Clinical Team
Bancroft NeuroRehab clinical staff has the most Board Certified specialists in the region, addressing specific challenges associated with neurological brain injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Our world class roster of neuropsychologists, therapists and case managers work with families and social workers to develop the most appropriate treatment plan and levels of support needed for success.
Karen Lindgren, Ph.D.
Chief Clinical Officer, Bancroft & Bancroft NeuroRehab
Karen Lindgren, Ph.D., is the Chief Clinical Officer at Bancroft. She oversees Healthcare and Nursing Services, the Applied Behavior Analysis Center of Excellence, and quality assurance across the organization.
A licensed psychologist, Dr. Lindgren has more than 25 years’ experience in neuropsychological assessment and treatment of brain injury and neurological impairment. She joined Bancroft in 1997, as a senior neuropsychologist at Bancroft NeuroRehab, and served most recently as the program’s senior director, supervising rehabilitation therapies in Central and Southern New Jersey, managing clinical staff and maintaining several university partnerships.
Dr. Lindgren has clinical affiliations with the graduate programs at Drexel University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Immaculata University, is well published in her field, and has presented information in the area of neurological development, neuropsychological assessment, neurotoxic exposure, and interdisciplinary treatment of brain injury.
Dr. Lindgren received her Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical/Community Psychology from the University of Maryland and her B.A. from Loyola College.
Nina Geier, M.S., M.P.T., CBIST
Senior Clinical Director, Central Jersey
Nina Geier is responsible for leading Bancroft NeuroRehab’s transdisciplinary clinical services in Central New Jersey. She has worked in the field of brain injury rehabilitation since 1986 and has provided services in acute, sub-acute, community-based, outpatient, and post-acute rehabilitation settings.
A licensed physical therapist and a certified brain injury specialist trainer, Geier is a co-chair of the Community-based Treatment Task Force of the Brain Injury-Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Geier earned a Masters of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.
Claire McGrath, Ph.D., ABPP
Senior Neuropsychologist
Dr. McGrath is a senior neuropsychologist and director of postdoctoral training at Bancroft NeuroRehab. Dr. McGrath is board certified in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. In her role at Bancroft NeuroRehab, she conducts neuropsychological evaluations of individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia and other neurologic conditions. Additionally, Dr. McGrath assists with program development to advance outpatient neuropsychological assessment and treatment services. Prior to joining Bancroft NeuroRehab, Dr. McGrath was neuropsychology supervisor for the Stroke and Neurologic Disorders Program, Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Amputee Unit, and General Rehabilitation Unit at MossRehab in Philadelphia.
Dr. McGrath completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Arizona State University, followed by a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. McGrath’s clinical work has focused on the assessment and treatment of individuals with neurologic conditions including traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, anoxic brain injury, encephalopathy, and brain cancer. She has presented at local, national and international conferences on the evaluation of cognition, agitation management, and the importance of social support in recovery from neurologic injury.
Danielle Ager, Psy.D.
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Ager is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist at Bancroft NeuroRehab in Mt. Laurel, NJ, where she provides psychological and neuropsychological services for adults with brain injuries and neurological conditions. Her previous clinical work has focused on providing clinical neuropsychological evaluations, cognitive rehabilitation and psychotherapy for both children and adults with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions and neuropsychological difficulties. Dr. Ager completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice from LaSalle University, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Widener University, with concentrations in neuropsychology and school psychology.
Sheryl Berardinelli, Psy.D., ABPP
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Berardinelli is a licensed neuropsychologist who completed her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Widener University. Her dissertation examined the relationship between dementia and depressive symptoms and its effects on verbal memory. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey, providing assessment and interventions to individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Prior to joining Bancroft, Dr. Berardinelli served as the primary psychologist at Moss Rehab’s Neuro Mental Health Clinic. Dr. Berardinelli is a board-certified Rehabilitation Psychologist. She is a board member to the Pennsylvania and Delaware Directors of Training organization, and teaches a graduate psychology course at Widener University.
Carl E. Bradford, Ph.D., ABN, CBIS
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Bradford is a board-certified neuropsychologist and brain injury specialist serving clients at Bancroft NeuroRehab. In addition to providing neuropsychological evaluations, psychotherapy and consultations, Dr. Bradford supervises master’s-level clinical staff, a postdoctoral fellow, and graduate students. His is a member of the American Psychological Association and various other professional organizations. He is a former adjunct professor at Widener University and a past president of the Philadelphia Neuropsychology Society.
Dr. Bradford completed his Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Michael Heptig, Psy.D.
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Heptig is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who completed his Master’s and Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. His dissertation focused on elucidating factors that contribute to the underreporting of mTBIs in high school sports. Prior to joining Bancroft, Dr. Heptig completed a two-year AABN-accredited post-doctoral residency in neuropsychology at a private practice group in Neptune, NJ, where he provided outpatient psychotherapy, biofeedback, cognitive rehabilitation, and neuropsychological examinations to individuals across the lifespan. At Bancroft NeuroRehab, Dr. Heptig treats individuals with a history of TBI and/or other neurological conditions. He also teaches a graduate neuropsychological assessment class at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Jeremy Schwarzbaum, Psy.D.
Neuropsychologist
Sarah E. West, Ph.D.
Neuropsychologist
Dr. West is an experienced Neuropsychologist who earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. Fl. She brings to Bancroft NeuroRehab a wide-reaching clinical background and specializes in Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, stroke and brain trauma.
Dr. West’s research has been published in various trade journals, including The Encyclopedia of Neuropsychological Disorders and Brain Injury, among others.
Michelle Valente, M.A., CCC-SLP
Outpatient Program Director
Michelle Valente has worked in the field of neurologic communication disorders for over 20 years, specializing in traumatic brain injury and stroke rehabilitation. Her expertise spans both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and home care services. Michelle is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, an affiliate of the National Aphasia Association and a member of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. She has a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from St. John’s University. Michelle joined Bancroft in 2016.
Jillian Gordon MS, OTR/L, CBIS
Occupational Therapist
Jillian Gordon is a licensed and NBCOT registered occupational therapist working at Bancroft NeuroRehab’s Resnick Center. Jillian attended Rider University for her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, minor in Psychology, prior to completing Stockton University’s Masters of Science Occupational Therapy program in 2011. Jillian has practiced brain injury rehabilitation for over 6 years in inpatient acute rehabilitation, residential, and outpatient settings, obtaining certification as a Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) in 2016. In 2018, she acquired an LSVT BIG certification to expand her practice with individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Jillian presents annually at Stockton University and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia to graduate students on the role of occupational therapists in brain injury rehabilitation. In addition to working with adults, she also has experience in school-, community-, and clinic-based pediatric occupational therapy. Jillian’s focus on client-centered goals and function-based treatment assists individuals in recovering and building the skills needed to maximize engagement and independence in all aspects of their life.
Amy Kramer
Occupational Therapist
Amy Kramer received her post baccalaureate certification in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in 1994. She has worked exclusively with the stroke and traumatic brain injury population since 2004. She is Saebo certified and has taken several continuing education courses in stroke rehabilitation and has a special interest in treating visual perceptual deficits and spatial neglect. She is the primary occupational therapist at Bancroft NeuroRehab in Cherry Hill.
Carolyn Tassini, PT, DPT, CBIS
Rehabilitation Supervisor
Dr. Tassini is a board-certified physical therapist in neurologic physical therapy. She completed her board certification in 2007 and was re-credentialed in 2017. Dr. Tassini received her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1999 and then completed her masters in physical therapy at Thomas Jefferson University in 2002. She completed her Doctorate in physical therapy in 2005 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. In 2006 Dr. Tassini completed her residency in neurologic physical therapy at MossRehab in Elkins Park, PA. She remained on staff at MossRehab and was the PT team leader of the Drucker Brain Injury program unit until December 2014 when left to join Bancroft NeuroRehab as the Rehabilitation Supervisor. Dr. Tassini has extensive experience in neurologic rehabilitation and utilizes a high intensity approach to her practice. She works to empower her clients to take the the lead and ownership in their rehabilitation process. Dr. Tassini teaches TBI rehabilitation at Thomas Jefferson University and presents nationally and internationally on topics related to traumatic brain injury and anoxic brain injury. Dr. Tassini specializes in vestibular rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury and stroke rehabilitation and Parkinson’s disease.
Amanda Wu, PT, DPT, CBIS
Physical Therapist
Dr. Wu is a physical therapist with a board certification in neurologic physical therapy. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 followed by a doctor of physical therapy degree from University of Delaware in 2010. She then specialized in treating individuals following neurologic injury in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings at MossRehab until 2015, gaining experience in brain injury, stroke, vestibular rehab, and spinal cord injury. In 2015 she left MossRehab to join Bancroft NeuroRehab. She acquired an LSVT BIG certification in 2015 to expand her practice with individuals with Parkinson’s Disease as well her brain injury specialist certification in 2016. Over the past year, she has taken special interest in providing care to those following concussion and assisted in development of a post concussive treatment protocol. She has strong interests becoming yoga training certified to expand her knowledge and expertise with use of alternative practices to improve outcomes with the neurologic population.
Vanessa Edwards, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Vanessa Edwards earned her bachelors of science in Communication Disorders from Bloomsburg University in 2007 and her masters of science in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University in 2009. She completed her clinical fellowship year at Berks Heim county skilled nursing facility in 2010 and transitioned to a subacute rehab in Glenside, PA. Within the subacute rehab, she was the primary speech-language pathologist, treating patients of varying diagnoses and severity levels while also completing managerial duties as needed. During this time, Vanessa became VitalStim certified, allowing her to utilize neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) modality to assist with dysphagia rehabilitation. With an increased interest in neurological deficits, Vanessa furthered her career at Moss Rehab, providing therapeutic intervention, primarily, to acute inpatient and outpatient traumatic brain injury patients and within the acute care department. She was able to improve upon her clinical skills within this population by gaining experience with minimally responsive patient’s in acute rehab due to severe brain injuries to post-concussive syndrome in a transitional outpatient setting. Vanessa is currently employed by Bancroft NeuroRehab since 2016, providing services to residential and community outpatient neurological population. She received her certification brain injury specialist in 2016. Vanessa provides mentorship and supervision to graduate students during their affiliations from various Universities including Temple University, LaSalle University, and Penn State University. Annually, she presents at Bloomsburg University to graduate students on therapeutic interventions related to spinal cord injuries and use of NMES for dysphagia rehabilitation. Other presentations include concussion management/interventions (SLP and neuropsychology approach), discipline specific case studies, dysphagia management on nursing units, and video-fluoroscopic swallowing competency measures.
Katie Love, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Katie Love is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2009 from St. Vincent College. In 2014, Katie earned her Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Western Carolina University. She completed her Clinical Fellowship at Lutheran Crossings, Genesis Rehab, a sub-acute and long-term care facility. Here, she gained experience in evaluating and treating residents for a wide range of impairments including cognitive, communicative, and swallowing disorders. In 2015, she began her employment with Bancroft NeuroRehab, providing speech therapy services for individuals with neurological disorders as well as traumatic and acquired brain injury. Katie received training and certification in 2016 for LSVT LOUD in order to treat individuals with voice disorders due to Parkinson’s disease.
Jaclyn Marangella MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jaclyn Marangella is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with significant experience in treating individuals following brain injury. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in 2012, followed by a Master’s degree from Loyola University Maryland in 2014. She then completed her clinical fellowship and subsequent employment in a sub-acute/long-term care setting where she specialized in working with adults and geriatric populations with a variety of speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. In 2015, she acquired an LSVT Loud certification to expand her practice with individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. She then began to specialize in treating individuals following neurologic impairment in the outpatient rehabilitation setting. During this time, she also acquired certification for the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program. Additional clinical skills include myofascial release for dysphagia management, and additional experience includes supervision to graduate students studying speech-language pathology.
Kimberly Baradei, MA-CCC, SLP, CBIS
Speech Therapist
Kimberly Baradei received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from The College of New Jersey. She is a Certified Vital Stimulation Provider, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), and a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). She has been working as a Speech Language Pathologist for 12 years, providing intervention to adults with Brain Injury, Stroke, and a variety of Neurological disorders. She has worked in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, Residential, and Outpatient settings.
Kathleen Law, BA, CBIST
Janine Yvette Gardner, M.A., CBIS
Program Director, Bancroft NeuroRehab Residential Program
Janine Gardner came to Bancroft in 2008 as a Clinical Case Manager. At the time, she was beginning a Master of Urban Studies (Concentration in Community Development) program and was new to brain injury. Her career path included positions within the mental health field as a counselor for a partial care facility serving people with severe and persistent mental illness and working as a case manager for youth in the juvenile court system. She obtained her master’s degree in 2010 and has remained dedicated to neurorehabilitation. She has co-chaired Bancroft Unplugged in both Southern and Central New Jersey for five years.
Grace Cline
Program Director, Bancroft NeuroRehab Residential Program
Jamie Young PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist
Dr. Young graduated from the University of Montana’s School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science in May of 2015. Dr. Young worked for 2 years in the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Montana. At that time, she was accepted to and completed the MossRehab Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania where she received advanced training for physical therapy for individuals with neurologic diagnosis and preparation to sit for the specialist exam. I am excited to be a member of the Bancroft team!
Paul Hoffman
Rehabilitation Aide
Paul Hoffman has worked in the field of rehabilitation for 25 years. Prior to working at Bancroft Neurorehab, Paul worked at the Magee Riverfront Outpatient facility in South Philadelphia for 22 years. He has experience in many facets of rehabilitation. Paul has worked with orthopedic injuries as well as stroke and brain injury. His past experience included the design and fabrication of hand splints and adaptive tools. Paul has a working knowledge of manual wheelchair repair and maintenance. Paul works directly with the therapists and assists as needed to provide care for our persons served. You can often find Paul assisting staff with treatments as well as clerical and general maintenance tasks.