Vanessa Valdes, MD

Dr. Natalie Cummings is a board-certified adult psychiatrist, and board-eligible geriatric psychiatrist. She obtained her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital. She then went on to complete her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. During her fellowship, Dr. Cummings participated in Mount Sinai's Visiting Doctors Program, providing patient-centered and compassionate care to homebound elder adults in New York City. She also received training at Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center on Roosevelt Island during her fellowship, and presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry annual meeting. During her training, Dr. Cummings gained extensive experience providing psychiatric care to various patient populations in multiple patient care settings, including in the outpatient clinic, inpatient unit, and emergency department. Following her training, Dr. Cummings worked at New York Presbyterian's Gracie Square Hospital, serving first in the position of float psychiatrist, providing care to patients on every inpatient psychiatric unit (including the young adult/college student program, Orthodox Jewish program, psychotic disorders program, crisis-stabilization program, dual focus program, and Asian Psychiatry program), before transitioning to an established psychiatric attending for the older adult program. During her time at Gracie Square Hospital, Dr. Cummings received the Physician of the Year Award, and served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. She worked closely alongside staff psychologist, social workers and nurses to provide multidisciplinary, collaborative care to patients suffering from a variety of mental health conditions. Dr. Cummings primarily focuses on medication management and supportive psychotherapy, but has extensive training in utilizing various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, reminiscence therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. When appropriate, Dr. Cummings will refer for more extensive psychotherapy and/or collaborate with your established psychotherapist for comprehensive care. Dr. Cummings strongly believes that addressing psychosocial and interpersonal factors (including relationship health, economic stressors, social isolation and loneliness) is as essential as pharmacologic management in treating mental health conditions. She has particular experience and interest in treating older adults and those suffering from memory disorders, but provides treatment for a variety of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma-related disorders and substance use disorders. Dr. Cummings is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

Dr Mark Giordano is a board-certified psychiatrist with over ten years of experience in adult psychiatry, addiction medication, pregnancy and post-partum care, complex medical consultation, and military health. Dr G practices psychodynamic psychotherapy as well as evidenced based medication management. Dr G has extensive experience working with culturally diverse populations, and is an Army veteran who deployed to Korea and Afghanistan.

Patients often describe Dr G as caring, providing clear explanations, and responsive to concerns.   Dr G highly values his patients trusting him to listen and respect them, as well as in his clinicial skills.  He works hard at helping his patients understand his approach to treatment, and what is happening along the way and why. He may be the medical expert, but he and his patients are partners working together in the process of achieving better health and functionality for them so they can live their best lives.

Dr G starts by explaining his overall approach to medication management and his goal of helping his patients live a better life free of disability. He conducts a detailed evaluation of your concerns, your experiences, and your priorities in treatment.  Dr G develops a unique treatment plan based on your unique needs. He emphasizes positive developments over the course of your work together and makes sure you always have a chance to discuss any questions or concerns you want him to know and answer.

Glenn is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience in health care, dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of his community. With a background in both inpatient and outpatient settings, he is committed to helping individuals become the best versions of themselves—no matter where they are in their journey at the time of their first appointment.

Outside of work, Glenn enjoys spending time with his family, biking, and being outdoors.

He takes a patient-centered approach and emphasizes that he, too, is human. Everyone faces challenges at different times and in different ways. Glenn adopts a holistic perspective, recognizing that effective treatment involves understanding how life challenges impact a person as a whole. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, empathetic, and practical care to all his patients.

Glenn engages with patients in a way that makes it easy and natural for them to share their stories. From there, he promotes a shared decision-making approach to develop the most effective treatment plan. His areas of expertise include psychopharmacology, as well as Cognitive Behavioral, Supportive, and Psychodynamic therapies.

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Dr. Shahan Syed is a Board-Eligible Psychiatrist who offers personable, compassionate, and empathetic care. Before completing his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Syed graduated from International American University College of Medicine and recently completed his residency at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. He gained experience as a clinical researcher, emergency medical technician, and a registered nurse in both psychiatric and emergency departments prior to his formal training. This diverse background equipped him with valuable tools to deliver empathetic care to a wide range of patients with experience treating anxiety disorder, traumatic disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, OCD, and psychotic disorders. During his residency, Dr. Syed also took on the role of chief resident, demonstrating a remarkable ability to educate both his patients and colleagues. Throughout his residency, Dr. Syed actively pursued additional training opportunities at various safety net hospitals in New Jersey to care for underserved populations.

Dr. Syed places significant importance on collaborating with patients and all relevant parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the patient's life before making treatment recommendations. Additionally, Dr. Syed emphasizes the importance of lifestyle, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition, and their impact on overall mental health. He has experience in utilizing interpersonal and supportive psychotherapy, along with principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to foster resilience and meaningful change in partnership with other mental health professionals involved in patient care.

Dr. Syed employs a range of therapeutic methods alongside medication management to ensure a thorough and holistic approach for every patient. His goal is to create a safe environment that encourages healing and wellness, enabling individuals to remain motivated and live their lives to the fullest.

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Dr. Antonio Ramirez earned his medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University, where he also served as Chief Resident in Psychiatry. He completed residency training at Ponce Health Sciences University and the U.S. Veterans Health Administration, Caribbean Healthcare System, followed by a Fellowship in Consultation–Liaison Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Board-certified in both Psychiatry and Consultation–Liaison Psychiatry, he has served as Director of Psychiatry at the Roberto Clemente Center and Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ramirez is bilingual in Spanish and bicultural, with published research in cultural psychiatry and stress biology, and has been recognized for teaching and leadership.

Dr. Ramirez focuses on compassionate, evidence-based care that integrates psychotherapy and psychotropic medications to promote recovery and growth. His collaborative and respectful style ensures patients feel heard while working toward meaningful goals. He emphasizes setting clear expectations from the start to foster confidence and engagement. With his background in consultation–liaison psychiatry, Dr. Ramirez brings expertise in caring for individuals managing psychiatric conditions alongside significant medical illness.

The first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation, during which Dr. Ramirez carefully explores a patient’s history, conditions, and symptoms. Based on this, he develops a personalized treatment plan and reviews it collaboratively, so expectations are clear. Future visits focus on monitoring progress, adjusting the plan as needed, and integrating both psychotherapy and medication management to best support the patient’s needs and long-term growth.

Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Kenneth Ethan Lai explored a range of passions. After earning dual degrees in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside, he opened a popular Riverside eatery featured on The Food Channel. He later transitioned to the IT industry, earning a master’s degree and certifications, before answering his true calling in medicine, graduating from Saint Matthews University School of Medicine.

Dr. Lai believes psychiatry combines science and the art of medicine. Patients value his professionalism, patience, empathy, and attentive listening. He acknowledges the many choices patients have in providers and strives to create a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive environment for everyone seeking care.

Dr. Lai treats both adults and children/adolescents with expertise in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, addiction, geriatrics, and dual-diagnosis care. He is trained in TMS and ECT, is a Certified Suboxone Prescriber, and offers consultations and treatment through office-based or telemedicine visits. His approach is tailored to each patient’s needs, integrating compassionate care with evidence-based treatment.