Directors

Raun D. Melmed, MD
Medical Director

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Michel Ann Wilds
Executive Director

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Developmental Pediatricians

Agnes Bilog, MD
Developmental Pediatrician

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Dr. Agnes Bilog is a developmental/behavioral pediatrician who completed her residency training in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (affiliate of the Medical College of Wisconsin) in 1996. She pursued her fellowship training in developmental pediatrics at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in... (click here to continue reading)

Shabana Jessani, MD
Developmental Pediatrician

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Dr. Shabana Jessani is a developmental/behavioral pediatrician who joined the Melmed Center in 2004. She diagnoses and provides resources and assistance for the whole family to improve quality of life and enhance skills. Dr. Jessani specializes in Autism, ADHD, academic challenges, along with other neuroatypicalities... (click here to continue reading)

Raun D. Melmed, MD
Developmental Pediatrician & 
Medical Director

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Dr. Raun Melmed, medical director of the Melmed Center and a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, founded Developmental Pediatric Associates, now known as the Melmed Center in 1989. He is a co-founder and the medical director of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. A native of South Africa, he... (click here to continue reading)

Johanna Domer, MD
​Pediatrician

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Dr. Johanna Domer is a general pediatrician who completed her residency training in 2001 at St. Joseph's Hospital. She received additional training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Arizona Child Study Center until 2003. She enjoys working with children with various developmental issues, including... (click here to continue reading)

Anna DeOcampo, MD
Developmental Pediatrician

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Dr. Anna De Ocampo started at the Melmed Center in 2006. Prior to joining the Melmed Center, she had 5 years of clinical practice experience at Greenville Hospital Medical Center where she had teaching responsibilities as... (click here to continue reading)

Charissa Pe Benito, MD
Developmental Pediatrician

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Dr. Charissa PeBenito is a developmental/ behavioral pediatrician who completed her residency training in pediatrics at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center New York in 2000. She completed her fellowship training in Developmental Pediatrics at the New York University School of Medicine in 2003. She is... (click here to continue reading)

Kathleen Shefner, MD, FAAP
Pediatrician

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Dr. Kathleen Shefner is a Board Certified Pediatrician who completed her residency at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. She was in private pediatric practice initially in Arcadia, CA for 15 years, then in Syracuse, NY for 12 years before relocating here in Arizona at Melmed Center.​ (click here to continue reading) 

Nurse Practitioners

Jane Privateer, RN, MSN, PsyNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner 

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Jane Privateer, the clinical director of the Melmed Center and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, has been with the Melmed Center since 1998. Jane is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and specializes in the care of ADHD in both pediatric and adult populations. She brings over 20 years of experience working with children and adults in developmental...(click here to continue reading)

April Ellis, RN, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

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April Ellis is a board certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner that has been with Melmed center since 2021. Her entire nursing career has been in the field of psychiatric nursing. She has a deep passion for mental health. Ms. Ellis has extensive experience working in inpatient, outpatient, and correctional and crisis mental health...(click here to continue reading)

Chris Peluso, DNP, MHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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Dr. Chris Peluso is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, specializing in the care of both children and adults. He has many years of experience with a wide range of psychiatric illnesses. He has been a psychiatric nurse for more than 22 years and remains passionate about his profession and the care he provides for his patients...(click here to continue reading)

Occupational Therapists

Craig Ciuk, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

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Craig Ciuk has been an occupational therapist at the Melmed Center since 2001. He is originally from Michigan and received his degree from Saginaw Valley State University.

When working with children, his focus of treatment is on neurodevelopmental and...(click here to continue reading)

Psychologists

Julie Weston, PhD
Psychologist

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Dr. Julie Weston is a licensed child clinical psychologist who has been with the Melmed Center since 2007.  Her practice focuses primarily on comprehensive diagnostic assessments of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability...(click here to continue reading)

Michelle Romero, PsyD
Psychologist

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Dr. Michelle Romero is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults.  She completed her master's degree at Northern Arizona University in 2011, specializing in school psychology.  Dr. Romero’s work as a school psychologist has fostered an understanding of special education policy and procedures in addition...(click here to continue reading...)

Elena Rivera, PsyD, NCSP, BCBA
Psychologist

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Dr. Elena Rivera is a licensed Psychologist who has been with Melmed Center since July 2020. Her current services include psychoeducational, developmental, and psychological evaluations...(click here to continue reading)

Educational Advocate

Nutritional Therapy

Ricki Light, MEd
Educational Advocate

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Ricki Light is an Educational Advocate and Strategist at the Melmed Center since 2000.  She has over forty years of educational experience including teaching special and general education in Toronto, Canada, and Los Angeles... (click here to continue reading)

Jan Katzen, AMI, CFP, CN
Nutritional Therapist & Educator

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Jan began working at Melmed Center in 2017 and works with children, adolescents, and adults to identify and improve eating habits that may negatively impact physical and mental well-being. Services begin with a complete health and nutritional history...  (click here to continue reading...) 

Coaches

Erinn Juliano, MS
Administrative Assistant
ABA Program Manager
​Support for Life: Care Coach

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Erinn has been with the Melmed Center since 2004. She earned her Bachelor degree from Grand Canyon University in Athletic Training, with a minor in Coaching. She went on and received her Masters degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Fitness and Wellness. Erinn is responsible for the coordination of care for patients involved in the Support For Life program, ABA Program Manager and is also our Administrative Assistant, and trainer to all new employees.