Our Mission
Narins Eating Disorder Center was founded in 2018 to deliver respectful, compassionate, evidence-based, and cost-effective treatment to those struggling with a myriad of eating disorder symptoms and presentations. The focus is on delivering quality, individualized treatment by a skilled professional staff and with careful adherence to the highest ethical principles
Our Core Values
Integrity
Compassion
Courage
Connection
Resilience
Well Being
Gratitude
Joy
Compassion
Courage
Connection
Resilience
Well Being
Gratitude
Joy
Our Staff
Tracy Narins Welchoff, Ph.D.
Owner/ Executive Director
Owner/ Executive Director
Dr. Welchoff is a licensed psychologist who has been practicing in the Buffalo area since 1995. Since opening her practice, she has treated many children, adolescents, adults, and families struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, school and work adjustment, behavioral concerns, and life adjustment issues. Her specialties include the treatment of Eating Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and sports-related psychological concerns. From 2010 - 2018, Dr. Welchoff served as Executive Director of the Buffalo Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders. Instrumental in the opening of the program, she was involved in program development, comprehensive assessment and treatment planning, supervision and training of clinical staff, providing individual, group, and family therapy, and community support. With the opening of the Narins Eating Disorder Center, Dr. Welchoff has brought with her twenty-five years of experience as well as patience, compassion, humor, and persistence in working with this tremendously diverse and incredibly rewarding group of people.
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Barbra Lesh, M.D.
Psychiatrist/ Medical Director
Psychiatrist/ Medical Director
Dr. Barbra Lesh is a Board Certified psychiatrist who is licensed to practice medicine in New York and New Jersey. She earned her medical degree at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Here she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society for the highest academic performance. In addition, Dr. Lesh received the AMWA Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation for graduating among the top five women in her medical school class. Dr Lesh completed her psychiatry training at Yale where she served as Chief of the psychiatric emergency room, Chief of the neuropsychiatric firm, and program wide Chief resident. Formerly the Medical Director of the Buffalo Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders, Dr. Lesh brings her enthusiasm and expertise to the Narins Eating Disorder Center.
Heidi Suffoloetto, M.D.
Interim Medical Consultant
Interim Medical Consultant
Dr. Suffoletto is Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Primary Care Sports Medicine. She earned her medical degree from University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and continued her training in the Emergency Medicine Residency Program and with a Fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine. Dr. Suffoletto is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics as well as Emergency Medicine at University of Buffalo. An avid sports enthusiast, she enjoys her role as Team Physician for Erie Community College and Niagara University Athletics Programs, the NFL, NHL, and National Lacrosse League. For over a decade, Dr. Suffoletto has partnered with Dr. Welchoff in teaching prevention, early intervention, and treatment of Eating Disorders in athletes.
Beth Schupp
Administrative Director
Beth is the first contact and friendly voice greeting callers who are seeking information about Narins EDC. Understanding how difficult this call can be for those struggling with Eating Disorders, Beth kindly and patiently takes people through the intake process and makes this often- intimidating process both welcoming and hopeful. On the administrative end, it's hard to imagine running an office in a more organized and efficient manner. Truly, Beth is the warm, helpful, and approachable face that keeps Narins EDC buzzing.
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Jessica Piatek, LMSW
Assistant Clinical Director
Assistant Clinical Director
Jessica Piatek, a Western New York native, graduated from the University of Buffalo's Master of Social Work Program. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Nutrition at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. While receiving her undergraduate degree, she interned at Buffalo Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders. Jessica brings many different job and internship experiences; working with adolescents in a school setting as well as with individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. A sports enthusiast, Jessica has coached lacrosse and interned in The University at Buffalo’s Athletics program. Jessica joined the Narins staff in 2018 and has played an important role in the establishment of our PHP Program in early 2019.
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Mackenzie Hill, LMSW
Primary Therapist
Mackenzie Hill, a West Coast transplant, graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Social Work. With various internship and job experiences, Mackenzie has worked with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in both school settings and community outreach. Additionally, she interned with a domestic violence agency as well as a community mental health agency with those facing incarceration. With her strong ability to connect, Mackenzie is passionate about meeting individuals where they are and working collaboratively to build motivation for a recovery-focused life infused with self -compassion and consistent with personal values.
Julia Stankowski, BS
Nutritionist/Director of Dietary Services
Julia earned her BS in Health and Wellness with a minor in Psychology from Canisius College and is completing her MS in Dietetics at D'Youville College. As a nutritionist, Julia uses evidence-based nutrition information to help her patients set and achieve their overall individualized nutrition goals while helping them learn a wide range of skills to support this process. As Director of Dietary Services, she ensures that the nutrition aspect of program provides a supportive, structured, and supervised environment designed to promote psychological as well as nutrition stabilization. Infusing warmth, knowledge, a sense of humor , and a love of cooking into her work, Julia helps patients not only renourish their bodies but remember the enjoyment, connection, and fun that food can bring.
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Sheila Flavin, MS, RDN
Consulting Dietitian
A registered dietitian with an advanced degree in nutrition from Columbia University, Sheila is a recognized expert in food and nutrition. With more than 20 years of professional experience, Sheila makes it her job to keep current on the latest developments in the field. Most important, she knows how to separate the latest nutritional fad from sound evidence-based approaches to nutrition. Working collaboratively with her patients and other treatment team members, she provides support in devising and implementing a plan to make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle. Although Sheila works with all nutrition problems, she specializes in treating those struggling with eating disorders. A popular speaker in the field, Sheila is highly sought after as a presenter, educator, and expert adviser to multiple media outlets. Finally, Sheila has been an integral part of establishing and nurturing standards of excellence in nutrition through her patient care, teaching and supervision of staff, community consultation, and her current role as supervising dietitian. Learn more at www.sheilsflavinrd.com.
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Sandra Reinhold, Psy.D.
Consulting Psychologist
Dr. Reinhold has worked extensively with young adults, adults and older adolescents on issues related to identity development, anxiety, mood difficulties, sexuality, and traumatic experiences. She has participated in extensive training and has clinical expertise in working with sexual issues and sexuality, emotional reactivity, relationship difficulties, anxiety and trauma. Her approach includes mindfulness based treatment which informs more individually tailored interventions. Her focus is on providing treatments that have been shown to be effective through research. The overall goal of her work is to help people to achieve the best quality of life possible by more effectively managing or eliminating symptoms and improving their lives.
Joie de Vivre ("Joy")
Since joining the Eating Disorder Treatment world in 2016 at the tender age of 3 months, Joy has gained extensive experience and supported the recovery process of many. Her French name Joie de Vive translates to an exuberant "Joy of Life", and she has certainly lived up to her name. From her role as eager receptionist, happily greeting everyone who walks in the door, to her favorite job of snuggling or playing with anyone in need, Joy brings her friendly, playful, loving personality to work each and every day. She loves to roll over, play dead, fetch endlessly, and offer a "high five" upon request.
