Originally from Miami, Florida, Dr. Abellard’s journey began playing with the stethoscope and reflex hammer from a play health kit her parents bought her as a child. She acknowledges, “from the womb, I knew that wanted to be a doctor.” 



At eleven years old, Dr. Abellard told her mother that she wanted to be a Geriatrician. Working with older adults, she said, “was something that I found fascinating. I love their stories. They provide such a rich history of resilience.”

Her love for health and medicine led her to study chemistry at the University of Miami. It was here that she developed an interest in criminology and began to broaden her horizons beyond chemistry to law and medicine. After reviewing the curriculum for law, she decided that medicine was the path she wanted to take and she followed her dream to become a physician – her childhood dream. 

Although psychiatry was her favorite rotation as a medical student, she initially pursued internal medicine but ultimately pursued what she truly enjoyed. In 2017, she moved to Connecticut where she completed her fellowship training in geriatric and forensic psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Abellard joined Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center in 2019 directly after training to serve our patients and our community. Genuine empathy, wisdom, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to delivering compassionate care to the most vulnerable are the qualities that Dr. Abellard embodies both as a provider and as a leader. Her experience, expertise, and authentic spirit continue to advance mental health care, education, and advocacy in addition to raising the standard of care we provide to our community.

Describing her primary motivation for staying in Connecticut at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, Dr. Abellard notes her admiration for how “they honor the legacy of Cornell Scott and his impact on serving the underserved and the change that he embodied.” This legacy is what Dr. Abellard continues both as Medical Director of Geriatrics at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center and now as President of the Connecticut Psychiatry Society.

“It is an immense honor to serve as president of Connecticut Psychiatric Society and I’m grateful to our past presidents who have built a solid foundation. The theme I chose for this year is hope and community onward and upward. It is important now more than ever to instill hope.”

Towards the Future

In her new role as President, Dr. Abellard understands that psychiatrists are in a unique position to help combat the loneliness and isolation epidemic that plagues our society - not just for patients, but on a personal level as well. She looks forward to collaborating with other district branches in other states as a team advocating for patients and cultivating relationships with state legislators and decision-makers.

“Our board now includes several trainees who are represented across the state. So we get to include and involve young voices and hear from a diversity of experiences. There are a lot of exciting plans and visions for this next year. Hope and community, onwards and upwards!”

Congratulations Dr. Jessica Abellard!

“We are proud to recognize and honor Dr. Jessica Abellard on her recent election into the Connecticut Psychiatry Society.

At Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, Dr. Abellard is not only our wonderful colleague and medical director but also a compassionate provider who continuously advocates for equitable, patient-centered care. Her contributions have strengthened our behavioral health services and inspired those around her to pursue the highest standards of psychiatric practice.

This achievement is a testament to her unwavering dedication, clinical excellence, and her leadership. It also reflects the respect she has earned from peers across the state.

Congratulations, Dr. Abellard—this recognition is well-deserved, and we are honored to celebrate this milestone with you.”

- Dr. Ece Tek, Chief Medical Officer of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center

“It is an honor and privilege to celebrate Dr. Jessica Abellard. Her compassion, vision, and integrity have raised the quality of care here at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center. I am confident that her leadership as President of the Connecticut Psychiatry Society will exponentially advance the field of psychiatry and the critical role it plays in providing compassionate care to our communities. Congratulations Dr. Abellard!”

- Michael Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center