Staff

Leslie Conner
Patient Services Manager

Leslie Conner brings a diverse background to GI Psychology, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and an Associate’s Degree in Pre-Nursing, alongside five years of progressive experience at UnitedHealthcare leading remote teams that serve Medicare and Medicaid members. With this unique combination of experience, Leslie is equipped to blend data-driven accountability with hands-on coaching to elevate the patient experience.

In her role as Supervisor of Government Operations, Leslie honed her ability to lead high-performing remote teams, drawing on skills first developed in police dispatch and emergency call-taking, where she trained new hires and learned to stay composed and detail-oriented under pressure. Her path to leadership has also been shaped by mentoring fellow military spouses and leading a Girl Scout troop, experiences that continue to inform the leadership and organizational skills she brings to the GI Psychology team.

Outside of GI Psychology, Leslie enjoys tending to her butterfly sanctuary and spending time on the water with friends and family.

Stephanie Grabas
Operations Manager

Steph Grabas, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling with a focus on Trauma Studies, brings over a decade of invaluable experience from both the emergency medical and mental health fields to GI Psychology. She completed a MBA in Healthcare Economics and Management and, with this diverse background, is equipped with a unique skill set that enriches patient care.

In her role as Operations Manager, Steph is the driving force behind ensuring swift and efficient connections between patients and providers, while spearheading initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care. Her dedication to optimizing the patient experience is evident in her collaborative efforts with the Leadership of GI Psychology.

In her spare time, Steph enjoys spending time with her dogs and husband at the beach , hosting friends for a dinner party, reading with her book club, or needlepointing a new project.

Sarah Artuso
Community Relations Administrator

Sarah is dedicated to advancing the mission of GI Psychology through her role of increasing awareness of effective gut-brain therapies. With expertise in building strategic partnerships, managing outreach programs, and coordinating impactful initiatives, she works to expand the reach of empirically validated DGBI treatments and educate both patients and healthcare professionals about these therapies.

Sarah excels at structing systems and plans to streamline partnership referring patients and ensuring patient engagement. She leads the creation of promotional materials and campaigns to amplify the organization’s message and collaborates with clinicians to ensure high-quality care through training and development programs.

Passionate about the organization’s vision, Sarah is committed to fostering collaboration and building a team of skilled clinicians who are dedicated to providing effective care and improving patient outcomes.

Jade Cool
Patient Care Coordinator

Jade approaches their work as a Patient Care Coordinator with curiosity, flexibility, and a genuine investment in getting each patient to the right next step. Currently completing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Denver, Jade has built the foundation for a career deeply rooted in integrated primary care and health psychology.

As a Doctoral Intern at UCHealth Primary Care, Jade often meets patients on the fly. This means they are stepping into exam rooms at a moment’s notice to assess needs and figure out a path forward alongside doctors, nurses, and other providers. Given their experience in this setting, they are well trained and prepared to meet with prospective GI Psychology patients. With their current pace, combined with earlier work in residential eating disorder treatment and community mental health, taught Jade just how much a smooth handoff between providers can shape a patient’s outcome, and how much care and communication that requires.

In addition to direct patient support, Jay is passionate about continuously improving internal processes to enhance the overall patient experience. Their adaptability and dedication to refining systems ensure that care remains responsive, efficient, and patient-centered.

Olivia Morrissette
Patient Care Coordinator

Olivia’s balance evidence-based, patient-centered perspective gives her key skills to ensure patient’s are not only heard, but also educated in her role as a Patient Care Coordinator. With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from the University of Denver and extensive experience supporting patients across pediatric, perinatal, and integrated medical settings, Olivia has dedicated her training to ensuring that patients are able to make informed decisions. She is continuing this training at the Boston Children’s Hospital Postdoctoral Fellowship program with the Gastroenterology Team.

Throughout her clinical training, Olivia has worked closely with patients, families, and multidisciplinary medical teams to address complex gastroenterology diagnoses, including Irritable Bowel Disease and Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction, alongside anxiety, stress, and other emotional health concerns. Her background across Cooper University Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Digestive Health Institute allows her to approach each patient interaction with empathy, clarity, and intentionality.

Olivia’s obvious passion for those patients with medical conditions, specifically GI, has specifically caught her attention and pulled her to join the GI Psychology team. Between her ongoing training and ability to consult with prospective patients at GI Psychology, Olivia is excited to provide well rounded, clear information based in true evidence.

Humna Rizwan
Administrative Assistant

Humna brings a trained eye and critical thinking to GI Psychology’s humanistic and personalized approach to care. Day to day, she handles patient inquiries, manages intake scheduling, and coordinates with clinicians on availability and follow-ups. She also supports the practice’s insurance navigation work, including appeals, registrations, and single case agreements, and oversees ensures that patient’s questions are answered thoroughly.

Humna’s passion for patient care becomes obvious in her interactions, as she serves as the first interaction many patients have with the Practice. Her drive to get patients efficiently informed and confident in their care team decisions, ensures that all prospective GI Psychology patients are able to move through the onboarding process smoothly and starting care as soon as possible.

Her ability to establish priorities and remain organized means that prospective and current patient’s concerns are addressed quickly, thoroughly, and directly. She enjoys collaborating with all of the clinical team members to maximize her problem solving and never giving up until a patient has the correct answer.

Shiza Qadri
Operational Administrative Assistant

Shiza brings a detail-oriented, highly organized approach to their role as Operational Administrative Assistant. With strong time management skills and a knack for juggling multiple priorities at once, she thrives in the fast-paced, ever-changing environment that keeps GI Psychology running smoothly behind the scenes. Shiza’s ability to support the clinical support team, as well as address larger Practice projects means that she is constantly focused on many things that further GI Psychology’s mission.

As a true utility player, Shiza is comfortable stepping into whatever the day requires; from all of the things behind the scenes needed to keep the Practice growing to standing in the spot light and helping patients navigate insurance. This adaptability, paired with a proactive mindset, allows Shiza to catch issues early, keep projects on track, and support the team wherever the need arises.

Shiza is drawn to GI Psychology’s mission-driven, collaborative culture and takes pride in contributing to the operational foundation that allows the clinical team to focus on patient care. She values being part of an organization where attention to detail and reliability directly support better outcomes for patients and staff alike.

Brittany Villani
Clinical Trainee/Patient Care Coordinator

Brittany brings a thoughtful, compassionate, and patient-centered perspective to her role as a Patient Care Coordinator. With a Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology and extensive experience supporting adolescents and families in educational and clinical settings, Brittany is committed to helping individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered as they navigate their care.

Throughout her career as a certified school psychologist, Brittany has worked closely with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams to address emotional regulation, stress, anxiety, and complex health-related challenges. Her background in psychological assessment, counseling, and care coordination allows her to approach each patient interaction with empathy, clarity, and intentionality.

Brittany is especially drawn to GI Psychology’s integrative, mind-body approach and its emphasis on treating the whole person. She values the opportunity to support patients at the beginning of their care journey, helping them feel informed, reassured, and confident as they take steps toward improved well-being.

Outside of her professional work, Brittany values balance, personal growth, and meaningful connection. She brings warmth, curiosity, and genuine care into every interaction, helping create a welcoming experience for each patient she supports.