Our Team
Our Team
Ciara Diemer, LCSW
Bereavement, Social Work and Chaplain Services Supervisor
Melissa Cuoco (she/her) is the Supervisor of Bereavement, Social Work and Chaplain Services for The Community Hospice. She is an LCSW with a decade of Hospice experience. Her daily aspiration is to serve the grieving and seriously ill in our community with compassion and dignity. Her team offers specialized professional care to the bereaved with the hope of providing solace.
When she is not serving our community, she loves to spend her days hiking with her kiddos, husband and hound dog- Tate.
Her wish is that you will allow us to lighten the weight of your sorrow through counseling with one of our wonderful team members and through connection with fellow grievers.
Mark Kearney, LMHC
Bereavement Counselor
Mark Kearney, LMHC
Bereavement Counselor
Mark (he/him) has a MA in counseling psychology (concentration in wilderness therapy) from Naropa University in Boulder, CO as well as a MA in Education from SUNY Albany. He has been a bereavement counselor with Hospice for over a decade working with adults and children in individual and group settings. Mark views grief as a natural response to the death of a loved one and believes that everyone can heal no matter how painful the loss. It is a journey he feels privileged to share, walking together through a challenging time of life.
Bereavement Counselor
Will Hannah
Bereavement Counselor
Will Hannah
Bereavement Counselor
Will (he/him) has been a bereavement counselor with the Community Hospice for over 20 years now. He sets an intention each day to be a comfortable companion for people finding their way through the daunting emotional challenges of grief.
Erica Johnson, LMSW
Bereavement Counselor
Erica Johnson, LMSW
Bereavement Counselor
Erica Johnson (she/her) is a bereavement counselor at the Community Hospice, providing individual, group, and crisis response services to people of all ages grieving the death of a loved one. She received her BS at Skidmore College and her MSW at the University of Denver. Erica uses narrative therapy, feminist theory, family-systems theory, and mindfulness practices in her work with clients. Erica feels deep reverence for the journey that is grieving and all those who search for (and follow) their own path. She finds great joy in drinking tea, walking her dog, and embroidering.
Tiffany Smith, LMSW
Pediatric Bereavement Counselor
Tiffany Smith (she/her) provides individual and group counseling primarily to children, teens and families and is part of the Camp Erin Albany team overseeing the camp planning and implementation process. Tiffany has worked with children and families across a variety of settings for over 20 years and is continually looking for new ways to help grieving individuals tell and process their story. She received her BS in Recreation Management from SUNY Brockport and her MSW from University at Albany. When not working, Tiffany enjoys dancing, reading, volunteering and playing fetch with her cats Tabs and Fiona.
Stacy Lauver, LMSW
Bereavement Counselor
Stacy Lauver (she/her) is a bereavement counselor with Community Hospice serving individuals and groups with a focus on psychodynamic theory, mindfulness, and the scientifically proven healing power of nature. She received her BSW from Siena College and her MSW from the College of St. Rose. Stacy has experience working with military families, adolescents, and adults. She utilizes a person-centered approach to healing. She honors this journey by working alongside individuals to build upon existing strengths and coping skills in order to assist them in recognizing their resilience while simultaneously empowering them to practice and accept grace and self-compassion throughout the fluid process of grieving. In her spare time, Stacy enjoys time with her kids, drinking coffee, and going on adventures with her family, friends, and dog – Molly.
Suzanne Morrison, LCSW
Intake Coordinator - Adult Services
Suzanne Morrison (she/her) is the Bereavement Intake Coordinator for Adult Services and a Bereavement Counselor at Community Hospice. She received her BA from Elmira College and her MSW from New York University. Suzanne is the first person you connect with when calling for services and her goal is to connect you with the right services for your specific situation. She has spent over 30 years working in human services with the last 5 years at Community Hospice. Suzanne enjoys working with all ages from children to centenarians. Suzanne has a strength-based, trauma-informed approach using both humanistic and cognitive theories. Suzanne loves coffee, creating art, and is an avid reader. But, her favorite moments are with her teenage children and rescue pups Mocha and Lewey.
Julia Lebentritt Soto, MFA
Bereavement Facilitator- Pediatric Services
Julia Lebentritt Soto, MFA
Bereavement Facilitator- Pediatric Services
As the Pediatric Bereavement Facilitator for The Community Hospice, Julia (she/her) is usually the first stop for families with children suffering the pain of a loss of a special person; listening, validating, and guiding them to healing and integration with our Bereavement Counselors. She brings her extensive experience in expressive arts approaches and ethnographic research to her sensitive intakes as Facilitator of Pediatric Grief Services.
Traci Simanoski-Raymond
Sr Administrative Assistant Secretary
Traci (she/her) loves to keep things simple. As Sr Administrative Assistant Secretary for the Bereavement Department, she implements processes and procedures that cut work time and are cost effective to the team. Traci likes being part of a team and always lends a hand when she can.