College of Psychology alum runs three health care companies
Companies based in South Florida
Kerry Cotler knew as a high school senior that she wanted to be a psychologist.
Pursuing that goal brought her to NSU and what was then called the Center for Psychological Studies. Several years later, she graduated in 1990 with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Years later, she’s still in South Florida as the owner of three companies that bear her name: Cotler Health Care and Development, Cotler Medical Billing Services, and Cotler Clinical Services.
Cotler credits her time at NSU with setting her up for success in the health care world.
“Nova gave me confidence to explore and combat through the business side of clinical practice, with solid branding and name recognition of my graduate alma mater realized throughout my professional career,” she said.
The services that Cotler’s companies offer range from community-based comprehensive behavioral health solutions to mental health and targeted case management for adults, children, and families. Cotler Health Care and Development, in business for over 20 years, has a staff of more than 150, including licensed psychologists and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW).
Cotler has observed how the mental health field has developed since her time at NSU.
“Technology has allowed for advances in both research and science as well as brain imaging that helps to inform the field and gives answers to questions we did not have in the past,” she said.
Cotler has also seen increased collaboration between different medical fields, commonly referred to as “integrated care.”
“Providers of all kinds are working together to get clients/patients the care they need for the best outcome in the shortest amount of time,” Cotler said.
Cotler maintains multiple connections to NSU, such as the Ambassadors Board, and was the College of Psychology’s 2019 nominee for Alumni of the Year at the 21st Annual Student Life Achievement Awards (STUEYs).
“I remain very proud of my roots at Nova and am pleased to have an adult child finishing his graduate work at Nova as well,” she said. “Keeping the same educational roots in the family is not something every successful businesswoman can claim.”