Zepf Center Leadership is thrilled to announce the addition of four exceptional new providers to our trauma-informed behavioral health team and the promotion of Dr. Chandani Lewis, who will serve as the interim medical director for the agency. These dedicated individuals each bring unique expertise and a shared commitment to providing accessible, person-centered care to our clients.

This year, Zepf Center celebrates 50 years of hope and recovery. With a rich history of helping those in need, the agency offers behavioral health and vocational services to youth and adults throughout Northwest Ohio. This latest expansion of the medical team will ensure that more clients receive critical mental health and substance use treatment services throughout Northwest Ohio.

Join us as we welcome Dr. Tyler Snyder, Dr. Thomas Roach, Domenic Cancilla, and Esmeralda Robertson and congratulate Dr. Chandani Lewis.

Stepping into her new role as Zepf Center’s Interim Medical Director, Dr. Chandani Lewis has served the community in Zepf Center's Adult Psychiatry department since 2013.

She completed her medical education at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and pursued residency training in the Department of Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the University of Toledo. During this time, she honed her clinical skills and developed a deep understanding of psychiatric disorders.

Following her residency, Dr. Lewis completed a Fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. This advanced training provided her with specialized knowledge and experience in managing psychosis and other severe mental health conditions within community settings.

Dr. Lewis has a clinical interest in psychosis and is committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of those living with this condition. Her work focuses on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and innovative treatment approaches.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lewis holds a faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo. In this role, she is involved in teaching and mentoring the next generation of psychiatrists, contributing to research, and advancing the field of psychiatry.

The Zepf team is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lewis in her new role as Interim Medical Director—serving clients from a new perspective and stepping up as a trusted leader within our organization and community. 

After graduating from medical school and completing his residency at the University of Toledo, Dr. Tyler Snyder is excited to lead his team as the new Medical Director for Zepf Center’s Crisis Stabilization Unit. A Toledo, OH native, Dr. Snyder is deeply committed to enhancing the mental health and well-being of those in his community.

Dr. Snyder began his journey with Zepf Center in October 2022 and transitioned to a full-time role in July 2024. His first experience with community mental health came during his residency when he worked with several local behavioral health providers, including Zepf Center. These experiences solidified his passion for community mental health, and he was drawn to the agency by the rewarding nature of the work alongside the exceptional clients and staff he met.

As the Medical Director of the Crisis Stabilization Unit, Dr. Snyder serves as the primary provider, focusing on improving the lives and mental health of the clients. His role also allows him to concentrate on his clinical interests which include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders.

Dr. Snyder values the multidisciplinary approach at Zepf Center and looks forward to collaborating across different departments to enhance client care. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys golfing, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family. He is also an avid fan of Toledo's local sports teams and enjoys visiting the Toledo Zoo.

Dr. Thomas Roach is a dedicated psychiatrist at Zepf Center, joining the staff full-time in July 2024. He completed his undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, earned his medical degree from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and finished his residency at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Dr. Roach's clinical interests include treatment-refractory depression, mood and anxiety disorders, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). His journey with Zepf Center began two years ago when he worked at the Central location during his residency. His positive experiences during this time, particularly working with Dr. Lewis and other staff, influenced his decision to join the team post-residency.

In his role at Zepf Center, Dr. Roach is dedicated to providing high-level care for his clients. He believes in the critical importance of mental health to overall well-being and is committed to supporting his clients in achieving a balanced and healthy life.

Outside of his professional role, Dr. Roach enjoys visiting the Toledo Metroparks and exploring local restaurants. His hobbies include cooking high-fat, high-salt comfort food and engaging in various DIY projects, often spending time at Home Depot.

Domenic Cancilla joins Zepf Center as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). He holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Toledo, and his clinical interests include psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.

With a professional background and career path rooted in psychiatry, he previously worked as a registered nurse at the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital and as a Nurse Practitioner at Mercy St. Charles Behavioral Health Institute (BHI) before joining Zepf Center.

Cancilla currently operates as a prescriber in the Psychiatric Urgent Care. He is passionate about meeting clients where they are and accompanying them on their recovery journey. He is enthusiastic about joining the Zepf team and is particularly impressed by the organization's culture. He looks forward to developing professional relationships with his department colleagues and making new connections throughout the agency.

Outside of work, Cancilla enjoys painting, sipping espresso, listening to music, and trying to remember to exercise. He appreciates Toledo for its balance—big enough to offer fun activities yet small enough to avoid heavy traffic.

Esmeralda Robertson also serves as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Zepf Center, where she started in June 2024. She graduated from Walden University, completing the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.

Robertson is deeply committed to working with underserved populations and bringing mental health awareness to those communities. She is passionate about breaking the stigma that still surrounds mental health, particularly within minority groups. Her journey in psychiatry began years ago as a nurse (LPN) at Mercy St. Charles Behavioral Health Institute (BHI), and she later returned as a PMHNP, working there for two years before joining Zepf Center.

Currently, Robertson serves as a community-based provider, aiming to provide quicker, more efficient access to care to avoid hospitalization for her clients. She looks forward to making a positive impact on these clients and in her community.

Outside of the office, Robertson appreciates Toledo's integrated culture and its historic landmarks. She and her family enjoy visiting the Toledo Zoo and the Toledo Museum of Art, embracing the city's rich offerings.

With the addition of these providers and the promotion of Dr. Lewis, Zepf Center is even more excited for the future. Their diverse backgrounds and specialized skills will enhance the agency’s ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to clients throughout Northwest Ohio. By expanding the team, Zepf Center ensures its clients receive the most effective, accessible, person-centered treatment available.

Please join us in welcoming these outstanding professionals to our team! To schedule an appointment, please call 419-841-7701.