Advisory Committee
The Steven R. Budoff Mental Health Educational Scholarship Fund Advisory Committee, is comprised of a wide, diverse, and experienced range of doctors, pharmaceutical industry professionals, mental health professionals, and educators.
Dr. Steven R. Budoff
Dr. Steven Budoff is a well-respected psychiatrist serving patients throughout the tri-State area for the past three decades. His own practice, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Solutions, is located in Somerville. He also works in private practice in Summit and East Brunswick and in community agencies and programs in Bound Brook, Flemington and Bordentown.
In his youth, Steven Budoff was well-rounded and accomplished. He was a pianist and trumpeter who excelled enough to have pursued those studies further. He was also an outstanding tennis player and downhill skier who received multiple varsity letters and won several awards.
When the time came, he put aside his music and attended the State University of New York at Buffalo to pursue a business degree. During his undergraduate years, he also studied at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduating, he pursued an MBA degree at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Yet Steven Budoff knew there was more for him. In his own words, “I set out on a path that would make a
difference in the world and the lives of others.” He first looked to the law and was admitted to several law schools. He quickly recognized that the law was not where he would leave his mark.
He came to realize that only be becoming a doctor could truly help his fellow human beings. He attended NY College of Osteopathic Medicine and after completing his internship and residency, he accepted a Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center. His practice has since grown beyond Geriatrics and he treats patients of all ages.
His path has always had him serve others. From being a member of the United Nations Chapter of Kiwanis International for many years to acting as a Preceptor at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine (Rutgers) for medical students, Dr. Budoff has continued to affect others in their pursuit of making a difference. And now, he also acts as a collaborator for many Advanced Practice Nurses.
When Dr. Budoff saw the need for psychiatrists to help soldiers suffering from PTSD, he enlisted as a reservist in the Army Medical Corps as a commissioned officer. Following 9/11, Operation Noble Eagle was launched and during this campaign, Dr. Budoff was activated and rose to the rank of Major. He served at both Fort Knox and Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg.
Throughout it all, he has continued to be active in the Jewish Community by supporting events and projects.
Now having been in practice for 30 years and to celebrate that accomplishment, Dr. Budoff has found another way to make a difference in the world.
Dr. Charles Ciolino
Charles Ciolino, MD, has been a member of the medical staff at Overlook Medical Center since 1989. He has been Vice Chair and Clinical Chief in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Overlook Medical Center, Medical Director of the Overlook Medical Center Partial Hospitalization Program, and Chair of the Atlantic Health Counsel of Psychiatrists.
In addition to his private practice, he is Medical Director for the Counseling Center for Human Development in Cranford, New Jersey, and Consulting Psychiatrist for the Fairleigh Dickinson University Wellness Center.
Dr. Ciolino is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and Chair of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association Disaster Preparedness Committee.
He is a member of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association Executive Counsel and American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Dr. Jeffrey Harrison
Jeffrey Harrison, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist specializing in individual, couples and group theray and maintains a private practice in Flemington, New Jersey.
With over 20 years experience as a psychologist, and as a graduate of Temple University, he is currently serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Among his areas of expertise are Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, trauma recovery and men's issues.
As a prominent psychologist, Dr. Harrison has presented at national conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of stress reduction, trauma recovery, and men's issues.
Dr. Harrison is an interactive, solution-focused psychologist. His therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. He integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, he works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
His education includes a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, an M.A. Clinical Psychology from Morehead University, and a B.A. Psychology from Lehigh University.
Noemi Bolton
Noemi Bolton is a psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy and trauma. She has extensive experience in individual, couples, family and group counseling. Ms. Bolton uses methods that address the root causes of behavioral and emotional patterns which lead to depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence, substance abuse, thought distortions, phobias, relationship attachments, and erectile dysfunction or vaginal anesthesia. She guides patients in exploring the core reasons behind uncontrolled crying, sleeplessness, hopelessness, fear of dying, losing control, brain overload, thought-blocking or avoidance. The goal is to unleash frozen biological functions and increase the capacity to experience pleasure and live life to its fullest.
Since the 1980s, Ms. Bolton has gained considerable experience and knowledge in the practice of the Fourth Way method of self-observation, and the bioenergetics principles of Orgonomy, most of which are the basic tenets of Psychoanalysis, Gestalt, EMDR, Mindfulness-based CBT and DBT therapy.
Ms. Bolton has a Masters in Social Work, Rutgers University, a Master of Science in Systems
Management, University of Southern California, Post-Graduate Training in Sex and Relationship Therapy, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School with Dr. Sandra Lieblum, Eastern Philosophy and Character Analysis Studies of Wilhelm Reich, Akhaldan II Fourth Way School, Princeton, NJ Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing, University of the Philippines
Ms. Bolton also has the following certificates: Digital Technology and Domestic Violence, Trauma Processing, Vicarious Trauma and Resilience, Sexual Addiction, Compulsive Gambling, Hunterdon Behavioral Health, The Personality Disordered Addict (Dual Diagnosis), Forensic Social Work and Elder Law, National Association of Social Workers, NJ, Cultural Competence at the Multicultural Family Institute of Highland Park, NJ, Clinical Social Work Supervision, Rutgers University, Spanish for Social Services, Rutgers University, Psychoanalysis and the Female Body, Psychoanalytic, Center of Philadelphia, and Meanings of Menopause.
Her professional experience includes Private Practice specialized in sex therapy and trauma using orgone and prolonged exposure therapy techniques, Licensed Clinician at the Hunterdon Youth Services - 2014, Psychiatric Clinical Therapist, Hunterdon Medical Center - 2007-2014; She has worked with young adult to geriatric with various diagnoses including depression, general anxiety, schizophrenia, trichotillomania, bipolar, eating, body dysmorphic, obsessive compulsive, borderline and personality disorders. Other cases involved gambling, sex, pornography addictions, cutting, infidelity and divorce. Clinical Social Worker, Catholic Charities - 2006; Forensic Social Worker, NJ Superior Court in Hunterdon, Criminal Division with sex abuse victims and sex offenders - 2005; Hunterdon Drug Court, alcohol and substance abuse - 2005; Hunterdon Hospice Volunteer for end-of-life issues - 2007-2009; Writers Beyond Borders, founder and leader for expressive writing therapy (current); Flemington Mothers Support Group, founder and leader 1990's; Just For Us Productions (for music and art for children and parents), founder and leader; Twin, Multiple and Tandem Nursing Consultant, La Leche League International; CoDependency (CODA) support group co-facilitator
Her affiliations and community involvement include American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, National Association of Social Workers, and National Association of Professional Women.
Cary B. Cheifetz
Cary B. Cheifetz is a founding member and partner of Ceconi & Cheifetz, L.L.C., in Summit, New Jersey, where he devotes his practice to matrimonial and family law related matters, mediation, arbitration and serves as an expert witness on family law.
Mr. Cheifetz was admitted to the American College of Family Trial Lawyers which is an exclusive organization by invitation only with 100 matrimonial lawyers in the United States, only six diplomates of whom are located in New Jersey.
Mr. Cheifetz is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Cheifetz has been appointed as the Chair of CLE for the New Jersey Chapter of the AAML. He is also an assistant secretary of the AAML Foundation and serves in this capacity for AAML on a national level. He also is a Past Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Executive Section, a Member of the Family Law Section of ATLA-NJ and Director of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Mr. Cheifetz is a member of the American, New Jersey State, Essex County and Bergen County Bar Associations. He also is Past President of the Essex County Bar Association and a recipient of its Family Law Achievement Award. He is a former Chair of its Family Law Executive Committee and a member of the Essex County Judicial Selection Committee. He is a former member of the Supreme Court Board of Attorney Trial Certification (Matrimonial Law Committee) as well as a past member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Family Part Practice. Mr. Cheifetz was a co-managing editor of the New Jersey Family Lawyer. He has also qualified as an expert on family law issues in the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts. He has also qualified as an expert witness on family law issues.
A former Adjunct Professor of Law at Seton Hall University Law School, Mr. Cheifetz is a co-author of New Jersey Family Law (Lexis-Nexis 2009), Valuation Strategies in Divorce (2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons) and Valuing Professional Practices and Licenses: A Guide for the Years Matrimonial Practitioner (2nd Edition, Prentice Hall Law & Business). Mr. Cheifetz has lectured on family law matters for ICLE, the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the American Institute of Certificated Public Accountants, and other organizations. In September 2015, Mr. Cheifetz led a seminar with six judges addressing different matrimonial issues to a Court by way of trial or settlement in a program entitled, “May It Please The Court”. In addition, Lexis/Nexis has published Mr. Cheifetz’ annual Supplement to his treatise, New Jersey Family Law (2nd Edition). Mr. Cheifetz was a presenter on Social Media in Divorce and Analyzing Tax Returns at the National Business Institute seminar on June 12, 2014. He also was a presenter on the Impact of Obamacare on Family Law and Hot Topics in Family Law at the National Business Institute Seminar on June 23, 2015. Mr. Cheifetz was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education which was presented to him from the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the recipient of the 2008 Saul Tischler Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association for lifetime achievement in family law.
Mr. Cheifetz received his B.A. from George Washington University, his J.D. from New York Law School, and was Law Clerk to the Honorable June Strelecki, former Presiding Judge of Family Part, Essex County. He is listed in “Best Lawyers in America”(Family Law), was selected as one of the “Top 10” Super Lawyers in New Jersey by New Jersey Monthly Magazine and one of the New York area’s “Best Lawyers” in the area of matrimonial law by New York Magazine. He was also voted into The National Advocates: Top 100 Family Lawyers in the United States. Best Lawyers recently gave Mr. Cheifetz the honor of naming him one of the best family Lawyers in the Tri State Area based on his high level of peer recognition. He was also named as one of Ten Leaders of Northern New Jersey Matrimonial Divorce Leaders, is a member of the Matrimonial Lawyer’s Alliance and has been designated as a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers.
Dr. Amina Damji
Dr. Amina Damji, PharmD, is the founder of Reading Ridge Pharmacy and Compounding Center, a full-service, independently-owned neighborhood pharmacy located in Flemington, New Jersey. Dr. Damji established this pharmacy in 1991 with a mission to serve the local community and providing outstanding patient-orientated care. Over the past 30 years, she has cultivated a business culture focused on offering personalized care for all customers to meet their healthcare needs. Reading Ridge Pharmacy has since grown into a central part of the greater Flemington area because of Dr. Damji’s dedication to her customers’ health and wellness.
David G. Epstein
David Epstein grew up in a small upstate New York town that nurtured a sense of safety and togetherness, much like the mythical town in “Leave It to Beaver.” The sense of community was powerful, and this created a mindset of caring and helping one another through good times and bad. It helped shape Dr. Epstein’s drive to make the world a better place. “Tikkun Olam” is the term Jewish people use which means “Repairing the Earth.”
Growing up in this small town of Monticello, David Epstein was fortunate enough to have been surrounded by a core of peers who were all devoted to achievement and service.
This inspired him and his fellow students to do their best, and it likely contributed to his opportunity to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a BA (cum laude) in Psychology. He then worked for two years at the Cerebrovascular Research Center, studying Strokes and other vascular anomalies that led to cognitive problems. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at New York University, and afterward launched his career providing psychotherapy.
While finishing his undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Epstein met and married his wife Debra and they eventually had three children. He now has four grandchildren and another on the way.
Dr. Epstein is a highly experienced Clinical Psychologist who has been in private practice for more than 30 years serving a variety of populations struggling with anxiety and depression. He continues to help children, adolescents and adults create more meaningful and fulfilling lives and to overcome their mental health challenges. He cites the Bob Newhart TV show from years ago as the specific inspiration that led him to want to be a psychotherapist, and he has been enjoying the novelty and excitement of this profession ever since.
Dr. Epstein characterizes his general philosophy of life as striking a balance between work and play. He is highly invested in helping reduce the suffering of others, but equally invested in taking care of himself and he is an avid tennis player. In addition to the raw enjoyment of the game, he regularly plays to avoid the cardiac problems that his father and older brother suffered at relatively early ages. The uncertainty of the future that these events reveal seamlessly feeds into some of the core issues Dr. Epstein teaches his patients, such as accepting uncertainty without existential distress.
Currently, Dr. Epstein lives in Baltimore, Maryland where he serves the mental health needs of children and adults. The current pandemic has dictated that treatment is provided via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms, and Dr. Epstein’s proficiency in computers has made that relatively easy. Nevertheless, he looks forward to the day when we can all once again comfortably leave our homes and now fear closeness with others.
Galindo L. King
Glenn King became Executive Director at Freedom House in 2013. Prior to that, he held the positions of Clinical Director and Counselor. He is responsible for overall operations of Freedom House Inc. Mr. King is also a graduate of the Freedom House substance abuse treatment program and passes along his professional expertise, life experiences and wisdom to the residents of the house.
Prior to his positions at Freedom House, Mr. King worked for the New Jersey Association on Corrections serving as program supervisor. In his role, Mr. King oversaw the daily operations of the program, supervised staff and clients, implemented program activities, recruited and interviewed employees and monitored program effectiveness and expenditures.
Mr. King has worked as a consultant for the State of New Jersey Intensive Supervision Program From 1993 to 2001. He was responsible for providing assessments, group and individual counseling sessions to participants, and consultation to ISP staff.
From 1979 to 1987, Mr. King served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, First Ranger Battalion at Fort Stewart and Drill Instructor at Fort Dix. He received many commendations and awards during his service including Achievement and Commendation medals and Sharpshooter badges.
Mr. King received a master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, and a master’s degree from Ohio Christian University in Pastoral Care and Counseling. He is Currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. He is a member of Pi Gamma Mu, an international honor society in social sciences. He is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of New Jersey, and a licensed minister through the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. King was an adjunct professor at Raritan Valley Community College, where he taught Introduction to Addiction and Case Management, and provided consultation for the development of the college’s addiction studies program.
He is a long-term resident of New Jersey and currently lives in, Warren County New Jersey with wife Kathy. He gives back to the community by helping community members’ access substance abuse treatment, jobs, and housing. He has coordinated and participated numerous projects for New Jersey and Pennsylvania non-profit organizations. He loves golfing, bowling, cooking, and fellowshipping with family and friends.
He is the recipient of the following community awards; 1995 Freedom House Graduate Achievement Award, 2003 Drug Court Appreciation, 2013 George Gramby Humanitarian Award, 2014 NJAMHAA Outstanding Leadership Award.
Dr. Peter Lewis
Dr. Peter Lewis recently retired as head of school at the Winston School of Short Hills, an independent school serving students with language-based learning differences in grades 1 through 8. Winston educates students who, though intellectually capable, have struggled in school and have experienced academic difficulties. The goal of The Winston School is to enable students to meet the academic and social challenges of life with confidence. The School fosters the potential and optimism in each child by cultivating intellectual, social and emotional growth in a positive and stimulating environment.
Formally the head at Kew-Forest School, Forest Hills, New York, Dr. Lewis has spent 30 years in education as a teacher and administrator. Prior to serving as head at the Kew-Forest School, he served as head of the Gateway School in Santa Cruz, Ca. He earned his bachelor's degree in history with high honors from Middlebury College, and received two master's degrees, one in history and one in education, from Stanford University where he also earned a Ph.D in administration/public policy.
Dr. Rachel Liebman
Dr. Rachel Liebman, D.O. is the Medical Director at LIFE St. Francis a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program in Bordentown, New Jersey. She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her training at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. She is board certified in Family Medicine. Prior to medical school, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Temple University Honors Program with a B.A. in psychology. She used her degree to work in an Adult Partial Care and Crisis center prior to starting medical school.
Dr. Liebman has a keen interest in the "Mind, Body, and Spirit" approach to health and well-being. She lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband Scott and their three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, CrossFit and yoga.
Dr. Padma Palvai
Dr. Padma Palvai is the First Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to practice in Hyderabad. She completed her training and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. She has completed her General Psychiatry training and American Board Certification at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital (Columbia University) in New York City. Dr. Palvai also worked as Medical Director, Hunterdon Behavioral Health, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program, Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ before returning to India.
A very compassionate, empathetic physician, Dr. Palvai is well experienced to treat and address all issues and problems related to children and adolescents.
Kerry Pearson-Sanders
Kerry Pearson-Sanders, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New Jersey since 2013. Ms. Pearson-Sanders works with children, families and individuals who may have experienced a variety of life stressors that impact their mental health and overall functioning. She specializes in helping children and their families who have experienced trauma, grief and acute family conflict.
With more than 15 years of experience working in related fields of school-based programs, community mental health services, case management, crisis intervention, trauma, grief and loss, she is able to have a practice specialty of working with at-risk youth and their families.
As a family therapist, Ms. Pearson-Sanders assists families to problem solve, communicate and work towards positive functioning at home and school. She also counsels adults and couples who experience marital difficulties, life transitions, grief and loss and psychological issues.
Ms. Pearson-Sanders currently works at her private practice, Practical Family Solutions, LLC in Somerville, NJ.
Steven Peter
Steven Peters currently serves as the County Clerk of Somerset County. His education includes Harvard University, Master’s Degree, Linguistics; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor’s Degree, Linguistics and Germanic Languages and Literatures.
Mr. Peters government experience includes Somerset County Clerk, January 2018-present; Somerville Borough Council 2016–2018; Somerville Council President 2016–2018; Deputy County Clerk, Champaign County, Illinois 1987–1991.
His public service includes Downtown Somerville Alliance Board of Directors 2012–2015; Somerset County Democratic Committee Central Region Vice Chair; Former Democratic Municipal Chair of Somerville.
His professional service includes Section Chief, Clerks and Recorders, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey, 2019-present; Member of Board of Directors of the TeX Users Group, 2003–2017; President, TeX Users Group, 2010–2015
Dr. James Rivera
James Rivera is a psychologist who specializes in assessment and intervention for persons with severe and persistent mental illness. He studied at the Graduate School of Professional and Applied Psychology, Rutgers University and completed his Post-Doctoral training in the Behavioral Therapy Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Rivera serves as an Associate Director in the Department of Psychiatry at Health + Hospitals Elmhurst and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Mr. Jerome Robinson
Mr. Jerome Robinson is a highly skilled professional with more than 28 years of experience in behavioral health and addictions management, and has established non-profit agencies that continue to impact communities in New Jersey.
Mr. Robinson has been previously positioned as the President of Youth Education & Transition Services Inc. (YETS) and has fulfilled additional executive and management positions in prison based treatment, residential, group home and other community based services.
He earned earned an Educational Specialist Degree at Rider University and is dually licensed as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Currently Robinson leads a team of diverse and strongly qualified addiction professionals as the Director of Substance Abuse for Creative Change Counseling Inc. (CCC).
Dr. Gary Shangold
Dr. Gary A. Shangold, M.D. is the Chief Medical Officer of Enteris BioPharma..
Dr. Shangold is a seasoned industry professional having held C-suite level roles at a variety of innovative organizations. Prior to joining Enteris BioPharma, Dr. Shangold was the founder and CEO of InteguRx Therapeutics, a company developing transdermal pharmaceutical products. He was formerly Chief Medical Officer / Executive VP for R&D at Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals. Before that, he was President & CEO of NovaDel Pharma, a publicly-traded specialty pharma company. Earlier still, he worked at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D, where he held several senior roles in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs. Prior to J&J, Dr. Shangold was Medical Director of Ob/Gyn/Infertility at Serono Labs.
Before his 25 years in industry, Dr. Shangold spent a decade in academia, on the faculty of The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and then later at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard School of Medicine.
Dr. Shangold completed an Ob/Gyn residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital / University of
of Miami and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the L.A. County / University of Southern California Medical Center. He received a BA in Social Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MD from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Martin Whiteman
Dr. Martin Whiteman is a neurologist in private practice for more than 25 years. He works as a consulting neurologist at numerous long term care and assisted living facilities in Ocean County, New Jersey.
In 1999, his practice expanded to performing mental capacity evaluations in guardianship proceedings. He does evaluations with various age groups for the Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex and Burlington Adult Protective Services as well as numerous private attorneys throughout the tri-state area.
He also serves as an expert witness in legal matters involving mental capacity including contested wills.
Dr. Whiteman received a B.S. from Rutgers University in 1982 and a Doctor of Osteopathy from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1989. In 1989, he completed a four year residency in Neurology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.