Senior Staff
Steven Fahey
Chief Executive Officer
Steven Fahey was chosen to lead NDA as CEO under our new owners, Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. Steve has been with NDA since July 2007 and fully transitioned into the position of CEO in October 2007.
Fahey said he is thrilled to be part of this special organization that offers a unique level of care to the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and autistic community. "What I saw here was tremendous compassion among staff and successful recovery among residents during my visit here," he said. "It had a tremendous impact on me, witnessing this kind, caring staff providing such empathetic care to a vulnerable population that is often overlooked in our society."
Fahey has nearly two decades of experience in healthcare administration, serving as a regional director for a large behavioral health company and in executive-level business operations for a wide range of healthcare organizations. He also has a background as a social worker, giving him an inside understanding of the clinical side of mental health care.
Fahey's goal for the academy is to expand offerings to meet additional needs, such as providing group homes and community integration programs.
Steve holds a B.A. from Providence College, a master's of social work from Boston College, and a master's of business administration from Boston University.
Melissa Watson, MA, LMHC, BCABA
Clinical Director
Melissa was first introduced to what would eventually evolve into the NDA team when she participated in her clinical internship in 1992. She was quickly hired and remained in her position as clinician and manager until 1998. During her tenure, Melissa gained experience in treating Deaf people of all ages. Melissa relocated to Ohio in 1998, and continued her practice with Deaf children and Deaf adolescents at St. Vincent's in Columbus.
Melissa accepted the position of Director of Clinical Programs at National Deaf Academy in February 2001. In this position, she directs and supervises treatment programs for Deaf children, adolescents and adults.
Melissa received her B.A. from Bloomsburg University in social work and her master's in mental health counseling from Gallaudet University.
Cathy Nadeau, RN
Director of Nursing
Cathy Nadeau graduated from Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y. with a degree in nursing. She has been a psychiatric nurse since 1979 and has been employed in all aspects of behavioral health care including acute care, long-term residential care, community mental health, and outpatient case management.
As the director of nursing, Cathy plans and monitors the delivery of quality patient care by the RNs, LPNs, milieu coordinator and the mental health technicians. As supervisor of these staff members, she supervises the administration of the work schedule and assigns workload to the staff, maximizing the strengths and abilities of the staff. Cathy also serves on various organizational teams and/or committees and as a consultant to other departments. In addition, she monitors and assures the hospital's compliance with applicable standards, regulations and laws.
Cathy is a native of Rome, N.Y., which is the home of a New York state school for the deaf. She graduated from Albany Medical Center with a degree in nursing.
Karen Goldberg, M.D.
Associate Medical Director
Dr. Goldberg received her undergraduate degree from University of Maryland. She completed a year of neuroscience research at Johns Hopkins University before entering the Medical College of Pennsylvania, where she received her medical degree.
She spent a one-year internship in neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania before transferring to Emory University for her residency. During her fourth year of post-graduate studies at Emory she was named chief resident.
Dr. Goldberg held positions at Johns Hopkins University and The Tampa Bay Academy before coming to NDA in September 2006 as assistant medical director. She now serves as associate medical director.
Dr. Goldberg is the chairperson for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children's Committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Rebecca Hilding, M.S.
Director of The Charter School at National Deaf Academy
Rebecca Hilding earned her master's degree in deaf education from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Ms. Hilding completed a fellowship with Lexington School for the Deaf in their parent-infant program. She also participated in the Rural New England Interpreter Preparation Program of Northeastern University.
She recently completed her 15th year with the Austine School for the Deaf/Vermont Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Inc. During her tenure with VCDHH, she held several administrative positions. These include the positions of principal, director of vocation and guidance, and most recently, director of curriculum, instruction and regional programs.
Ms. Hilding also has 12 years of teaching experience at all age levels and disability areas within the field of deaf education. Her teaching experience began in Pennsylvania Intermediate Units, and continued at the New York State School for the Deaf and then the Delaware School for the Deaf. In May 2004 Ms. Hilding moved to Mount Dora to accept the position of Director of The Charter School at National Deaf Academy.
Matthew Dray, B.A.
Director of Mental Health Technicians
Matt graduated from Gallaudet University in 1996 with a B.A. in history. Matt has worked in various mental health programs with Deaf individuals since his graduation from Gallaudet.
Matt joined NDA before it opened and is part of the original group of NDA employees. During his tenure at National Deaf Academy, Matt has served as a mental health technician, program coordinator, and supervisor. Matt brings great understanding, leadership and humor with him to NDA!
Maxine Minto, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Maxine Minto is certified by The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is preparing to sit for her boards in child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Minto received her medical degree from The University of Miami School of Medicine in 1992 and subsequently completed a residency in general psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Dr. Minto has served as the medical director of the Osceola County Mental Health Center in addition to being the primary investigator for an assortment of research studies pertaining to the use of psychotropic medication in children and adolescents. Her article appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003.