Title: Senior Counselor
Company: Gateway Hudson Valley
Location: Stormville, New York, United States
Barbara McNamara Ismail, Senior Counselor at Gateway Hudson Valley, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Health Care Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the mental health field.
A passionate leader for individuals coping with developmental disabilities, Dr. Ismail has thrived in her current role since 2002. As a senior counselor with Gateway Hudson Valley, she actively supports intellectually challenged patients, along with people struggling with mental health issues and individuals suffering from substance abuse. Previously, she taught in an independent school district and worked at locations in Switzerland, England and Egypt. She established and operated the first-ever intermediate care facility in Iowa and was a member of the Education Department at the University of Iowa for 13 years.
Dr. Ismail holds a doctorate from the University of Minnesota, as well as a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She additionally has completed pre-medicine coursework at the State University of New York at Potsdam.
The recipient of numerous awards for her work as a counselor, Dr. Ismail takes great pride in helping individuals successfully navigate their struggles and enjoy productive lives. She is strongly opposed to judging people for their mistakes. While achieving tremendous career success, she has fought to overcome a number of her own health issues, including breast cancer, macular degeneration, liver disease and diabetes. Dr. Ismail additionally has undergone radiation therapy and has had 30 surgeries to treat hemangioma on her face and ears. She was the second person in the world diagnosed with hemangioma, a condition that inspired her to work in medicine.
Dr. Ismail is also a strong advocate of animal rights, working with a number of agencies that are heavily focused on animal rescue efforts. She keeps food for cats and dogs in her car trunk, so that she is always prepared to feed a lost or stray animal. She wants to be remembered as a person who was deeply dedicated to the welfare of people and animals.
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