Meet the experts

Ms. Cianci is the Outpatient Neurologic Team Leader for Good Shepherd Penn Partners and founding therapist of the Dan Aaron Parkinson's Rehab Center at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She received her BS in Physical Therapy (1994) from the University of Scranton, and her MS in Gerontology (2004) from Saint Joseph's University, both in Pennsylvania.  Heather received her Geriatric Clinical Specialist Certification in 1999 and was certified in LSVT BIG in 2007.  She is also certified in PWR!, Rock Steady Boxing, and Music and Memory. Heather is Co-coordinator and PT Faculty for the Parkinson’s Foundation’s (PF) Team Training Program, the author of their educational manual Fitness Counts, and a contributing lecturer to their online Physical Therapy course. She has written and lectured for several local and national PD organizations, on-line CEU providers, and PT programs at Philadelphia area universities. Heather has published research on falls, freezing of gait, and bed mobility in PD, and is a former board member for CurePSP.

Dr. Grasso received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College in 2009, and her post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Temple University in 2021. She is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist and has received the Executive Certificate in Home Modification from the University of Southern California. At Salus University, Dr. Grasso is an Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Department within the College of Health Sciences, Education, and Rehabilitation.

Laura Ritter has worked passionately with individuals with disabilities for over 20 years. She specializes in the field of special education. She has been an instructor and administrator at the elementary school, high school, and post-high school age levels. 

Laura has served as a director at an agency for adults with disabilities. special education teacher, homebound educator, tutor and educational consultant in the Orlando and Indianapolis areas. She works with students, families, and colleagues to develop IEP plans that meet the unique needs of her students. She currently is a professor at the University of Phoenix and high school educator in the virtual school environment.

Laura looks forward to sharing her knowledge with on the IEP and IFSP process to utilize in various educational settings.