As CEO of Long Island Center for Recovery, Shawn Hamilton carries forward the vision and compassion of her late husband and founder, Jack Hamilton. Involved with the Center since its inception in 1995, and serving as acting CEO for over fifteen years, she brings decades of hands-on experience in the substance use treatment field.
Shawn’s leadership is deeply rooted in empathy, community, and the belief that everyone deserves multiple chances to heal and grow.
Guided by her lived experience and long-standing ties to the recovery space, Shawn is dedicated to creating an environment where both staff and individuals receiving treatment feel valued, supported, and cared for. She believes that comfort, nourishment (good food!), and genuine connection are essential parts of recovery.
To this day, you can still find her at the facility every day of the week, fully present and hands-on—tidying the facility, preparing snacks for staff members, and keeping spirits high with her humor and warmth. Shawn leads with heart—investing in people, fostering growth, and ensuring that love and compassion remain at the core of everything we do.
Dr. Charles J. DeFraia is a dual board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine with over 15 years of clinical and leadership experience. He currently serves as the Medical Director of the Long Island Center for Recovery, where he leads a multidisciplinary team in delivering high-quality care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
Previously, Dr. DeFraia served as a Clinical Associate Professor at Stony Brook University Southampton Campus, contributing to medical education and mentoring the next generation of physicians.
Dr. DeFraia earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Southampton Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
A Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (FACOI) and Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (FASAM), Dr. DeFraia is highly respected for his clinical expertise, compassionate care, and dedication to advancing addiction treatment.
Dylan Galasso, LCSW, is the Program Director at Long Island Center for Recovery and has worked in the substance use treatment field for over a decade. He earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from Stony Brook University.
Before taking on his current leadership role, Dylan served with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Northport VA Medical Center, where he provided care to veterans experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. His work included intensive outpatient services for individuals with severe mental illness, as well as support for those facing housing instability.
In addition to his experience within the VA system, Dylan has worked with alternative-to-incarceration programs and homeless outreach initiatives, offering clinical services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Dylan brings a compassionate, person-centered approach to his work, with a strong commitment to clinical excellence, program development, and supporting long-term recovery for diverse populations.
David Conway is a nationally certified Physician Assistant who is dedicated to delivering patient-centered, compassionate care. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s University and completed his graduate Physician Assistant studies at Touro College.
David approaches medicine with a strong belief in its dual purpose: offering immediate support to those in acute distress while serving as a long-term partner in the management of chronic conditions. He takes a holistic view of health, treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—to promote lasting well-being.
Outside of his professional practice, David enjoys playing guitar and values quality time with his family.
Lauren Hertwig is a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner in both Psychiatry and Family Health. She brings an integrative and humanistic approach to care, treating individuals across the lifespan who are facing medical and mental health challenges. Lauren also specializes in addiction medicine, providing compassionate treatment to those struggling with substance use disorders.
Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2000, followed by board certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 2013 and as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2023. All of her academic degrees were completed at Molloy University.
With over two decades of clinical experience, Lauren has served in various critical care settings including the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), and the Emergency Department. In addition to her clinical work, she previously served as an adjunct professor in the undergraduate nursing program at Molloy University, helping to educate and inspire the next generation of nurses.
As Director of Nursing at Long Island Center for Recovery, Matt Lepage brings over a decade of experience in substance use treatment, with a professional background in acute care healthcare leadership. He plays a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of clinical quality, safety, and operational excellence across the organization.
Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Stony Brook University and holds board certification in both addiction nursing and acute critical care nursing. With more than ten years of hands-on experience in addiction services, he brings deep clinical insight into the complexities of substance use disorders, detoxification, and long-term recovery care. His practice is grounded in evidence-based models and an unwavering commitment to individualized, person-centered treatment.
Aligned with LICR’s mission to empower lives through recovery, Matt fosters a clinical culture rooted in professionalism, accountability, and integrity. His efforts have strengthened clinical education, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultivated a culture of excellence across LICR’s nursing and clinical teams.
Matt believes that lasting recovery is guided by evidence-based care and made possible through the transformative principles of honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, and spiritual growth.
Melissa Micari is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) with two decades of dedicated service to the recovery community. She earned her undergraduate degree from Moravian University and completed her CASAC certification at St. Joseph’s College.
Throughout her 20-year career, Melissa has worked across a range of treatment modalities, specializing in individual and group counseling, program development, and clinical supervision. Her expertise lies not only in direct individual care but also in mentoring and guiding emerging professionals in the field.
As Clinical Supervisor at Long Island Center for Recovery, Melissa brings a passionate, individual-centered approach to her work. She is deeply committed to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of addiction and recovery, providing the structure, support, and compassion needed for lasting change.
Fill out our form, and we will contact you shortly or provide you with the information requested.