There is a new face at The ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Please help us welcome Kerstie Keebaugh, RN, who has already been providing the compassionate care and expertise that exemplifies the Chapter’s Arthur and Lea Powell Care Services Program.
The ALS Treatment Centers are the heart of the mission of The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter. During a visit to a Treatment Center, a person with ALS and their families will meet with an experienced team of healthcare professionals, including members of the Chapter’s care services team.
Kerstie Keebaugh lives in Middletown, PA. She started her nursing career in 2011 when she graduated from LPN school and then she went back to further her education and she has been working as an RN since 2019.
In addition to her professional experience as a nurse, Kerstie is all too aware of the realities of ALS from personal experience. She chose to join the Hershey clinic team after watching her Uncle Rob’s 2-year battle with ALS. Rob passed away in 2019 and Kerstie watched as his symptoms and needs progressed during that difficult journey. After seeing how the Chapter and the team at Hershey helped her family, Kerstie wanted to personally join the staff and give back to assist other ALS families.
As a nurse at the Hershey ALS Treatment Center, Kerstie works to eliminate some of the stress that comes with the diagnosis of ALS for patients and their families. She makes sure that they know that the team is just a phone call, text, or email away at all times to answer their questions and connect them with critical resources.
When patients attend an ALS Treatment Center, they can expect a 3–4-hour appointment with a team that includes: multiple therapists, neurologist, the nurse, social worker, nutritionist, and a mental health counselor. The care team makes the visit as convenient as possible for our patients to get the support they need. As a nurse and as someone who has seen the personal impacts of ALS on her family, Kerstie knows the value of this team approach.
Unsurprisingly, the Hershey team immediately welcomed Kerstie with open arms. She is already an essential part of the Chapter, working with people like Chapter nurse Sue Walsh to care for local ALS families and ease their burdens.
On June 3rd, Kerstie will be part of the Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS. She is looking forward to bringing her family and friends so that they can stand beside her and hundreds of others on behalf of everyone impacted by ALS. Kerstie has a goal to help raise funds that will allow the Chapter to continue to support patients and support research to find a cure. For Kerstie, and each member of the Chapter’s care team, the ALS mission is personal.
When you come to the Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS on June 3rd, make sure to say hi to Kerstie and welcome her to the Chapter. Register and donate today at www.hersheywalktodefeatals.org.