Medical Team

Anje Van Berckelaer, MD – Co-Executive Director | 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. Before 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.

Dr. Van’s patient panel is currently full.

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.

Corey’s patient panel is currently full.

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.

Melissa’s patient panel is currently full.

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.

Jim’s patient panel is currently full.

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’s patient panel is currently full.

Kiana Gates, LICSW, PMH-C

Kiana Gates is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Vermont and a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Massachusetts. Kiana obtained her Bachelor’s 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 has a very diverse skill set and has experience providing therapy to children, teenagers, and adults. Kiana is trained extensively in perinatal mental health and interpersonal psychotherapy 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 is currently providing services to patients 5 years and older.

Meghan Knight, RMHC

Meg Knight, a Registered Mental Health Counselor, graduated from Lesley University in Massachusetts with her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling. Prior to pursuing her Master’s, she held a dual Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Human Development and Family Studies, also from Lesley University. The majority of Meg’s professional career has been in education working as a classroom teacher and as a school counselor. This experience has allowed her to help both children and parents cope with childhood traumas, communicate with one another better, and establish appropriate boundaries.

Meg is from southeastern Massachusetts and has lived primarily in Vermont for the last 15 years. She has worked predominantly with children and adolescents, though her current credentials allow her to work with anyone under the age of 65.

Meg is currently providing services to patients under the age of 65.