Shari Weiss joined the Cayuga Community Health Network in 2019 and comes to us with almost two decades of public and behavioral health experience. She has a Ph.D. in Public Health and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Her background includes working in the field of Substance Use treatment, HIV Prevention and Housing.
She began her career in human services working in addiction counseling. She then moved to HIV Prevention, where she spent six years helping her agency grow and implement new and innovative programs and public health promotion. She moved into behavioral health housing for about eight years, where she ran programs, as well as helped organizations develop programs and obtain funding to meet the needs of their communities.
At the same time, she was developing her own skills as a leader and a grant writer. Eventually she wanted to move back to public health education/health promotion, and knew that CCHN was the going to be exactly the right fit. Shari is also a college professor, an educator, a public speaker, an actor, and a peer reviewer for the National Journal of American Medicine. Recently she was accepted into Cohort 10 of the Health Leaders Fellowship.
Amy Dickman joined the Cayuga Community Health Network in 2013. Amy coordinates with local stakeholders to improve access and awareness of services throughout the region. She is a peer leader for the evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management. She oversees all Chronic Disease programs, the Doula program and other Maternal/Child health programs and staff.
Amy graduated with a Bachelors of Science from the State University of New York at Cortland with a degree in Community Health.
Holly Beauchine joined the Cayuga Community Health Network in May 2017 to coordinate the Healthy Neighborhoods Program. In 2019, she transitioned to take on programming to assist people concerned about falls, as well as assisting young families to improve interactions around healthy eating. She is also a peer leader for the evidence based Chronic Disease Self -Management course, as well as a certified Diabetes Prevention lifestyle coach for the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).
She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree from Wells College with a concentration in Sociology/Anthropology and Elementary Education. She brings years of experience to this role as an educator and case worker.
Katie began working at Cayuga Community Health Network in November of 2021. Katie has spent the past few years at home raising her two children. During her time at home, Katie volunteered her time with numerous organizations and found a passion in developing Social Media content for those organizations as well as organizing fundraisers. Her time spent volunteering allowed her to gain the skills and experience needed to take on her role as Development Coordinator with CCHN.
Katie graduated from SUNY Cortland; earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English with an Anthropology minor.
Nicole started working at Cayuga Health Network in 2021, having previously worked for many years in employment services. She will be conducting outreach and providing services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the city of Auburn as well as throughout Cayuga County.
Nicole has a long history of working in many settings, including as an activities coordinator at a nursing home, as a trainer/coordinator of pre-employment classes, a life skills trainer and an employment coordinator for people with disabilities (including people with substance use disorder, people with mental illness, people with intellectual deficits/developmental delays and people with physical disabilities). Nicole also volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center for seven years.
Kyra began working at Cayuga Community Health Network as an intern in March of 2023 and transitioned in September of 2023 to our Housing and Outreach Program Specialist. A combination of lived experience and education led her to work in the human services sector. She received her associate degree in human services with a focus in Psychology from Cayuga Community College. Kyra went on to receive her bachelor’s in social work from Keuka College. Kyra looks forward to utilizing what she has learned to assist Cayuga County residents in accessing and maintaining stable housing. She does this through helping community members access local resources and assist them in gaining the skills necessary to maintain their homes.
As a mother of 3, Kyra loves spending time with her family and reading a good book in her down time.
Alexa joined Cayuga Community Health Network in July of 2024 as an Intensive Case Manager under the HOPE grant. Alexa graduated from Cayuga Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Human Services in the spring of 2023. While she was studying for her Associates Degree, Alexa began volunteering for Chapel House which lead into a four year career serving Cayuga Counties homeless population through case managment. During her time at Chapel House, she was successful in a variety of roles including; Shelter Aide, Case Manager, and Program Supervisor. Her experience gives her a unique perspective of the needs and services for serving the vulnerable populations of Cayuga County. Alexa volunteered at The Salvation Army Family Shelter in Syracuse from 2016-2018 to assist children with their homework. When Alexa is not working she enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Arrow, cheering on the Buffalo Bills at games, and spending time with her family.
Elizabeth joined the Cayuga Community Health Network in October of 2024 as the HOPE Grant Street Outreach Peer. She was raised in Auburn, N.Y. but spent 5 years in California before settling back here.
Always having had an interest and passion for helping people and the mental health field; and bolstered by her past-lived experience with Substance Use Disorder; Elizabeth entered into the Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health fields while in California as a Behavioral Health Technician.
She continued in those fields when she moved back to New York, working for Crouse until she began her work here at Cayuga Community Health Network in the Peer Position.
Elizabeth is a master “thrifter” and enjoys spending time with her son.
Jaden Finch joined Cayuga Community Health Network in August of 2023. A Broome County Native, Jaden has been a long-standing advocate of reproductive and community health. She began her experience with outreach volunteering for Mothers and Babies of South-Central New York throughout her youth. As an undergraduate capstone project, Jaden recognized the need for comprehensive health education in rural Appalachia and created the first on campus event for reproductive health. At the project's conclusion, Jaden was selected to present her work at the Southeast Women’s Studies Association Conference (formerly SEWSA now WGS South) in 2021. After spending 5 years in the Southern United States, Jaden found calling back to Upstate New York, citing its unique culture and community. As a community health worker, Jaden will use her relative experience and education to help Cayuga County residents ages 15- 44 plan their reproductive journeys and create wholistic wellness spanning all social determinants of health.
Jaden Graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Gardner-Webb University with a Master’s in Business Administration. In her free time, Jaden prides herself in being an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, feeling a unique connection to their call to maternal health, mental health, and serving marginalized communities.
Elizabeth joined the CCHN team in February 2023. Elizabeth obtained her Bachelor of Science with a degree in Psychology from Liberty University. She leans on her education to promote mental health awareness within her community. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and believes that it is an essential tool that anyone can use to stand alongside someone who is in crisis. Elizabeth believes that Mental Health First Aid Training can make a huge difference in someone’s life. She is passionate about helping those in need, and plans on working with the CCHN team to do so!
When Elizabeth is not at work, she loves to spend time with her dog Josie, as well as her family and friends.
Meghan joined the CCHN team in August of 2023. She has had the opportunity to work with her B.A. in Psychology in a variety of applications. She’s enjoyed her time working with at-risk youth, mental health, and substance abuse. She also taught in two local private schools and found her element in teaching children ages preschool through seventh grade. In addition to her work at Cayuga Community Health Network and finishing her Master’s degree in Mental Health & Wellness, Meghan has her own health and wellness business.
Outside of work, Meghan enjoys being a mother of three boys. She also enjoys photography, writing, mining, music, and camping with her family. She is always looking for growth opportunities and following the path to knowledge brings her happiness.
She wants to make a difference in our community and devote her knowledge and experience to helping make positive changes in the lives of those around her.
She has always been a healer and a helper. In addition to her B.A. in Psychology also hold certification in CBT Life Coaching, and is a Crystal Reiki Master. She has taken courses in Youth Life Coaching, Youth Meditation and Yoga, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Kundalini Yoga and Dance, Raindrop technique, Soul Retrieval, and Chakra Cleansing (through meridian tapping). She looks forward to meeting you and setting you on your path to your most Limitless potential!