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 is available on the Penn State Health ALS Center website and on the Penn State College of Medicine ALS Research 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
He has been involved in ALS research for more than 20 years. Areas of research include clinical treatment trials, technology for home monitoring, biomarkers, and quality of life.
Shannon Scaletti RN, BSN
Biographical Information
Shannon coordinates patient care services for the Hershey ALS Clinic and ALS United Mid-Atlantic Chapter. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University (2007) where she completed her last 2 years of nursing school at Hershey Medical Center. Shannon has a varied background focused heavily on palliative and hospice care. She has a passion for palliative care with a focus on improving quality of life at every point along the continuum. Both personal and professional experiences have shaped her career path. She truly enjoys being able to improve the lives of 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.
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).
Xiaowei (Bill) Su, MD, PhD
Biographical Information
Dr. Su graduated from Yale University followed by the Penn State University College of Medicine, where he completed PhD research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in addition to MD training. He completed Neurology training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center followed by subspecialty Neuromuscular Medicine training at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He has been at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center since 2021 and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
Education
- MD, PhD, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Residency, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Fellowship, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Academic Interests
The focus of his research is ALS, with an emphasis on clinical trials, predictive modeling, and interventions to improve quality of life.
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.
Cristie Crawford
Biographical Information
Cristie is a Certified Pharmacy Technician who joined the ALS research team in 2022 as a Clinical Research Coordinator. Her passion for people and public health brought her out from behind the scenes to working side by side with other clinical coordinators that have the same compassion for helping others as she does.
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.
Michele Hare
Biographical Information
Michele is a Clinical Research Coordinator who joined the team in 2021 after working with the Neurology clinic at Penn State Health. With past caregiver experience she brings compassion to the study participants she works with on multiple clinical trials and her goal as part of the ALS team is to provide a positive research experience to the participants and families that offer their time to help in finding a cure.
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.
Kerstie Keebaugh, RN
Biographical Information
Kerstie is a registered nurse who obtained her degree from PA College of Health Sciences. She joined this team in 2023 after being a home health nurse in central PA. Her knowledge and experience with home health services allow her to support our ALS patients not only with their visits in clinic but also in their homes. Her goals as part of the ALS team are to provide patients and their families with support and compassionate care to improve quality of life while battling ALS.
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.
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.
Wint Nandar, PhD
Biographical Information
Dr. Nandar completed her Bachelor’s degree from Radford University and her Doctoral degree in Neuroscience from the Pennsylvania State University. She then completed 3 years of post-doctoral training focusing on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease at the Penn State College of Medicine. She has been involved with ALS research as a basic scientist since 2008. She joined the Penn State Health ALS research team as a clinical research coordinator in 2022. Her research interests focus on uncovering disease mechanisms underlying neurologic disorders to develop pharmacologic treatments and improve clinical outcomes, with particular emphasis on 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, CCRC
Biographical Information
Heidi studied at Harrisburg Area Community College and worked in a variety of healthcare settings where she became interested in research. She joined the ALS team in August of 2011 part time and eventually went full time as the program expanded. She became a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals in 2014. For many years she worked independently as a research coordinator and then began training and mentoring other staff members. In 2023 she took on the role of Project Manager for the Neuromuscular Research Team. She now oversees a team of full time Clinical Research Coordinators. She also serves as a Sub-Committee Chairperson for the nationally recognized NEALS Consortium that specializes in ALS Clinical Research.