Providers
Sanjay S. Iyer, MD
Neurologist, Medical Director
Sanjay Iyer, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Iyer is a fellowship-trained Movement Disorders Neurologist who specializes in the care of people with Parkinson’s Disease, tremors, dystonia, tics, and other movement related problems. He completed all his medical training at the Medical College of Georgia. Before joining Memory & Movement Charlotte, he spent more than a decade at Carolinas Healthcare System/Atrium Health, where he served as Department Chair of Neurology and Director of the Movement Disorders Center.
Dr. Iyer has always believed that a multi-disciplinary team approach provides the best care for patients and their care partners. As Medical Director of MMC, he encourages strong collaboration among our physicians, APP’s, nurses, social worker, and the in-house Powerback Rehab team that includes PT, OT, and Speech Therapy. He is a big proponent of exercise, patient empowerment and the power of positive thinking. When not at work, Dr. Iyer enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on his favorite sports teams and visiting Hilton Head Island as often as possible.
Aristides Chaconas, MD
Neurologist
Aristides Chaconas, MD
Neurologist
Dr. Chaconas has practiced neurology for over 30 years, devoting himself to getting to know his patients and families as he helps them navigate a diagnosis of dementia. Memory & Movement Charlotte offered him the opportunity to practice a highly personal style of what he calls bedside medicine.
A native of Baltimore, he graduated from Loyola College in Baltimore, then completed medical school and neurology residency at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He and his wife, Christina, a radiologist, have two children, Elizabeth and Peter. Dr. Chaconas is an avid marksman and scuba diver.
Ajay Sethi, MD
Neurologist
Ajay Sethi, MD
Neurologist
Dr. Ajay Sethi is a board-certified neurologist specializing in memory disorders and movement disorders. Inspired by his parents, both neurologists, he developed a passion for caring for patients with complex neurological conditions from an early age. Dr. Sethi completed his neurology training in Jacksonville, Florida and a fellowship in movement disorders in Augusta, Georgia, where he was mentored in a tradition of patient-centered care that emphasizes treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Sethi spent time teaching English in Thailand and guiding kayak tours in Alaska, experiences that shaped his compassionate, relatable approach to patient care. He is committed to partnering with patients, families, and caregivers to navigate the challenges of cognitive and movement disorders with expertise, empathy, and respect.
Deepu Thomas, MD
Geriatrician
Deepu Thomas, MD
Geriatrician
Dr. Thomas relocated from Massachusetts to join the MMC team. The son of two doctors, he grew up with a deep appreciation for the way a good physician can impact patients’ lives.
He grew up in India, where he watched his mother care for his grandmother through her dementia journey, and he stayed at home through medical school so she wouldn’t be alone. As a geriatrician, Dr. Thomas recognizes the importance of developing relationships with his patients, and the critical role of caregivers. The multidisciplinary approach and commitment to time and attention drew him to move to Charlotte to join this practice.
Dr. Thomas received his medical degree from Kottayam Medical College in India, completed his residency at St Vincent Hospital and later a fellowship at Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts. He and his wife have two young children, and they are all very excited to get to know North Carolina.
Thomas Christy, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Thomas Christy, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Thomas (Tom) Christy is a board-certified physician assistant dedicated to providing compassionate care to individuals navigating memory and movement disorders. Having experienced the impact of these conditions within his own family, Tom brings a personal level of empathy to his work. He believes that the most effective care begins with a humble commitment to listening, ensuring every patient and family feels heard and supported.
Primarily aligned with our movement disorder team, Tom’s clinical approach is deeply informed by his advanced training in behavioral medicine. He gained experience managing medication-induced movement disorders while working in a behavioral health emergency department, and his passion for early intervention is reflected in his published work on screening for prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia in primary care settings.
Tom earned his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Pfeiffer University and his Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) in Behavioral Medicine from the University of Lynchburg. This academic doctorate, alongside a Graduate Certificate in Addiction Medicine and a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry, provides him with a unique perspective for managing complex medication regimens. Prior to joining MMC, he completed a post-graduate Behavioral Health Fellowship and served for several years as a paramedic.
Outside of the clinic, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He can often be found practicing photography, exercising, and tinkering with radios as a licensed ham radio operator.
Tosha Covington, DNP, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Tosha Covington, DNP, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Tosha Covington is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Tosha has known all her life that she wanted a career dedicated to serving others. Her practice style is highly patient-centered, which is what Memory and Movement embodies. She enjoys educating and caring for others while providing comprehensive care that emphasizes comfort, health promotion, and disease prevention. Her clinical interest includes improving access to high-quality healthcare for diverse populations. She has practiced as a Nurse Practitioner for the past 16 years with experience in oncology, internal medicine, community health, Hospice and Palliative care.
Originally from Bennettsville, SC, Dr. Tosha Covington graduated and moved to Columbia, SC to attend the University of South Carolina, where she earned a degree in Biology. She later moved to Charlotte, NC, and attended Winston-Salem State University, where she earned her Family Nurse Practitioner license, and then attended East Carolina University, where she earned her Doctor of Nursing degree. She is currently completing a post-Masters in psychiatry, further expanding her expertise in managing chronic illness and disorders of the mind.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son Stormy, traveling, and playing with their Aussie Doodle, Sophie Blu.
Lawson Gatlin, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Lawson Gatlin, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Lawson is a board-certified Physician Assistant dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. She joined Memory & Movement Charlotte after nearly eight years practicing in orthopedic and sports medicine settings, where she developed expertise in comprehensive clinical assessment, patient education, care coordination, and building meaningful relationships with patients and families.
A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Physician Assistant Studies program, Lawson brings a strong clinical background and a deep commitment to helping patients navigate complex health challenges. Her interest in memory care is both professional and personal. Having witnessed Alzheimer's disease through her own family, she understands the unique challenges that cognitive decline places on patients, caregivers, and loved ones. That experience inspired her pursuit of medicine and continues to shape her empathetic approach to care.
Lawson is passionate about listening to patients, advocating for their needs, and supporting quality of life through collaborative, holistic care. She is honored to be part of the MMC team.
Eugenia Kes, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Eugenia Kes, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Eugenia was born in Ukraine and later moved to New York, where she completed her nursing education at NYU. She moved to Charlotte nine years ago and has worked primarily with geriatric patients in the medical-surgical unit at Atrium and in skilled nursing care facilities. She brings extensive experience caring for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and understands how deeply these conditions affect both patients and their families. She appreciates MMC’s holistic approach to care, strong collaboration among providers, and the meaningful attention we are able to give to our patients and their loved ones.
In her free time, Euguenia enjoys baking, hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with her children and husband.
Clinical Team
Carolina Carmona
Registered Nurse
Carolina Carmona
Registered Nurse
When a close family friend was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Carolina recognized the importance of caregivers. That experience led her to appreciate MMC’s comprehensive, compassionate approach to care.
She graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a BA in Biology, and earned a BSN from Queens university. Before joining MMC she was a trauma unit nurse at Carolinas Medical Center.
Originally from Mexico, Carolina has lived in Charlotte for 21 years. In her spare time she enjoys arts and crafts, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends
Caroline McNair
Clinical and Admin Support
Caroline McNair
Clinical and Admin Support
Caroline is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned a BS in exercise science. After spending time as a volunteer at Memory & Movement Charlotte supporting both the administrative and clinical teams, she’s joined the practice and will continue to support both departments.
When she isn’t at work, Caroline enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and staying active.
Heidy Noble, RMA
Clinical Administrator
Heidy Noble
Clinical Administrator
Originally from Tampa, FL, Heidy has always had a passion for helping others. She began her medical career as a Certified Nursing Assistant working with seniors and disabled children. Soon after, she earned her Registered Medical Assistant license to provide clinical and administrative support to physicians.
She learned about Memory and Movement Charlotte from a colleague who worked with Dr. Iyer, and she was drawn to the practice by the time and attention model.
Heidy works closely with Dr. Iyer's team supporting both patients and caregivers, and she helps facilitate the new patient onboarding process.
In her spare time, Heidy enjoys the outdoors and spends quality time with her family and friends.
Stephanie Pressley
Registered Nurse
Stephanie Pressley
Registered Nurse
Stephanie became interested in working for Memory & Movement Charlotte after caring for her grandmother through her Alzheimer’s journey. She feels that MMC embodies all the qualities of care she strives to provide for patients.
Stephanie spent six years in critical care nursing and 11 years with the Veterans’ Administration. She also brings experience in progressive, urgent and primary care.
A Charlotte native, Stephanie holds degrees from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, Charleston Southern University and UNC-Charlotte. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, hiking, Pilates and travel.
Christina Ryskiewich
Registered Nurse
Christina Ryskiewich
Registered Nurse
A commitment to the "time and attention" model of medical care drew Christina to Memory & Movement Charlotte. This approach allows Christina to offer unrushed help to patients and families in managing medication and taking care of each other in this phase of life. Chris understands from personal experience the importance of family caregivers.
An Indianapolis native, she graduated with a BS in nursing from Ball State University and previously worked at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and in pediatrics at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.
She and her husband Paul have two sons, Daniel and Alexander and a daughter-in-law Caroline, who also works with dementia patients and their families. In her spare time, Chris enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling and cooking.
Shelly Sedory
Registered Nurse, Educator
Shelly Sedory
Registered Nurse
Shelly joined Memory & Movement Charlotte in 2017. She states “It is an honor and blessing to become part of the journey with so many special patients and caregivers. The care shown from one person to another even in the more difficult circumstances is a testament to the beautiful love stories we get to witness every day.”
A Pittsburgh native, Shelly earned her BS in Nursing at La Roche College and a Master of Education in Health Education at Pennsylvania State University. She leads initiatives at MMC for professional and non-professional caregiving education.
She and her husband, Rich, have two children, Sam and Holly, both married. In her free time, she likes to stay active by playing several sports and cheering on her Steelers.
Demi Stamatakos
Medical Assistant
Demi Stamatakos
Medical Assistant
Demi is a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, where she majored in neuroscience and minored in chemistry. Her journey into neurology began with a curiosity about the neurobiological underpinnings of behavior, which led her to work in a lab studying addiction. After completing an internship at the MMC in 2024, Demi developed a deep appreciation for both the art and science of caring for patients with memory and movement disorders.
Witnessing her grandparents’ experiences with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration, combined with her passion for behavioral biology, further inspired her to pursue a career in neurology. Demi hopes to draw on her experiences as an assistant in the Duke Hospital Neuro Stepdown Unit and the UNC Aging Brain Clinic to contribute to the gold standard of memory and movement disorder care at MMC.
Outside of work, Demi enjoys rock climbing with friends, reading, playing volleyball, and learning Greek.
Kristine Swiatocha
Registered Nurse
Kristine Swiatocha
Registered Nurse
Kristine has several years of experience in both her personal and professional life working with those who have Alzheimer's and similar diagnoses. She was drawn to MMC because of their "Time and Attention Model" and the compassionate care that they provide to not only their patients, but their caretakers as well.
She graduated with her BSN in Nursing from Stony Brook University, located in Long Island, NY, where she is originally from. She now lives in NC with her husband, her dog, and her pet frog.
In her free time, Kristine likes running races, trying new foods, starting new hobbies, and spending time with her loved ones.
Danielle Taylor
Registered Nurse
Danielle Taylor
Registered Nurse
Danielle is a North Carolina native and graduate of UNC Charlotte. She's worked with adult and geriatric patients for several years in various settings, and she deeply appreciates MMC's thoughtful, family-centric approach to care. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys travelling to new places, outdoor activities, and spending time with her husband and their three children.
Patrick Walsh
Neurodiagnostic Technician
Patrick Walsh
Neurodiagnostic Technician
Patrick has spent 16 years in both hospital and home-based healthcare. He is a registered EEG technician, and worked with Dr. Chaconas in the hospital setting. When Dr. Chaconas invited him to assist with neurodiagnostic testing at MMC, Patrick jumped at the opportunity to serve families while continuing to learn about the intricacies of the brain.
Debbie Wolfson
Registered Nurse
Debbie Wolfson
Registered Nurse
Having experienced her mother’s struggle with dementia, Debbie appreciates the compassion needed to help patients and families. That’s what drew her to Memory & Movement Charlotte.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education from Slippery Rock University and an RN degree from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in her native Pittsburgh. She has previous experience as a nurse in Cardiac Care ICU.
Debbie and her husband Ken have two children, twins Maya and Nicholas, and another set of twins – pooches Oscar and Ali. She does pilates for fitness and loves those Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kristin Zolkos
Clinical Support
Kristin Zolkos
Clinical Support
Kristin comes to MMC after serving as a beloved caregiver for multiple families over seven years. In addition to working, she volunteers at her church, where she helps run a free grocery market for local families in need.
When she isn’t working, Kristin enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, doing puzzles, catching outdoor concerts, and she recently started playing pickleball. She and her husband have three children.
Administrative Team
Janet LeClair
Chief Executive Officer
Janet LeClair
CEO
Her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and a 7-year journey as her primary caregiver led Janet from a successful banking and business career to the not-for-profit world of dementia care. After serving on the board of The Ivey and then as COO for over 6 years, Janet assumed the Executive Director role at Memory & Movement Charlotte in October 2020. A mission to support caregivers and help families combat the impact of memory and movement disorders coupled with a profound respect for Dr. Edwards made this a natural transition and an opportunity to continue to support the greater Charlotte community. In 2023 the board elevated Janet's role to CEO.
A native of New Jersey, Janet earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Marketing from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Janet spent over 20 years with Wachovia in senior Human Resources and operations roles and served as President of a small Charlotte based HR outsourcing company prior to joining The Ivey.
Janet is a Certified Care Manager and certified in the BCAT (a cognitive screen and assessment tool) program.
Janet and her husband John have four children and two grandchildren. She's served on numerous local boards including the MAgnolia Memory Care, Inc board in Fort Mill, and currently serves on the Mint Museum of Art collections board.
Melanie Baron
Engagement, Marketing and Development Director
Melanie Baron
Community Engagement, Marketing and Development Director
Since 1991, Melanie has been telling stories through words, pictures and 3-dimensional environments in museums, libraries and places for informal learning. She moved to Charlotte in 2005 to be part of the team that opened ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, and came to MMC in 2021 from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation, where she handled marketing and communications for the fundraising arm of the public library.
Together with her mother and sister, Melanie was a caregiver for her father during his journey with Alzheimer’s disease and saw firsthand the need for comprehensive education and support for both patients and caregivers. It is her privilege to share the impact of MMC’s time and attention approach, and to play even a tiny role in making this type of care possible.
A native of Rhode Island, Melanie holds a BA from Tufts University, and a MEd from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She and her husband are newly empty-nesters and pouring all their out-of-work attention into a very spoiled dog.
Marietta Flores
Patient Experience Coordinator
Marietta Flores
Patient Experience Coordinator
Marietta is a graduate of UNCC, where she earned a BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2023. While a student, she served on the board of the American Medical Women’s Association, and plans to return to school one day to pursue a degree in medicine. She was drawn to MMC's focus on the patient experience and comfort. In her free time she enjoys pickleball, running and indoor rock climbing.
Dede Heath
Accounting & Business Administrator
Dede Heath
Accounting and Business Administrator
Dede loves helping people and letting them know that Memory and Movement Charlotte is here to help.
An Air Force “brat” who grew up all over, she graduated from Virginia Tech with a BA in Communications and Spanish.
She and her husband Shawn have three sons, Luke, Dean and Pete. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her family, which includes taking Finn the family dog on walks.
Priscila Lugo
Patient Services Specialist
Priscila Lugo
Patient Services Specialist
Priscilla Lugo was drawn to MMC because she wanted to be part of a compassionate organization making a difference in the lives of so many. Priscilla’s grandparents had dementia, and her mother was their primary caregiver. This experience demonstrated the critical need for support systems not only for patients but also for caregivers.
When she isn’t working, Priscilla enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs, listening to podcasts, thrifting and antique shopping.
Angela Sinnett
Patient Experience Coordinator
Angela Sinnett
Patient Experience Coordinator
Angela was born and raised in Nebraska, but has lived in North Carolina for 25 years. She worked in healthcare consulting for years before leaving the corporate world to stay at home to raise her 2 children. During her time at home she started a custom cake decorating business and has enjoyed baking and decorating cakes for 15 years.
Angela was drawn to Memory and Movement because of its mission to not only treat the patients, but to support the caregivers. As a Patient Experience Coordinator, she is thrilled to play a role in making a difference in people's lives. In her free time, Angela loves to bake, cook, read books, watch movies, go hiking, or any activity that involves being in the mountains.
Kania Taylor
Controller
Kania Taylor
Controller
Kania was born in Memphis, TN and earned a master’s degree in finance from the University of Memphis. Her interest in finance began when she recognized the need for this skill in non-profit organizations serving the community. She enjoys math and finding solutions to challenges, and her role at MMC combines those skills in service to a mission she cares deeply about.
Kania has been a lifelong runner, and developed a strong sense of discipline as a member of her collegiate Track & Field team. When she isn’t working, Kania can be found volunteering with a track program for runners aged 4 through 18.
Sabrina Vue
Patient Experience Coordinator
Sabrina Vue
Patient Experience Coordinator
Sabrina is a Certified Nursing Assistant with 8 years of hands-on healthcare experience. She has a bachelor's degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and recently completed a master's in public health at East Carolina University. Sabrina is passionate about supporting the community's health while making a positive impact on individual patients and families.
In her free time, she likes to "Netflix and chill" with her two children and their favorite ice cream - chocolate mint.
Margaret Ward
Family Care Navigator
Margaret Ward
Family Care Navigator
Margaret holds a BA in sociology and a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and has been a practicing occupational therapist for 26 years. She is also a certified Dementia Practitioner and brings extensive experience working with patients and families living with memory or movement disorders. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Margaret moved to North Carolina in 2014 with her husband and two (now grown) daughters. In her free time she enjoys walking, hiking, hot yoga, travelling, and exploring Charlotte.
Cody Williams
Program Coordinator
Cody Williams
Program Coordinator
Cody brings a wealth of experience in education, program development, and stakeholder collaboration. Graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, he is adept at designing and implementing comprehensive programs that cater to diverse populations. In his previous roles, he has demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusive environments and promoting holistic well-being through targeted training and advocacy efforts.