjoys spending time with her family when she is not working.

Caroline Silva, LCPC
Senior Counselor
410-402-6126
csilva@som.umaryland.edu

Caroline graduated with a BA from Goucher College and went on to complete her Master's Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Maryland, in 1994. She is an approved clinical supervisor and has 20 years of clinical experience working in multiple settings, both inpatient and outpatient. She has extensive experience working in palliative care and oncology and has taught medical students, nursing students, and social work students for 10 years.

Krissa Rouse, LCPC
Senior Counselor
410-402-6829
KMRouse@som.umaryland.edu

Krissa is a licensed clinical professional counselor, who earned her MA degree in clinical psychology from Towson University with a focus on severe psychopathology and psychosis. Prior to obtaining her graduate degree, she worked in the medical field for more than 20 years, a portion of which was spent in clinical research. Krissa has experience working in community mental health as a child, adolescent, and adult therapist, as well as in inpatient settings as an occupational therapy assistant. Understanding the importance of healthy work-life balance, Krissa spends her time outside of the clinic gardening, hiking, running, camping, backpacking, skiing, and crabbing, as well as enjoying leisure time with family and friends.

Dora Oikonomou, LCPC
Counselor

Dora earned her BA in Psychology from Panteion University in Athens, Greece, and holds two Master‘s degrees — in Health Psychology from the University of Surrey, UK, and in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Dora is a licensed clinical professional counselor and joined the FEC in 2019. Before that, she completed her internship at the University of Maryland School Mental Health Program, and has previous clinical and research experience in the mental health field. In her free time, Dora enjoys watching movies, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Stephanie Korenic, MA
Predoctoral Psychology Intern

Stephanie is a Clinical Psychology PhD candidate at Temple University. She is completing her predoctoral internship within the UM-based Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHiRP) Track of the VAMHCS/University of Maryland School of Medicine Psychology Internship Consortium Program. Her research to date has focused on examining the interplay between sleep and social-cognitive functioning across the psychosis spectrum using translational, neuroimaging, and "big data"-driven approaches. She also has strong interests relating to the development of digital solutions that could enhance evidence-based treatments for early psychosis. Prior to starting graduate school at Temple, Stephanie worked as a research coordinator at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC). Altogether, she has more than 12 years of experience working with individuals across the psychosis spectrum in both clinical and research capacities. She currently provides individual and group-based therapy services in the clinic. Her personal interests include hiking with her dog, photography, and cooking.

William (Will) Touchette, BA
Peer Support Specialist

Will was first diagnosed with schizophrenia at Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Baltimore, MD, in the fall of 2005 at the age of 25. After being diagnosed, Will’s father helped connect him to the First Episode Clinic, where he initially received treatment until being transferred to the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) outpatient research program. Over the next 17 years as a patient of the MPRC, he moved up and down in terms of living a stable, productive life. Eventually, Will earned his GED and worked part-time while fulfilling his dreams of attending the University of Baltimore, where he received his BA in Digital Communications. Not long after graduation, he married his wife whom he had been dating for six years. Shortly thereafter, they had their first child in the summer of 2021 and purchased a house in northern Baltimore. Will can honestly say that his mental health journey has been long and tedious, but also revealing and inspirational to himself, his family, and his peers. His future goals revolve around completing his Master’s in teaching, and then moving into a career of teaching in the public schools of the greater Baltimore area.

Aliza Menick, BSW
Supported Education and Employment Specialist (SEES)

Aliza graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a bachelor's in social work. Her experience in the social work field has helped to shape her beliefs in advocacy and the strength's perspective. Aliza believes that every individual can succeed with the right support and that everyone has strengths that can guide their success. She has previously worked in the residential recovery field, where she facilitated groups that emphasized the eight dimensions of wellness that allow individuals to find success as they continue to navigate life. Aliza believes in a holistic approach, incorporating emotional, physical, occupational, social, intellectual, spiritual, financial, and environmental wellness into helping her clients achieve their occupational and educational goals.

Jazlyn Pereira, BA
Supportive Education and Employment Specialist (SEES)

Jazlyn graduated from Towson University with her B.S. in psychology and a minor in health science. She gained experience as an educator for Baltimore County Public Schools before joining the team at the First Episode Clinic in 2024 as a Supportive Education and Employment Specialist. Jazlyn has a strong interest in continuing to work with adolescents and young adults in the mental health field and is currently enrolled at Washington Adventist University’s graduate program for her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her personal interests include cooking, knitting, yoga, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and snuggling up with her cat and a good book.