Meet Our Team
Edna Foa, Ph. D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Foa is the Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an clinical expert in PTSD and anxiety disorder treatment. A complete listing of her publications can be found at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=edna+foa.
Ronald Acierno, Ph.D.
Site Principal Investigator
Dr. Acierno is the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is a highly regarded research clinician with substantial experience working with the military community. A complete listing of his publications can be found at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=acierno+ron .
Sally Murphy LPC, NCC, CPCS, TBHP, CMCC,
Research Clinician - Okatie & Savannah
Since earning her M.A. in Clinical Counseling Psychology from the Citadel, Mrs. Murphy has continued to pursue her education by completing extensive training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She has a diverse counseling background, specializing in trauma treatment, and in recent years working exclusively with veterans and active duty military. Mrs. Murphy believes that work/life balance is very important and maintains this balance by enjoying time with her family (especially her grandchildren), her German Shepherd, enjoying activities on the lake, practicing yoga, traveling, and riding Harleys.
Rachel Harris LPC, NCC, CMCC
Study Coordinator & Clinical Assessor - Okatie,
Savannah, & Hinesville
Mrs. Harris is one of the founding members of the HOPE Study team and brings her personal experiences with the military community, as well as years of clinical counseling and human-subjects research experience to the table. She currently has a M.Ed. in Counselor Education, with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and continues to focus on professional growth. Her clinical background is rooted in treating trauma and addiction in high-risk patient populations. As a recent transplant from the Chicago-land area, Mrs Harris enjoys hiking local trails with her dogs, paddle boarding, Jeeping, and taking advantage of all the outdoor activities the low-country has to offer.
Leadership:
Patient Care Team Members:
Glenna Worsham LPC, NCC
Research Clinician - Charleston
Mrs. Worsham earned her M.Ed. in Clinical Counseling from the Citadel. She was lead therapist for 12 years in alcohol medication research studies at the Center for Drugs and Alcohol at the Medical University of SC. She also facilitated a Criminal Domestic Violence group for women for the same 12 years for a pretrial intervention program. She has been a PTSD research therapist at the Ralph H. Johnson Medical Center in Charleston, SC., for 8 years. When not devouring books and snuggling with her 2 cats and 2 dogs she is flying to Seattle to see her grandson, Henry.
Kimberly Veronee MA, LPC
Research Clinician - Charleston
Ms. Veronee graduated from the Citadel's Clinical Counseling program with her Master's in 2010. She has been working at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston, SC for the past eight years. During this time she has been a therapist on multiple research studies specializing in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Health Administration through the Medical University of South Carolina. Ms. Veronee loves fruit with chocolate and spending time with her family and friends.
Stephanie Hamski MA
Research Clinician - Charleston
Mrs. Hamski joined the HOPE Study team in October 2017. She received a Bachelors of Science (BS) in psychology from the College of Charleston and Master of Arts (MA) in psychology, clinical counseling from the Citadel Graduate College. She has expertise in research recruitment strategies, PTSD treatment implementation, and exposure therapy within the military setting. In her free time, Mrs. Hamski spends time with her family and two sweet puppies.
Jonna Vaughn LPC
Research Clinician - Okatie & Hinesville
Mrs. Vaughn has earned her masters in Counselor Education and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Psychology. She worked in an in-patient treatment facility for 10 years assisting clients with severe trauma histories in being able to live safer and more enjoyable lives. For the past five years, she has been counseling military personnel and their family members on issues unique to the military community. She is the spouse of a disabled veteran and appreciates quality time with her family and friends. Mrs. Vaughn enjoys spending time outside near water and listening to music as much as possible.
External contributors have been an invaluable asset to the success of the HOPE Study. Their support is essential to providing optimal patient care and we thank them for all their contributions to the success of this study.
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Gina Belli, B.A. - University of Pennsylvania
Anna Birks, Ph.D. - Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Lily Brown Ph.D. - University of Pennsylvania
Wendy Muzzy - Medical University of South Carolina
Peter Tuerk, Ph.D. - Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Bethany Wangelin Ph.D. - Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Laurie Zanberg Ph.D. - University of Pennsylvania
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We would also like to thank referring providers from local military installations.
Their support has been vital to the success of this study.
Stephanie Zeigler MPH
Study Coordinator - Charleston
Ms. Zeigler has worked on Dr. Acierno’s treatment outcome research grants at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center for several years. She received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology from the College of Charleston, and earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Health Services Policy and Management from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Zeigler enjoys spending precious time with her husband and her dog.
Gabrielle Frook BS
Recruiter - Charleston
Mrs. Frook completed her Bachelors of Science (BS) in Psychology from Charleston Southern University and is currently working toward her Master of Arts (MA) in the Clinical Counseling Program at the Citadel. She has had personal experiences with the military community throughout her life having grown up with her father in the Army and being the spouse of an Airman. Mrs. Frook’s passion is being able to help others, especially those in the military community. She finds her time working out to be one of her favorite stress relievers along with reading and spending time with her husband and their three dogs.