Leadership
A Letter from our CEO
In December 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a new Surgeon General’s Advisory to highlight the urgent need to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis. Suicide is a leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults between the ages of 15 - to- 24 years old.
The majority of young people who attempt suicide have a significant mental health disorder, usually Depression. Of the 104,000 young Georgians with depression, 68 % of them will not have received treatment in the last year.
Hillside is on the front line of the mental health crisis in young people. Our programs help over 800 children each year. In this challenging time of increased demand for our services and spiraling costs due to inflation our commitment to our mission is unwavering. Hillside has served families in Atlanta for over 130 years and our vision is that children will have access to quality mental and behavioral health treatment when they need it, for as long as they need it, continuing our legacy of providing healing and hope to children struggling with their mental health.
We extend our utmost gratitude to those who trust us to serve their loved ones. We also remain grateful to our support community, alumni families, donors, and volunteers, who prioritize our vital work. Hillside remains committed to healing and providing the tools each young person needs for a healthy future.
Emily R. Acker
President & CEO
Hillside has a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, licensed therapists, nurses, and specialized professionals who provide the state of the art programming and treatment.
Our psychiatry team includes full-time board certified child and adolescent psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who are located on our campus. Our psychiatric providers are in continuous contact with the rest of the clinical team as well as our clients and their families.
Hillside is proud to be in partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine and Emory School of Medicine as we provide hands on experience and training for the next generation of child & adolescent psychiatrists and pediatricians. Our team of experienced psychiatric providers enjoy the opportunity to teach and work with physicians who are working to complete their fellowship or residency.

Dr. Sheritta C. Carmichael, M.D.

Kimberly Young, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, American Nurse Credentialing Center

Rana Sibai-Drake, M.D.
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, MD
General Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 2012
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 2015

Shoba Varkey, MD
Rutgers Division of Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, MD
General Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 2012 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 2013
Hillside’s Board of Directors oversees the Executive Team to ensure the organization continues the mission of Hillside, maintains financial stability and delivers quality care for the children and their families.
2023 Board Members
Mr. Russell Wagner | Rent.com | Chair |
Mr. Tommy Herrington | Gay Construction | Vice-Chair |
Mr. Mark Simmons | Oakbridge Law Group | Secretary |
Mrs. Rhea Erichsen | Comcast | Treasurer |
Mr. Nic Allums | PWC | |
Mr. Mark Dukes | Physicians Reality Trust | |
Mrs. Machell Harper | Association of General Contractors | |
Mr. Charlie Ivey | All Pro Pest Services | |
Ms. Jerbrina Johnson | J.L. Johnson & Associates, LLC | |
Dr. Gail Kemp | Mercer University | |
Mrs. Gail Lewin | Community Volunteer |