#ConquerMSA
amazon smile
Shop using AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate .5% to MSANJ

Meet the MSA NJ Team

Founded by the Roemer Family after losing their mother, Dolores Roemer, to Multiple System Atrophy on Mother’s Day of 2009, MSA NJ was first registered in Monmouth County in 2011, became a non-profit in New Jersey in 2012, and ultimately a federally recognized 501(c)(3) in 2015. Each member of the Board is deeply dedicated to making the journey easier for others battling this deadly disease, and shares the dream that someday there will be a cure for MSA. Join us in our quest to Conquer MSA!

Kymberli Roemer – Chairperson

KRKymberli Roemer has resided in the Garden State all her life. With a background in education and corporate training, she currently works as a training and development consultant. She has organized numerous events both professionally and in the volunteer sector.

As the baby of the family, Kym shared a special relationship with her mother. Throughout the battle with MSA, she was a caregiver and ‘bad influence’. Shopping, day trips, and nights watching TV and eating ice cream, Kym helped to keep life ‘normal’ and above all, to remember to bring laughter to day-to-day activities. About founding MSA NJ, “We’re taking baby steps, but every little bit helps.” Contact Kym.

Ronald Roemer – Executive Vice Chairperson

Ronald Roemer was born and raised in Jersey. He is a professor of history, teaching at both Caldwell College and Union County College. He is enthusiastic about the lessons learned from the past and brings this spirit to MSA NJ to improve conditions for those currently fighting the battle against MSA.

Robert Charkowsky – Vice Chairperson – Web Communications

Robert Charkowsky currently works in the technology field, specializing in web design and maintenance, information technologies, and programming. Robert joins the MSANJ Executive Committee to manage technology needs and to contribute to planning MSANJ fundraising, events, and conferences. Although Robert has not been personally affected by MSA, he knows of the importance of shining a spotlight on this rare neurological disorder in order to educate and support research. He has gotten to know patients and families in his work to support this cause, and wants to help make a difference. He hopes to translate his knowledge into helping those affected by MSA, whether it be patients or their loved ones, through promoting awareness and building support. Contact Robert.

Amy Colcher – Vice Chairperson – Medical Advising

AmyAmy Colcher grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania where she also received a Masters in Secondary Education. She attended Jefferson Medical College and completed her Neurology residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC. She returned to Philadelphia to do a fellowship in Movement Disorders at Graduate Hospital, and stayed with that group when they moved to Pennsylvania Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania in 1997. She started at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ, in 2012 where she is director of the movement disorders program. She is a Professor of Neurology of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. She is actively involved in patient care and research and is part of the North American MSA study group, Parkinson’s study group, and the Huntington’s study group.

Stephen M. Borstelmann

professional_shotStephen M. Borstelmann, MD joined the MSA NJ Board in 2016. He received his MD from New York Medical College and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. After an internship in Internal Medicine at Westchester County Medical Center, he completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology and then his fellowship in Interventional Radiology at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Thereafter he was a partner at Florida Radiology Associates P.A. and an executive board member at Florida Radiology Imaging, Inc., practicing in the central Florida area. He currently resides in Boca Raton, FL and is a father of three. His areas of interest include rare and congenital disorders, supervised and unsupervised learning, and machine learning as applied to healthcare.

Joellyn Fox

Dr. Fox is a physical therapist at the Dan Aaron Parkinson’s Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia. She graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology and then earned her DPT from Temple University. Dr. Fox has more than a decade of professional experience within the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Her professional accreditations include: ATTP Clinician Trained, LSVT Big Certification, Parkinson’s Wellness and Recovery (PWR!) certification and Rock Steady certification. Dr. Fox has been an adjunct at Widener University, Drexel University and Rutgers for over 6 years and has taught seminars on behalf of the PPTA and CurePSP both nationally and internationally.

Lucy Norcliffe-Kaufmann

Dr. Lucy Norcliffe-Kaufmann is a clinical scientist with over 20-years experience in research on neurological disorders that affect the autonomic nervous system. She is a proud Board Member of MSA-NJ.

Her recent research work has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Genetics, Neurology, Brain and the Annals of Neurology. Her work has been covered by the BBC, Wall Street Journal, and NY Magazine.

She currently works at Theravance BioPharma and holds the position of Adjunct Faculty in Neurology at NYU School of Medicine.

Dr. Norcliffe-Kaufmann is representing MSA NJ and all opinions expressed are strictly her own.

Victoria Pena-Cardinali

Victoria Pena-Cardinali has Masters Degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration from New York University. She has fifteen years experience in the social work areas of family preservation services, crisis intervention, child welfare, case management and counseling and seven years of experience in the area of Medical Social Work at Capital Health Systems.

Throughout her career, Victoria has been able to work closely with patients and their families to address their unique and personal needs related to management of chronic diseases such as adjustment issues, community reintegration, service connection, advocacy, collaboration, support counseling and transitions of care among many others.

In her new role, in addition to program clinical management and development responsibilities, Victoria is a provider of psychotherapy services for adult individuals and their families treating mood disorders link to psychosocial stressors related to chronic illness and adjustment issues.

Support Team

Cynthia Roemer – Volunteer Support Group Coordinator

Cynthia Roemer is a life-long New Jersey resident. She is a senior professor of mathematics. During her tenure, she has coordinated various programs, planned numerous events, and founded the college’s Student Volunteer Organization.

Cyndi was her mother’s primary caregiver. Navigating the medical system, handling business for long-term care and planning, and understanding the personal challenges of MSA are among lessons learned through her journey with her mother, and ones she is ready to share. “If I can make a difference for others traveling down this path, then my mother’s suffering will not have been in vain. Mom helped people all her life. I have no doubt she is leading me now to continue her legacy.” Contact Cyndi.

Kara Byron – New York City Support Group Facilitator

Kara Byron is graduating in May 2019 with a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. Focused on a clinical concentration track, Kara currently interns in the Ronald P. Stanton Clinical Cancer Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. As an intern in the outpatient infusion clinic, Kara works closely with patients and their families to provide counseling, emotional and adjustment support, end-of-life resources, and referrals to concrete services, such as home care and physical therapy. Kara works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Kara attended the University of Southern California and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelors in Social Sciences Psychology. She moved to New York City to be close to her father, Marc, who was diagnosed with MSA-C in June 2015. Kara is one of her father’s primary caretakers and has significant knowledge about the complexities of this unfortunate disease. On a day-to-day basis, she experiences first hand the challenges and difficulties that come with MSA and hopes to make an impact for others affected by Multiple System Atrophy.  

In her personal and professional life, Kara is described as passionate, curious, dedicated, and impactful.