Maria Alberts MSN, RN, NC-BC., brings over twenty years of nursing experience to the Pellegrino team. Maria received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the College of New Rochelle and her Masters Degree in Holistic Nursing from Florida Atlantic University. A holistic nurse with an extensive background in surgical services, Maria provides top-tier, integrative patient care. Maria holds certifications as a Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse, Board Certified Nurse Coach, and trained practitioner of the Heartmath Breathing Technique. Maria’s passion for holistic health and healing expanded when her children were toddlers, as her knowledge about the world of health and wellness grew. She is currently expanding her knowledge base and skill set by working on a course for integrative healthcare practitioners and completing her level 2 reiki certification. With her years of experience, compassionate nature, and willingness to support her community, Maria aspires to help patients improve physically and mentally for whole-body wellness.

Maria Alberts MSN, RN, NC-BC., brings over twenty years of nursing experience to the Pellegrino t... Read More

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Catherine Cusumano M.S., L.Ac., is one of our amazing acupuncturists. She brings over 20 years of experience in health and human services. Catherine has successfully treated depression, anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, respiratory imbalances, post surgery pain and recovery symptoms, back, neck and leg pain, infertility, irregular menstruation and more.

Catherine Cusumano M.S., L.Ac., is one of our amazing acupuncturists. She brings over 20 years of... Read More

Barbara Danner is a dedicated energy healing specialist with a deep passion for holistic wellness. Recently retired from her role as an elementary reading specialist, Barbara has shifted her focus to helping others through energy healing practices.

She is a Reiki Master Teacher and has completed extensive training as a Hibiscus Moon Certified Crystal Practitioner and Advanced Crystal Master. Additionally, she is trained in Integrated Energy Therapy and is an ordained minister. Barbara’s journey into energy healing began with a community Reiki course that sparked her fascination, leading her to seek further knowledge and mentorship from experienced practitioners.

Outside of her healing work, Barbara enjoys meditation and yoga, incorporating mindfulness into her daily routine. She is also an avid gardener, recognized as a Pollinator Protector, with her garden certified as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat. Barbara loves expressing her creativity through watercolor painting and has a particular fondness for bird watching, especially hummingbirds. As a proud cat whisperer, she shares her home with three rescue cats, bringing her immense joy.

Traveling and reading are also important to Barbara; she enjoys exploring new places and listening to audiobooks during her daily commute. Her commitment to wellness is rooted in her lifelong interest in health and healing, and she is excited to share her knowledge and support others on their wellness journeys through energy healing and Reiki.

Barbara Danner is a dedicated energy healing specialist with a deep passion for holistic wellness... Read More

Mary DeMicco, LMT., brings over 15 years of massage therapy experience to the Pellegrino Healing Center team. A graduate of the Hudson Valley School of Massage, Mary is passionate about helping the local community with her healing bodywork. Her goal is to bring peace, self-awareness, and balance to the body and the mind with her sessions. Mary’s Swedish massages offer a lighter touch, gentle stretches, sacral rocking, and special holds on the head and feet to ground your energy and evoke feelings of relaxation. Her deep tissue massages get into the deeper layers of the fascia, freeing restrictions, increasing range of motion, and relieving tension and knots in areas like the upper back, neck, shoulders, hips, low back, and IT bands. Balance your body and mind while relieving stress and anxiety with Mary’s tailored attention.

Mary DeMicco, LMT., brings over 15 years of massage therapy experience to the Pellegrino Healing ... Read More

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Tammy is a Patient Care Coordinator, Therapy Assistant, and Laser Technician here at Pellegrino Healing Center. Tammy started working with us right before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, beginning as a front desk coordinator and expanding into an integral part of our patient care experience with her compassion and expansive skillset. Tammy’s love of wellness has grown from her passion for healthy eating, her dedication to trail running, and her interests in natural healing and holistic care. In addition to her work as a Patient Care Coordinator at the center, Tammy is also a Therapy Assistant, supporting the tailored acupuncture treatments of our practitioners. Tammy has been trained to perform advanced protocols for complex conditions, utilizing laser therapy, frequency-specific microcurrent, and many other healing modalities to maximize patient healing. Tammy’s work is highly requested and recommended by patients.

Tammy is a Patient Care Coordinator, Therapy Assistant, and Laser Technician here at Pellegrino H... Read More

Cathie Grzeczka, L.M.T, MLD-C is a Licensed Massage Therapist who utilizes carefully selected massage therapy techniques to enhance her client’s experience. Her focus is on medical massage therapy for lymphedema and cancer patients, post-operative surgeries, current and post-cancer patients, as well as patients suffering from chronic pain, Lyme disease, MS and Parkinson’s. Cathie is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage with specialized certifications in Oncology and Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapies. She is pursuing certifications in Complete Decongestive Therapy and treatment of advanced lymphedema in breast cancer patients.

Cathie Grzeczka, L.M.T, MLD-C is a Licensed Massage Therapist who utilizes carefully selected mas... Read More

Shannon Lutfring, RN, joins Pellegrino Healing Center with a background in acute care, specializing in adult medical-cardiology nursing and pediatric nursing at Albany Medical Center. Shannon has provided nursing care for children as young as 28 weeks old and for adults up to 100 years old. She has learned to support the families of her patients during some of their most challenging moments.

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Shannon’s passion for sports and physical activity earned her a running scholarship in college, where her interest in wellness began. Through her studies and the demands of a D1 program, she deepened her understanding of physical and mental well-being.

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Shannon took care of many patients suffering from preventable diseases. This experience sparked a desire to help people with their health before they required hospitalization. During the pandemic, she and her colleagues faced immense mental and emotional challenges while caring for patients in a resource-strapped environment. This experience gave Shannon a deep understanding of the impact of stress on our minds and bodies. Motivated by this, she decided to move away from bedside nursing and pursue a career in preventative healthcare. Shannon became a Board Certified Nurse Coach in 2021 and obtained certification in Integrative Nutrition last year. She is very passionate about supporting individuals through health, career, and life changes. Additionally, she is currently training to be certified in Somatic Healing to integrate these techniques into her 1:1 Nurse Coaching sessions. This fall, she will begin a part-time FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) program with hopes of bringing further treatment, testing, and healing to patients at The Pellegrino Center. ​

In her free time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has recently discovered a passion for party planning. Shannon also enjoys baking granola, running, practicing yoga, crocheting, and hiking with her husband and chocolate lab, Zeke.

Shannon Lutfring, RN, joins Pellegrino Healing Center with a background in acute care, specializi... Read More

Jorge Matias is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist and 2019 graduate of Finger Lakes school of Massage in Mount Kisco NY.

It is a personal story of healing that led Jorge to become a massage therapist. After suffering with scoliosis, Jorge had a lumbar fusion. This left him dealing with a lot of pain. After enduring that pain for about seven years, Jorge had his first massage experience. The relief that he felt inspired him so much, he began to pursue a career in massage. Honing his skills, Jorge is happy to help others get the sort of life changing relief that he got from massage.

With the understanding that each person’s need for bodywork is unique to the individual, Jorge enjoys working alongside his patients to create the best plan of care, ensuring the best result.

Jorge brings a new offering to Pellegrino that he excels in: TableThai Massage. This method uses techniques that have been developed over millennia to both soothe and heal. Traditional Thai Massage is done without oil, and is a combination of gentle pulling, stretching, kneading—over the entire body. Jorge uses his hands, elbows, knees, and feet to guide his clients through various stretches and long sustained compression into the muscles.

Along with Table Thai Massage, Jorge also offers Swedish, Deep Tissue and Medical massages.

Jorge Matias is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist and 2019 graduate of Finger Lakes school of Mass... Read More

Heather is someone that loves to help others. Hailing from the Midwest, her warm, welcoming nature combined with her strong work ethic made her a great candidate for our patient care coordinator/therapy assistant role. Heather most recently worked the front end of a busy medical office in the Hudson Valley, gaining experience in customer service, prior authorization, medical insurance and training other staff members.

A former student of drama, Heather acted in some high school plays and was active in her hometown’s church choir. She then went on to spend some time working for Walt Disney World. She was accepted into the college program there, and worked her way into the entertainment department. Her favorite memories from her time at Disney are when she got to help make magical wishes come true for children by being a part of their Make a Wish experience.

​Heather is passionate about helping Veterans and others that are struggling with PTSD. In 2024, Heather completed courses and received her certification from Syracuse University in “Cannabis Healthcare & Medicine” as well as “Cannabis Compliance & Risk Management”. Under the guidance of Dr. Diana Silverman, Heather is now offering medical cannabis consultations for those seeking to get a medical cannabis card with NY State.

​Heather currently lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and their pets. You may catch Heather singing as she works, feel free to join in!

Heather is someone that loves to help others. Hailing from the Midwest, her warm, welcoming natur... Read More

Amber Merkens is a clinical herbalist and integrative practitioner who helps people find embodied healing and a deeper connection to the natural world (themselves!) through herbal medicine, food, and lifestyle practices. Amber’s herbalism is an extension and expression of growing up in the Pacific Northwest rainforests, dancing professionally, postpartum caregiving, and mothering - all of which put her on her plant path. Her work integrates somatic knowledge, generational wisdom, and science, and her formal training is in vitalist, European, Chinese, and Ayurvedic herbal traditions. Amber is a graduate of the ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism, where she still serves as Clinic Director.

Amber lives in New Paltz, NY with her two children, and is thrilled to contribute to the well rounded integrative care that is central to Pellegrino Healing Center and Pellegrino Integrative Cancer Center.

Amber Merkens is a clinical herbalist and integrative practitioner who helps people find embodied... Read More

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CHRISTINE PELLEGRINO LAc, MS Founder of The Pellegrino Healing Center, Lead Acupuncturist

After experiencing a dramatic increase in demand for her services, Christine, a Licensed Acupuncturist, decided to open up The Pellegrino Healing Center. She aspires to treat, heal, and uplift as many people as she can with her new, multifunctional space. Her personal and professional background in healthcare and alternative medicine have allowed her to expand her business and clientele. Christine practices a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese Kiiko style, 5 Element, and Trigger Point Therapy.

CHRISTINE PELLEGRINO LAc, MS Founder of The Pellegrino Healing Center, Lead Acupuncturist After ... Read More

Tara Shelton is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist who has been practicing massage therapy since 2015 after graduating from the Center for Natural Wellness in Albany, NY. Tara performs a range of massage modalities, some of which include several variations of Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, pre and post-natal, neuromuscular therapy, and myofascial release. Incorporating aromatherapy, stretching, and energy techniques into every massage, Tara’s work goes above and beyond your regular session.

Tara Shelton is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist who has been practicing massage therapy since 20... Read More

Dr Diana Silverman is a fellowship trained breast surgical oncologist, and also a Stage IV breast cancer survivor. A graduate of Rutgers University, Dr. Silverman earned her medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her surgical internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey where she was elected the Chief Surgery Intern. Dr Silverman’s surgical residency was completed at Midwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where she trained at one of the top Children’s Hospital and Trauma hospitals in the country. She was then elected Chief Surgery Resident for her final year of general surgery residency. Dr Silverman completed her training at the Society of Surgical Oncology accredited breast fellowship program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

She originally moved to the Hudson Valley 6 years ago as the Breast Program Leader at the Herb & Sue Ann Redl Center for Cancer Care, and lead developer of the expansion of the new Women’s Imaging Center of MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center. In 2015 she was asked to join Mount Kisco Medical Group, now Caremount Medical Group. She has volunteered her time to Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Options and Sparrows Nest. She was voted Hudson Valley Parent Favorite Doc and 2017’s Top 40 under 40 Mover and Shaker by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

In March of 2017, Dr Silverman’s life was changed when she, herself, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and returned back to work in November with a completely new outlook on life and breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately, less than one year later, the cancer had spread to her spine. Since that time Dr. Diana Silverman has completely immersed herself in integrative therapies by researching treatments from all over the world to help combat the disease and improve quality of life. Her knowledge base combines years of experience in both eastern and western medicine for an individualized treatment plan for each patient.

Dr Diana Silverman is a fellowship trained breast surgical oncologist, and also a Stage IV breast... Read More

Chelsea Landolfa, LMT provides an immersive experience through the healing powers of touch and holistic bodywork. Chelsea studied massage therapy at the Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, NY and has gained over 9 years of experience in massage. While Chelsea is well-versed in Prenatal and Geriatric Massage, she specializes in Deep Tissue Modalities including Myofascial Release and Sports Stretching. Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore motion. Chelsea’s specialized work is deep and more intense than your regular Swedish massage. Chelsea intends to bring body awareness, mindfulness, and knowledge about self care and maintenance to her clients. She is incredibly passionate about her work, aiming to make her clients feel comfortable, safe, and cared for.

Chelsea Landolfa, LMT provides an immersive experience through the healing powers of touch and ho... Read More

Stefanie Vidal, L.Ac. Dipl. Ac., is a nationally board certified and NY state licensed acupuncturist. She focuses on an integrative approach using Chinese Medicine to help her patients understand why the disease or discomfort has manifested and works with them to help heal. Her special interests include female reproductive and general health, emotional and psychological disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Stefanie has completed clinical externships at the Institute for Family Health and Columbia University in NYC. She has also completed additional training in Classical Acupuncture, Acupuncture and Acupressure for Perinatal Care, and Trigger Point Acupuncture.

Additionally, Stefanie is a certified Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 200), with specialized training in oncology yoga and prenatal yoga.

Stefanie Vidal, L.Ac. Dipl. Ac., is a nationally board certified and NY state licensed acupunctur... Read More

Amberlee Wallace is a licensed massage therapist specializing in Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal massages. She has a very warm and compassionate demeanor, and is committed to providing specialized care to each of her patients. Amberlee creates a comfortable and rejuvenating experience for all who seek her expertise.

A native of the Hudson Valley, Amberlee enjoys spending her free time practicing yoga, and spending time outdoors, hiking, and kayaking.

Amberlee Wallace is a licensed massage therapist specializing in Swedish, deep tissue, and prena... Read More