Joel Jahraus, MD, FAED, CEDS | Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Joel Jahraus is well-known and respected for his two decades of specialization in the medical management of patients with eating disorders. A board-certified physician for over 40 years, he is a recognized expert on the medical complications of eating disorders. Dr. Jahraus graduated from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri, and has a background in family medicine. He entered an academic career as Associate Director of the University of Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Program. He then took a position as the Predoctoral Director at the University of Minnesota Medical School. During his teaching career at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Jahraus received the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award. He co-authored a chapter on eating disorders in Textbook of Psychosomatic Medicine, published by the American Psychiatric Association, and The Treatment of Eating Disorders: A Clinical Handbook, published by New York: Guilford Press (Grilo, C. M. & Mitchell, J. E. (Eds.), (2010). Dr. Jahraus has been featured in various national media, including two public television documentaries on eating disorders. He testified at a United States Congressional Briefing on the need for health insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment. For his outstanding contributions to the field, he received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2011, and was named a Top Doctor of 2013 by U.S. News and World Report.

Molly Perlman, MD, MPH, CEDS | Medical Director

Molly Perlman, MD, MPH, CEDS serves as Medical Director of Monte Nido and Affiliates, overseeing eating disorder treatment at 20 facilities across the country. She is double-board certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Perlman presents regularly around the country and is recognized as a leader in the field of eating disorders. She graduated from Duke University and the University of Miami, and has trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Dr. Perlman is the recipient of the prestigious Laughlin and Ginsberg Fellowships, is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society, and an Assistant Professor at Florida International University College of Medicine. She is on the Board of Directors of the Eating Disorders Coalition and advocates on Capitol Hill regularly for increasing education on and treatment of eating disorders.

Melissa Orshan Spann, LMHC, PhD, CEDS-S | Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Spann is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP™). Prior to being elevated into the Chief Clinical Officer role, Dr. Spann most recently served as Vice President of Admissions for Monte Nido & Affiliates’ programs nationally as well as held a Regional Executive Director role in the Southeast. She previously was a Primary Therapist and Clinical Director at the Oliver-Pyatt Centers programs too.  Dr. Spann received her Doctoral degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, Master’s degree from the University of Miami, and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.  A prolific presenter, Dr. Spann serves on the board of the Southeast Eating Disorder (SEED) Conference Committee and has presented nationally on topics related to adolescent development and body image issues, eating disorders in the Jewish community, the intersection of trauma and eating disorders, binge eating disorder, body image development, and women’s issues across the lifespan.

Amanda Mellowspring, MS, RD/N, CEDRD-S | Vice President of Nutrition Services

Amanda is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals with over 15years of experiencing leading the treatment of eating disorders at various levels of care.  Amanda currently serves on the Certification Committee for IAEDP and co-authored the publication defining the Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for RDs working with eating disorders in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Amanda is Vice President of Nutrition Services for Monte Nido & Affiliates, overseeing nutrition programming and services for Monte Nido programs, Oliver-Pyatt Centers, and Clementine programs across the country.

Robin Hoover | National Director of Nursing Operations

Robin Hoover, MSN, RN currently serves as the National Director of Nursing Operations for Monte Nido & Affiliates. With more than three decades of nursing experience, Ms. Hoover originally joined Monte Nido & Affiliates in the role of Consulting Nurse Administrator. Working in the Behavioral Health field, she has been prominent in her career in emergency room settings, charter schools, residential treatment centers, and as a university adjunct professor. Ms. Hoover earned a BSN and MSN (Health Informatics Specialty) from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Ms. Hoover is also a member of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

Melissa Coffin, PhD, CEDS | Senior Director of East Coast Clinical Programming

Dr. Melissa McLain Coffin is a licensed psychologist and a certified eating disorder specialist with extensive experience in the treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and compulsive over-exercise. Since 2008, she worked at Oliver-Pyatt Centers in Miami as a Clinical Director of residential treatment and eventually moved into the role of Senior Director of Clinical Programming and Development, overseeing adult residential, partial and intensive outpatient programming as well as adolescent residential programs. This role expanded in 2016 as Dr. McLain Coffin became the Senior Director of East Coast Clinical Programming for Monte Nido and Affiliates. She currently oversees Monte Nido residential and day treatment programs as well as Clementine adolescent facilities on the East Coast. She also presents nationally on eating disorders at conferences like the National Eating Disorder Association, the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and the Multiservice Eating Disorder Association. Her daily work is dedicated to supporting the successful treatment of people working towards a full recovery.

Kelly Souza, MA, PsyD | Senior Director of West Coast Clinical Programming

Dr. Kelly Souza obtained her Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology and Doctorate of Psychology from Southern California Seminary. She has been working in the field of mental health for the past 14 years in various settings including residential foster care, a psychiatric hospital, various partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs and outpatient therapy centers. Kelly has worked with various populations; including individuals with eating disorders, children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances, adolescents on probation, adults with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues, adults with severe psychotic disorders, couples and families. Her clinical background and passion for eating disorder recovery provides a sense of trust and helps foster a safe environment for clients as they begin this path to a happier, healthier life. Kelly has seen how recovery from an eating disorder can restore a person’s entire view of him or herself and allow him or her to become participating members of his or her life. Being a part of this journey with clients is a blessing.

Malorie Sweeney, MS, RD, LD/N | Director of West Coast Nutrition Services

Malorie Sweeney is a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders and compulsive over-exercise. Malorie has worked in several clinical settings, including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and residential eating disorder treatment. Prior to her current role as West Coast Director of Nutrition Services, she worked as a dietitian at the residential level at Oliver Pyatt Centers, followed by her role as dietitian at Clementine Malibu Lake. She currently supervises Monte Nido’s west coast residential and day programs, as well as Monte Nido’s west coast Clementine programs. Malorie holds a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavioral Studies from Vassar College. Malorie is committed to helping clients find peace with food and body and achieve full recovery from their eating disorders.

Janessa Slatky CEDRD, RD,LD/N | Director of East Coast Nutrition Services

Janessa Slatky has been working extensively with eating disorders for over a decade. Janessa specializes in treating  Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Diabulimia, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. Janessa graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors in Nutrition and Food Science with an emphasis in psychology, and then USU’s Masters Dietetic Program in Salt Lake City, Utah. Janessa is a member of the International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) where she completed her  Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian certification for Nutrition Therapy. Janessa enjoys helping others rebuild a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. She believes supporting her clients in real world exposures is key to a successful recovery.