Our Team
We are excited to introduce our patients and the community at large to our wonderful Team of compassionate and caring individuals. Our Team is dedicated to providing the best possible care to each and every client. We value teamwork and strive to practice loving kindness to everyone we meet! Afterall, we are all human beings in need of compassion, empathy and care. Feel free to take a few moments to get to know our Team members, so that when you meet us in person, you can feel right at home!
Our Nurse Practitioners
James S Lukas, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Chief Executive Officer
Clinical Director
Practice Locations: Oakland, TelePsych
Services Provided: Psychiatric Evaluations, Psychiatric Medication Management
Professional Background
Mr. Lukas is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. He first became an Advance Practice Nurse in 2017, when he immediately began practicing in Psychiatry. In 2019, he earned his certification in Psychiatric Mental Health. Mr. Lukas has practice in multiple settings including private and community outpatient clinics, school based mental health, juvenile rehabilitative corrections, and inpatient. He started his nursing career as a certified nursing assistant. As a registered nurse he worked in long-term care, home health and Veterans Affairs outpatient primary care.
Educational Background
Mr. Lukas completed his undergraduate work at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, earning his Associate Degree in Nursing in 2010 and his Bachelor Degree in Nursing in 2013. In 2017, he completed his Master's Degree at Purdue Global University with a concentration in Family Practice. Finally, in 2019, he completed his Post-Master's Certificate with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health.
Biography
Mr. Lukas was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania, which sits just 40 minutes south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Outside of his professional life, he roots for Pittsburgh sports teams, enjoys learning new things outside of his profession and has a quirky interest in sailboats. He loves to travel and he loves to go anywhere with a beach. He notes that perhaps the most important life lesson he has learned so far, is that “life is not about where you want to end up, it’s about living in the moment and most importantly; enjoying the journey.”
Practice Philosophy
Mr. Lukas acknowledges that the mind and body are interconnected and thus mental well being and physical well being are affected by one another. When one’s mind is ill, one’s body will also be ill. Mr. Lukas believes that having good mental health helps promote physical health and prevent medical conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, and many other medical problems. While medications are an essential and beneficial treatment tool, psychotherapy is crucial for the treatment of mental health problems. Thus, it is vital to utilize medications as an addition to therapy and avoid utilizing medication as a primary treatment method.
Michelle L Antanovich, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Practice Location: TelePsych
Services Provided: Psychiatric Evaluations, Psychiatric Medication Management, Therapy
Professional Background
Dr. Antanovich is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. She first became an Advance Practice Nurse in 2000, where she started in family practice in Hickory, Pennsylvania; and since then she has worked in various primary, family, and community care settings. In addition to her primary care experience she has also worked in a state correctional facility in southwestern Pennsylvania and the Uniontown Pennsylvania VA outpatient facility. In 2017, Dr. Antanovich took on a role in an outpatient behavioral health practice in southwestern Pennsylvania, and continues to work in psychiatry to this day.
Educational Background
Dr. Antanovich earned her Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree from Waynesburg College in 1994. Following the completion of her undergraduate education, Dr. Antanovich began working in the field of Nursing while she pursued her graduate studies. In 1999, Dr. Antanovich earned her Masters of Science of Nursing with a concentration of Nurse Practitioner from West Virginia University. In 2015, she earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Finally, after having transitioned into the specialty of psychiatry, Dr. Antanovich pursued and earned a Post-Master's Certificate for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Regis College in 2019.
Biography
Dr. Antanovich is originally from southwestern Pennsylvania, where she raised three children. She now resides in southern Florida and continues to practice as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner remotely in several states. Dr. Antanovich enjoys traveling to warm places, cruises, and spending time with her husband, her children and her grandchildren.
Kelly L Neff, MSN, CRNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Practice Locations: Cumberland, TelePsych
Services Provided: Psychiatric Evaluations, Psychiatric Medication Management, Therapy
Professional Background
Kelly is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who began seeing patients in July. She first came to Lukas Behavioral Health as a PMHNP student in the Fall of 2022 and she is excited to be a member of our team. As a registered nurse, Kelly has worked in obstetrics, primarily in labor and delivery for over 20 years. She has worked as a staff nurse at hospitals in Florida, and Maryland. She has also worked at several hospitals in Maryland as a travel nurse in labor and delivery. Kelly developed an interest in psychiatry while taking care of pregnant women with mental health disorders and recognized a need for more providers in the community. In addition to caring for patients ages five and up, she will offer psychiatric mental health care to women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are struggling due to pregnancy loss or infertility.
Educational Background
Kelly began her medical career as a medical laboratory technician after completing an Associates degree in 1988. She returned to school and obtained an Associate Degree in Nursing from Westmoreland Community College in 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Capella University in 2020. In 2023, she completed her Master’s degree in Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health.
Practice Philosophy
Taking care of one’s mental health is crucial for overall well being and quality of life. Good mental health is more than the lack of mental illness, it is the state of mental wellness that enables us to cope with stress and adversity, foster healthy relationships, promote physical wellbeing and enjoy life. Kelly believes in a holistic approach to care which focuses on the mind and body, as well as social, environmental, physical and spiritual factors that impact mental health. By building a therapeutic relationship based on mutual trust and respect, Kelly will work with her patients to determine a treatment plan that meets their needs.
Biography
Kelly was born in Cumberland and raised in LaVale. She has lived in Pennsylvania and Florida and returned to this area in 2001. She has two adult children and a teenager. Kelly has always loved animals and she has three dogs, three cats and a hognose snake. In her spare time she enjoys reading, binge watching a good TV series, hanging out with friends, family and pets, doing home projects, going to the beach, and watching the Allegany Band and Guard perform. She admits to being a Harry Potter nerd.
Myranda N Spigler, DNP, CRNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Practice Locations: Hagerstown, TelePsych
Services Provided: Psychiatric Evaluations, Psychiatric Medication Management, Therapy
Professional Background
Myranda is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Myranda has experience in multiple different settings including private and community outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatry, and partial hospitalization programs. Throughout her education Myranda worked in the inpatient hospital and has also been an interim nursing professor at two local colleges.
Educational Background
Myranda completed her Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree from Shepherd University. After graduation Myranda returned back to school to obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health.
Biography
Myranda was born and raised in Smithsburg, MD. Outside of her professional life she enjoys traveling, attending Washington Capital games, and exercising. She is a big fan of Taylor Swift, dogs, and Starbucks. Day to day she enjoys spending time with her dog, Wheeler; as well as friends and family.
Our Therapists
Regina Palmer, LCPC
Licensed Certified Professional Counselor
Practice Locations: Hagerstown, TelePsych
Services Provided: Therapy
Leslie Henriquez, LCSW-C
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical
Practice Locations: TelePsych
Services Provided: Therapy
Our Management Team
Cherish Harding, RN, NRP
Intake Coordinator
Cherish is a licensed Registered Nurse and Paramedic with over a decade of experience in Emergency Medicine in the Emergency Room and EMS. She has experience in emergent and inter-facility transport with critical care experience and certification. She holds teaching certificates and is an instructor through the American Heart Association in CPR, ACLS and PALS. Cherish has been a volunteer Child Passenger Safety Technician with Maryland Kids in Safety Seats since 2017.
Cherish obtained her Associates of Science in Nursing from Allegany College of Maryland in 2012. She obtained her EMT through the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute in 2008 and her Paramedic through Garrett College in 2018. Cherish is a native of Western Maryland having been born in Cumberland and living in Garrett County for over 20 years. She has three daughters and they are her priority. Outside of work, she spends her time homeschooling her daughters and managing the needs of her family. She enjoys anything that involves the sun, sand, and ocean. She enjoys reading for both leisure and personal development. She loves spending time with her family and traveling together!
Gabrielle Puffenberger
Billing & Medical Records Coordinator
Gabrielle grew up in Hancock, MD where she enjoyed the country side. She moved to Frostburg in 2019 to pursue her Bachelor’s in English. She currently resides in Cumberland with her husband and cats. When she isn’t in the office, she enjoys crocheting, reading, and discovering new movies.
Heather Thomas, LPN
Clinical Office Manager - Hagerstown
Heather is a Licensed Practice Nurse that has worked in various settings throughout her career which started early in her teens as she has always wanted to work in the healthcare industry. Heather started her nursing career in 2005 and has held various positions across the industry. She has worked in emergency medicine, orthopedics, long term care where managed the Alzheimer and Dementia Unit, Corrections, Residential Programs, Infection Control, and a Psychiatric In-Patient Hospital for the past several years as she has always had a passion for Mental Health. Heather completed her nursing at James Rumsey Technical Institute in 2005 and is continuing her education to become a Registered Nurse in the near future.
Heather was born in raised in Western Maryland, growing up in Clear Spring. She loves cows and the outdoors, spending as much time as she can on the beach or hiking through the mountains. Heather loves spending time with her family and teaching her dog Ruger new tricks. She enjoys gardening, crafting, antiquing and anything that’ll get your hands dirty. Heather enjoys traveling with her family and friends and is an avid baseball fan, Go Nationals!!! "It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." — Aristotle
Krystal Hobbs, MA
Clinical Office Manager - Cumberland
Krystal was born in Cumberland, MD, but grew up in the Carolinas. She is a Medical Assistant who has been working in the medical field for over ten years. She obtained several Associate's Degrees along with Letter of Recognition from Allegany College of Maryland from 2012-2017. Krystal has worked in trauma at Ruby Memorial, Shock Trauma in Baltimore, Orthopedics, Endocrinology, Nephrology and general medicine. Krystal has a passion for behavioral health and plans to continue her education in the future.
When not working, Krystal enjoys spending time with her four kids and Siberian huskies. She enjoys being at the beach or near a body of water at all times and loves anything that involves being in the sunshine. Her other favorite activities include listening to music, watching movies, reading, and socializing with friends.
Our Office Support Staff
Lisa
Receptionist - Cumberland
Makayla
Receptionist - Hagerstown
Ryann
Receptionist - Oakland
Amy
HR and Accounting