Meet the Team
Meet our ALS Team!
The multidisciplinary clinic setting is a “one-stop-shopping” approach that will provide you with access to many different healthcare professionals in one visit. We will work with you and your families to provide symptomatic relief, ensure safety, maintain optimal independence, and provide counseling and emotional support. We can also provide a wide variety of information on ALS – the latest treatment options, clinical trials, and referral to various agencies that may be helpful.
We have assembled the following experienced and dedicated professionals:
Matthew Elliott, MD – Neurologist, UVA’s ALS Clinic and Neuromuscular Clinic
Abby Bellows, MS, RDN, CNSC – Dietitian/Nutritionist at UVA since 2020 and has been part of the ALS Clinic since then. Abby will assess your eating, drinking, and weight and help you find ways to meet your nutritional needs.
Renee S. Bricker, M.S. CCC-SLP – Speech-Language Pathologist for UVA’s ALS Clinic and provides inpatient acute speech services at UVA Medical Center. She has experience in evaluation and treatment of swallowing, speech and language, and communication disorders in adults with neurologic injuries or diseases.
Hannah Caballero, MSW – Clinical Social Worker, UVA’s ALS Clinic and UVA’s Adult and Pediatric Neurology Clinics. Hannah has been a part of the ALS clinic since 2018. She has been a social worker for several years and has experience with long term care, mental health, working with Veterans. She is also the social worker for the entirety of the ambulatory neurology clinics. Hannah can assist with discussing care planning, insurance questions, financial assistance options, caregiver support, and emotional support.
Patsy Donnelly, RN, BSN – Care Coordinator for Adult Neurology and UVA’s ALS Clinic. Has been a nurse at UVA since 2004 working mostly inpatient primarily in neurology and neurosurgery. Patsy transitioned to the Neurology Clinic in August of 2022 where she took over as the primary RN Coordinator for the ALS Clinic.
Melissa Fox, PT, DPT – Physical therapist for UVA’s ALS Clinic since its inception in 1999, and has participated in extensive continuing education related to ALS. Melissa has presented at the local and national level on ALS-related topics. She also works with persons with other neurological conditions, both as outpatients and with inpatients at UVA hospital.
Renee Fuller OT/L – Occupational Therapist for UVA’s ALS clinic. Renee has been an Occupational Therapist since 1990 and previously worked for UVA for many years, including in Neurology (inpatient units, MS clinic). She returned to UVA in 2020 and has been working in the ALS clinic since that time. She has a varied background and has worked as an Occupational therapist in many different settings over the years including home health and rehab in addition to acute care. Renee also has personal experience with ALS as she was a caregiver for her mom.
Derrick Many, MSc, RRT-ACCS – Respiratory therapist for UVA Health System for 19 years. Assists with patients in the specialized clinics, has worked in the ALS Clinic for 2 years. Will perform simplified pulmonary function tests, and assist with all breathing related questions and concerns.