Penn State College of Medicine

ABOUT US

The HBCD team at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA, is excited about the opportunities to learn and grow with south central PA families and their children! Led by Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska, our multi-disciplinary team brings more than 20 years of experience in family and community medicine, obstetrics, neonatology, neuroimaging, pediatrics, child development, psychology. We are a coordinated team of clinicians, research staff, and study navigators who guide families through HBCD research activities and support increased access to community resources.

Our team values working with people from varied backgrounds and respects the challenges people experience, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stigma, trauma, or substance use. Each person has a unique perspective that can enrich the lives of others for generations. We see research participants as partners on this journey, and seek their feedback and that of community members to best support study participants, foster resilience and strengthen the communities we serve. We are grateful to all the families who join the HBCD study, and do our best to create a comfortable, welcoming experience that meets the needs of each participating family, in a safe and friendly space.