Donald J. Cuddihy
President
(Buffalo office)

B.A. Theology/Psychology, St. Bonaventure University
School of Management/CEL, University at Buffalo
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS-07), American Academy of Certified

Don began his career in Human Services over 15 years ago, serving people with Developmental Disabilities, Visual Impairments, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Since the inception of the TBI Waiver in NY State in 1996, Don has had the opportunity to begin two programs. Don has a warm sense of humor and personal insight of traumatic brain injury. He uses this gift to maintain a positive mission in serving individuals with acquired brain injury.

Kirsten Anderson
Manager, Positive Behavioral Interventions
& Support Program
(Buffalo office)

M.S.W., University at Buffalo
Licensed Masters of Social Work

Kirsten is Director of the Behavioral Program at NFTBI. She has worked in the TBI field for several years, after providing counseling to adults, seniors, and caregivers. She's a WNY girl born and bred, having grown up in the Southern Tier and earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees at the University at Buffalo. Kirsten believes that everyone deserves a chance to be everything they can be. She feels that everybody does what they do for a reason, and behavioral problems occur when people aren't using the best way to get what they need. She works with her staff to help clients figure out their needs and learn better ways to fulfill them.

Sheryll Johnson, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Field Supervisor
(Buffalo office)

B.A. Communications Arts & Sciences, Michigan State University
Certified Brain Injury Specialist, American Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists

Sheryll has over a decade of work experience in Human Services, with service provision to people with mental health and developmental disabilities, and later in substance abuse and acquired brain injury. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Recently, Sheryll became a Licensed Practical Nurse and transitioned to the role of LPN/Field Supervisor for the Licensed Home Care Services division of New Frontiers. Prior to this, Sheryll was the Program Manager, a position she held since joining New Frontiers in 2004.

 

Patricia R. Lipka
Director of Patient Services
(Buffalo office)

Registered Nurse
B.S. Nursing, D’Youville College

Tricia received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from D’Youville College and she is a Registered Nurse in both Florida and New York States. She has worked in hospital management, managed care utilization, and home health care settings and came to be the Director of Patient Services in April 2009. Tricia supervises all clinical services in the Licensed Home Care Service Agency for New Frontiers in TBI - Western New York operations. Her motivation, involvement, kindness and character are impressive, and her clinical experience informs decision making on a daily basis.

Dawn Barr
Human Resource Assistant
(Buffalo office)

A.O.S. Human Resources, Bryant and Stratton College

Dawn works in the Human Resources Department. She plays a large role in the recruitment process, selection, and placement. She works closely with and assists the Human Resource Manager with every day functions and takes an active role in facilitating new employee orientations and recruiting events. She is a graduate of Bryant and Stratton College with a degree in Human Resources, and has 13 years of experience in administrative support and leadership roles.

 

 

 

Julie Krieger
Corporate Compliance & Privacy Officer
Quality Assurance Manager for:
(Buffalo/NYC offices)

B.A. Linguistics/Psychology - Brock University
Certified Brain Injury Specialist/Trainer
American Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists
Certification from Brock University/Ontario Brain Injury Association in:

• Home and Community Based Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation,
• Cognitive Interventions in Adults with Acquired Brain Injury
• Neurobehavioral Disorders
• Advanced Rehabilitation for Persons with Acquired Brain Injury

 

Julie subscribes to the rehabilitation philosophy of doing “Whatever It Takes”, to ensure participants’ needs are met. Julie has over 15 years of experience working with adults who have acquired brain injuries, and training staff is her “second heartbeat”. She has significant experience in program management, training, compliance, and accreditation in multiple facilities (post-acute active and long term rehabilitation, residential and community-based environments) across the United States and Canada. Julie is a 3rd year Graduate student at Brock University in Applied Disability Studies, where she is also pursuing credentials as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She began her service at New Frontiers in TBI as the Director of Waiver Services in January 2003 and transitioned in June 2008 as the Corporate Compliance and Privacy Officer/Quality Assurance Manager.

Carolann Woodard
Service Coordinator
(Buffalo offices)

Carolann Woodard has been a Service Coordinator in the TBI Waiver program since September 2007. Her roots in the human services fields are deep and she has served people in many capacities. She has a Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Fredonia and significant coursework towards a Masters Degree from Case Western Reserve University. In addition, she is an associate adjunct professor at a community college instructing "Introduction to Family Systems"”. Carolann’s interests include participating in youth initiatives and increasing her knowledge about social work topics such as family systems and working with diverse populations.

Chris Hall
Vice President/Administrator
(Buffalo office)

M.A. Rehabilitation Counseling, New York University
B.A. Anthropology, SUNY at Fredonia
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

Chris has been working with individuals with traumatic brain injury since 2000, and he has over 15 years of experience in human services, previously serving individuals with developmental disabilities and substance abuse related disabilities. Chris’ passion lies in assisting individuals with disabilities in their efforts to build and maintain their maximum level of independence. As an owner and Administrator, Chris takes great pride in the amazing team of skilled and dedicated staff that he is able to work with every day, and in their commitment to providing superior service to each and every client of New Frontiers.

Rebecca Gusmann
Director of Waiver Services
(Buffalo office)

M.S.W., SUNY at Buffalo
B.A., Health and Human Services, Medaille College
Disabilities Certificate, Medaille College

Rebecca has been in the Human Services world for over twelve years, having had much experience with various populations. She has worked in with people in mental health, physical disabilities, TBI, OMRDD, learning disabilities, HIV/AIDS, dual diagnosis and adoptions. Rebecca has cultivated a wide variety of experience to ensure a well-rounded knowledge base of disabilities. Her love for the TBI population and its caregivers fuel her passion for the helping profession.

Tikisha Brundidge
Human Resource Manager
(Buffalo/NYC offices)

Tikisha has been functioning in various aspects of Human Resources since 1998. She jumped onboard with New Frontiers in TBI as the HR Manager in early 2009 with an infectious enthusiasm for empowering others. As HR Manager, she fosters and enhances the potential in employees. Tikisha challenges employees to demonstrate their greatness, and showcase their skills that can make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Tikisha is currently enrolled in Empire State University in a Forum Management accelerated program. Her passions also include teaching a business morals and ethics program and holding seminars to empower women with difficult pasts.

Jessica Blarr
Receptionist & Administrative Assistant
(Buffalo office)

Jessica Blarr is the welcoming stop on your way into our Buffalo office. She has been with New Frontiers in TBI since January 2009 and brought with her several years of experience in customer service. Jessica specializes in effective communication and customer service. Her favorite aspects of working at New Frontiers in TBI is interacting with both the staff and participants and seeing the rehabilitation progress of our participants.

Susan Doyle
Payroll & Billing Specialist
(Buffalo/NYC offices)

Susan specializes in insurance billing with a sharp eye and detailed focus as she has since she came to New Frontiers in TBI in May 2002. She maintains the smooth, uninterrupted flow of service billing and payables with a continued strong commitment to Medicaid and billing compliance. Susan manages this department efficiently through the wealth of organizational experience she has over the past 20 years. If you have any Medicaid billing questions or employee payroll questions, she is happy to take your call. Susan has a vibrant sense of humor and an infectious laugh which she uses to brighten the day of New Frontiers’ clients and staff members, as well as anyone else she comes in contact with.

Brandi Lenox
Scheduling Coordinator
(Buffalo office)

Brandy Lenox is our more recent addition to the Scheduling Department, she has been a Workforce Scheduling Coordinator since February 2010 and has college experience in nursing and is PCA certified. Brandy has 20 years of customer service and human services experience. Her philosophy is making a positive difference in the life of others with compassion, care, concern, and communication. Brandy has the sweetest voice, people call just to hear her.

Melissa LaPress
Scheduling Coordinator
(Buffalo office)

Lisa LaPress has been one of the Workforce Scheduling Coordinators at New Frontiers in TBI, Inc. since October 2009. She has a lengthy history with the agency in multiple capacities, including experiences gained while performing reception duties, on call, HCSS/PCA, team building, a serving on several internal committees. Lisa is currently at Erie Community College seeking a nursing degree. Art and French are two of her passions in addition to serving people with traumatic brain injury.