We are excited to formalize our commitment to engaging experts from a variety of specialties who help patients live their best lives by forming the Interdisciplinary Health Committee (IHC).
Through the work of the IHC, we will be expanding our programs and resources to bring more information about holistic health, exercise and physical therapy, mental health, nutrition and other integrative practices in the form of educational webinars, newsletters, and in-person events!
Meet our IHC team and be sure to reach out with any questions or comments regarding these exciting new tools for living your best life while coping with GBS, CIDP, MMN, or variant conditions.
Meet the Interdisciplinary Health Committee (IHC)
Eric Christian
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Nationally Certified Counselor
Eric Christian, is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor who has been working in the field since 1998. For the past 17 years he has specialized in Integrated Care, promoting the systemic spread of behavioral health integration into primary care settings to serve the behavioral health needs of larger populations of patients. He works as the Director of Behavioral Health Integration for Community Care of North Carolina, in which he promotes population level integration as well as provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to providers interested in integration. He has published articles and co-edited a textbook on integrated care. He has also worked as a contracted consultant, assisting sites as they move toward their goals for integration. Eric has participated in national and state level integration conferences in roles as a speaker, manager, and planner.
Maria Harris, PT, DPT
Advanced Clinician
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Malvern, PA
Maria Harris is an advanced clinician on the Stroke Unit at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, where she leads evidence-based care for complex neurological disorders— including Guillain-Barré Syndrome, CIDP, MS, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and spinal-cord injury. After earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University, Maria began her career in the Thomas Jefferson medical and surgical ICUs before transitioning to Bryn Mawr Rehab in 2012.
A certified practitioner in multiple advanced rehabilitation technologies (BalanceWear, Lokomat, Bioness Vector & FES systems), she integrates cutting- edge gait, balance, and neuromuscular re-education tools into daily patient care. Outside the clinic, Maria is an adjunct professor in Widener University’s DPT program, where she teaches neurological evaluation and facilitation techniques, and she guest-lectures on orthotics at Thomas Jefferson University. Maria is an engaged member of the American Physical Therapy Association at both state and national levels, active in the APTA Neurology Section, and remains committed to mentorship and professional advocacy within the neurorehabilitation community.
Sterling Painton
Sterling Yoga
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In 2002, Sterling Painton opened Sterling Yoga and Wellness Center, LLC. Her mission is to create a yoga community that nourishes the growth of our body, mind and spirit. The studio has a strong focus on therapeutics and alignment honoring the Iyengar tradition. Sterling has completed several intensives and week-long Teacher Trainings with Senior Iyengar teacher Manouso Manos whom she currently studies.
Over the past several years, Sterling has become a Relax & Renew Certified Teacher, Certified in Experiential Yoga Anatomy and various workshop CEC hours with Judith Lasater, Cora Wen and Doug Keller. She also completed a yearlong, deep study in the Iyengar tradition with Sara AzariusEichmiller. For several decades, Sterling has been an advocate of older adult fitness teaching Senior Chair Yoga and group exercise with a specialty in People who are dealing with Parkinson Disease since 2003.
In 2001, Sterling received her 200 hour Teacher Training with the Himalayan Institute of Honesdale, PA and currently holds her 500 hour Teacher Training with Cora Wen’s Yoga Bloom Certification Program.
Sandra Bermudez
Psychologist and Corporate
Wellness Coach
Passionate about guiding others toward a fuller, more joyful life, Sandra Bermudez provides the tools and strategies to help individuals manage emotions, train the mind, achieve work-life balance, and design meaningful life goals.
She creates personalized wellness programs that empower people to build sustainable, healthy lifestyles, while also designing and delivering corporate wellness workshops and developing both online and in-person courses that inspire lasting change.
Sandra’s impact continues to grow— transforming lives one goal at a time.
Chrissie Jenkins, LISW-CP
Director, Patient Advocacy
Palmetto Infusion
Chrissie Jenkins, LISW-CP, is a seasoned licensed clinical social worker with over 27 years of experience in Medical Social Work, specializing in Hospice Care for two decades. Currently serving as Director of Patient Advocacy at Palmetto Infusion for the past seven years, Chrissie passionately addresses psycho-social concerns and dismantles barriers to care for patients facing acute, chronic, terminal, and mental illnesses.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work (micro practice), Chrissie is dedicated to minimizing financial burdens in healthcare and enhancing health outcomes. She is also a distinguished speaker at events such as the Healthcare Advocate Summit and the GBS CIDP International Symposium, and she
contributes her expertise as a Co- Facilitator for the Uplift Encouragement Group 501c3. Recently elected to the Board of Directors for the GBS CIDP Foundation International, Chrissie is committed to improving the quality of life and mental well-being of patients navigating their healthcare journey.