Jagoda Jedrzejek discovered her passion for medicine at an early age. Growing up, she was always curious about the health of those around her and often took an active role in supporting her family’s medical needs. As a young immigrant from Poland, she frequently served as a translator and advocate during medical appointments, helping her loved ones understand complex health information. These early experiences inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.
Jagoda was accepted into an accelerated bridge program at Drexel University, where she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Health Science.
Deeply committed to primary care, Jagoda has cintinued to work in outpatient settings, where she focuses on preventive health and empowering patients to take an active role in their well-being. She has a strong interest in addiction medicine and mental health, and believes in treating patients with compassion and respect.
Outside of work, Jagoda enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, playing the piano, and exploring new places around the world.
Justin Harricharran had a love for medicine at a young age as a first-generation American. Growing up, he saw many family members battling chronic illnesses and having a difficult time understanding what was going on with their bodies. This sparked his interest in pursuing a career in medicine to help bridge the gap. As he grew older he saw how severely the opioid epidemic affected his community and watched many peers fall victim to addiction. It was then he decided he had to do something about it.
Accepted to a dual degree program, Justin became one of the youngest to complete his Bachelor’s in Life Science and then continued his education, completing his graduate studies at the New York Institute of Technology, receiving his Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies.
After working in a hospital setting after graduation, managing and treating some of the most complex detox and rehab patients, Justin transitioned to a primary care setting to continue bridging the gap he’d found early on in the community. Justin focuses on addiction medicine and the management of chronic illnesses such as opioid use disorder, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health among other conditions in the primary care setting.
In his very rare spare time, Justin enjoys spending time with his friends and family, traveling the world, and exploring new cultures.
Danielle started out in classical vocals, earning a degree at Carnegie Mellon University. Growing up, she had constant exposure to medicine and patient care as her father was a podiatrist.
Switching gears, she enrolled in Touro College and earned a BS in Physician Assitant Studies.
After many years working in Hospital-based medicine, she transitioned to primary care in order to pursue her passion for helping patients work towards healthy lifestyle choices. Danielle focuses on preventing chronic disease by bringing awareness of healthy eating, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene as well as promoting mental health and a strong self-image.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world, interacting and learning from different cultures as well as classical music, spectator sports, and an active lifestyle.
Kevin Otero is a licensed mental health counselor having served as a substance abuse/ mental health clinician through Mount Sinai’s hospital for 15 years where he received the majority of his training.
Kevin joined Indigo Recovery for Life as a counselor in July 2016. He provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy. Kevin helps people become motivated, examine and change their destructive behaviors, learn to cope effectively with life stresses, and recover from mood-altering substance addiction. He loves his work helping people enjoy their life becoming the best versions of themselves. Kevin received a B.S. in Biomechanics from Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (1994) and an M.Ed. in Counseling from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University (1997). Kevin is now working toward his Ph.D. at Fordham University focusing on substance abuse treatment. In his off time, he enjoys a wide variety of activities including arts, sports, and sciences.
Georgia Kontogiorge, MHCLP is a board-certified Mental Health Counselor in NY, and a Licensed Counseling Psychologist in the Republic of Cyprus.
Georgia is from Cyprus and earned her Bachelor of Science (Honors) from Leeds Beckett University in England in 2010 and her Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) from CUNY The City College of NY. She enjoys helping people live lighter, happier, and more meaningful lives. With multicultural and bilingual experience, she takes a holistic approach to health and recovery, synthesizing modalities and approaches in psychotherapy as well as utilizing techniques such as EFT Tapping, NLP techniques, and mindfulness. Georgia enjoys reading and learning about nature, history, space, being with her 6-year-old son, and living an active and athletic lifestyle.
Amy Yedid is a mental health counselor (MCH) that joined Indigo Recovery for Life in November 2020 as an intern and became a full mental therapist in September 2021.
She earned her master’s degree (LMHC) at Brooklyn College’s mental health counseling master’s program, in New York. She enjoys working with her clients to create a safe and comfortable space to discuss client goals, treatment plans, and CBT tools, and most importantly understands that each person’s experience and feelings are valued and heard. Combining a psychodynamic approach as well as CBT, helps Amy view each client as a whole in order to better help each person as they are unique in their experiences and journey. In her free time, Amy enjoys learning about skincare and makeup and spending time with her family.
After a fulfilling career in theatre set design, Chris Howard made a decision to put his hard-earned 10 years of sobriety to use helping fellow addicts and alcoholics. He joined Midtown Heath & Wellness in 2021.
After earning his Masteer of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, he is crrenty Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, he is now working on his PhD in counselor education and supervision.
In 2013, Chris was the original founder and chair of the New York Affiliate of the National Parents Organization, which continues to advocate for the rights of children after separation or divorce. He has also volunteered for various other charitable organizations including the All Stars Project, where “Using the power of performance, we help youth see new possibilities for themselves and their communities.”
Chris can be seen and heard online as the host of our center’s Recovery for Life podcast featured on this website, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audacy, and iHeartRadio. Chris also enjoys running, cycling, creative writing, and still opens his sketchbook from time to time when the light is just right.
