Medical Advisory Board
Dr. George Small, Medical Advisory Board, Chair
Dr. George A. Small is the director of the Neuromuscular Division and the Electromyography Laboratory at Allegheny General Hospital, Drexel University School of Medicine. He is an assistant professor within the department and also heads the Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship. A resident of New York City, Dr. Small was recruited to his present position in Pittsburgh in 1993. He is a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, Alpha Omega Alpha, and the Neurological Institutes of New York for adult neurology residency. He completed a one-year fellowship in neuromuscular disease and electromyography at the Neurological Institute of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York before attaining his current position. A member of MGA's Board of Directors since spring 2001, Dr. Small looks forward to certifying the accuracy of informational materials available to patients and their families, as well as helping to coordinate patient, family, and professional discussions during the annual education meeting of the organization.
Jon Brillman, MD
Jon Brillman, M.D., has been chairman of the Department of Neurology at Allegheny General Hospital, West Penn Allegheny Health System since 1997.
Dr. Brillman grew up in Philadelphia, where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, he majored in English Literature and graduated with honors in 1963. Following his medical training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Brillman trained for two years in Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He then served in the United States Navy as a diving officer on the nuclear submarine, the USS George Bancroft. In 1975, Dr. Brillman completed his neurology residency at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. Since then, he has worked at Allegheny General Hospital.
In 1988, Dr. Brillman became a full professor of neurology, director of the comprehensive stroke services, and program director for the neurology residency program. When he became chairman in 1997, the position of program director of the residency program was forwarded to his associate, Dr. Thomas Scott. However, Dr. Brillman still remains very involved in the recruitment process of the neurology residents.
Dr. Brillman is renowned for his teaching skills and received the Golden Apple Award from the students at MCP/Hahnemann University. He is the author of numerous articles on a variety of subjects in neurology and has edited a book on neurocardiology. He serves on numerous editorial boards and is a reviewer for several journals.
James M. Rossetti, D.O.
James M. Rossetti, D.O., is associate director of the Cell Transplantation Program and director of the Apheresis Program at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.
Dr. Rossetti earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed an internship and internal medicine residency at St. Francis Medical Center of Pittsburgh. He completed fellowship training in hematology and medical oncology at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital and is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He is an assistant professor at the Temple University School of Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Rossetti is a recognized expert in hematological malignancy, with particular interest in myeloid malignancy, acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplasia, and cellular therapy. The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation recognizes Dr. Rossetti as a recommended specialist physician dedicated to treating disorders that inhibit healthy blood cell production. He is an accomplished clinical investigator with numerous publications in the scientific and lay literature and is a particularly sought after speaker.
Dr. Rossetti is also a leader of his institution's Virtual Hospice Program, which provides a unique complement of services for critically ill patients who cannot be moved to a traditional hospice. He serves as a member and consultant on the Western Pennsylvania Hospital's Ethics Committee.
In addition, Dr. Rossetti serves on the Advisory Board and Medical Advisory Committee of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Western Pennsylvania Chapter. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Osteopathic Medical Association, the Catholic Medical Association, the National Catholic Bioethics Center, the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Pennsylvania Society of Oncology and Hematology and the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation.
Dr. Rossetti and his wife live outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. with their four daughters.
Joseph G. Sabol, M.D.
Joseph G. Sabol, M.D., is medical director of the Inpatient Medical Unit at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital.
A graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, Dr. Sabol received his medical degree from the Temple University Medical School. He then completed his internship at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh and his residency at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System.
Dr. Sabol started his career as an associate at David M. Reed, M.D., then held various positions at Suburban General Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, McCauley Medical Associates and West Penn Comprehensive Health Care, PC.
A faculty member for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at West Penn Hospital, Dr. Sabol received the Teacher of the Year Award for 2005-2006.
Dr. Sabol has worked as a full-time hospitalist for the past 15 years. During this time, he has coordinated the care of many myasthenia gravis patients and served as their primary care doctor while they were staying in the hospital. Out-of-town physicians and family members appreciate receiving regular patient updates from Dr. Sabol.
Sandeep S. Rana, M.D.
Sandeep S. Rana is director of the ALS Center at Allegheny General Hospital.
A graduate of Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi University, New Delhi, India, Dr. Rana completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Methodist Hospital and a residency in Neurology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also completed a fellowship in EEG and Epilepsy and a fellowship in EMG and Neuromuscular Diseases – both at the University of Pittsburgh.
A prolific author, Dr. Rana has conducted a number of research studies. In addition, he serves as co-director of the Neurology Residency Program at Allegheny General and teaches medical students.
Dr. Rana has been treating neuromuscular disorders, including MG, for last 11 years. He has presented data on MG at many national and local meetings. For a number of years, he has also served as medical advisor for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.