Meet the Team

Here at SBP, our goal is to empower parents, caregivers and school professionals with the knowledge and skills to help children and adolescents overcome obstacles and challenges. Working together, we all succeed.

You can do it. We can help! Meet our team of behavioral specialists.

Dr. Kristi Hofstadter-Duke, Ph.D.

Practice Director, Pediatric Psychologist

Dr. Duke is a licensed pediatric psychologist specializing in child and adolescent behavior, development, and learning. Dr. Duke is the founder of Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics, and she serves as the Practice Director, overseeing all clinical services. Dr. Duke obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and she received formal clinical training in pediatric psychology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. She specializes in the area of behavioral pediatrics, and her clinical practice is focused on evidence-based assessment of developmental, behavioral, and learning concerns (e.g., ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorder) as well as behavioral treatment of a wide range of childhood concerns, including disruptive behaviors (e.g., noncompliance, defiance, aggression), anxiety, and obsessions and compulsions. She works closely with parents and caregivers to address key behavioral, emotional and social difficulties and to improve children’s skills across home, school and community settings. Dr. Duke’s clinical practice and research has resulted in several professional publications and presentations, and she has received a number of research awards for her work in the area of behavioral psychology. Dr. Duke and her husband, Skye, have three children.

Dr. Kristen Hembree, Ph.D.

Pediatric Psychologist, Director of Integrated Care

Dr. Hembree is a licensed psychologist specializing in behavioral pediatrics and integrated behavioral health in pediatric primary care. She provides evidence-based evaluation and treatment services at Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Hembree obtained her Ph.D. from Lehigh University and completed formal clinical training in pediatric psychology and integrated behavioral health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. Previously, Dr. Hembree was a faculty member at Munroe-Meyer Institute where she provided integrated behavioral health services and engaged in clinical teaching, supervision, and research. Dr. Hembree’s work has resulted in a number of professional publications, presentations, and awards. Her passion is collaborating with families and medical and school professionals to help children and adolescents learn new skills to be successful at home, school, and in the community. Dr. Hembree provides services for a wide variety of childhood concerns and has a special interest in child and adolescent sleep. Dr. Hembree and her husband, Jesse, have two young children.

Heather Myers, LMFT

Licensed Family Therapist

Heather is a licensed family therapist providing evidence-based diagnosis and treatment services for children and families. She obtained her masters degree in family therapy from the University of Kentucky. She completed her clinical residency training and licensure, with an emphasis on children and adolescents, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s West Central Behavioral Health in Hanover, NH. An AAMFT Clinical Fellow, Heather has worked extensively with children and families for 17 years in both private practice and school settings. She has broad experience in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, attachment problems, emotional and learning challenges, attention concerns, family transitions, and grief and loss. Heather provides brief assessments and diagnosis as well as evidence-based treatment for families (e.g., family therapy, Parent Behavior Training (including PCIT), parent coaching, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and co-parenting therapy during and following divorce). Heather and her husband, Rob, have four children.

Dr. Cecelia Ribuffo, Ph.D.

Pediatric Psychologist

Dr. Ribuffo is a licensed pediatric psychologist specializing in behavioral pediatrics, development, and learning. She provides evidence-based evaluation, treatment and school consultation services at Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Ribuffo obtained her PhD in the school psychology program at the University of Florida with a specialization in severe disabilities. She completed 11 years of graduate training, including participation in grant-funded research and advanced clinical training in the UF Psychology Clinic, state of Florida’s early intervention program and public schools. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics in Jacksonville, Florida, where she provided treatment and evaluation services as part of an interdisciplinary team across clinic and school-based settings. At Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics, Dr. Ribuffo partners with families and schools to promote positive client behavior and improve outcomes across settings. Dr. Ribuffo and her husband, Mike, have two children.

Dr. Cassie Oliver, Psy.D.

Pediatric Psychologist

Dr. Oliver is a licensed psychologist specializing in behavioral pediatrics and partnering with families to address developmental, social, emotional, and learning concerns. She provides evidence-based evaluation and treatment services at Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Oliver obtained her PsyD in the clinical psychology program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, D.C. Campus. She completed five years of graduate training before completing her pre-doctoral internship at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Oliver and her husband, Collin, recently moved back to Savannah, Georgia. She and her husband have two young children.

Dr. Katherine Hess, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Hess is a postdoctoral psychology fellow providing evidence-based evaluation and treatment services at Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Hess obtained her PhD in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Child Clinical Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. She completed her internship in pediatric psychology and integrated behavioral health at the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hess is dedicated to providing effective treatments for common behavioral health problems in childhood and adolescence, and specializes in promoting positive early childhood development.

Laura Evans

Office Manager

Laura Evans is the office manager at Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics, and she is well prepared to help support families in finding the provider that is the best fit for their children. Laura is originally from Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from West Chester University in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She moved to Savannah in 2015 with her husband, John, and their two rescue puppies, Rafiki and Charlie. Although she loved living in Savannah, Laura has moved back home to Delaware to be close to her family. She continues to provide exceptional care to families remotely.

Jozie Hartman

Front Desk Receptionist

Jozie Hartman is the Front Desk Receptionist at Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics. Jozie is your initial point of contact in the office, always ready with a smile and a warm welcome. She is focused on providing exceptional patient care for all of our families. Jozie is originally from Burlison, Tennessee and she graduated from Georgia Southern University with her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. Jozie and her husband, John, moved to Savannah in May of 2024 with their two dogs, Sissy and Pongo.