Trainees

Current trainees

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  Jessica Amedro

  Physician Assistant

  
  
  

  Jessica Amedro

  Physician Assistant

  Jessica Amedro is a graduate student from Morgantown, WV studying to become a physician assistant. She graduated from WVU with a B.S. in immunology and medical microbiology, receiving the IMMB research internship where she worked in undergrad research for two years. In graduate school, she was diversity chair of her PA class student government and was involved in the PA program’s first participation in Project Access. Her goals in the LEND program are to learn more about disability medicine, how best to treat patients with neuro-developmental disabilities, and how to be a strong advocate, resource, and leader for her future patients.

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  Elizabeth Elmore

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Elizabeth Elmore

  Occupational Therapy

  Elizabeth Elmore is a graduate student in the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program. She is from Charleston, WV and graduated with a B.A. in psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Kentucky. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in research related to learning and development. Her goals with the LEND program include learning more about working with children with disabilities and to learn the skills to be the best OT possible.

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  William Foster

  Mental Health Counseling

  
  
  

  William Foster

  Mental Health Counseling

  William Foster is a graduate student from Atlanta, GA studying clinical mental health counseling. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in psychology. He wants to provide mental health services for children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and his goals with the LEND program are to learn about the barriers to access this population faces when seeking out and receiving those services.

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  Josiah Fout

  Self-Advocate

  
  
  

  Josiah Fout

  Self-Advocate

  Josiah Fout is a computer science undergraduate student from Morgantown, WV and has life experience being a disabled person. His goals with the LEND program are to learn more about the disability community and create a more positive environment.

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  Sydney Galiszewski

  Social Work

  
  
  

  Sydney Galiszewski

  Social Work

  Sydney Galiszewski is a senior undergraduate student from Avella, PA, earning a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on psychology, criminology, and addiction studies. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Sydney actively applied her knowledge in professional settings, working in substance use rehabilitation and parental supervision, where she developed a passion for supporting families and individuals navigating complex challenges. Her goals with the LEND program are to strengthen her ability to advocate for herself and others as she continues her education to pursue a Master of Social Work degree at WVU.

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  Barbara Garcia-Powell

  Law

  
  
  

  Barbara Garcia-Powell

  Law

  Barbara Garcia-Powell is a second-year law student from Houston, Texas, with a diverse academic background in English, business administration, and education administration. Before pursuing a legal career, she taught English language arts and reading in public schools throughout the Houston area. Through the LEND program, Barbara aims to deepen her understanding of the disability community and strengthen her skills to become a passionate and effective advocate for her future clients.

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  Kinsey Hissam

  Nutrition

  
  
  

  Kinsey Hissam

  Nutrition

  Kinsey Hissam is a graduate student from Fairmont, WV, studying nutrition through the Master of Science/Dietetic Internship program. She graduated from WVU in 2023 with a B.S. in human nutrition and foods. In undergrad, she was active in Chi Alpha Campus Ministries and continued her work there for two years after graduation. Her goal with the LEND program is to learn how to better serve those with disabilities to become a better dietitian for her future patients.

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  Ian Israelsen

  Nutrition

  
  
  

  Ian Israelsen

  Nutrition

  Ian Israelsen is a PhD graduate of West Virginia University from Logan, Utah. During his time at WVU, he studied nutrition and food science. He believes that we are all capable of achieving our most audacious dreams through focused efforts and mindfully honoring our true selves. He spends his spare time innovating food products and playing in the woods. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two dogs. His goals in the LEND program are to better understand and advocate for the disability community while learning to effectively apply his current and new leadership skills.

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  Isabelle Mari

  Speech-Language Pathology

  
  
  

  Isabelle Mari

  Speech-Language Pathology

  Isabelle Mari is a first-year speech-language pathology student from Charles Town, WV. She graduated from WVU with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in communication studies and disorders. During undergrad, she was the historian of the Filipino Student Association, as well as an active member in the Asian Student Association and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Her goals with the LEND program are to be a better advocate as a future clinician and to learn more about patients with disabilities.

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  Cheyann McQuain

  Social Work

  
  
  

  Cheyann McQuain

  Social Work

  Cheyann McQuain is a MSW graduate student from Fairmont, WV. She graduated from Fairmont State University with a bachelors in psychology. In her professional life, she is the program director at the Disability Action Center, where she has worked with adults with developmental disabilities for the last 7 years. Her goals for this program are to gain more understanding of services and techniques to better assist the individuals she serves.

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  Zoe Pagliaro

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Zoe Pagliaro

  Occupational Therapy

  Zoe is from South Kingstown, RI. She completed her B.A. at Skidmore College, M.S in biology at WVU, and is currently a second-year occupational therapy doctorate student at WVU. She also teaches dance at the Artistry House.

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  Brooke Parkinson

  Social Work

  
  
  

  Brooke Parkinson

  Social Work

  Brooke Parkinson is graduate student from Morgantown, WV studying social work. She graduated from Fairmont State University with a BS in criminal justice and a BA in political science. Her goal with the LEND program is to learn more about the disability community and how to advocate for them in the abuse and neglect system.

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  Brittany Payne

  Public Administration

  
  
  

  Brittany Payne

  Public Administration

  Brittany Shantae Payne is a graduate student from Beckley, West Virginia, pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at Marshall University with dual concentrations in government relations and cybersecurity policy. She also holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Marshall University and brings extensive experience in policy analysis, government relations, and project coordination. Brittany is actively engaged in international research on cybersecurity, digital rights, and human rights law. Through the LEND program, she aims to deepen her understanding of disability policy, strengthen her advocacy and inclusive leadership skills, and integrate disability perspectives into broader policy and community initiatives. Building on her background in public policy, Brittany is also particularly interested in child welfare reform—especially current West Virginia initiatives to improve protective services and expand support for children in care. She looks forward to examining how disability and child welfare policy intersect, with the goal of advancing more equitable, transparent, and trauma-informed systems that better support families and communities.

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  Regan Sites

  Physical Therapy

  
  
  

  Regan Sites

  Physical Therapy

  Regan Sites is a second year WVU Doctor of Physical Therapy student from Franklin, WV. Her lived experience with family members with disabilities and her interest in Pediatrics are what led her to join the LEND program. She hopes to learn more about working with children with disabilities and is excited to supplement her PT education with LEND to be the best practitioner possible.

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  Olivia Twigg

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Olivia Twigg

  Occupational Therapy

  Olivia Twigg is a first-generation student from Berkeley Springs, WV. She is currently attending WVU Master of Occupational Therapy program with a minor in disability studies. Olivia has spent much of her time volunteering and working with organizations that support individuals with disabilities including PACE Enterprises, Project SEARCH, and Special Olympics. Through LEND, Olivia aims to gain a deeper understanding of how to better support and advocate for the needs of families of children with disabilities in rural areas of the state.

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  Heather Wenderlich

  Nutrition

  
  
  

  Heather Wenderlich

  Nutrition

  Heather Wenderlich, originally from Philadelphia, PA, is a Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) candidate at WVU. She earned her BS in human nutrition and foods from WVU and currently serves as a LEND trainee and graduate teaching assistant for Introduction to Nutrition (HN&F 171). Her interests focus on supporting children and young adults with disabilities in feeding and swallowing, with long-term goals of advancing clinical and community-based nutrition services through the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

Alumni

Zachariah Backus
WVU Speech-Language Pathology Student

Zachariah’s goals with the WV LEND program were to learn more about the disability community and how to better work with them and advocate for their needs.

“LEND has added to my program by allowing me to get outside of my comfort zone while working and interacting with students and professionals in a variety of disciplines and programs that I most likely wouldn’t have if I wasn’t a trainee.”

Keerthana Arjuna
WVU Dental Student

Through the WV LEND program, Keerthana hoped to learn how to provide more inclusive care to patients, learn more about the specific challenges that dental treatment may require, and assist in incorporating more disability education into dental training.

“LEND has not only allowed me to better understand what it entails to be a more responsible and inclusive provider, but a better member of my society.”

Jackie Rosiek
WVU Pharmacy Student

As a WV LEND Trainee, Jackie hoped to better understand how to care for patients with disabilities and gain experience working on interprofessional healthcare teams.

“My experience with LEND has shown me that there is a unique role for everyone on an interdisciplinary team. As a pharmacy student, this was a step outside of my normal area of study. However, I have loved being able to represent my area of health care while learning so much from other members of the team.”

Do you feel better prepared for professional work because of your WV LEND program participation?

• “Yes, 1,000%! More comfortable with the disability population and communicating with professionals.”

• “Yes, definitely; helped me prepare for rotations. I had no clinical experience, and this allowed me to prepare and ask questions – especially with people I trust.”

• “Yes, I love the multidisciplinary practice and learning from others.”

• “Way more prepared. I feel like my clinical reasoning skills and my advocacy skills have exploded in the past year. I feel like I have a leg up on my classmates due to this experience.”

• “Yes! Definitely. Not only did I get first-hand experience during a time when I wasn't in clinicals, I got extra knowledge and experiences that my peers did not.”