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Meet the Mental Health Services team at IU School of Medicine.

Our Team

Samia Hasan, MD

Director of Mental Health Services
Psychiatrist
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry

Education: Dr. Hasan earned her BA in Psychology from Swarthmore College, an EdM from Harvard University, and an MD from the University of Maryland. Shen then went on to complete a pediatric internship at University of Maryland Medical Center and her psychiatry residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Experience: Following her residency, Dr. Hasan joined the Department of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University as a Senior Instructor from 1996 to 1998, during which time she treated patients on the Schizophrenia unit and worked at a community mental health center. In 1998, while remaining on the clinical faculty of Case Western Reserve University as an Assistant Professor, she joined Levine, Risen, and Associates where she maintained a private practice in which she provided psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy (individual and group). Dr. Hasan came to the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry in 2016 as an Assistant Professor and became the Director of Mental Health Services for the School of Medicine in 2017.

Specialty/Concentration: In her private practice, Dr. Hasan provided mental health services for a number of physicians and physicians-in training. In providing clinical care for both acute and chronic conditions for many years, she developed an increasing interest in preventative mental health and wellness strategies. In her role as Director of Mental Health Services for the School of Medicine, she provides direct clinical care to medical trainees at the nine IU School of Medicine campuses across the state of Indiana. This role also includes the oversight and development of mental health services and wellness programs for medical learners statewide. Dr. Hasan believes that promoting the well-being and health of our IU School of Medicine medical trainees will benefit not only our trainees personally and professionally but will also benefit their future patients and their chosen fields.

Languages Spoken: English

portrait of samia hasan

Multi-cultural specialist: hiring in process



Andrew Brown, PhD, HSPP

Psychologist

Education: Dr. Brown earned his BS in Psychology and Philosophy from Grand Valley State University. He then earned an M.S.Ed. and PhD in Counseling Psychology at Purdue University and completed his predoctoral internship at The University of Tennessee.

Experience: Dr. Brown joined the Department of Mental Health Services team in June 2024 from Marian University, bringing with him several years of experience working with medical students. Throughout his training and career, Dr. Brown has significant experience in higher education settings, including at DePauw University, Purdue, The University of Tennessee, and Marian University.

Specialty/Concentration: Dr. Brown has specialized in higher education settings helping students of all levels address internal and external concerns that may be affecting their ability to reach their desired goals. Such concerns include depression, anxiety, family of origin concerns, or trauma, as well as addressing time management concerns, study skills, test anxiety, and other factors directly related to academic success. Additionally, Dr. Brown has specialized in working with individuals dealing with grief and loss, including non-death losses, especially breakups.

Languages Spoken: English


portrait of andrew brown

Cissy DuValle

Program Coordinator

Education: Ms. DuValle attended both IUPUI and Indiana Business College.

Experience: Ms. DuValle joined the Department of Mental Health Services in June 2024. She first joined IU in 2003 as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Family Health at the IU School of Nursing. Ms. DuValle transferred to IUPUI Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in 2004 where she expanded her position over the years from Administrative Assistant to Senior Office Coordinator.

Specialty/Concentration: Ms. DuValle’s focus is on project and financial coordination for the department as well as patient care.

Languages Spoken: English


portrait of cissy

Sarah Finke, LCSW

Mental Health Clinician

Education: Ms. Finke received her BA from Xavier University, and then went on to complete her Masters in Social Work at the Catholic University of America’s National Catholic School of Social Service in Washington DC. She also earned her Certification in Movement Analysis at Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies and is a Certified Instructor for Trauma-Informed Yoga.

Experience: Prior to completing her MSW, Ms. Finke worked for a UNHCR operation in Tanzania as a Best Interest Determination Specialist for unaccompanied minors, and as a Family Reunification & Child-Placement specialist for a national refugee resettlement operation at the Migration & Refugee Services office of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington DC. Ms. Finke, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an EMDRIA Certified Clinician, joined the Department of Mental Health Services in 2020 after serving for 12 years as a therapist to undocumented immigrants from Latin America living in New Haven, Connecticut. She also operated as a clinician, consultant or instructor for multiple programs including The American Red Cross, The Yale School of Medicine, Global Press Journal, Trauma & Resiliency Resources Inc., The Latino Behavioral Health System, The Greater New Haven Trauma Recovery Network, and HealthRight International. She continues to work with GJS Security (formerly Global Journalist Security) as an instructor for their Hostile Environment & Emergency First Aid Trainings in Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Washington DC.

Specialty/Concentration: Ms. Finke has 12 years of experience as a bilingual psychotherapist for Spanish-speaking clients. She specializes in trauma recovery for immigrant and refugee populations, first responders, journalists and humanitarian aid workers.

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

portrait of sarah finke

Dana Lasek, PhD, HSPP

Regional Campus Psychologist

Education: Dr. Lasek earned her BA from Hanover College, and her MEd in Counseling from Vanderbilt University. She then went on to earn her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University. Dr. Lasek completed her Professional Psychology Internship at the VA Medical Center in Long Beach, CA.

Experience: Dr. Lasek joined the Department of Mental Health Services in 2018, bringing with her 21 years of clinical experience working in a variety of settings including Hospital, Community Mental Health and most recently, a Multidisciplinary Behavioral Health Group Practice. Dr. Lasek has treated patients with a variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, ADHD, loss and grief, relationship issues and health concerns.

Specialty/Concentration: Dr. Lasek’s areas of specialty include ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and Couples Therapy.

Languages Spoken: English

portrait of dana lasek

Akanksha Maheshwari

Data Analyst

Education: Akanksha Maheshwari earned her bachelor's degree in dental surgery from Karnataka, India, and completed her master's degree in medical informatics at Indiana University Indianapolis in May 2024.

Experience: Akanksha began her journey with DMHS as a student research assistant in February 2023, and then an intern in the department. She now serves as a full-time data analyst. Before joining DMHS, Akanksha practiced dentistry for two years in India, where she discovered her passion for identifying patterns in patient data, behaviors and diagnosis. Her experience spans both clinical and non-clinical settings, enriching her understanding of health care dynamics.

Specialty/Concentration: Akanksha specializes in biostatistics, qualitative data analysis and data visualization.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Telugu

portrait of akanksha

Brian K. Nichelson, PhD, HSPP, CAC

Psychologist

Education: Dr. Nichelson earned his BS in Chemistry and Zoology from Butler University, and his Master of Science in Agency Counseling from Indiana State University. He then went on to earn his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University and to complete his professional Psychology Internship at Michigan State University.

Experience: Dr. Nichelson joined the Department of Mental Health Services in July 2019, bringing with him nearly 30 years of experience as a practicing psychologist. Before joining the department, Dr. Nichelson worked for American Health Network, served as Clinical Director at Tara Treatment Center, and worked at Butler University Counseling Center.

Specialty/Concentration: In his practice, Dr. Nichelson specializes in substance use disorders, family of origin issues, and couples work.

Languages Spoken: English

portrait of brian nichelson

Stacie Pozdol, MS, LMHC

Program Manager and Mental Health Clinician

Education: Ms. Pozdol graduated with a BA in Psychology with distinction and high honors from University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University before becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Indiana.

Experience: After graduate school, Ms. Pozdol worked at Vanderbilt conducting assessments and providing consultations to families in the Child Development Center. She then joined Riley Hospital for Children in 2005, where she both provided counseling to children and families and provided educator trainings in local schools. In 2009, Ms. Pozdol started her own private practice, where she worked for 12 years providing services to individuals of all ages. In her practice, Ms. Pozdol addressed mood disorders, ADHD, learning difficulties, family dynamics issues, and social skills difficulties. Ms. Pozdol joined the Department of Mental Health Services in September 2020 as a mental health clinician and program manager.

Specialty/Concentration: Ms. Pozdol has extensive experience addressing study strategies, learning difficulties, time management, and organization. She also has significant experience teaching social and interpersonal skills, supporting individuals with ADHD, and treating anxiety, depression, and other mood-related disorders. In addition to her clinical work, Ms. Pozdol also has experience with research, providing outreach services, and presenting to both professionals and patients about treatment strategies.

Languages Spoken: English

Stacie Pozdol

Amy Ricke, MD

Psychiatrist

Education: Dr. Ricke obtained her B.S. in Science Pre-Professional Studies from the University of Notre Dame and her M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She then went on to complete her Psychiatry residency at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Experience: Following her residency, Dr. Ricke joined the departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology at IU as a Perinatal Psychiatrist from 2012-2013 in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine clinic. She then went into private group practice in Carmel and Indianapolis for the next several years, during which time she provided psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. While in private practice, Dr. Ricke also served as the director of Psychiatry for a residential eating disorder program in Indiana. Most recently, Dr. Ricke has been providing psychiatric care for college and university undergraduate and graduate students via telemedicine.  

Specialty/Concentration: Dr. Ricke has had extensive experience treating young adults in her private practice, via telehealth with students, and while working in eating disorder residential treatment. She enjoys helping her patients understand the source of their distress, find the most effective treatment plan, and return to a full quality of life as soon as possible. In addition, in her private practice, Dr. Ricke provided psychiatric care for a number of physicians at various stages of practice.  She appreciates the unique demands, challenges, and needs that accompany medical training and practice.

Dr. Ricke has expertise in mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, sleep disorders, and a variety of other psychiatric illnesses, including the impact of reproductive hormones on mental health. 

Over the last decade, Dr. Ricke has given many lectures and didactics in the areas of mood disorders, women’s mental health, eating disorders, integrative psychiatry, and treatment-resistant depression as a way to stay active in educating other mental health professionals and remain up-to-date on the latest research and treatment in psychiatry. 

Languages Spoken: English

portrait of dr. amy ricke

Lesley VanMeter

Administrative Medical Assistant

Education: Ms. VanMeter holds a certificate in Phlebotomy for the Health Care Worker from Henderson Community College as wells as an ABR-OE certification from the AAMA Continuing Education Board.

Experience: Ms. VanMeter joined the Department of Mental Health Services in 2020 bringing with her five years of clinical administrative knowledge and a passion for helping patients.

Specialty/Concentration: Ms. VanMeter enjoys helping others and believes everyone has the ability to make and be the difference.

Languages Spoken: English

portrait of lesley vanmeter