The Penn State Health ALS Clinic and Research Center Team
ALS United Mid-Atlantic is proud to work with the extraordinary professional care team at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The ALS Program, led by Zachary Simmons, MD, Professor of Neurology and Humanities, provides ALS families with a comprehensive assortment of services and resources. Below is a list of the team and their specialties. More information about clinical care and research at Penn State Health ALS Clinic and Research Center is available on their website.
Zachary Simmons, MD
Biographical Information
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 Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center since 1992, and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
Education
- MD, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1982
- Residency, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
- Fellowship, University of Michigan Hospitals
Academic Interests
My primary research interests are in neuromuscular diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease). We have active clinical and basic science research programs, with an emphasis on quality of life, telemedicine, technology, and clinical trials.
Susan Walsh, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC
Biographical Information
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.
Alair Altiero, PhD
Biographical Information
Dr. Altiero completed her Bachelor’s degree at Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s degree at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. After receiving her doctorate in General Psychology at Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dr. Altiero completed her residency and clinical training at Avera McKennan Psychiatry Associates and Behavioral Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her experience includes assessment, diagnosis and therapy with adolescent, adult and senior populations. Her special interests focus on end-of-life issues, grief therapy, and dream analysis. Dr. Altiero’s goal is to provide compassionate care and support to patients and their families through mental health wellness and education.
Kelly Fuddy, MA
Biographical Information
Chaplain Fuddy completed her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, during which time she also lived and studied in Puebla, Mexico. She completed her Master’s degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary, followed by a Clinical Pastoral Care Internship and Residency at Penn Medicine Lancaster General. She has worked as a healthcare chaplain in many settings including: Trauma/ER, Critical Care, Cancer Care, Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Hospice. She facilitated grief support groups with SHARE of Lancaster for many years. Her goal is to provide non-judgmental spiritual care and resources to optimize whole-person, spiritual well-being, even as physical health declines.
Carol Giacovelli, RDN, LDN
Biographical Information
Carol A. Giacovelli is a Registered and PA Licensed Dietitian who graduated from The Coordinated Program in Dietetics/ Nutrition from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. She has experience working in many settings including acute care, long term care, dialysis and home care. Carol also has her own private practice where she provides nutrition education to clients to help prevent and treat various medical conditions. Carol joined the ALS Team in August of 2017 and as part of the team, she provides nutrition education and recommendations to ALS patients and their families.
James Grogan, MD
Biographical Information
After graduating from Hanover College and the Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Grogan continued his training in Neurology at IU before continuing to a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine at the University of Virginia. He has been at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center since 2019, and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with nerve and muscle disorders with a focus on the treatment of patients with ALS.
Education
- MS Biology, Purdue University
- MD, Indiana University
- Residency, Indiana University
- Fellowship, University of Virginia
Academic Interests
My primary academic interests involve management of neuromuscular disorders including clinical trials for ALS, utilization of technology and telemedicine for patient care and medical education, and the education of neurology residents and medical students.
Anne Haulman, MPH
Biographical Information
Anne joined our team in 2014. She received a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology and biostatistics from Temple University and brings several years of research experience to the team. Prior to her current position, she served as the research manager for the Cancer Support Community for two years. She also spent four years working with the University of Pennsylvania's gene therapy program. In her current position, Anne manages many of the department's ALS research initiatives including: clinical trials, quality of life studies, and evidence-based practice research.
Pamela Hudson, OTR/L
Biographical Information
Pamela received her Bachelors of Science degree from Elizabethtown College in 1986 and has worked at Penn State Health since 1992. She has worked in a variety of settings over her career, Inpatient rehab, home health and the outpatient setting, primarily treating patients with neurological disorders. She began working in the Hershey ALS clinic in 2008. As part of the ALS clinic, Pamela focuses on helping the patient maximize their independence with a wide variety of daily tasks from self-feeding, dressing and bathing to even vocational pursuits. She also provides instruction to family and or caregivers as the patients need transitions from being fully independent to needing assistance for some or all tasks. As an OT, Pamela’s role also includes assessment and recommendations for durable medical equipment that make daily tasks safer. Another large aspect provided is education on energy conservation and recommendations for simple home modifications.
Maryann Jones, MSW, LSW
Biographical Information
Maryann is a licensed Social Worker who obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Elizabethtown College and a Master's Degree in Social Work from The University of Maryland, Baltimore City. Maryann has worked in various settings such as hospital, home health and hospice. Maryann returned to the ALS team in August of 2018. Maryann assists patients and caregivers in obtaining the community support needed to meet their changing needs.
Teresa Kalinay, PT
Biographical Information
I obtained my Physical Therapy Degree at the University of Pittsburgh. I have worked at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for 25 years focusing primarily on providing treatment to individuals with neurologic diagnoses.
I strive to provide education in activity modification, energy conservation and appropriate stretching exercises, as well as to provide equipment including mobility aides and orthotics to maximize each individuals level of physical function.
Yojana Kanade, BAMS, MS
Biographical Information
Yojana holds a Master of Public Health Sciences from Penn State and a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Mumbai University. She joined the ALS team in March 2019. She is also involved with statistical analysis for Dept. of Public Health Sciences. Prior to this, she was with the Division of Applied Biomedical Research in the Department of Surgery where she conducted data management.
Victoria Kern, MPT
Biographical Information
Victoria Kern is a licensed physical therapist who received her Masters of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Delaware in 1992. She has experience working in many settings including acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehab, preschool, school and early intervention. Vicky specializes in treating children with developmental concerns or disabilities with special interest and experience in neuro-muscular diseases across the life span. She is the primary clinical evaluator for the Neuro-muscular research team here at Hershey, as well as seeing patients as part of the Cerebral Palsy, MDA and ALS clinics. As part of the ALS team, Vicky provides evaluation and recommendations for mobility concerns, including stretching exercise, energy conservation strategies and equipment uses.
Mansoureh Mamarabadi, MD
Biographical Information
Dr. Mamarabadi graduated from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and completed her neurology residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson hospital in New Jersey. This was followed by subspecialty training in neuromuscular disorders at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. She joined Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center since 2019 and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
Education
- MD, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
- Residency, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ
- Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Academic Interests
My primary research interests are in neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Annette Miller, RN
Biographical Information
Annette Miller is a registered nurse who obtained her degree from Reading Area Community College. She joined the team after being the director of a non-profit hospice organization and has a vast experience in supporting those dealing with terminal illness. Her goal as part of the ALS Team is to provide support, coordination of care and education to the patients and their families as they live with ALS.
Carrie Reichwein, MS, CCC-SLP
Biographical Information
Carrie Reichwein completed her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Pennsylvania State University and received her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has experience working with adults and pediatrics in the acute, outpatient, and inpatient rehabilitation populations, with expertise focused in neurological disorders and rehabilitation, as well as in otolaryngology speech pathology. Carrie is passionate about providing excellent quality of care and improving quality of life and meaningful outcomes for patients and families living with ALS.
Maureen Reid, RN, BSN
Biographical Information
Maureen is a Registered Nurse who obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Marywood University, Scranton, PA. She worked at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center from 1987 to 2005 in various positions. As part of the ALS team, her focus is to provide education, coordination of patient care and support to patients and their families.
Heidi Runk, RPSGT
Biographical Information
Heidi studied at Harrisburg Area Community College and has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including nursing home care, hospital patient care, family practice and radiology. For three years she worked in the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Sleep Research and Treatment Center where she became a Board Registered Polysomnography Technologist. She became interested in research, and joined the ALS team in August of 2011, where she assists with coordinating many of the ALS clinical trials.
Dodi Schaak, CCRP
Biographical Information
Dodi is a Certified Clinical Research Professional from the Society of Clinical Research Associates and is currently working on obtaining her Bachelor’s degree. She joined the research team in March 2019 as a clinical research coordinator after spending more than 22 years with Penn State Health, 9 years of which was with the Cancer Institute, Clinical Trials Office as a Data Manager II, working with cancer research related clinical trials.
Robert Vender, MD
Biographical Information
Dr. Vender joined the faculty of the Penn State Health 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.