Leonardo Vando
Dr. Vando is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Board-Certified Addiction Psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and program leadership. Throughout his career, he has served in numerous clinical and executive leadership roles, including Medical Director positions for outpatient, opioid treatment, and behavioral health programs. Most recently, he has served as Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Medicaid programs and has provided consultation and oversight to addiction treatment organizations across New York and the United States. Dr. Vando completed his Psychiatry Residency and Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York and is licensed in multiple states. He brings extensive experience in addiction medicine, psychiatric care, program development, clinical supervision, and quality improvement initiatives. He is also actively involved in research and innovation within the behavioral health field. As Medical Director, Dr. Vando will provide clinical oversight, support our medical and clinical teams, assist with quality improvement efforts, and help ensure we continue to deliver the highest quality care to the individuals we serve.
Lourdes Herrera
Lourdes is our fearless leader. She is a licensed mental health counselor with more than 18 years of experience in behavioral health services in addiction and mental health settings. Lourdes is committed to helping her clients live in a rewarding present, with an outlook on a satisfying future. She previously served as the Regional Coordinator for the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports and is also an experienced clinical program director of outpatient and residential substance use disorder services. In addition, Lourdes provides training in person-centered care, motivational interviewing, quality improvement and clinical supervision. She holds a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and an undergraduate degree from Empire State in Community and Human Services.
Arly Cisneros, LMSW
Arly Cisneros, LMSW, serves as the Program Director at New Day Treatment Center, where she provides clinical leadership, program oversight, and operational management to ensure the delivery of high-quality, person-centered substance use treatment services. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and compassionate care while maintaining compliance with state regulations and best practices. Arly brings extensive experience in behavioral health program administration, quality assurance, clinical supervision, and staff development. Throughout her career, she has successfully led multidisciplinary teams, overseen intake and assessment processes, implemented quality improvement initiatives, and developed training programs to strengthen clinical services. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding programs, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing client outcomes. As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Arly is passionate about creating supportive environments where both clients and staff can thrive. She believes in meeting individuals with empathy, dignity, and respect while empowering them to achieve lasting recovery and improved well-being. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Arly is committed to providing culturally responsive care and ensuring that every individual has access to the support they need on their journey toward recovery.
Vedia Fortis
Vedia grew up in Far Rockaway and has always felt connected to her neighborhood. She is a graduate of Far Rockaway High School and feels blessed to be working in her community. Vedia is trained in the fields of business development and customer service and has been in the healthcare industry for over 14 years. She has dedicated her life to helping people and making them feel good about themselves.
Ambau Khalifamoe, M.S., MHC-LP
Ambau Khalifamoe, M.S., MHC-LP, is a Mental Health Counselor at New Day Treatment Center with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds as they navigate recovery, mental health challenges, and life transitions. Ambau earned his master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling and combines decades of experience in addiction treatment with evidence-based counseling practices. His clinical approach is rooted in compassion, respect, and the belief that every individual has the capacity to heal and grow. He works collaboratively with clients to identify their strengths, develop personalized treatment goals, and build the skills needed to achieve lasting recovery and emotional wellness. Known for his calm demeanor and strong therapeutic presence, Ambau creates a welcoming environment where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. He utilizes a person-centered, trauma-informed approach that encourages clients to actively participate in their treatment while addressing the underlying emotional, behavioral, and social factors that contribute to substance use. Ambau is passionate about helping individuals rediscover hope, strengthen resilience, and build fulfilling lives in recovery. His extensive experience, clinical knowledge, and unwavering commitment to compassionate care make him a valued member of the New Day Treatment Center team.
Stephanie Cantos
Stephanie Cantos is a compassionate Substance Use Counselor at New Day Treatment Center who is dedicated to helping individuals achieve lasting recovery through a warm, welcoming, and person-centered approach. She believes that every individual deserves to be met with empathy, respect, and understanding, creating a safe environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and working toward meaningful change. Stephanie is committed to building strong therapeutic relationships that foster trust, empowerment, and personal growth. She works collaboratively with clients to identify their strengths, develop individualized recovery goals, and overcome the barriers that may impact their success. Her supportive and nonjudgmental style encourages clients to actively engage in treatment while developing the skills and confidence needed to sustain long-term recovery. Known for her genuine compassion and calming presence, Stephanie strives to ensure that every person who walks through New Day's doors feels heard, valued, and suppor
Nikassi Stoby
Nikasi Stoby is a dedicated Substance Use Counselor at New Day Treatment Center who is committed to helping individuals overcome substance use and mental health challenges through compassionate, person-centered care. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling while continuing to expand her clinical expertise in addiction treatment and behavioral health. As a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor-Trainee (CASAC-T), Nikasi brings several years of experience in case management, crisis intervention, client advocacy, and care coordination. Her background includes working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, where she has helped clients access essential resources, develop individualized service plans, and build the skills needed for long-term recovery and stability. Nikasi believes that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. She is passionate about building strong therapeutic relationships and creating a supportive environment where clients feel empowered to achieve their recovery goals. Through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach, she helps individuals strengthen coping skills, overcome barriers, and move toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Adam Corris
Adam Corris is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) who is passionate about helping individuals build meaningful lives in recovery. Drawing from his own lived experience, Adam provides compassionate peer support, encouragement, and practical guidance to individuals navigating substance use and behavioral health challenges. With experience working in community-based peer services, Adam has supported individuals through recovery planning, crisis intervention, care coordination, motivational support, and connecting clients with essential community resources. He is committed to meeting people where they are, empowering them to overcome barriers, and helping them achieve their personal recovery goals. Adam believes that recovery is possible for everyone and strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their journey. His approachable style and genuine commitment to helping others make him a valued member of the New Day Treatment Center team.
Melba Araujo, MSW
Melba Araujo, MSW, serves as the Intake Coordinator at New Day Treatment Center, where she is often the first point of contact for individuals seeking treatment. With a warm, compassionate, and person-centered approach, Melba is dedicated to making every client feel welcomed, heard, and supported from their very first interaction with our program. A bilingual professional fluent in both English and Spanish, Melba is passionate about reducing barriers to care and ensuring that individuals and families can access the services they need. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work and has extensive experience in behavioral health, care coordination, community health, and family services. Throughout her career, she has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families, providing assessments, coordinating services, facilitating referrals, and helping clients successfully navigate complex healthcare and behavioral health systems. As Intake Coordinator, Melba guides individuals through the admission process with empathy, professionalism, and respect. She understands that reaching out for help can be overwhelming and strives to create a supportive, judgment-free experience that helps clients feel comfortable taking the first step toward recovery. Known for her kindness, patience, and exceptional organizational skills, Melba is committed to ensuring every client receives a smooth transition into treatment while connecting them with the resources and support needed to begin their recovery journey. Her compassionate nature and dedication to person-centered care make her an invaluable member of the New Day Treatment Center team.
The Road to
Recovery Starts Here
The Road
to Recovery
Starts Here
