Who is RAYdiance?
RAYdiance is a family owned company whose owners grew up in beautiful Northeast Tennessee. We believe mental health is truly the key to living your best life. We share the same dream which is to make our community healthier and happier.
Staff
Walt Ray, M.D.
Walt is an Erwin Native who graduated from Unicoi County High School in 2002. He pursued his studies at East Tennessee State University graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry and Minor in Biology. In 2010, he graduated from East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine.
For most of his professional career, Walt worked in pharmaceutical research and development formulating many products on shelves all over the world. He has also worked in healthcare administration.
Walt has always had a passion for psychiatry and as the owner of RAYdiance will bring a much needed service to his hometown. Walt does not provide client treatment but instead radiates towards entrepreneurship and staying current on new, innovative psychiatric and psychological modalities. He will bring treatments to the area that previously were not available without travel.
Some of his hobbies are fishing, weight lifting, and dining at new restaurants.
Alicia Emery DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-C
Alicia is a seasoned professional with over 35 years in healthcare. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Alicia began her career in 1997 as a nurse aide, working in Unicoi County with developmentally challenged individuals. After graduating from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2002, she earned her Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and worked in multiple outpatient and inpatient hospital settings. Alicia’s pursuit of advanced education led her to complete two Master’s degrees in Nursing at ETSU, focusing on family practice and adult and child psychiatry. She gained experience in orthopedics and primary care and currently works full time in adult and geropsychiatry.
Dedicated to advancing her expertise, Alicia earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2022, with a focus on research in mental health care. This extensive and varied background has provided her with the skills necessary to manage complex mental health conditions, with a particular emphasis on medication management and holistic treatment approaches. Alicia firmly believes that true wellness arises from a balanced combination of body, mind, and spirit. She views each client as a whole person rather than just a set of symptoms or a diagnosis.
Throughout her career, Alicia has been committed to providing compassionate and individualized care, always approaching each case with the understanding that mental health is deeply interconnected with overall well-being. The focus of Alicia’s practice is diagnosing mental health conditions and managing medications for patients ages 9 and up.
While her clinic does not currently provide therapy services, Alicia has trusted partners in the community to whom she refers patients, understanding that therapy is an essential component of mental health care.
Outside of her professional life, Alicia resides in the beautiful town of Erwin, Tennessee, with her family. She enjoys an active lifestyle, taking full advantage of the surrounding nature by participating in hobbies such as skiing and hiking. Her love for the outdoors reflects her belief in the importance of physical activity and mental clarity for overall wellness.
Alicia’s long career, dedication to mental health, and passion for helping others live their best lives have made her a valuable resource for her community.