MEET THE STAFF

Judy Teplow, Director of Patient & Caregiver Services
Former teacher and school counselor, Judy changed careers to become a medical social worker.  Her decision to return to graduate school was largely influenced by her experience as a caregiver to her mother who was diagnosed with ALS in 1984.  Initially, Judy worked as a geriatric specialist and mental health therapist.  After serving seven years as a member of ALSA’s Executive Board, Judy became Director of Patient and Caregiver Services.

Barbara Mahoney, Patient Services Coordinator
Barbara became involved with the ALS Association when her husband was diagnosed with ALS in 1988.  She started attending support groups in 1989 and continued until 1991, when the support groups became The ALS Association MA Chapter.  She continues to work closely with Judy Teplow, Director of Patient and Caregiver Services, in providing information and services to patients and their caregivers.

Joanne Peskowitz, LICSW/Case Manager
Joanne came to The ALS Association MA Chapter after fifteen years of experience as a medical social worker in a variety of settings.  Ms. Peskowitz has experience working as a hospital social worker as well as seven years with the visiting nurses of Boston visiting people in their homes.

Joanne planned to go into private practice after graduate school, but due to her personal experience as a caregiver, she decided to specialize in working with individuals and families living with medical illnesses.

Marybeth Barker, LCSW, MPH/Case Manager
Prior to joining the patient services team at The ALS Association, Marybeth Barker worked as a private geriatric care manager.  She has a background in public health and social work. When her mother became ill, she was able to use her skills as a care manager to support her father in caring for her mother at home and in making difficult decisions about her end of life care. 

She left her profession after finding herself in the role of care manager twenty four hours a day. After her mother’s death, she resumed her work by joining the patient care team at the ALSA with a deeper understanding of patient and care giver needs.

Sam Samaraweera, Equipment Manager 
Sam is new to the MA Chapter and currently heads up our Mel M. Kornbliet Equipment Loan Program. Sam comes to us after working for the last ten years at Northeastern University. He was inspired to join the MA Chapter after taking care of a close family friend who became wheelchair bound. He looks forward to working hand in hand with our families.