Meet Our Team
Erik Soiferman, DO, MBA, FACOI, FACP, owner of Bridges Palliative Care
Erik manages day-to-day operations, supervises staffing, financial management and marketing, and develops and implements growth strategies. His goal is to provide each patient with a “WOW” experience that makes them feel his passion to deliver quality, affordable, and convenient healthcare.
Erik is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. He holds a certificate of Added Qualifications in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine, is a Certified Medical Director (American Medical Directors Association); a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the American College of Physicians.
An Associate Professor of Medicine at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erik received his undergraduate degree at Muhlenberg College, his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and an MBA from Temple University.
Erik is passionate about history, specifically the United States Revolution and Constitution, and served on the Board of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He enjoys playing guitar and spending time with his wife and 4 children.
Dr. Joseph Rondeau, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, IIWCC, WFR, Medical Director of Bridges Wound Care
Dr. Rondeau is a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He is Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery as well as Wound Care. Dr. Rondeau graduated from Springfield College in 1996 and from Temple University Schools of Podiatric Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in the Crozer-Keystone Health System from 2000 to 2003.
Since then Dr. Rondeau has specialized in general and surgical podiatry with a special interest in wound care. He has published several articles, spoken and numerous conventions and educational sessions, and has won many awards for his work. He is a member of many professional organizations, and remains active in the podiatric and wound care communities.
Dr. James L. Tweedy, DO, FACOPF
Dr. James Tweedy joined Bridges Palliative Care in 2020 after a career in family medicine in South Philadelphia. Dr. Tweedy served in the United States Navy and then as a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Philadelphia before attending medical school at Philadelphia College for Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). He received his undergraduate degree from Temple University and completed his medical training at Riverside Hospital in Wilmington, DE. He also served as Chief Resident at St. Agnes Medical Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Tweedy is Board Certified is Family Medicine and as Medical Review Officer. He is a Fellow for the American College for Osteopathic Family Practitioners and an Associate Professor of Medicine at PCOM. Dr. Tweedy is a proud husband, father and grandfather and active in his Masonic Lodge.
Marla Osner, CRNP, Vice President of Clinical Services
Marla Osner, CRNP is the Vice President of Clinical Services. She completed her Nurse Practitioner degree in 2014 and practiced emergency medicine from then until 2019 when she joined Bridges Palliative Care. Her move was based on a desire to focus on the whole person and family, rather than dealing strictly with acute medical issues. Since starting with the company, Ms. Osner has taken on administrative duties and currently serves as the Director of the Clinical Palliative Care program for Bridges Palliative Care. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and dog. Her many outside interests include traveling, boating, Horseback riding, reading, scuba diving, and hiking.
Sandra S. Kerstetter, Vice President of Business Development
Sandy Kerstetter joined the Bridges Palliative care team bringing with her three decades of experience in the healthcare and senior living industries. She is responsible for creating strategic business partnerships, accelerating growth and helping fulfill the vision to transform the healthcare experience by integrating palliative care in to the lives of people living with chronic health conditions. Sandy received her undergraduate degrees in 2003 in Political Science & Economics from Temple University. Sandy has a passion for volunteer work which includes coaching youth baseball leagues, reading hour for children’s groups, serving as the captain of an inclusive running club and working as an Ambassador for Legacy of Hope providing cancer patient support. Sandy enjoys running/fitness, reading and traveling. She spends most of her free time with her husband, two young sons and pets.
Email: sandy@bridgespalliativecare.
Frances Garbarino, CRNP, Director of Wound Care Services
Frances Garbarino, CRNP is the Director of Wound Care Services for Bridges Wound Care. After graduating with her Associate Degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in 2008, Frances obtained both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Nursing and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner from Gwynedd Mercy University in 2012 and 2013. Since then she has practiced wound care medicine both as a nurse and a nurse practitioner in many
settings. She was the Vice President of Clinical Operations for a large hospital-based wound care center where she was able to provide excellent care to patients in a lower income demographic and show excellent wound outcomes. She is an Adjunct Professor of Nursing in the Nurse Practitioner program at Gwynedd Mercy University as well as a Clinical Associate Professor for the Graduate School of Nursing for the University of Pennsylvania.
Kathleen Beatty, FNP-C, Director of Education
Kathleen Beatty, FNP-C started her career as an emergency room nurse. During this time, she obtained her Master of Science from Drexel University and became certified as a family nurse practitioner. After practicing in emergency medicine, Kathleen made her transition into palliative care. In this role, she strives to provide holistic care to individuals and their families and is currently obtaining her certificate in palliative medicine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets doing almost any outdoor activity.
Jaymee Weitzman, CRNP
Jaymee graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science
and Nursing and from Lasalle University with a Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner. She started her career as a nurse on the floors of a subacute facility for chronic ventilator-dependent patients. After a short stint working in a hospital, she returned and took over a leadership role as the Director of Nursing. She then obtained her Nurse Practitioner degree and has been working in long-term care setting providing acute and palliative care to this population since 2018.
Donna DeLarge MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC
Donna graduated with an ASN in 2009 from the Community College of Philadelphia. She then obtained her BSN in 2014 shortly followed up with her MSN in 2016. She has served as a registered nurse in the palliative care and hospice field for the last three years. Her career has been dedicated to serving patients and their families in community and home based settings. Donna is especially passionate about educating people on their disease process, medications, and how to live an improved quality of life. She now proudly and passionately serves palliative care patients with Bridges Palliative Care. Donna is married and has two adult children. Her son serves in the United States Navy and her daughter is an author and artist. Donna enjoys eating and cooking, reading, playing instruments, diamond painting and going to church
Shelley Wigler, AGNP-C
Shelley graduated from LaSalle University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Nursing. After practicing as a Registered Nurse, she returned to LaSalle to pursue her education to become a Nurse Practitioner. Shelley has experience working with the adult and geriatric populations in skilled long term care, as well as working with children as a school nurse. She has trained as a Nurse Practitioner with Bridges Palliative Care and is excited to be working as a part of our palliative care team.
Agnes Mathew, AGNP-A
Agnes joined the Bridges Palliative Care team in 2022 to treat patients exclusively in skilled nursing facilities in New Jersey. Agnes loves being a Nurse Practitioner to make a difference in the lives of the patients she serves and being able to see the direct impact her services provide. She has worked as a nurse for the last three decades with experience in sub acute care, acute care, critical care and ICU. After she obtained her Adult Gerontology Acute Care APN certification, she moved back to her original care setting environment focusing on a holistic approach to patient care. Agnes enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies and traveling.
LeeAnn Still MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC
LeAnn started her career in nursing in 2015 and has worked in outpatient primary care and home health as well as inpatient areas such as orthopedic trauma, telemetry and the emergency department. In 2019 she graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with her Masters in Adult Gerontology Acute Care and became board certified. She then worked in the hospital setting with Orthopedic Surgery and in out patient orthopedics until starting with Bridges Palliative Care.
LeAnn has also worked with the US military as a provider for medical readiness clinics as needed since 2020. She genuinely enjoys helping other as much as possible. She prides herself on being empathetic and understanding. In her spare time, LeAnn enjoys spending time with my family and her two French bulldogs Hobbs and Leia.
Amy Strauss, MSN, FNP-C, AC-PNP
Amy Strauss is a double board-certified family nurse practitioner and acute care pediatrics nurse practitioner. Amy attended Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her diploma as a registered nurse. She then attended Pennsylvania State University, where she continued her education and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS) and graduated Magna cum laude. Amy worked full time for the next two years as an ICU nurse then as a pediatric/labor and delivery nurse. To build on her passion for continued education Amy then attended Bloomsburg University and earned her Master of Science in Nursing. She went on to Rush University where she earned her post graduate certificate in acute care pediatrics and became a board-certified acute care pediatric nurse practitioner. Amy also works as a palliative nurse practitioner where she cares for patients and families facing chronic, complex, and/or life-threatening conditions. Amy is an advocate for health promotion and wellness and states: “In seeing many patients throughout my career, from beginning of life to end of life, has put things into perspective for me. We only have once chance at this life and it’s time to start thriving not just surviving.”
Amy is married to her husband Paul. They have two teenage children, as well as a puppy who is in training as a therapy dog. She is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and the Make a Wish Softball League. Amy enjoys hiking, walks, swimming and spending time with family and friends.
Alice Wilson, AGNP
Alice is a nurse practitioner who comes to Bridges Palliative Care with lengthy experience. She attended Rutgers University and began her nursing career working on a Med-Surgical and Renal Transplant/Dialysis unit. She has worked in Medical Intensive Care, Emergency Room, Home Care & Hospice. Alice was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York as the youngest child of eight. She is the mother of two adult children whom she spends most of her time with and takes great pride in her role as a Grandmom, Auntie & Great Auntie in her large family.
Alice enjoys spending time outdoors as an avid jogger/walker, cyclist, and tennis player. When she doesn’t have the warm weather she moves indoors to read, crochet, knit, as well as cooking and baking. She enjoys travel, gatherings with her college friends, and attending Broadway shows. Alice is a Christian who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoys reading and studying the Bible and is actively involved in the Women’s Ministry of her church.
Bridget Grant, AGNP
Bridget is a dedicated healthcare provider who brings more than 15 years of experience with the Adult-geriatric population. She completed an ASN program from Community College of Philadelphia in 2015. While working as a registered nurse, she expanded her role to include wound care and infection control for the geriatric population. Having obtained her master’s degree in 2022, she now comes to Bridges Palliative Care as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She is passionate about focusing on the quality of life for patients. She is a marred mother of three girls. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking trips and making memories.
Meghan S. Rolston, MSN, AGNP-C, CCRN
Meghan Rolston is a Pennsylvania native who has called New Jersey home for 12 years. She attended Albright College where she received a Bachelors in Marketing with a concentration in Music. After some time in the corporate world, she decided to follow her passion of caring for others and returned to higher education to enter the world of healthcare. Meghan got her start in nursing at Capital Health in Trenton, where she attained her Associates in Nursing and accepted her first job on the Stroke Unit. She transitioned to the Intensive Care Unit and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Thomas Edison State University and earned her certification in Critical Care.
During her time at the bedside, she developed strong interests in social determinants of health and their effects on patient outcomes. Meghan is also a strong proponent of patient autonomy, effective patient education, and holistic care for both the patient and their families. These passions helped her to continue her education and complete her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing from Rider University and her certification in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. Meghan lives in Lawrenceville, NJ with her family, two dogs (Finn and Shannon), and a cat (Phannie). Her happy places include Carolina beaches, her deck, Dave Matthews Band concerts, and anywhere spent with her family and friends listening to music whether it be live, on vinyl records or from streaming services.
Amy Litzburg, Business Office Manager
Amy plays a vital role in the day to day business operations at Bridges Palliative Care. A loyal and flexible team member, she brings a wealth of experience in Office Management, Accounting, and Human Resources from her background in hospitals, medical practices, case management and urgent care settings. Originally from upstate New York, Amy has called the Philadelphia area home for 30 years. She’s a mom of one and her hobbies include gardening, spending time with her dog and two cats, listening to music, and watching crime shows.
Email: amy@libertyucc.com
Rita Templin, Care Management Coordinator
Rita graduated from West Chester university with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She brings with her 29 years of medical experience. Rita has spent most of her career working in a hospital setting for both medical and mental health-she was even responsible for developing a mental health crisis department in an emergency room setting. She has experience as a patient navigator assisting people living with congestive heart failure
Rita has been married for 28 years, has 3 grown children and 2 fur babies. Her hobbies include exercising, running, shopping, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Rita volunteers for the Red Corner Benefit working with families battling childhood cancer.
Erika Gibson, CRMA, Palliative Admissions Coordinator
Erika has been a Certified and Registered Medical Assistant since 2016. She has experience in family practice, urgent care, and palliative care. She is excited to be a part of the Bridges Palliative Care team to learn and grow her skills. Erika is newly engaged and is planning a destination wedding in Antigua Guatemala. She is a busy mom of a teenager and pre-teen boy/girl twins! Her hobbies include traveling, spending time with her family and getting lost in a good book.
Diane Couglin, APN
Diane Coughlan is a nurse practitioner who works diligently to provide exceptional care and promote optimal health to every patient. Diane believes that providing access to all avenues of treatment that welcome individual choice and respect in decision making is essential. Over the past 25 years, Diane has garnered the respect of her patients, colleagues, and the community by providing excellent care in the areas of Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Integrative Medicine, Substance Abuse, and Quality Management. She has served on various committees to improve patient education, implement initiatives to deliver quality healthcare, and strategize on measures necessary for continued improvement. She is a member of, and board certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has received several excellence awards academically and professionally, but her greatest achievement remains being a patient advocate.
Early in her career, her sister became the victim of a violent assault sustaining numerous fractures and extensive burns. A team of experts worked feverishly and miraculously saved her sister’s life. That event and witnessing the ensuing recovery deeply impacted her heart, reconstructed her direction and instilled a greater quest for knowledge. Entering Critical Care, she learned the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, being prepared for the unexpected, and unwavering compassion for both patients and families. While her career path has taken her into many specialties, these underlying traits remain at the core of her practice.
Diane advanced her career with a master’s degree in nursing from Widener University and holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Eastern University. Her skills as a clinician, coupled with her compassion and dedication have afforded her the ability to be a vital participant in the medical arena. Learning from and collaborating with brilliant colleagues in numerous realms has guided her path and expanded her expertise. Inspired to make a difference in healthcare, Diane’s commitment is reflected in her quest to make every patient the center of her world during each encounter.
Diane enjoys spending time with family, gardening and reading. She is a participant in medical zoom meetings with clinicians globally to discuss emerging therapies that enhance treatment and has presented information to her local health board.
Lori Cannon BSN, MSN- AGACNP
Lori has been an RN for over 20 years practicing mainly in the acute care setting. Lori practiced nursing on a telemetry floor at Robert Wood Johnson for about 11 years and prior to that practiced in intensive care and the home care setting. Lori graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in the science of Nursing from Penn State University in 2003 and from Walden University with a Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner in 2022. Lori decided to enter into Palliative care because she is passionate about helping those with chronic disease, enjoys teaching patients and their families and is eager to grow in her career and apply her knowledge and evidence-based practice to provide quality care. Lori is married with 3 children and 1 dog and enjoys reading, cooking and running in her free time. Lori’s goal is to continue her education and keep learning as a lifelong commitment.