At Pediatric Care Specialists, our team of child-focused doctors, nurses and support staff have a common goal in mind - to make sure your child receives the health care they need and deserve. We provide family-friendly service at three convenient locations. And our extended weekday, weekend and holiday hours mean we always have time for your child.
All of our physicians are board-certified in pediatrics, the "gold standard" when it comes to determining if doctors have the knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality care in their specialty.
Andrew Garbarino, MD
Dr. Garbarino is board-certified in pediatrics and has been caring for children in the greater Johnstown/Somerset area for more than 20 years. He is a graduate of St. George's University Medical School and completed his residency at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio. Dr. Garbarino has a special interest in treating children with asthma.
Regina Kupchella, MD
Dr. Kupchella graduated from Georgetown University Medical School and completed her residency at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. She is board-certified in pediatrics, and has a special interest in strengthening the physical and emotional health of adolescents. She moderates several workshops for area families, including Mother/Daughter classes and other parenting seminars.
Venkata Dharbhamulla, MD
Dr. Dharbhamulla graduated from Maulana Azad Medical College, India. After completing his post-doctoral degree in Pediatrics, he received residency training in England. Subsequently he moved to the U.S. and did his Pediatric Residency at the North Shore University Hospital, New York. He is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is the Chairman and Head of Pediatrics at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, PA. He has a special interest in bringing the latest in medicine and technology to the children.
Cynthia Pioli, CRNP, CS
Ms. Pioli gained several years of pediatric nursing experience at Memorial Medical Center and later earned a master degree in Nursing Administration. She earned her Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) degree in 1997 from Carlow College, with a special concentration in Family Home Health. She is also nationally certified in Family Nursing. She has worked with the physicians of Pediatric Care Specialists as a CRNP for more than 10 years.
Jessica Musche, CRNP
Ms. Musche received her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Ohio State University in 2003, earning national certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) shortly thereafter. Prior to joining PCS in 2003 as a CRNP, PNP, she served as a registered nurse at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Bethany Homyak, BSHS, MPAS, PA-C
Ms. Homyak, a native of Johnstown, graduated from St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania in 2005. She earned a minor in Biology, a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science and a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Sciences. Ms. Homyak is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She has been a member of the PCS team since 2005.
Samantha Shaffer, BSHS, MPAS, PA-C
Ms. Shaffer earned her Master of Physician Assistant Sciences from St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania and has been awarded national certification. Her clinical experience includes time spent in the surgical, behavioral medicine, emergency medicine and family practice fields. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and certified in advanced and basic cardiac life support.
Edward Pawlowski, MD
Dr. Edward J. Pawlowski joined PCS in 2008 after completing his residency at West Virginia University where he also served as Chief Resident. He graduated from medical school at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland in 2002, regarded as the third oldest university in Europe, where both Copernicus and Pope John Paul II studied. He brings with him a special interest in promoting breastfeeding for infants for healthier lifestyles.
Jill Shingle Blescia, MD
Dr. Blescia graduated from Thomas Jefferson Medical School and completed her residency at the Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. She is board-certified in pediatrics. Dr. Blescia is a native of Ebensburg and the mother of two small children.