Welcome New Physicians – October 2025
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers 800+ physicians who provide a wide range of care and treatments at our nine hospitals and locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. We are pleased to welcome the following physicians who recently joined our medical staff.
Patrick Allison, MD, FRCSC
DuBois
Orthopedic trauma surgeon, Patrick Allison, MD, FRCSC, joins the team at Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma, located at 123 Hospital Avenue in DuBois. Dr. Allison is an orthopedic trauma surgeon focusing on acute traumatic injuries of the bones, joints and soft tissues of the entire body. With a decade of experience, he works to restore the anatomic alignment of the affected body part to allow proper bone healing, recovery and return to maximum functional capacity as early as possible.
Prior to joining Penn Highlands, Dr. Allison practiced at Health Sciences North, Sudbury, located in Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Allison graduated from the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Allison completed his fellowship in complex trauma and lower extremity reconstruction at the University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Campus in Toronto, Canada.
Dr. Allison is a fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada, Ontario Medical Association, Canadian Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Canadian Orthopedic Association, Ontario Orthopedic Association, and AO Orthopedic Teaching Foundation.
Kenneth L. Cherry, MD
State College
Double board-certified orthopedic surgeon Kenneth L. Cherry, MD, joins the team at Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, located at 239 Colonnade Boulevard, in State College.
Dr. Cherry specializes in arthritis of the hip and knee and adult reconstruction or total hip and knee replacement. His primary focus is on minimally invasive surgical techniques and pain management strategies.
Prior to joining Penn Highlands, Dr. Cherry practiced at University Orthopedics Center.
Dr. Cherry is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia. He also completed his residency in orthopedics at Jefferson Medical College.
He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery; and a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
Evan DeFalco, DO
Monongahela
Family medicine physician Evan DeFalco, DO, joins the team at Penn Highlands Family Medicine, located at 447 West Main Street in Monongahela. Dr. DeFalco offers preventive care, early detection of health issues and chronic condition management. He provides patient-centered care, which means that he prioritizes the needs and preferences of his patients.
Dr. DeFalco is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in family medicine at Penn Highlands Healthcare, in DuBois.
He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association.
Kaitlyn Krug, DPM
DuBois, St. Marys
Podiatrist and foot ankle surgeon Kaitlyn Krug, DPM, joins the teams at Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, located at 123 Hospital Avenue, First Floor, in DuBois; and 761 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 310, in St. Marys.
Dr. Krug specializes in forefoot and rearfoot constructive surgery. She is also highly skilled in sports medicine, diabetic limb salvage, wound care and complex reconstructive procedures.
Dr. Krug is a graduate of Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, in Independence, OH. She completed her surgical residency at Tower Health System Reading Hospital, in West Reading, PA.
She is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Joshua Lowery, MD, M Ed
DuBois
Psychiatrist Joshua Lowery, MD, M.Ed., joins the team at the Behavioral Health Outpatient Center, located at 635 Maple Avenue, in DuBois. Dr. Lowery provides comprehensive mental health services to patients experiencing behavioral health challenges. He sees adult patients in an outpatient setting.
Dr. Lowery is a graduate of Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, in Hershey. He also received his Masters in Adult Education from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. Dr. Lowery completed his residency in psychiatry at Penn Highlands Healthcare, in DuBois.
He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians; American Medical Association; American College of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine; and American Osteopathic Association.
Michael A. Motto, MD
DuBois
Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Michael A. Motto, MD, joins the teams at Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma, located at 123 Hospital Avenue, in DuBois.
Dr. Motto is highly skilled at performing surgery for a wide range of orthopedic issues. He creates customized treatment plans for each of his patients with the goal of reducing pain and restoring function.
Dr. Motto is a graduate of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Allegheny Health Network, in Pittsburgh. He completed a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma surgery at Sonoran Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons, in Scottsdale, AZ.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society; AO Trauma North America; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Gold Humanism Honor Society; and Pennsylvania Physician Shortage Area Program.
Kristin Shute, DO
DuBois
Diagnostic radiologist Kristin Shute, DO, joins the team at Penn Highlands DuBois, located at 100 Hospital Avenue in DuBois.
Dr. Shute uses state-of-the-art digital imaging equipment to screen for and diagnose a wide range of conditions. Dr Shute is fellowship-trained in musculoskeletal radiology, which offers an array of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to get patients back to normal activities sooner and with fewer complications.
Dr. Shute is a graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie. She completed both her residency in radiology and fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey.
Sophia Smithbauer, DO
St. Marys
Family medicine physician Sophia Smithbauer, DO, joins the team at Penn Highlands Family Medicine, located at 1100 Million Dollar Highway, 3rd Floor, in St. Marys.
Dr. Smithbauer provides experienced care to patients of all ages. She is committed to caring for the whole person, focusing on the development of lasting personal relationships with patients to deliver the most comprehensive care possible.
Dr. Smithbauer is a graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Erie. She completed her residency in family medicine at Penn State Health at Mount Nittany Medical Center, in State College.
Benjamin C. Weimer, DO
DuBois
Orthopedic surgeon Benjamin C. Weimer, DO, joins the teams at Penn Highlands Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, located at 145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 311, in DuBois; and Penn Highlands Orthopedic Trauma, located at 123 Hospital Avenue, in DuBois.
Dr. Weimer provides comprehensive surgical care for orthopedic conditions. Dr. Weimer is a fellowship-trained specialist in pediatric orthopedics, which means he has attained the highest level of education and training in caring for children with bone, muscle or joint issues.
Dr. Weimer is a graduate of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Auburn, AL. He completed his residency in orthopedics at The Orthopaedic Residency of York, WellSpan York Hospital, in York, PA. He also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, in Cincinnati, OH.
He is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians; American Osteopathic Association; and American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Amy Mae Wright, DO
DuBois, Fairmount City
Board-certified family physician Amy Mae Wright, DO, joins the teams at Penn Highlands Pediatrics, located at 123 Hospital Avenue, 2nd Floor, in DuBois; and New Bethlehem Rural Health Center, located at 1323 Brookville Street, Suite 30, in Fairmount City.
Dr. Wright is a fellowship-trained specialist, having achieved the highest level of education and training in her field. With nearly a decade of healthcare experience, Dr. Wright is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Dr. Wright is a graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, in Greensburg, PA. She completed her residency in family medicine at Washington Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, in Washington, PA. She also completed a fellowship in adolescent medicine at University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, in Rochester, NY.
She is a member of the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine; American Osteopathic Association; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Academy of Family Physicians; and American Medical Association.
Jessie W. Zhang, MD
DuBois
Psychiatrist Jessie W. Zhang, MD, joins the team at the Behavioral Health Outpatient Center, located at 635 Maple Avenue, in DuBois. Dr. Zhang provides comprehensive mental health services to patients experiencing behavioral health challenges. She sees adult patients in an outpatient setting.
Dr. Zhang is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in Pittsburgh. She completed a residency in psychiatry at Penn Highlands Healthcare, in DuBois, and residencies in neurology and pediatrics at Stony Brook University Hospital, in Stony Brook, NY.
She is a member of the American Medical Association; American Academy of Neurology; and American Epilepsy Society.
