Our Staff
Our staff is always available to make your visit to Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT at Gilda’s Club enjoyable and beneficial. If you have any questions, please e–mail us at [email protected] or click on a staff person’s name to send an email.
Sarah started at Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT in September 2020 as the Oncology Social Work Manager, after which she became the Program Director, where she oversaw the program department including all clinical work, healthy lifestyle, educational, and social programs. Sarah also facilitated groups and provided counseling services. Sarah is now the Executive Director, working closely with the Board of Directors and overseeing the organization’s operations.
Prior to working at CSCNYCT, Sarah was the Clinical Supervisor for a community mental health program, where she gained management experience and clinical practice facilitating groups and providing counseling and case management services. Previously, Sarah worked with adolescents providing in-home therapeutic and behavioral services. Sarah received a Masters of Social Work Degree, with a concentration in Clinical Social Work, from Rutgers University. She also holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Seton Hall University.
Deborah is an experienced development and fundraising professional with demonstrated history with annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, stewardship, and cultivation. Her career in fundraising began twenty years ago as the Director of Alumni Relations at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT. Prior to her start at Gilda’s Club, Deborah worked at Sacred Heart Greenwich for the past ten years as the Annual Fund Director providing leadership and strategic direction for parent, alumnae and other constituency fundraising efforts. Deborah has a BS from SUNY Albany in Human Biology and a MS from Georgia State University in Sports Administration, Sports Management and Events.
Tammy joined Gilda’s Club in 2022 as an Oncology Social Worker; she provides individual counseling, facilities support groups, and completes intake visits. Tammy earned her MSW with a concentration in gerontology from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. Tammy is a seasoned social worker having worked in both in-hospital as well as outpatient medical settings and geriatric care management. She has extensive experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team providing individual, family, and group therapy often focusing on adjustment to illness and loss while advocating for patients. Tammy received a post –Master’s certificate from New York University in Palliative and End of Life Care.
Judy Freeman began working at Gilda’s Club in June of 2002, following a seventeen-year career at Columbia University School of Social Work. Judy is responsible for managing Gilda’s Club Westchester’s calendar of monthly activities, including social and health and wellness programs. Judy also coordinates lectures and workshops facilitated by physicians, authors, health and wellness experts and community-based organizations. Judy maintains relationships with over 200 physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers and wellness experts who provide their expertise through our lectures and workshops which connect individuals with cancer, and their family members, critical information that assist with decision making and quality of life. Judy graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Secondary Education.
Samuel joined Gilda’s Club in May 2023 as a Bilingual Oncology Social Worker; he provides individual counseling, facilitates support groups, and completes intake visits. Samuel earned his MSW from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Samuel has worked extensively with immigrant populations providing social service support to recently arrived immigrants in legal proceedings including ensuring a trauma informed approach to service provision. He has extensive experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team to promote positive adjustment and community integration through individual intensive case management and group support with a focus on response to traumatic events.
Andrea joined Gilda’s Club Westchester in 2018 as an Oncology Social Worker before becoming the Program Director in 2023. Andrea earned her MSW with an individualized concentration on health and mental health from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Andrea has worked in both in-hospital and outpatient medical settings with experience in oncology, primary care, transplant, and emergency units for both adult and pediatric populations. She has extensive experience working with a diversity of populations in the community mental health setting, providing individual, family, and group therapy. Andrea has received specialty training in CBT, DBT, substance use, trauma, chronic-disease management, and bereavement support.
Cindy started CSCNYCT in September 2023 and is responsible for various tasks including special events, processing donations and helping with the daily operation of the Clubhouse. A seasoned event and operations professional, Cindy spent 16 years at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) working on all aspects of event management and business operations. She graduated from Bryant University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Jen joined Gilda’s Club Westchester in April 2023. Jen is a certified Child Life Specialist. A Child Life Specialist is a pediatric health care professional who specializes in working with children and teens, at their age level, to help them cope with a medical crisis or loss. Child Life Specialists take family-centered approach to make sure that all needs are met. Jen graduated from Providence College in 2001 with her Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education. She then graduated from Bankstreet College in 2004 with her Master of Science in Child Life. She became certified as a Wonders and Worries Provider in 2021.
Debbie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined the staff at Gilda’s Club Westchester in 2017, after having been Youth Programs Manager and Director of the Newark Clubhouse for Gilda’s Club Northern NJ. Debbie’s expertise includes counseling and facilitating groups for those impacted by cancer, and providing supportive counseling, bereavement counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, children, teens, and groups in both mental health outpatient centers and home settings. Debbie is a graduate of Duke University and completed her Masters in Social Work with honors from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service.
CSCNYCT Support Group Facilitators
Debbie Vincent, LMSW
Tammy Black, LCSW
Samuel A. Salgado-Hernandez, LMSW
Liz Barnett, LCSW
Mandy Dold, LCSW
Lydia Ecker, LMSW
Eileen Schmidt, LCSW
Brianna Ghelarducci, LMSW