Who We Are
Board Members:
Sharon R Peterson, LCSW-C
Founding Director
President
Sharon has been an outpatient therapist providing individual,
family, and group therapy for over fifteen years. She has worked for numerous community mental health agencies and school systems in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Baltimore. A native of Atlanta, Sharon graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BS degree and completed her MS in Social Work from The University of Kentucky. Her first post graduate job was at a community mental health agency in rural Tennessee followed by joining the clinical staff at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Baltimore. Presently, Sharon is in private practice and specializes in eating disorders, child & adolescent transition, women’s issues, grief counseling, miscarriage or loss of a child.
In her "free time" she volunteers her services to the Feline Rescue Association, a non-profit rescuing feral kittens/cats and finding permanent homes for them through adoptions.
Ruth Anne Richter, MD
Vice-President
Ruth Richter MD is a board certified psychiatrist with over 20 years
of experience treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety
disorders, alcohol and chemical dependence, dual diagnosis, and eating disorders in adults and adolescents. She has expertise in
psychopharmacological approaches combined with psychotherapy and works closely with therapists and other health professionals.
Dr. Richter received her MD from the University of Alberta in 1982
and completed her residency training in psychiatry from the same
institution in 1989. During her stay in Utah, she also had her own radio show. She has been in private practice in the Baltimore
area for ten years and her current office is in Towson, MD.
Catherine Searson, NP
Treasurer
Catherine was born Salford, England and became an RN in the U.K. in 1980. After immigrating to the USA in 1986 she married her husband received her BS in Nursing from Boston University and an MS in Pediatric Primary Care, from University of Maryland- Baltimore, 1996.
Since graduation, she has worked as a nurse practitioner providing care for children and teens through public and private health programs. Her primary focus is health care and health promotion for the adolescent female client. Catherine is currently employed as pediatric nurse practitioner with Dr. Steven Caplan at Sinai Hospital, working with children and teens in Baltimore City. She is the mother of two teens and currently lives in Baltimore City with her husband.
Adia Moore (Attorney)
Secretary
Adia is a Maryland licensed attorney. She has represented clients in criminal,civil, and family law matters. Most recently she served as child’s counsel in Children in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases in Baltimore City and County. Adia comes to the board with a background in child advocacy and public interest work. She obtained her BA in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland with a certificate in African American Studies and received her Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University.
In her free time, Adia enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community. She hopes to one day save the world.
Volunteer Leaders:
Beth Mayer, LICSW
Mentor
Beth Mayer, LICSW, has been in the eating disorders field for 28 years. She is nationally recognized for her work in the eating disorders field and has spoken at conferences around the country. She is currently the President of MEDA, Inc located in Boston, Massachusetts. Beth is also serving as Chair of the NEDA Network Committee, a part of The National Eating Disorder Association.
Beth has a private clinical practice and for 20 years has been providing individual, couples and family therapy with a focus on eating disorders, addictions, sexual abuse, clinical depression and multiple personality disorders. Beth has also served as an adjunct professor at Simmons College, Boston University, Boston College, Lesley University and Salem State College, supervising MSW and LMHC graduate student interns. Beth holds a B.S. in Clinical Psychology from Quinnipiac University and a Master of Social Work Degree from Boston College.
Alyssa Compeau
Co-Director of College Outreach
Alyssa Compeau is a first year Masters degree student at Loyola University, Maryland in the Clinical Psychology-Thesis Track program. In her undergraduate career at Dickinson College, she conducted research on eating disorders and body image, and focused her senior honors thesis on the effects of “fat talk” on body dissatisfaction, mood, self-esteem and eating behavior among college women.
For her Masters Thesis, she will build from her undergraduate thesis to increase our understanding of “fat talk” and its relationship to body image, eating behavior and friendship. She will also be starting her research externship in the Spring 2012 at the Johns Hopkins University Eating Disorder and Obesity Programs. Alyssa was very excited to learn about EDN Maryland, and is ready to spread awareness of eating disorders and help in this important cause!
Catherine Russcitti
Co-Director of College Outreach
Catherine Ruscitti is a second-year Doctor of Psychology student at Loyola University of Maryland. In high school and as an undergraduate at Muhlenberg College, she dedicated her time to raising eating disorder awareness through fundraisers for local eating disorder treatment centers, as well as conducting and presenting a research project on the effect of various family factors on body image esteem.
Catherine is currently working on her dissertation project, an evidence-informed book to be used in bibliotherapy focusing on relapse prevention for individuals in recovery from Anorexia Nervosa. Catherine has been a volunteer for EDN Maryland since August 2011, and looks forward to continue her passion for helping those affected by eating
disorders.
Jean Repsher
Director of Parent & Family Outreach
Jean and her family learned to navigate the world of eating disorders when their daughter was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2000. Through their daughter's journey they became acquainted with the ANAD support group in Towson. In 2007, Jean volunteered to help form a resource group in Maryland; hence began her involvement with Eating Disorder Network Maryland.
Jean holds a BA of Elementary Education and MA of Special Education from Loyola College in Baltimore. She has 30+ additional credit hours from McDaniel College in Westminster and is employed by Carroll County Public Schools as a second grade teacher. She sees the importance of education to help spread the awareness of a deadly disease. Since it's start in 2007, she has been involved with Supporting Each Other, a support group for family members and friends of those who have loved ones struggling with disordered eating.
Jackie Villet, LCSW-C
Director of Middle/High School Outreach
As an adolescent, Jackie’s sister developed an eating disorder and received inpatient treatment as well as family therapy. As a result of this experience, Jackie, who graduated with a BBA in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts, was inspired to enter the helping profession. After working in the advertising industry for 7 years, Jackie received her MS in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2005.
Jackie is currently a guidance counselor at St Paul's School for Boys. As an EDN Maryland volunteer, she is able to serve as a liason to other counselors, bringing that community necessary education and support on eating disorders and disordered eating. Jackie is an active member of The Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS).
Satellite Volunteers:
Central & Southern Maryland
Katherine Bloom
Leader of Outreach
Western Maryland
Amy Goldsmith, RD, LDN
Co-Leader of Outreach
Lynne Ramirez, LGSW
Co-Leader of Outreach
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If you would like to contact any of our board members or volunteers, you may do so by emailing us by in the
