My interest in muscular dystrophy started early on. As kids, my brother, sister, and I were always very active in sports and dance. We loved watching the Jerry Lewis telethons and would even host our own backyard festivals to raise money.
Why I Treat Children
During my training, I helped run a muscular dystrophy association clinic and learned how to treat children with a variety of complex disease processes early on. After that experience, I felt compelled to go into pediatrics. For me, it was the place to be.
What I'm Passionate About
When a child has a chronic medical issue, it affects the whole family. So I always want to be there for those in my care – I’m happy to be part of their lives. I also feel strongly that it’s important for physicians to keep a hand in research. I obtained a patent related to genetic testing for spinal muscular atrophy.
How I Try to Make A Difference
I do my best to make visits more enjoyable and develop a relationship with the kids I care for. If we can make little things happen for them – equipment for the home, medications, anything to make life less of a hassle – it makes a big difference. I also worked with the team that developed the Wilmington Robotic EXoskelton (WREX).
Education & Training
Fellowship
Neuromuscular
- Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children,
1996
MDA Research Fellowship
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia,
1995
Internship
Medical
- Mountainside Hospital,
1991
Rotating
- Kennedy Health Systems,
1990
Residency
Neurology
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital,
1994
Medical/Dental School
Osteopathic Physician
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey,
1989
Board Certifications
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Awards & Recognition
2016
Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors
2017
Castle Connelly Exceptional Women In Medicine
2017
Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Award
2017
Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors
Insurance Accepted
Aetna Better Health PA Kids HMO
Aetna Better Health PA Medicaid HMO
Aetna HMO
Aetna PPO/POS/EPO
Amerigroup NJ Medicaid/Healthy Kids
Amerihealth Caritas Delaware
Cigna Lifesource Transplant
Cigna/Great West HMO EPO POS
Cigna/Great West PPO
Corporate Medical Network Global International PPO DE
Delaware Medicaid/Diamond State
Delaware Medicare
Devon Health Services
First Health/Affordable PPO
Geisinger Health Plan Commercial
Geisinger Health Plan Medicaid
Health Partners Medicaid/Kidz Partner HMO
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware Traditional
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delware HMO PPO POS EPO
Highmark Medicaid Health Options
Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield NJ HMO
Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NJ PPO
Horizon NJ Health
INTEGRA Administrative Group (ClaimsBridge)
Independence Blue Cross/Amerihealth/Keystone HMO PPO
Insurance Administrators of America
Keystone First Medicaid HMO
Lifetrac Transplant
Maryland Medicaid
Multiplan PPO
National Transplant (Humana)
Pennsylvania Medicaid
Plan Vista/NPPN PPO
Preferred Healthcare PPO
Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)
Qualcare HMO/POS/PPO
Star Healthcare Network
Three Rivers Provider Network
Tricare/Humana Military Health Services
UPMC COMMERCIAL DE PA
UPMC MCAID/CHIP PA DE
United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic
Wellcare of NJ Medicaid HMO
Myasthenia Gravis
Myotonic Dystrophy
Neuromuscular Disorders
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Research Activities
I’m involved in research in a variety of movement disorders, as well as surgical techniques and other ways to treat and manage musculoskeletal diseases.
Medical Interests
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Hypotonia
Metabolic mitochondrial diseases
Mycopathologies
Myotonic dystrophy
Neuromuscular diseases
Peripheral neuropathy
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
English
Italian
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