Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers
Board of Directors
Kyle Elsenbaumer
CPA, Treasurer
Kyle is a CPA at Campbell, Rappold, and Yurasits, LLP. He is clearly dedicated, knowledgeable concerning our cause! We are lucky to have him on board.
Dr. Gerard Petersen
President, Chief Pulmonologist at Lehigh Valley Health Network
Dr. Petersen was Mr. Wescoe’s physician and has become a close friend of the Wescoe family. He has a firm understanding of IPF from the medical perspective and from the perspective of his patients.
Trish Colasurdo, D.C.
Vice-President
Dr. Colasurdo is a co-founder of the Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge and the Coopersburg 5K Health and Wellness Expo. She has also worked on many fundraising committees, including Southern Lehigh Education Foundation (SLEF).
Dr. Doug Corwin
Clinical Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director for Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship, St. Luke’s University Health Network
Dr. Dennis McGorry
Paul S. Frank
Esq., Legal Counsel
Paul is our newest member of the Board of Directors, and we are very grateful that he joined our team in 2024. As the Chair of the Estate & Trust Law Practice Group at KingSpry Attorneys & Counselors in Historic Bethlehem, he brings many years of legal experience/expertise to our foundation.
Staff
Jennifer H. Wescoe, M.Ed., NCC
Founder, Executive Director
Jennifer H. Wescoe is a 1992 Bloomsburg University graduate receiving her B.S. in Communication Disorders. She graduated with honors with her M.Ed. in School Counseling from Auburn University and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) since 1999. In 2003, Jennifer’s Dad, Ron Wescoe was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The Wescoe family was forced to cope with this devastating disease on their own. Mr. Wescoe succumbed to IPF on Friday, October 29, 2004. At that time, there was little information available, few medical resources and limited support. As a result, Jennifer founded the Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in honor of her Dad so that she can provide valuable resources for both care partners and patients struggling to breathe every day.
Michelle Robinson
Colleen Madden Pellegrino
LCSW
I have worked with the Wescoe Foundation since it began as a volunteer and a mental health consultant. I have served on the 5K planning committee for several years. you are likely to see me at the Wescoe Walk in the Fall and the IPF Information Session in the spring. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania. I partner with the Wescoe foundation in facilitating local support groups for patients and caregivers. I am available for phone support or to be seen for individual counseling. Ask Jen to connect us!
When not assisting the Wescoe Foundation, I own a private group practice, Summit View Counseling, LLC in the Lehigh Valley. Summit View provides outpatient therapy to address issues of anxiety, depression, relationship/family conflict and other life stressors. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Slippery Rock University in 1993. I received my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. I have previously worked in the child welfare system and served as a foster parent in the Lehigh Valley. I live in the Lehigh Valley with my husband and a house full of boys. I enjoy kayaking and writing.
Kate Haney
Program Manager
Kate is excited to join the Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis as the Program Manager. She brings 40+ years of healthcare management and business development experience to the team after working for both for-profit and large non-profit organizations. Kate is well connected in the community after serving on various boards during her professional career. Her personal experience with a family member who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis led her to want to join our team after retiring from her full-time position earlier this year. Kate enjoys all outdoor activities and spending time with her four grandsons.Kate earned her BA in Organizational Development from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA.
MJ Boensch
Program Director
MJ joined the team at the Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2022 as the PA-IPF Support Network Project Coordinator and has expanded her role to become the Program Director for Wescoe. Through a variety of personal and professional endeavors, she brings extensive experience in both project management and collaboration with stakeholders. As an active community member dedicated to volunteerism as well as a passionate advocate for the food allergy community, MJ is aligned well with our non-profit organization committed to working on behalf of others.
MJ earned her BA in English / Communications from Albright College in Reading, PA.
In her spare time she stays busy with her husband raising their two children, practicing yoga,
cooking/baking, and seeking out opportunities to hear live music.
Leila Kaczmarek
Communications Manager
When not immersed in the digital world, Leila enjoys unplugging through hikes with her husband Brendan and their two dogs, Grace and Bonnie. As a dedicated supporter of the local craft beer scene, you might also find her exploring the vibrant brewery landscape of the Lehigh Valley.
We love our VOLUNTEERS!
John Mullin
Patient Liaison: Emeritus.
We will deeply miss you, John.
As an individual diagnosed with IPF in 2011 and having a successful lung transplant 2015; I have committed my life today for helping others with this horrible disease. I live by my motto that I am healthy, happy, and humble. I am healthy today with the help of my hospital care center, happy to have established new strong friendships, and humble for being given the “gift of life” from a donor that I never met. In the last 8 years I have participated in fund raising walks, joined countless Support Group meetings, was acknowledged by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation for my volunteer services, AND met Jennifer Wescoe as one of my cherished friends.
Brian Zionts-Bernstein
Brian Zionts-Bernstein was first introduced to the Wescoe Foundation in 2008, shortly after being diagnosed with IPF. In December 2014, Brian received the “Gift of Life”, a double lung transplant. Brian has been attending support group meetings where he shares his personal story and experiences to help other patients battling IPF and supports them on their pre/post lung transplant journeys. Brian also uses his IT background to help Jennifer manage the website and is always willing to jump in wherever he is needed. Brian is very thankful to his donor, donor family, and medical team. He honors his donor by educating the public about organ donation awareness, helping others along their Pulmonary Fibrosis and transplant journeys, and is doing his best to take care of the precious gift he received… LIVING & LOVING LIFE!!!
John and Carol Jorgensen
John and Carol Jorgensen are currently serving as the co-chairs of the Wescoe Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis Project Positivity. They come to this endeavor realizing that we all need happiness in our lives as we fight the battle of this disease. Drawing on their experiences, Carol as a high school math teacher and John as a consultant, they develop monthly experiences that encourage participants to spend some time experiencing joy and some great laughs as well.