At the Michigan Medicine Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program, we provide nationally recognized, evidence-based treatment of eating disorders. Our treatment services are offered by highly skilled professionals who have more than 125 years of combined experience in the treatment of these challenging conditions.
Your treatment team includes:
- Dr. Terrill Bravender, Executive Director and Section Chief - Adolescent Medicine
- Dr. Catherine Miller, Program Physician
- Dr. Natalie Prohaska, Medical Director
- Dr. Jessica Van Huysse, Clinical Director
- Jessica Homady-Selva, Program Nurse Practitioner
- Kelsey LaLonde, Program Social Worker
- Kate Fawcett, Program Social Worker
Candace Harmer, Program Nurse
Candace Harmer, R.N. attended both Oakland Community College and Wayne State University School of Nursing. Candy spent over 20 years working in the areas of Pediatric Intensive Care, and Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan- Detroit Medical Center. She began working at Mott Children’s Hospital in 2012, and within nine months realized a career goal of working in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. She further expanded this role to officially join the Comprehensive Eating Disorder’s team in 2016.
Jessica Lane, Program Nurse
Jessica Lane, BSN, R.N. attended both Wayne Community College and the University of Michigan School of Nursing in Flint. Jessica has been at the University of Michigan for over 12 years with 5 years spent working in the Pediatric Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Unit at Mott and 2 years working within the Pediatric Ambulatory care Specialty Clinics. Jessica learned early that her career focus was Pediatrics. Her true passion within nursing is helping individuals and families cope and excel when they are faced with health challenges. Jessica joined the Comprehensive Eating Disorder’s team in 2017.
Laurie Fortlage, Registered Dietitian
Laurie Fortlage, M.S., RD, is a Registered Dietitian whose clinical specialty is nutrition counseling for patients with eating disorders. Her passion is in helping individuals and families not only to have nutrition knowledge, but to also have the skills to apply nutrition knowledge. Laurie has extensive experience working with individuals both on an outpatient basis, and within inpatient and partial hospitalization programs at University Medical Centers in Massachusetts and Michigan.
Samantha “Sam” Winnie, Program Social Worker
Samantha “Sam” Winnie, LMSW, joined the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program after completing a postgraduate fellowship in the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic at Michigan Medicine. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Wayne State University and a graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Sam has worked in various clinical settings, including public school, community mental health, and outpatient psychiatry. She is experienced in using individual, family, and group therapy in order to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Additionally, she is trained in providing numerous evidenced-based treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Sam is committed to empowering and supporting individuals and their families throughout the eating disorder recovery process.
Alexis Sears, Program Social Worker
Alexis Sears, LLMSW, is a Limited License Clinical Social Worker. She completed her practicum on University of Michigan’s Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Alexis’ clinical experience is in the treatment of individuals with eating disorders in various levels of care. She enjoys working with patients in both the individual and group settings. Alexis is passionate about educating individuals & communities that recovery from eating disorders is possible and believes that Family Based Treatment is crucial in the recovery process.
Janelle Gutzeit, Certified Teacher and Education Specialist
Janelle Gutzeit, MATL, is a certified teacher with a Michigan Secondary Education Teaching Certificate. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Social Studies at the University of Michigan – Flint and a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning at Nova Southeastern University. Janelle brings fifteen years of experience in teaching all levels of high school Mathematics and STEM Education to the program. Her extensive experience with both Honors and At-Risk students will greatly benefit patients and families in coordinating educational needs during treatment.
Kellsey Smith, Patient Care Tech Associate
Kellsey Smith, B.S., received a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Previously, Kellsey worked as a Behavior Technician leading in-home therapy sessions for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, where she gained experience maintaining a therapeutic environment, utilizing emotional regulation techniques, and coaching parents. Kellsey’s clinical focus is to increase eating disorder awareness and education, as well as improve upon our own understanding and treatment techniques by conducting clinical research.
Alexandra Russell, Patient Care Tech Associate
Alex Russell, CNA, B.S., received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. She gained patient care experience working as a health technician with a Wellness Program, specializing in preventative medicine. Throughout her studies and work, she realized a pronounced interest in Behavioral Medicine and patient teaching programs. She also has a strong background working in the service industry, gaining valuable skills in communication and teamwork. A strong believer in family advocated recoveries, she enjoys working with and encouraging patients to obtain their goals.
Taylor Ericson, Patient Care Tech Associate
Taylor Ericson, B.A., received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After college she went to work for Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado as a patient care advocate and Behavioral Health Counselor in both adult and adolescent eating disorder treatment at the inpatient/residential level of care. She has also worked as a medical assistant for UM hospital and is BLS and CPR certified, which helped hone her skills and enables her to provide the best patient care possible. She is passionate about helping patients and families recover from eating disorders, and has a background utilizing different therapeutic techniques to provide a safe and therapeutic environment that is conducive to recovery. She is compassionate and motivated to help patients discover their goals and values and assist families in supporting their loved one through the journey to recovery.
Christina Tuck, Patient Navigator
Christina Tuck, B.B.A., received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University. She has been at Michigan Medicine for over 10 years, working within Homecare Services serving a wide range of patients for home medical needs. She also has experience working directly with new patients in an outpatient homeopathic clinic. She joined the Eating Disorders Program in 2017 as our Patient Navigator. She has a strong interest in helping adolescents and families recover from eating disorders and strongly believes in the family based treatment approach. Her focus is to help educate and spread knowledge about eating disorders. She enjoys working with patients and families in reaching their goals.
Kelley Popp, Patient Service Associate
Kelley Popp, B.S. received a Bachelor of Science in Business and Communications from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked in a clerical setting in Neurology, Orthopedic Surgery, as well as Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Michigan Medicine. Previously, Kelley owned and operated an small business in S.E. Michigan. She brings a robust background in customer service and patient care to the team. Kelley believes strongly in the efficacy of Family Based Therapy and welcomes the opportunity to connect patients and families with the care needed for successful treatment.
Take the Next Step
To schedule an evaluation or learn more about the Michigan Medicine Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program, call 877-475-MOTT (877-475-6688) and ask to be directed to the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program.