THE MERAKI BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC
Meet Our Health Care Team
Cynthia McNeill, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, FNP-C,
Dr. Cynthia B. McNeill, Ph.D., MBA, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, is a dual-certified nurse practitioner and healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience spanning psychiatry, emergency medicine, primary care, and leadership. Known for her clinical expertise and commitment to patient-centered care, she blends advanced practice, education, and healthcare transformation.
Board-certified as both a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Dr. McNeill has served high-acuity populations at Highland Rivers Behavioral Health and Grady Health System. Her care philosophy centers on compassion, cultural competence, and innovative approaches to complex psychiatric conditions.
She holds a Ph.D. in Human Services/Public Health from Capella University, an MBA in Technology Management, and dual bachelor's degrees in Nursing and IT. She earned her MSN-FNP from the University of South Alabama and completed her PMHNP certification at Washburn University.
Dr. McNeill spent over a decade as Lead Faculty and Associate Professor at the University of Arizona Global Campus, guiding students in healthcare leadership and policy. She has also served as Director of Nursing at Family Bridge Healthcare Services, overseeing a successful accreditation.
Licensed in Georgia, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., she holds certifications in BLS, HIPAA, and federal emergency preparedness. She is an active member of ANA, AANP, ANCC, and UAPRN of Georgia. Her career reflects a lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and equitable healthcare.
Meet Bryan Ellerson, Psychiatrist & Consultant
Dr. Bryan Ellerson, MD is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist with Meraki Health. Board-certified in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, he brings 15 years of experience in providing compassionate, evidence-based care. Dr. Ellerson earned his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine and is dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of children and adolescents.
Meet Dr. Pearl Sam
Pearl Sam, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Pearl Sam, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a dedicated psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner known for delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing mental health challenges. A graduate of Augusta University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, she combines clinical expertise, frontline experience, and a patient-centered approach to behavioral health.
At Highland Rivers Behavioral Health in Cobb County, Dr. Sam specializes in outpatient psychiatric care, creating individualized treatment plans, prescribing medications, and providing psychoeducation to support mental wellness.
Her nursing background includes high-acuity medical-surgical roles in COVID-19 units across Georgia and at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, strengthening her clinical judgment and cultural competency.
Dr. Sam completed 732 hours of clinical training at Highland Rivers, focusing on diagnostic assessment, medication management, and therapeutic communication under expert supervision.
Board-certified and licensed in compact states, she also holds active BLS and NIH Stroke Scale certifications. A strong advocate for equitable care, Dr. Sam is committed to holistic, person-centered treatment—especially for underserved populations.
Meet Dr. Francette Bernard Dubuche
Francette Bernard Dubuche, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Dr. Francette Dubuche Bernard, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, is a dual-certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, addiction medicine, and community-based care. She is known for delivering holistic, culturally responsive psychiatric services grounded in evidence-based practice and compassion.
Dr. Bernard holds a DNP from Chamberlain University and a PMHNP certification from Washburn University. She also earned an MSN-FNP from Walden and a BSN from Clayton State. Her earlier academic background in philosophy, linguistics, and education at the State University of Haiti enhances her cultural fluency—she is fluent in French and Haitian Creole, with working Spanish.
Her clinical background includes roles at Twin Lakes, Lakeview, Riverwoods, and Ridgeview, providing psychiatric assessment, detox protocols, 1013 evaluations, and treatment planning for diverse age groups. She also consults for private practices and is credentialed with Piedmont Healthcare.
Dr. Bernard leads care teams, supervises nursing staff, and ensures compliance and patient safety. A strong advocate for trauma-informed, equitable care, she remains a respected leader in Georgia’s mental health community.