About the Partial Hospitalization Program Team

Interim Medical Director, Partial Hospitalization Program
Associate Medical Director, Acute Care Services
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine 

Tapan Parikh, MD, MPH completed his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He completed his general psychiatry training at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in New Jersey. Before his residency, he completed his Master of Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from New York City, where he also worked in clinical research. Dr. Parikh grew up in India and completed his medical training at Pramukhswami Medical College, Gujarat, India.

Dr. Parikh served as Chief Resident and Chief Fellow during his residency and fellowship training, respectively. In addition to his formal training, he completed a three-year intensive program in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. He has published several peer-reviewed journal articles and regularly presents posters at various national meetings, including the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and American Psychiatric Association (APA). He was a recipient of the AACAP Beatrix A. Hamburg, MD, Award for the Best New Research Poster by a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow in 2020 and the AACAP Systems of Care Award in 2019. He supervises fellows, residents, students from various disciplines, including medical students and the PHP staff. He offers evidence-based treatment for all the conditions that we treat at PHP listed in this section and uses a combined approach of various psychotherapy techniques and psychopharmacology.

“I oversee all patients’ psychiatric treatment and collaborate with the entire PHP team in delivering the best possible care to the families in need of intensive mental health treatment. I particularly help and educate families in their process of deciding whether to start a medication for mental health reason which I understand is not an easy decision.”

Director, Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Dr. Lowry oversees clinical and administrative activities within PHP and IOP. In addition, she supervises the psychiatry fellows, psychology interns and acute care staff. She may also serve as a primary therapist and lead group sessions for children and parents. Any questions or concerns regarding PHP or IOP can be directed to her. 

Dr. Lowry received her M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Florida and completed her clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Children's Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children's). Her clinical and research interests include treating children, adolescents, and families in short-term intensive treatment settings; and the intersection between medical and behavioral health. She is committed to helping train the next generation of healthcare providers in evidence-based treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing and present nationally on these topics. Dr. Lowry is the Education Co-Chair of the American Psychological Association’s Acute, Inpatient, and Residential Service Special Interest Group in the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, and a  member of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, jogging, cooking, listening to live music and travel.

Licensed Social Worker, Partial Hospitalization Program

Patricia Aguirre, LCSW conducts individual, family and group therapy, and supervise the social work interns. Patricia coordinates your child’s care during PHP and upon their discharge. With your permission, we will contact other providers in order to coordinate the most appropriate services.

Patricia is a Spanish-speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Patricia completed her clinical training completed at Rush University Medical Center’s outpatient psychiatry department through University of Illinois at Chicago’s Certification program in Evidence Based Practice. Patricia has lived in both Chile and Mexico and have previously worked with unaccompanied minors from countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, and India, among many others. Patricia has clinical experience working with survivors of trauma, mood and behavioral disorders, and has had a leadership role in creating and facilitating trauma informed care trainings in residential settings. 

Licensed Social Worker, Partial Hospitalization Program

Kerry Brodziak, LCSW conducts individual, family, and group therapy and supervises the social work interns. She coordinates your child’s care during PHP and upon their discharge. With your permission, we will contact other providers in order to coordinate the most appropriate services.

Kerry attended Bowdoin College in Maine for her undergraduate degree and completed her clinical training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has worked in outpatient and inpatient services and uses evidence-based treatment, specifically Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She incorporates mindfulness-based approaches throughout her treatment. Kerry has clinical experience working with survivors of trauma, mood and behavioral disorders, suicidal behaviors, and crisis intervention.

Special Education Teacher, Partial Hospitalization Program

As the Special Education Teacher, Karen Cohen works with the children during classroom time. With your permission, Karen contacts schools to speak to your child’s teacher and other staff in order to best understand how they are functioning at school. Karen works with the primary therapists to make recommendations to the school about appropriate services for your child. Karen will send the school and you a letter with the recommendations and attendance record at discharge.

Karen is a Learning Behavior Specialist with experience working in both a regular school setting and a therapeutic day school setting. Karen’s primary goal is to teach our PHP kids more adaptive coping tools that they can use when they go back to their school. During our daily lesson we incorporate the use of Collaborative Proactive Solutions and Social Thinking. Karen works with the school system to ensure our students return to school with a plan in place to help get caught up with missed assignments and instruction.

Certified Recreation Therapist, Partial Hospitalization Program

As a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Gianna facilitates Recreational Therapy (RT) groups within PHP. The RT programs are structured to coach and model appropriate behaviors for successful recreation participation. Using leisure activities, Gianna helps teach children to appropriately express feelings and excess energy, as well as master skills. Gianna leads the Wednesday multi-family group activity and look forward to seeing you there.

Gianna attended University of Iowa, studied Therapeutic Recreation with emphasis in Inclusive Recreation, and obtained a Disabilities Studies Certificate. Gianna completed her recreation therapy internship in the PHP unit at Lurie Children’s, was hired as a full-time milieu therapist in PHP and then became the full-time recreation therapist. Gianna loves building rapport with patients and seeing all the progress the children and adolescents make during their time in PHP. Gianna enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as traveling.

Medical Director of Acute Care Services, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Co-Director of the Schools & Communities CAP Fellowship Rotation, Center for Childhood Resilience

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Milieu Therapist, Partial Hospitalization Program

As a Milieu Therapist (MT), Nicole is with the children throughout the day. Nicole’s job is to help the children work on their goals and to teach them appropriate coping tools so they can better manage their feelings and behaviors. Nicole meets with caregivers in the morning and in the afternoon to help communicate how their child is progressing in the program and answer any questions they may have.

Nicole graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelors in Public Health and Therapeutic Recreation. Nicole was given the opportunity to complete her Therapeutic Recreation internship within the Psychiatry units at Lurie Children’s where her passion and interest in mental health grew. Nicole has recently become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. On the PHP unit, Nicole works alongside the treatment team to help children incorporate coping tools into their daily lives as well as provide a safe atmosphere for all to learn and grow.

Administrative Assistant, Partial Hospitalization Program

As the administrative assistant, Janice helps coordinate many aspects of PHP and meet with new parents to complete consent forms and provide additional information about the program.

Janice has found that experience has been her greatest teacher and tool. Janice’s journey has always taken me down the path of helping people (family/children) whether it’s been in healthcare, schools, non-profit organizations, youth organizations or directly in the community. The purpose of life is to be useful, honorable and compassionate, and to make a difference in others' lives.