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Women's Health

The James E. Van Zandt VAMC now has a full-time Gynecologist on staff which has allowed us to provide an expanded range of Women’s Health Services.

Services

Routine Gynecological Care including:  

  1. Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear)
     
  2. Evaluation and/or Treatment for:
    • Heavy or irregular menstrual cycle
    • Dysmenorrhea
    • Endometriosis
    • Dyspareunia
    • Menopause
    • Testing and management of sexually transmitted diseases
       
  3. Birth control:
    • Birth control pills
    • Depo Provera (injection every 3 months)
    • Nexplanon (Implant every 3 years)
    • Intrauterine Device (every 8-10 years)
    • Natural Family Planning
    • Vaginal Ring
    • Tubal Ligation
    • Intrauterine Device (every 8-10 years)
    • Natural Family Planning
    • Vaginal Ring
    • Tubal Ligation (same day surgery/ambulatory surgery)
    • Vasectomy (urology: Permanent Birth Control)
       
  4. Advanced Gynecological Care:
    • Colposcopy: In office procedure for abnormal pap smears
    • Uterine Biopsy: Test for uterine cancer for women with post-menopausal bleeding
    • Sono-hysterography: In office procedure. Ultrasound to test for uterine polyps/fibroids which can be the cause of heavy and irregular menstrual cycles
    • Endometrial Ablation: Surgery for treatment of heavy periods
    • Laparoscopy: Surgery to diagnose endometriosis, remove ovarian cysts and tubal ligation (birth control)
    • Hysteroscopy: Surgery to remove uterine polyps, fibroids or retained uterine devices

Women's Health Resources

Women's Healthcare Providers

ALTOONA

Joseph Montanaro Jr. MD

Trained Gynecologist, with over 34 years’ experience.  Completed his residency training at St. Michaels Medical Center, Newark NJ 1990-1994. Began working at the James E Van Zandt VA in May 2023, serving as the Women Veterans Medical Directors, since October 2023.  He provides gynecological care and surgical services at the Altoona facility and travels to the State College, Dubois, and Johnstown Outpatient Clinics one day a month. 

Catherine Brennan, MD

Graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Internal Medicine Residency @ Reading Hospital Medical Center.  For over 25 years Dr Brennan has provided women’s health services. 

She came to the Altoona VA in 2013, after serving as the Women’s Health Champion and Acting Director of the Washington PA VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic for 10 years.  Currently, serves as the Women’s Health Clinical Champion, after functioning as the Women’s Health Medical Director over 10 years for the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center 

Nancy Frezza-Batts, DO, Graduated from Juniata College and then attended medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Practiced in Family Medicine starting in 2000 with emphasis on Pediatric, Generational Medicine, to include Women’s Health. Initially with the VA in 2008-2010 as hospitalist and then Primary care/Women’s Health since 2022.  I have been a provider in women’s health since 2000.  Currently seeing patients in the Altoona Primary care clinic. 

Jennifer Geishauser, PAC received her degree from Saint Francis University.    She has been employed at the VA since November 2018.  She was previously employed at Blair Medical in Family Practice and Internal Medicine.  

Shereen Weinzierl, CRNP received her Master’s Degree in Nursing at University of Cincinnati and completed her rotations at Elite Orthopedics, Pinecroft Medical and Cove Family Practice. She has worked as a primary care provider at the VA since 2018.    She has served as a Woman’s Health Champion for two years and is a preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students and residents. She is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center.   

Amanda Jodon FNP-C, received her master’s degree from the Clarion University in 2016 and Family Nurse Practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Nation Certification Board in 2016.  She has worked as a nurse practitioner at the VA since August of 2022.    She is trained in general Women’s Health care.  She is currently accepting female Veteran patients in Altoona.

Jennifer Taylor PA-C, received her Bachelor’s in Health Science and then Masters in Physician Assistant both at Saint Francis University.   She has worked as a Physician Assistant at the VA since June 2022.    Over the course of the past 16 years, she has cared for patients of all ages (from Pediatrics to Geriatrics), including Women’s Health.  She is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center.   

Heather Gides, MPAS, PA-C graduated from Saint Francis University’s Physician Assistant Program in 2004. She has worked in the private sector for the past 20 years and came to the VA in April 2024. She is trained in general women’s health care, including Women’s Health Mini-Residency through the VA.  She is currently accepting Veteran patients at the James E. VanZandt Medical Center Altoona.

 

DUBOIS

Rebecca Durian CRNP FNP-C, received her advanced nursing degree from Carlow University and completed her women’s health clinical rotation at Butler VA hospital in Butler PA. She has worked as a Nurse Practitioner at the VA since 2015. She has worked in various settings including Preoperative evaluation, Geriatrics and Primary care. She has been working in Primary Care out of Dubois VA since 11/2023.    As a Certified Family Nurse practitioner, she is trained in general Women’s Health care, including yearly cervical cancer screenings and acute gynecological diseases/conditions. She is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the Dubois CBOC  

Heather Park PA-C received MPAS degree from Saint Francis University in 2002 and has practiced in Primary Care throughout the last 22 years.  During this time, she performed routine Women’s Health care.  She has worked as a Primary Care/Women’s Health Physician Assistant since 2022 at the DuBois CBOC.

Kristen Williams, MS, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC received her Bachelor Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree from the University of Maryland and post masters certificate from University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has worked as a nurse practitioner at the VA since 2011.    She is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the Dubois CBOC.

 

HUNTINGDON

Alicia Shedlock, CRNP, received her certification from Penn State University. She has worked as Nurse Practitioner at VA since 2022.  As a CRNP, she is trained in general Women’s Health care and primary care. She is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the Huntingdon CBOC

 

INDIANA

Sara Meese CRNP graduated from Chamberlain College of Nursing, Family Nurse Practioner MSN program. She has worked at the James E VanZandt VA since 2010, providing Women’s Healthcare at the Indiana VAMC Community Based Outpatient Clinic where she is currently accepting new patients. 

 

JOHNSTOWN

Kelli Manippo, CRNP, received training from the Office of Women’s Health, during a mini-health residency in 2020 and is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the Johnstown CBOC  

Jacob Penatzer, PA-C, received his Master of Physician Assistant Science from Saint Francis University in 2010. He was a Physician Assistant in the Active Duty Army until 2014.  He has worked as a Physician Assistant at the VA since 2014.     He is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the Johnstown CBOC  

Kimberly Gorman DNP, AG-ACNP-BC, CNL received her degree from University of Pittsburgh. She has worked as a Primary care provider, specializing in Women's Health for 2 years.  Kim has 34 years of health care experience in a variety of settings.  She is currently accepting female veteran patients at the Johnstown CBOC.

Dr Martin Bolinger, DO, received his medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Conemaugh Hospital/Temple University School of Medicine. He has worked as a physician at the VA since 2018. He is currently accepting female Veteran patients at the Johnstown CBOC

 

STATE COLLEGE

Lindsay Brahosky, PA-C, received her degree from Jefferson College of Health Sciences/Carilion Clinic (Radford University).  She has worked at the VA since 2018. As a physician assistant, she is trained in general Women’s Health care.  Lindsay has participated in additional Women’s Health trainings - mini residency for rural providers/musculoskeletal concerns. She currently works at the State College CBOC.

Phuong Courtney, PA-C, graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and then graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.  I have been working in Primary Care at the State College CBOC since October 2017 and have been a certified Women’s Health provider since 2018. I am excited to see the advancement in women’s healthcare at the VA over the years and look forward in assisting female veterans with all of their healthcare needs. Thank you for your service!

Peter W. Silvestri- Wehr, MD, received his medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (Iowa City, IA) and completed a residency in Family Medicine at the Spokane Teaching Health Clinic (Spokane, WA). He has worked as a physician at the VA since 2018. He and his medical team provide top notch patient-centered care to each Veteran patient. As a family doctor, he is trained in general Women’s Health care, including reproductive health and contraception management. He is currently employed and accepting female Veteran patients at the State College Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in State College, Pennsylvania.

 

FLOATS

Tera Yingling, PA-C received her Master of Physician Assistant Sciences from Saint Francis University in May 2008. She worked as primary care provider at the New Paris Rural Health Clinic from 2008 to 2021. She has served as Primary Care Physician Assistant Float at the VA since November 2021. 

Kara Lechene, CRNP, received her nursing degree from the University of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her nurse practitioner degree at Penn State University.  She has worked as a nurse practitioner at the VA since 2021 as a primary care float.   As a nurse practitioner, she is trained in general Women’s Health care, including preventative women’s health exam, pap smears.

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