Anastasia Ruiz, MD

Dr. Santos is a psychiatrist with more than 4 years of experience practicing in a variety of settings with an emphasis on psychiatric outpatient care. She is experienced in treating several psychiatric disorders including but not limited to: Bipolar and Related Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and Substance Related and Addictive Disorders. Dr. Santos received her medical degree from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia / Ochsner Clinical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She completed her residency training at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Santos tailors her approach to the individual patient. She focuses on medication management and incorporates several therapeutic techniques including supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance therapy and mindfulness.

Dr. Carrie Schmitt, DO, graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2016. She completed her psychiatry residency at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan in 2020 and a subspecialty in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Maryland in 2021. Dr. Schmitt is dual board certified in Adult and Forensic Psychiatry and has practiced in inpatient, outpatient, community, academic, and forensic settings.

Dr. Schmitt values compassionate, well-rounded care and works collaboratively with patients to develop effective treatment plans. She emphasizes communication, active listening, and dignity, creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel understood and empowered.

Dr. Schmitt begins by understanding each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. She works together with patients to establish clear, practical treatment objectives and ensures each plan is tailored to their unique needs, fostering progress and long-term wellness.

Dr. Panchal is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who works with motivated adults to navigate and discover the root of their mental health struggles. Since working in private practice, Dr. Panchal knows that discovering the root of difficulties allows clients to find healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen their relationships so they can know themselves as a whole. She is trained in multiple therapeutic modalities as well as medication management, implementing individually tailored treatment. Her educational background includes training in psychodynamic psychotherapy with the Psychoanalytic Association of New York. She has completed her psychiatry training at Delaware Psychiatry Residency Program in New Castle, Delaware.

Marie Thompson, PMHNP, has over a decade of experience practicing in outpatient settings. She earned her undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Marie is dual certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, allowing her to provide well-rounded, holistic care to her patients.

Marie uses a team-based approach to help patients meet their treatment goals. She is dedicated to creating a trusting, non-judgmental environment where individuals feel safe, heard, and supported. Her goal is to enhance daily functioning and improve each patient’s overall quality of life.

Marie creates individualized treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. She works collaboratively to develop patient-centered goals and uses a thoughtful, compassionate approach to guide treatment. Her process prioritizes open communication, shared decision-making, and long-term wellness.

Dr. Merna Guirguis is a general psychiatrist known for her patient-centered and accessible approach. She blends compassion with evidence-based care, creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard. Her practice integrates psychiatric medication management with psychoeducation, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Dr. Guirguis emphasizes collaboration and transparency. She listens carefully to each patient’s concerns, encourages questions, and works to build a trusting therapeutic relationship. Her style is approachable and adaptable, ensuring patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and actively participating in their care.

She begins by reviewing each patient’s history, concerns, and goals to craft personalized treatment plans. Dr. Guirguis combines current clinical needs with long-term wellness objectives, adjusting care collaboratively over time. When appropriate, she may recommend additional therapy to complement medication management and optimize outcomes.

Dr. Cecilia Fitz-Gerald is a board-certified psychiatrist trained in adult psychiatry and consultation-liaison psychiatry, formerly known as psychosomatic medicine. She has been practicing for over five years and has extensive experience working in a variety of clinical settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency psychiatry. In addition, she specializes in working with patients with acute and chronic medical conditions that may be affecting their mental health, such as cancer, stroke, or a heart condition. She provides patient-centered care utilizing a collaborative approach to help her patients reach their goals. She is a native of Louisiana and a graduate of the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. She was elected to the prestigious medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha, during her fourth year of medical school and was awarded the John W. Bick Excellence in Psychiatry award. She completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where she served as Chief Resident and was a PRITE Fellow. Afterwards, she completed a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Dr. Fitz-Gerald has multiple scholarly publications, particularly in the fields of emergency psychiatry and hospital delirium and has presented at the annual conference for the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. She is passionate about academic medicine and enjoys teaching medical students and residents. Her other areas of clinical interest include ICU delirium and cardiac psychiatry.