Our Team
Together We Fight ALS
ALS is a complex disease, and requires a successful and collaborative integration of professionals that can identify the disease state and develop a care plan that includes targeted therapies just for you. That’s why the Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center brings together specialists and researchers from all ALS-related areas to focus on you.
Clinical Team
Medical Team
In addition to a full-time dedicated nurse practitioner and neurologist, unique to our clinic is the medical team of physicians in Rehabilitation Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Palliative Care that with with their respective team of therapists, are dedicated to the clinic and hospital care of our ALS patients.
Goran Rakocevic, MD
Neurologist - Clinical Director
Kristofer Feeko, DO
Physiatrist
Frances West, MD
Pulmonologist
Susan Parks, MD
Palliative Care
Judith Guarnieiri RNP
Lead Nurse Practitioner
ALS Association - Team
With three social workers, a registered nurse and an assistive technologist, the ALSA team provides psychosocial and technology-based support to our patients and facilitates continuous guidance for patients and families in between clinic visits. They ensure patients and families are receiving the most up to date help and information provided by ALSA.
Gail Houseman RN, CNS-BC
Regional Nurse Coordinator
Melissa Coll, LSW
Social Worker
Anne Cooney, MSW, LSW
Social Worker
Jayne Etskovitz, MSW, LSW
Social Worker
Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CAPS
Clinical Manager, Assistive Technology Services
Therapists
Our therapists are dedicated to improve quality of life of our patients throughout the course of the disease, provide education about issues related to mobility, function, speech, diet and breathing as well as recommendation about supportive equipment.
Joseph McCoy
PT, MSPT, NCS, - Physical Therapist
Gabriela Charles
OTR/L- Occupational Therapist
Cathy Ricker
MS, RD,LDN, CNSC - Registered Dietitian
Brittani Longnecker
RT- Respiratory Therapist
Daniel Kelly
M.A., CCC-SLP - Speech Language Pathologist
Research & Education
Our research staff is dedicated to enhance knowledge about ALS and advance patient care through a deep understanding of how ALS develops, progresses, and through the discovery of new therapeutic avenues. Having the research team within our facility allows us to collaborate more effectively in addressing patient needs.
Piera Pasinelli PhD
Director, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center
Davide Trotti, PhD
Director, Research
Aaron Haeusler, PhD
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience
Katelyn Russell, MS,
Tissue & Biofluids Bank Coordinator
TBN
Research Nurse
Make An Appointment
Appointments are available every Friday for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ALS. Diagnostic services are also available. If you have been told you have ALS, or have been asked to see an ALS specialist for a possible diagnosis, we can help. Please call the Jefferson Weinberg ALS Program Manager, Kate Monahan at 215-503-4294 or 215-955-8800.
Give Now
Find out how you can support Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals to make a difference in the research and treatment of ALS.