JUNE HALPER, MSN, APN-C, FAAN, MSCN
IOMSN
Hackensack, NJ
June Halper is a certified adult nurse practitioner who has specialized in multiple sclerosis since 1978. She was a founder of the Gimbel MS Center in Teaneck, NJ and has been the Executive Director since 1989. With the Multiple Sclerosis Research and Treatment Center of the New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ, the Gimbel Center established the Multiple Sclerosis Network of New Jersey in 1998. In 1993, the Gimbel MS Center was named the administrative seat of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, the largest organization of MS healthcare professionals in the world. Ms. Halper was president of the CMSC from 1995-97 and has been the Executive Director since 1997.
Ms. Halper spearheaded the development of a national task force on disabled women's health issues which culminated in a nationally attended conference in June 1996 which focused on autoimmune diseases and women. She has published and lectured extensively on multiple sclerosis and its ramifications and is the editor of Comprehensive Nursing Care in Multiple Sclerosis and Advanced Concepts in Nursing Care in Multiple Sclerosis, and co-editor of Staying Well with Multiple Sclerosis: A Self-Care Guide. Ms. Halper chaired the first Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Specialist Consensus Committee's development of a monograph on the nurse's role in adherence to complex protocols; the impact of cognitive impairment in MS nursing care; and the nurse's role in patient's and family's quality of life. She chaired the second such committee which published Multiple Sclerosis: Best Practices in Nursing Care, Disease Management, Pharmacologic Treatment, Nursing Research. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the founding director of IOMSN, the International Organization of MS Nurses, and the recipient of the IOMSN's first June Halper Award for Excellence in Nursing in Multiple Sclerosis. She was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in November 1999.
MEGAN WEIGEL, DNP, ARNP-C, MSCN
Baptist Neurology
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Megan Weigel is an advanced registered nurse practitioner who has been practicing neurology for 13 years and has been an MS Certified Nurse for 8 of those. She currently works at Baptist Neurology, Beaches Division, where she specializes in the care of MS patients. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Florida in 2009, with a research focus on preventive health care in MS patients. She has co-authored posters, articles, and guidelines related to MS care. Most recently, she co-authored the Multiple Sclerosis chapter in Joanne Hickey’s text, The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing. Dr. Weigel was chosen as one of Jacksonville’s “40 Under 40” by the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2010, and received an Outstanding Young Alumnus award from the University of Florida in 2010. She has served two terms on the Board of Directors for the International Organization of MS Nurses, and is currently the co-chair of the Education Committee. She is a member of the North Florida chapter of the National MS Society’s Clinical Advisory Committee, acts as their Research Advocate, and is an active fundraiser. She is also the co-lead for the National MS Society Goal Steering Team, “We develop, deliver, and leverage resources to enhance care for people with MS and quality of life for all those affected by the disease.” Dr. Weigel speaks nationally to patients and healthcare providers on topics related to the care of people living with MS. As a registered yoga teacher, she is the cofounder of oMS Yoga, a program that has brought free yoga to people living with MS in the Jacksonville area, with plans to expand internationally. Her vision for the IOMSN is to foster nursing education and mentorship programs that will result in providing the best care to people living with MS in the world’s changing healthcare landscape.
ALIZA BEN-ZACHARIA, DrNP, ANP-BC, MSCN
Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS at Mount Sinai
New York, NY
Aliza Ben-Zacharia, DrNP, ANP-BC, MSCN is dual board-certified, acute care NP by ANCC & adult NP by the Academy of NPs. Dr. Ben-Zacharia is a nurse practitioner with years of experience in acute care, neurology and rehabilitation. In 2010, she earned a doctorate degree in nursing practice from Case Western Reserve University and in 2014, she has earned a master degree in nutrition from Columbia University. Aliza has been a nursing leader in the field of multiple sclerosis for many years. Her dedication to the IOMSN and to the field of multiple sclerosis is admirable. In addition, she has been a mentor to many nurses and shares her knowledge willingly. Dr. Ben-Zacharia provides direct patient care, follow-up, training/education and counseling for patients and their families. She is the PI of multiple clinical trials about BMI & progression of MS, quality of life and screening for depression in MS. A skilled educator, Dr. Ben-Zacharia has developed multiple educational programs for patients and professionals and has published articles and chapters about multiple sclerosis, disease-modifying agents, symptom management, and palliative care. She is a certified MS nurse, and is the chair of the communication committee of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) and a board member at large in the Consortium of MS centers (CMSC). Dr. Aliza Ben-Zacharia has won a few awards for her excellence in rehabilitation and Neurology/MS, and recognition of her educational role by the Hall of Fame, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2015, she has won the Research award by the International Organization of MS Nurses. She is one of the captains of the annual MS Walk.
PATRICIA PAGNOTTA, ARNP, MSN, CNRN, MSCN
Neurology Associates
MS Center of Greater Orlando
Maitland, FL
Patricia Pagnotta is a board certified Nurse Practitioner who works in Maitland, Florida at Neurology Associates and the MS Center of Greater Orlando, were she has been since 2005. She received her undergraduate degree from Towson State University and her graduate degree from the University of Maryland. She also received a certificate from University of Central Florida. She holds certification with AANN as a Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse, and with IOMSN as a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse. She is a long standing member of the IOMSN and currently a Board Member. In the past, she served on the American Board of Neuroscience Nurses as a Board Member for 2 years then as President for 1 year. She was the President of the local chapter of the AANN for 4 years then served as Secretary for another 4 years. She was the AANN Membership Representative to the AAN for 6 years. She is active in clinical practice and research. She has been a Sub-Investigator and Primary Investigator in many MS clinical trials.
BEVERLY LAYTON, RN, BSN, CCRC, MSCN
Department of Neurology, Research Nurse (Retired)
University of Alabama
Birmingham, AL
Beverly Layton is A Nurse Coordinator/Neurology for the multiple sclerosis patient population at the Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama and has been working with MS patients since 1987. She is a certified clinical research coordinator, as well as a multiple sclerosis certified nurse. She retired on 2014.
Ms. Layton completed her pre-nursing studies at the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama. She earned her BSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
With a chief research interest in the treatment of MS, she has served as Research Nurse Coordinator on numerous therapeutic drug trials. Ms. Layton is a frequent invited lecturer on topics including nurses’ role in management of patients with MS, current approaches in managing MS, and intimacy and MS. Ms. Layton works closely with the Alabama Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and serves on the Client Services Committee. She has received the Client Programs Hall of Fame and Norman Cohn Hope Award from the Alabama Chapter. Ms. Layton is a member of a number of professional societies and organizations, including the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, and the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses.
CONSTANCE EASTERLING, MSN, ARNP, CRRN, MSCN
MS Care Center of Neurological Services Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Constance Easterling is an adult registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) and serves as clinical coordinator of the MS Care Center at Neurological Services of Orlando (NSO). A graduate of the University of Florida, she has developed and implemented three multiple sclerosis (MS) programs in Central Florida. Her practice has been limited exclusively to MS since 1998. An accomplished lecturer, Ms. Easterling promotes MS education and awareness by speaking frequently to community, student, and professional groups throughout the United States. She has co-authored several articles on issues related to MS nursing and patient care.
Currently, Ms. Easterling serves as Member-At-Large on the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) Board of Directors. For the past seven years she has coordinated Fundamentals of MS Care for the CMSC’s annual symposium. Now a two-day case-based program, Fundamentals provides a learning opportunity for those new to MS or those studying for the certification examination.
As an active member of the International Organization of MS Nurses (IOMSN) since 1999, Ms. Easterling has served on the Board of Directors since 2006 and as IOMSN liaison to the Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB) from 2007-2012. The purpose of this board is to enhance professional practice and patient care through multiple sclerosis nursing certification. Ms. Easterling is one of more than 1000 nurses around the world who are certified in multiple sclerosis nursing (MSCN). With an interest in nursing education, she has participated in the IOMSN Mentorship Program, serving as mentor to nurses with an interest in multiple sclerosis. She is an active member of the IOMSN Speakers’ Bureau and has developed several presentations for speakers use. In 2009, she received the June Halper Award, a recognition for excellence in MS nursing that signifies energy of purpose to provide the most up-to-date comprehensive care possible. She acknowledges this award as the most significant recognition of her career.