Catie Becker, NP | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Catherine (Catie) Becker is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Catie received her master’s degree in Pediatric Acute/Chronic Advanced Practice Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She has spent the last 15 years working in pediatric neurology at MGH as. Catie joined the MGH Leukodystrophy clinic in 2011. Since 2011 she has been fortunate to work with a multidisciplinary team of care providers treating both children and adults with leukodystrophy, while participating in multiple ongoing clinical trials. Catie looks forward to the Hunter’s Hope meeting every year where she leaves feeling even more inspired and determined to push care forward for every individual living with a leukodystrophy.

Joanne Kurtzberg, MD | Jerome Harris Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg is an internationally renowned expert in pediatric hematology/oncology, pediatric blood and marrow transplantation, umbilical cord blood banking and transplantation, and novel applications of cord blood and birthing tissues in the emerging fields of cellular therapies and regenerative medicine.   Dr. Kurtzberg serves as the Director of the Marcus Center for Cellular Cures (MC3), Director of the Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, Director of the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, and Co-Director of the Stem Cell Transplant Laboratory at Duke University.

Read more

Hannea Milliman, MS | Social Work and Dance

Hannea Milliman is a recent graduate of Nazareth University, where she earned her Master’s degree in Social Work after completing dual undergraduate degrees in Dance and Social Work. Her academic and professional path reflects her lifelong passion for movement and her deep commitment to supporting and empowering others.

Read more

Robert Thompson Stone, MD | Pediatric Neurologist

Dr. Robert Thompson Stone is a pediatric neurologist with special expertise in caring for children with immune conditions affecting the neurologic system and those with inherited disorders of white matter (leukodystrophy). He currently serves as Director of the Pediatric Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Program and Director of the UR Leukodystrophy Care Center.

Amy White, MS, CGC | Genetic Counselor

Amy White is a laboratory genetic counselor at Mayo Clinic Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, where she specializes in diagnostic testing of inborn errors of metabolism, communication with physicians and other clinicians, and scientific education and research activities. Ms. White completed her undergraduate degree at Lawrence University and obtained a master’s degree in medical Genetics-Genetic Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is board-certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and a licensed genetic counselor in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Read more

Sensory Sisters

Kristen Malfara, Deborah Hecker, Jennifer Fitzgerald

Kristen and Morgan Malfara are from Ocala, Florida. Morgan is now 27, and has Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS). Kristen is the founder of The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project and spent 22+ years serving the disability community with unique and innovative multi-sensory programs and providing small grants to families.

Read more

Kristen Malfara - Sensory Sister

Kristen Malfara is the proud mother of Morgan, who in 1997 was born with a rare neuromuscular disorder classified as a Leukodystrophy. She is also the Founder of The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project which was established in 2001. Morgan is the inspiration and namesake of this organization. In 2023, Kristen made the bittersweet decision to dissolve the organization. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project established an endowment with Hunter’s Hope so that Morgan’s legacy can live on and continue to provide hope and support to the rare disease and disabled community nationwide. Morgan is now 26 years old. In addition to Morgan, Kristen is the proud parent of two other sons, Jordan and B.J.

Read more

Learn more about the Morgan's Legacy Gift Endowment here

Jennifer Yacavone Fitzgerald, MOT, LMT - Sensory Sister

President/Owner Yacavone Home Therapy
I grew up in Homer, NY, a small town just 30 min south of Syracuse. Since the age of 3, I knew I wanted to work with people in the health care field. I ended up becoming an OT, since I wanted 1:1 patient care as well as a holistic approach to meet the child and family’s needs. I received a BS degree in Rehabilitation Services (concentration in medical therapeutic), a license in massage therapy, and a masters degree in Occupational Therapy. Over the past 23 years I have specialized and found a niche in pediatric therapy with specialties in neuro, sensory processing, feeding/oral motor therapy, aquatic therapy. I have also been a licensed massage therapist of 28 years, certified in Sports, pregnancy/labor/postpartum, and myofascial massage.