Clinical Staff

Alan R. Shuldiner, MD, John L. Whitehurst Professor of Medicine, Associate Dean and Director of the Program in Personalized and Genomic Medicine (PPGM) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), is also the Founder and Director of the University of Maryland Amish Research Clinic. 

Dr. Shuldiner received his MD degree from Harvard Medical School in 1984. He was a resident in internal medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and a Medical and Senior Fellow in Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Diabetes Branch at the NIH. In 1991, he joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins University. In 1997, Dr. Shuldiner was recruited to the University of Maryland School of Medicine as Professor and Head of the Division of Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition in the Department of Medicine, which became the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition in 1999. 

In 2005, he was named the John Whitehurst Professor of Medicine and was appointed the Director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Interdepartmental Program in Genetics and Genomic Medicine.  Dr. Shuldiner is currently the Vice President of Translational Genetics at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, in addition to directing the PPGM at UMSOM.

Dr. Shuldiner's major research interests are in the molecular basis and genetics of type-2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance. He has published well over 300 peer-reviewed articles.

Mary Morrissey is a registered nurse with a BSN and many years of experience as the lead Research Coordinator at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center located in Lancaster, PA. She has extensive experience working with participants from the Amish Community and implementing all aspects of clinical research protocols.

Nancy Weitzel is a licensed practical nurse, field recruiter and clinic supervisor at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center. She has extensive experience working with participants from the Amish Community and implementing all aspects of clinical research protocols. At her previous employment, Nancy, a Certified Childbirth Educator, developed and taught Childbirth Classes to Amish and Mennonite Clients. She also developed an Amish Advocacy program at this hospital, where she was employed for 30 years.

Susan K. Shaub is a BSN RN and a seasoned research nurse at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Clinic.

Theresa Roomet is a registered nurse with a BSN and is a full time field recruiter at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center.

Donna Trubiano is a registered nurse and full time field recruiter at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center.

Yvonne Rohrer is a registered nurse and part time field recruiter at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center.

Patrick Donnelly is a certified sonographer with experience as a research team member at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center and the BVAMC. He has extensive experience working with participants from the Baltimore area and Amish Community performing diagnostic imaging studies for clinical research protocols.

Maryann Drolet has a Bachelor of Medical Technology, licensed by the ASCP and is the lab supervisor at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Center. She has extensive experience working with participants from the Amish Community and performing high complexity lab assays for clinical research protocols.

Sylvia Newcomer is a laboratory technician with a BS in medical technology and is a seasoned lab tech at the Amish Research clinic. She has extensive experience performing high complexity lab assays for clinical research protocols.

Elizabeth Zehr is a laboratory assistant at the University of Maryland's Amish Research Clinic.

Grace Redcay is the driver for the clinic and takes our participants to Maryland for studies done there. Grace has a long history with the Amish.