… Shirley, working at the intersection of mental, emotional, and physical health is her focus. It is something that began during college, when she learned that a close friend from … amount of human connection that's formed,” said the Somers, Connecticut native who is the first person in her family to earn a doctoral degree. “As a physical … Shirley, working at the intersection of mental, emotional, and physical health is her focus. It is something that began during college, when she learned that a …