Empowering & Elevating
Whole Health Services
Helping our affiliates fulfill their missions
The Daxia Integrated Health Network was created to elevate and protect the delivery of whole health services throughout Upstate New York, and beyond.
The Network is a formal corporate partnership that unites several independent service providers, and unique brands, with deep roots in the region. More so, it is also the springboard that has empowered its affiliated organizations, such as Citizen Advocates and St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, to thrive and grow.
While the Network represents a collaborative partnership of distinct, individual organizations, they are united behind a shared purpose and mission:
Leveraging the scale and resources of top tier providers through clinical integration.
Prioritizing access and convenience by meeting people where they are.
Preserving major service providers as job creation hubs and economic anchors in the community.
Promoting advocacy and education in support of underserved and vulnerable populations.
Daxia by the numbers
265 years
combined service to upstate New York. Clinical presence in one-third of New York State, serving residents in a 10-county region.
4.3/5
stars on Rater8
6
affiliates
1,000+
employees
1,840,000
miles traveled to deliver services to the community, and people to and from the care they need
296
individuals supported through day habilitation services
125k
outpatient visits per year
In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, bold leadership and innovation are essential.
The Network’s creative approach towards effective and sustainable care means taking decisive steps to expand or shift services based on meeting the needs of the community. This path is challenging, however that’s what makes the work meaningful—to ensure the healthcare needs of vulnerable or marginalized individuals are met.
If you’re an organization seeking a new path forward, we’re here to listen and advise.
Our Organizations
Your Organization Here
If you’re an organization seeking a new path forward, we would love to hear from you.
jenniferdishaw@citIzenadvocates.netOur Board of Directors
Nicholas Eells, Chair
Dallas Sutton, Treasurer
Felix Tam, Secretary
Marc Gitlitz
Paul Goodrow
Mark Hasselwander
Rebecca Preve
Our Leadership Team
Each member of our team embraces their role with unrivaled commitment and passion for the people we support—and the communities we serve.
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Mr. Button is President & CEO of Citizen Advocates, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers and the Fieldstone Foundation. He holds master’s degrees in education and clinical social work from the State University of NY. He earned his healthcare administrator’s certificate from University of Vermont. Mr. Button is a gifted leader, who is an accomplished public speaker and expert storyteller. His skill is in taking complex concepts and communicating them in easily understood terms to key stakeholders. James is focused on improving access and elevating convenience to life-saving addiction and mental health treatments across New York and New England. He lives in Upstate NY with his wife, Camelia, their sons, Ben and Jake, and their German shepherd, Paris.
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As the Vice President of Operations & Finance / Chief Operations Officer, Ms. Jock oversees all financial matters and operations for Citizen Advocates and its affiliates. Her focus is on providing accessible and convenient Behavioral Health, Housing and Disability Services to the communities we serve. During her tenure at Citizen Advocates, Ms. Jock has led geographic expansion efforts and launched three Behavioral Health Campuses. Her greatest accomplishment is bringing the teams at Citizen Advocates and St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers together to collaborate and learn from one another.
Ms. Jock brings nearly two decades of experience in strategic and business planning for health systems. Her career has included leading affiliations and mergers, designing business plans to support primary care expansion, and working closely with executive teams to shape organizational vision, drive profitability and sustain growth. Her previous roles include Director of Behavioral Health at Citizen Advocates.
With a passion for strategy and analysis, Ms. Jock is committed to using data-driven approaches to transform information into meaningful action that enhances health outcomes. She especially enjoys teaching teams how to interpret financial data and make strategic decisions through strong project management and planning.
Ms. Jock earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Technology and a Master’s in Business Administration from Clarkson University. Outside of work, she volunteers her time as a member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Northern New York. She enjoys walks along the shores of Lake Champlain, spending time with her family and hosting celebrations.
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As Chief of Staff, Ms. Dishaw is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day priorities of the Executive Leadership Team. In addition to her duties related to the Executive Team, Ms. Dishaw has management oversight of External & Government Affairs.
Prior to becoming Chief of Staff in 2019, Ms. Dishaw led a major initiative to modernize Citizen Advocates’ Electronic Medical Record system, known as NetSmart. Ms. Dishaw is familiar with the billing aspects of healthcare delivery, having managed the Billing Department for 11 years.
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As Chief Financial Officer, Courtney oversees Finance, Revenue Cycle, Population Health and Planning, and Electronic Health Records for Citizen Advocates and affiliates. Her strategic focus includes strengthening financial foundations, aligning resources with organizational priorities and driving innovation that supports accessible, high-quality care.
Courtney’s journey with Citizen Advocates reflects both dedication and growth. She began her career on the front lines as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and, over the past 15 years, has taken on leadership roles spanning operations, technology, revenue cycle and finance. Most recently, she has served as Network Associate Vice President of Finance.
Her leadership philosophy is rooted in connecting financial stewardship to improved access and convenience for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction. She believes that sound financial planning is essential to deliver compassionate, mission-driven care.
Courtney holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and is weeks away from completing her MBA with a concentration in Accounting. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, home renovation and decoration projects, and cheering on her four children in their sports and dance activities.
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As the Network Associate Vice President of Operations, Jennifer leads strategic initiatives to enhance the delivery of comprehensive health and social support programs for the communities we serve. She started her career in foster care where she developed a deep understanding of and empathy for the variety of challenges faced by children and families. She has built upon this experience with over 10 years of leadership experience in the field of health and human services.
Jennifer’s journey led her to Citizen Advocates, where she has successfully supported cross-functional teams, managed large-scale projects and advocated for policy changes to advance the organization’s mission. In addition to her current role, she has previously held the positions of Director of Community Support, Director of Behavioral Health and Senior Director of Operations.
With a commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, Jennifer is particularly focused on enhancing program accessibility, optimizing service delivery models and leveraging community partnerships to address systemic issues in health and human services.
Jennifer holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Clarkson University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam. She is a dedicated mom, proud wife and enjoys doing DIY renovation projects.
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As the Network Associate Vice President of People, Ms. Wenzel oversees Human Resources, Compliance and Communications for Citizen Advocates and affiliates. Her strategic focus includes building a supportive and engaged workforce, ensuring compliance practices that protect both employees and those served, and fostering clear communications that connect teams internally and with the broader community.
Ms. Wenzel began her career as a Direct Support Professional and brings over 25 years of experience in health and human services. She has held various operational leadership roles and is driven by the belief that when employees feel supported, valued and engaged, the care delivered to communities is at its strongest.
Her leadership philosophy centers on empowering others and cultivating collaboration and learning as the foundation for lasting impact. She has led cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational culture and compliance, and she continues to champion efforts that align employee experience with mission-driven outcomes.
Ms. Wenzel holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Communications and English Writing, as well as a Master’s in Rhetoric from SUNY Potsdam. She is a credentialled leadership coach and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership Studies from Louisiana State University–Shreveport. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and two rat terriers. She also serves as a Board Member for Youth Advocate Programs.
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Kaitlyn serves as Network Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health for Citizen Advocates and its affiliates, overseeing behavioral health operations across Upstate New York. She is focused on ensuring services are accessible, high quality and responsive to community needs.
Kaitlyn’s leadership has supported key initiatives, including recertifications and the advancement of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic standards. She also led the establishment of 24/7 Crisis Residence care and Citizen Advocates’ St. Lawrence County Mobile Crisis Team. Kaitlyn is driven by a commitment to improving access to care and delivering person-centered, outcome-focused services.
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Kaitlyn holds a Master’s degree from SUNY Albany and a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh. She brings nearly 10 years of experience to her role and has progressed through positions including Clinician, Clinician Team Lead and Clinic Manager.
Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the Adirondacks with her husband and daughter.
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As Network Associate Vice President of Infrastructure & Technology for Citizen Advocates and its affiliates, Mr. Jones is responsible for facilities, maintenance, transportation, capital projects, safety, procurement, information technology, security and Harison Place Housing.
Prior to joining the Citizen Advocates team, Mr. Jones spent over 15 years in progressive leadership roles in hospital healthcare. He has a servant leadership style and is passionate about creating a team atmosphere where individuals feel supported and valued.
In his previous roles, Mr. Jones has led initiatives to enhance access to many services including imaging, infusion and physical rehabilitation services. He successfully managed a community hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining safe operations and quality care. He has overseen the completion of major capital projects, including a Skilled Nursing Facility, Primary Care Offices and major renovation projects. He also has implemented practices that have improved purchasing processes and efficiencies, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in supply costs.
Mr. Jones received a Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Economics from Hamilton College and went on to receive his Master’s in Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Operations from Capella University. He is a passionate about his family and an avid sports fanatic. He volunteers his time on the Board of Directors for Malone Minor Hockey and has coached many of the youth levels within the program.
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As Associate Vice President of Community Operations, Tiffany leads Citizen Advocates’ Community Living and Community Supports departments with a focus on community integration, quality and staff support.
She began her career in healthcare management within primary and specialty care settings, building a strong operational foundation before transitioning into behavioral health leadership. She brings extensive experience in healthcare management and has held roles including Director of Behavioral Health, Director of Community Supports and Senior Director of Community Operations.
Tiffany’s leadership has included the creation of the Dual Diagnosis Workforce Taskforce, bringing together teams from across Community Operations, Behavioral Health, Nursing and Shared Services to ensure aligned care is provided to the individuals the agency serves. She is driven by a commitment to enhancing quality of life for program participants while fostering a supportive and accountable environment for staff.
Outside of work, Tiffany cherishes time spent with family, enjoys photography and can often be found cheering on her children from the stands of a local sporting event.
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As Associate Vice President of Clinical Care, Ashley provides executive oversight of nursing services, the nurse practitioner team and the clinical education program at Citizen Advocates. She is focused on ensuring care is high quality, evidence based and person centered across the organization.
Ashley brings more than a decade of experience across outpatient, inpatient and community-based settings. Her clinical background has shaped her leadership approach and commitment to advancing best practices in care delivery.
She has previously served as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Senior Director of Nursing and Patient Care. Through this work, she has strengthened clinical teams and supported the development of consistent care models across services.
She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Stony Brook University and is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, ANCC Board Certified.
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Joseph Riccio serves as Associate Vice President of External Affairs for Citizen Advocates and its Network of affiliates. In this role, he is responsible for strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including the workforce, patients, executive leadership, boards of directors, community leaders, elected officials, governmental and regulatory partners, and current and potential affiliates.
His work ensures that Citizen Advocates and its affiliates are well-positioned to advance their mission while navigating an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
With two decades of experience in healthcare communications, marketing and government affairs, Joseph has worked across a broad spectrum of care settings—from acute and primary care at Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake to mental health, addiction and disability services at Citizen Advocates in Upstate New York. He also brings a decade of political experience, having served as both a village trustee and mayor, which deepened his understanding of how governmental partnerships and community engagement are vital to building healthier, stronger communities.
Joseph believes that effective external relations and governmental affairs are essential for ensuring access, sustaining growth and influencing policies that support high-quality, convenient care. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Joanne, whether it’s outdoors, cooking a great meal, or travelling to visit their daughter in California.
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As Network Director of Executive Services, Melanie provides high-level support to executive leadership across Citizen Advocates and its affiliates. She plays a key role in ensuring coordination, communication and operational alignment at the leadership level, supporting strategic initiatives and organizational priorities.
Melanie began her career with Citizen Advocates in 2019 as a Customer Support Representative, where she developed a strong understanding of organizational operations and the importance of responsive, service-driven support. She has since built seven years of experience, progressing through roles including Administrative Assistant, Integrated Services Project Lead and Executive Assistant.
Her work is grounded in professionalism, discretion and accountability, with a focus on supporting leaders and teams to operate effectively. Melanie is committed to maintaining strong systems and processes that enable leadership to stay focused on advancing the Network’s mission.
Outside of work, Melanie enjoys spending time with her husband and three children and is an avid camper who values time outdoors.
Reach out, we would love to hear from you!
Contact us through our form or email jenniferdishaw@citizenadvocates.net