Meet The Providers
Misty Hinkle, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Misty Hinkle is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who brings both clinical expertise and heartfelt compassion to her work with individuals across the lifespan. While working as a registered nurse in hospital settings, Misty observed firsthand the disparity in care between those with medical conditions and those living with mental health or substance use disorders. This experience fueled her commitment to continue her education and become a dedicated advocate for individuals navigating mental health and substance misuse challenges.
Misty offers a holistic, compassionate, and personalized approach to care. She provides evaluation, diagnosis, and medication management for a range of conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, medical-induced and substance-induced mood disorders, ADHD, severe mental illness, and substance use disorders (SUD). Her practice integrates empathy, evidence-based treatment, and collaboration to support each patient's unique goals.
In her free time, Misty enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Melanie Daley, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Melanie Daley is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health and addiction care. Her clinical journey began as a registered nurse in psychiatry and addiction medicine, where she developed a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face in these areas. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Regis College, building upon her foundational education at Labouré College and Curry College.
Melanie is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan. Her areas of expertise include ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, trauma/PTSD, sleep disorders, and substance use disorders. She is known for her holistic approach, integrating lifestyle education, motivational interviewing, and collaborative care to support each patient's unique journey toward wellness.
At Ascend Psychiatry, Melanie is committed to creating a supportive and responsive environment where patients feel heard and empowered. Her dedication to timely access and personalized treatment makes her a trusted partner in mental health care.
Joanne St. John
Managing Partner, Ascend Psychiatry
After more than 25 years of leadership in the biotech industry, Joanne St. John made a life-changing decision: to build the kind of mental health practice she wished had existed for her own family. As the parent of a child with special needs, Joanne experienced firsthand the overwhelming frustration of trying to access timely, compassionate psychiatric care—navigating endless phone trees, long waitlists, and a system that too often failed to respond when it mattered most.
Determined to create something better, she founded Ascend Psychiatry: a practice grounded in empathy, responsiveness, and clinical excellence. Joanne’s mission is simple but powerful—to build a place she would trust to care for the people she loves most. Under her leadership, Ascend Psychiatry prioritizes accessible, high-quality care for individuals and families across Massachusetts, Delaware, and Utah with a team of providers who are as compassionate as they are skilled.
Joanne brings not only a wealth of operational expertise but also a personal commitment to transforming how mental health care is delivered. She is proud to lead a practice that reflects her values and truly makes a difference in people’s lives.
Kayla Johnson
Patient Coordinator
Kayla Johnson brings a strong background in mental health administration and patient care to her role as Patient Coordinator at Ascend Integrative Medicine. With over three years of experience in the field, Kayla has developed a deep understanding of the patient journey—from first contact at the front desk to active clinical support.
She began her career in mental health as a front desk administrator and quickly advanced to a more hands-on role, assisting with the administration and monitoring of Spravato treatments for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Most recently, Kayla served as an Infusion Coordinator at a medical infusion suite, where she provided patient-centered care and helped streamline access to innovative therapies.
At Ascend, Kayla is committed to creating a welcoming, efficient, and supportive experience for every patient. Her blend of compassion, clinical coordination, and operational expertise makes her an invaluable part of the team.