The Hershey ALS Clinic & Research Team Zachary Simmons, M.D. Professor of Neurology Director, Neuromuscular Program and ALS Clinic After graduating from Dartmouth College and from The University of Florida College of Medicine, Dr. Simmons received his training in Neurology at the University of Iowa, and then received 2 additional years of subspecialty training in neuromuscular disorders and EMG at the University of Michigan. He has been at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center since 1992, and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders. Susan Walsh, APRN, MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist, Regional Nurse Coordinator The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter Susan Walsh is a certified nurse specialist who received graduate training at Case Western Reserve University. Her focus is on nursing management and support of patients and families in life threatening illness. Susan coordinates patient care services for the Hershey ALS Clinic and for the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association.
Research Coordinator Ally Brothers Ally earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Roanoke College in Southwestern Virginia. She then earned a Master s Degree in Applied Psychological Research from Penn State Harrisburg. Ally joined the ALS Clinic team in October 2006, and coordinates many of the ALS-related research studies, including clinical trials, the cognitive research, and evidence-base practice research. Christine Brussock, MS, PT Physical Therapist Christine is a physical therapist who obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from Daemen College, Amherst New York and her Master of Science in Neurologic Physical Therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute of Health Professions, in Boston, MA. From 1990 to 1995, she was an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, UMDNJ/Rutgers University. She has participated in the ALS clinic since 2004 and joined the Multidisciplinary ALS team as our primary physical therapist in 2006. She strives to maximize each individual s level of physical functioning by identifying safety hazards, recommending exercises, mobility aides, and orthotics, and discussing activity modification, energy conservation and work simplification. Her research interests are in functional measurement, falls and exercise in neurologic disorders.
Assistant Professor of Neurology Clinical Neuropsychologist Claire Flaherty-Craig, Ph.D. After completing her doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Dr. Flaherty-Craig completed her post-doctoral training at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She has been affiliated with the Department of Neurology since 1992. Her experience has included 8 years as a team member of the in-patient adult neurorehabilitation unit, where she gained expertise with assessment and intervention approaches to optimize functioning following acquired disorders of cognition and affect. As an ALS team member, her focus is on cognitive evaluation and patient/family education to optimize both communication and emotional adjustment. Tina D'Angelo, RN, BSN ALS Clinic Nurse After graduating from Bloomsburg State College in 1979, Tina pursued a career in public school nursing, which lasted 16 years. She is currently a part time caregiver to a patient with ALS. In February, 2003 she was hired by the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter and became part of the ALS Clinic Team. Her focus is managing and coordinating the needs of ALS patients and their families on a day-to-day basis.
Barbara Brunk Gascho, RN, CPN, Chaplain Pastoral Care Counselor Barbara is a Registered Nurse, Certified Parish Nurse and Chaplain. She is a graduate of Rockingham Memorial School of Nursing, received Parish Nurse Certification from Messiah College, and trained in Clinical Pastoral Education at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She had served in the ALS Clinic since 2001. Her focus is to offer spiritual care counseling to patients and families living with life threatening illness. She facilitates a monthly ALS resource support group and a monthly bereavement group. Shelley Hill, MSW, LCSW Social Worker Shelley Hill is a licensed clinical social worker who received her Master's Degree in Social Work from East Carolina University in North Carolina. She began providing social work services to ALS patients first as a social worker at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center from 1996-1998 and then subsequently as a social worker with the ALS Association in February 2000. Her primary interest is mobilizing community resources for and providing support to patients and families with chronic and life threatening illnesses.
Erica Luckenbill, MS, CCC/SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Erica Luckenbill is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She also completed a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship program at Kennedy Krieger Children s Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She has worked in pediatric and adult outpatient, inpatient, and acute care settings. She currently works with pediatric and adult patients in outpatient and acute care settings. Erica provides evaluation and treatment of speech, language, swallowing, cognitive, and fluency disorders. She has experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) evaluation and treatment. She joined the ALS team in June of 2008. Licensed Professional Counselor Judy Lyter, RN, MS, LPC Judy Lyter is a licensed community counselor who received graduate training at Shippensburg University. She has been providing care to patients with ALS since 2001. Her focus is on the emotional aspects of those living with chronic and terminal illness. She is the facilitator for the Harrisburg ALS Resource Group.
Speech-Language Pathologist Kristen Maurer, MS, CCC-SLP Kristen Maurer is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Penn State University and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola College in Maryland. She also holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She has worked in various medical settings including acute care, inpatient, subacute, and outpatient rehabilitation. She currently works at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in adult outpatient neuro-rehabilitation. She joined the ALS team in June of 2005. Kristen specializes in evaluation and treatment of swallowing, speech, language, and cognitive- communication disorders following strokes, head injuries, and other neurological conditions. Physical Therapist Marty McKeon, MPT Marty is a physical therapist who is a graduate of Duquesne University where he earned his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy. He works in both the outpatient and inpatient settings at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Center, and joined the ALS team in 2006. To keep each patient functioning at his or her best, Marty assesses each person s individual needs in a wide variety of areas, including ambulation, appropriate exercise, safety, mobility, and energy conservation, among others.
Annette Morrison, RD, LDN Clinical Dietician Annette is a Registered Dietitian who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, long-term care, hospice, and inpatient rehabilitation. Her role within the ALS team is to assess the nutritional status of the patient and to provide recommendations regarding optimal nutrition,meal planning,and nutrition support. Annette joined Hershey Medical Center and the ALS team in February of 2009 Occupational Therapist Zahira Paul, MS, OTR/L Zahira is an Occupational Therapist who obtained Bachelor s and Master s Degrees in Occupational Therapy from the University of Bombay in Bombay, India. She has an Advanced Master s Degree in Occupational Therapy from SUNY Buffalo. She has worked in varied health care settings including nursing homes, home health settings, and outpatient clinics. In conjunction with other ALS team members, she provides her expertise to help patients achieve maximum independence in activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, and bathing through the use of adaptive equipment, exercise, energy conservation and work simplification.
Assistant Professor of Neurology Clinic Neurologist Kevin R. Scott, MD Dr. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York, a Master of Arts degree from East Carolina University, and his M.D. degree from Wake Forest University College of Medicine. Afterward, he completed his Neurology residency and Neurophysiology Fellowship training at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders. Beth Stephens, MA Research Coordinator Beth joined the team in 2005. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and Master s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She coordinates many of the clinic s ALS research initiatives including: clinical trials, basic science research, quality of life studies, and evidence-based practice research.
Neuromuscular Nurse Donna Swords, LPN Donna Swords is a licensed practical nurse who has been in nursing for over 25 years. She has worked in various locations at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, including the University Physician Groups and Medicine Suite. In February 2005, Donna joined the Department of Neurology, where she works with neuromuscular physicians to address the needs of patients with a variety of neuromuscular diseases. Associate Professor of Medicine Pulmonary Medicine Specialist Robert L. Vender, MD Dr. Vender joined the faculty of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on February 1, 2001, in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, and Critical Care Medicine. He has expertise in managing a broad range of respiratory disorders, and has extensive experience with the use of non-invasive ventilatory support (BIPAP) and with mechanical ventilation.