Providers

Anje Van Berckelaer, MD – Clinical Director

Dr. Van Berckelaer (Dr. Van) is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and completed her family medicine training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in California. She then spent time with Doctors Without Borders in Maradi, Niger and in the Central African Republic providing direct care to adults and children. Dr. Van went on to complete her Masters in Health Policy Research from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. Prior to moving to the area in 2017, she worked in Philadelphia at several community health centers, including Delaware Valley Community Health, Sayre Health Center, and Puentes de Salud. She speaks English, French, Spanish, and Dutch. She enjoys caring for patients of all ages. Dr. Van Berckelaer and Corey Bell, FNP provide care to BVHC patients as a care team.

Mary Katherine (Kate) Howard, MD

Dr. Howard joined the family medical team at BVHC in May 2019. Dr. Howard spent three years as a medical resident at Pine Bluff Family Medical Center where she had extensive training in family medicine and emergency room/urgent care services. She has been providing direct care to patients of all ages in her home state of Arkansas since 2010. Dr. Howard received her undergraduate education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, her medical degree from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, and is board certified in family medicine. “I am so grateful to call the beautiful Green Mountains my home and to care for the people of the area. I am excited to be at BVHC and work with the team to focus on achieving the best patient outcomes.”

Jeremy Clover, DMD

Dr. Clover received his Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 2011 and his DMD from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in 2015. He has spent that last five years providing care to patients in southern Vermont.

“I am dedicated to providing my patients with ethical and reliable dental care, and communicating recommended treatment options to patients in a way that makes them comfortable. I am thrilled to care for the patients of BVHC and work in the health center model where integrated, whole-person health is a priority.”

Dr. Clover’s patient panel is currently closed.

Corey Bell, FNP

Following his graduation from Regis College in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science of Nursing, Corey Bell, Family Nurse Practitioner, began his nursing career at Bennington Health and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT. In 2012, Corey relocated to the Capital Region and worked as a registered nurse in Albany Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Six years later, he began a Science of Nursing Master’s program at Frontier University while continuing work as a registered professional nurse at Malta Medical Emergent Care. Graduating in 2018, and subsequently receiving his post-graduate certification as an FNP, Corey joined the teams of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and of Northern New England. During his time at Planned Parenthood, Corey was responsible for preventive and episodic care related to sexual and reproductive health, including primary care services, management of depression and anxiety, and gender-affirming care. Corey and Dr. Van Berckelaer provide care to BVHC patients as a care team.

Melissa Prouty, FNP

Melissa graduated from Duquesne University’s Science of Nursing Master’s program and has since dedicated more than 20 years to the healthcare field. Melissa began her nursing career at Bennington Area Home Health (VNA&H-SVHC), growing the hospice program and guiding the agency through its initial Medicare survey for the hospice program. Since earning her certification as a Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in 2010, Melissa has worked in various care settings providing preventive care, disease management, and diagnostics to patients across the lifespan.

Melissa joined BVHC in August 2022 and continues to work with hospice. She enjoys caring for patients of all ages and collaborating with patients to improve their health.

Jim Picone, PA

Jim began his career in healthcare in 1990 working in the Emergency Room at Central Vermont Medical Center. Since completing the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at the University of Iowa, Jim has worked extensively as a PA in both primary and orthopedic offices in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Jim joined BVHC in September 2022. He enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his patients, cultivating active lifestyles to promote healthy living with patients of all ages.

Kelly Davis, APRN

Kelly Davis, a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, obtained her undergraduate degree from Samaritan School of Nursing in Troy, NY and her Master’s degree from Regis College in Weston, MA. Kelly spent 26 years as a registered nurse at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, caring for patients at SVMC’s Women’s and Children’s Services at the beginning of her career. She later transitioned to Nurse Case Manager through the Vermont Blueprint for Health. In this role, Kelly provided care to patients engaged in treatment for substance use disorders for seven years. During that time, she saw first-hand the need for mental health providers. Kelly joined the BVHC team in October 2019 and is trained to provide medication management to patients across the lifespan. She resides in Shaftsbury with her husband and two children.

Kelly is currently providing services to patients 18 years and older by referral from their primary care provider.

Leigh Ullman, LICSW

Leigh Ullman, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, obtained his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University followed by his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Leigh began his career as a child welfare worker in Kenosha, WI where he spent three years conducting child abuse and neglect investigations. For the next six years, he provided short-term individual and group therapy to patients at an in-patient psychiatric hospital. The majority of Leigh’s career has been spent providing therapy to individuals, families, and groups. He has trained extensively in trauma treatment and has developed trauma informed care programs for various agencies. Leigh is also trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. He believes that his trainings have enabled him to better understand and treat others with attachment and self-harm issues. After 40 years in Wisconsin, Leigh and his wife now call Vermont their home.

Leigh is currently providing services to patients 5 years and older. For more information on becoming a patient of Leigh’s, please call the front desk at (802) 375-6566 X 6.

Kiana Gates, LMSW, PMH-C

Kiana Gates is a Licensed Masters Level Social Worker in Vermont and a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Massachusetts, working towards her independent licensure. Kiana obtained her Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) from Castleton University followed by her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Columbia University, where she concentrated in the areas of health, mental health, and disabilities. Kiana began her career in the mental health field as a crisis recovery specialist at Rutland Mental Health and an intern at the Newstory Center, where she worked through her undergrad. After her undergrad, Kiana joined Teach for America and was a special education teach in Memphis, TN for 2 years. During this time period, Kiana also worked in the admissions department of an inpatient psychiatric facility in Memphis, TN. In 2019, Kiana moved back to Vermont and worked as a trauma informed school social worker with children in grades K-5, a crisis clinician, and the social worker for the Vermont Blueprint for Health. Kiana currently works part-time as a Nephrology social worker, and is an instructor at CCV. Kiana has a very diverse skill set and has provided therapy to children, teenagers, and adults. Kiana is trained extensively in perinatal mental health and is certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). Kiana is passionate about all populations she works with, but is particularly passionate about those who are parenting or are in the pregnant and postpartum period. Kiana does extensive work with Postpartum Support International, and is a Vermont board member and helpline volunteer. Kiana has lived in Vermont for most of her life and currently lives in Bennington with her partner, dog Lulu, and her son.

Kiana is currently providing services to patients 5 years and older. For more information on becoming a patient of Kiana’s, please call the front desk at (802) 375-6566 X 6.