Pamela is a respected professional, leader, and advocate who continuously strives to make a positive impact. Her empathy-driven approach informs her work as an educator, mentor, and community activist. Her commitment to helping others led her to serve as a volunteer for Burn Survivors of New England in 2018, where she worked diligently to raise awareness and provide assistance beyond the burn survivor
community. Recognizing her dedication and leadership skills, she was elected President of the organization in March 2023. Beyond her involvement with Burn Survivors of New England, Pamela has owned and operated Step By Step Inc. in Waltham, MA since 1996, where she serves as the Artistic Director. Step By Step Inc., is a dance studio that uses movement and the arts to empower individuals, promote self-expression, and facilitate healing. In 2022, Pamela completed her postgraduate education, earning a Master's degree as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor with a specialization in Dance Movement Therapy. Her commitment to professional excellence is reflected in her registration as a dance movement therapist in the state of Massachusetts. With her multifaceted expertise and profound understanding of the healing power of expression and movement, Pamela continues to make significant contributions in supporting individuals' well-being,
advocating for burn survivors and fostering a sense of community and transformation through her work. 

George Pessotti is the esteemed proprietor of Pessotti & Associates Retirement Planning and holds the title of Certified Long Term Care Specialist, with a distinguished place in the Insurmark Hall of Fame. Notably, he has served as the Past President of the Phoenix Society, an honor complemented by his receipt of the prestigious Breslau Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. This esteemed award is a testament to George's collaborative spirit, which has significantly enriched the Society's capacity to provide peer support, education, and advocacy for those affected by burn injuries, making a profound impact on the burn community at large. Apart from his professional pursuits, George is an avid golfer, finding joy in the pursuit of the sport. He cherishes a harmonious 41-year marriage with his beloved wife, Joanne, and takes immense pride in his role as a devoted parent to two children and a doting grandfather to five grandchildren. His dedication to community service is exemplified by his roles as a founding member and long-term Director and Past President of Burn Survivor of New England. George is also the accomplished author of the inspirational book "Reason for Living" and frequently serves as a keynote speaker at events dedicated to supporting burn survivors and their families. With his commitment to personal growth and compassionate service, George Pessotti remains a beacon of hope and resilience for those affected by burn injuries, exemplifying the values of integrity and empathy as a Soar Peer Support Certified member through the Phoenix Society.

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Kathryn Peck, a pioneering force in therapeutic massage and rehabilitation, boasts over two decades of transformative contributions in holistic wellness. With 24 years in private practice, she specializes in burn scar therapy, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and therapeutic massage, catering to diverse client needs. Beyond her practice, Kathryn's profound impact is evident through her work with Burn Survivors of New England, where she serves on the Board of Directors and leads the Massage and Burn Scar Therapy Foundation. Her mission is to ensure accessible transformative therapies for all burn survivors, irrespective of financial circumstances. As an educator, Kathryn has been instrumental in shaping the skills of massage therapists through various institutes. Her leadership roles include serving on the Board of the American Massage Therapy Association's Massachusetts Chapter, where her commitment earned her the prestigious Humanitarian Award in 2017. Prior to her influential career in massage therapy, Kathryn spent three decades as a certified athletic trainer, notably contributing to the Sports Medicine staff at Harvard University.

Michael Sheridan, MSA EA, serves as the Treasurer of Burn Survivors of New England, where he has dedicated his efforts for the past two years. Holding a Phoenix SOAR Peer Support certification, he actively facilitates connections among survivors and their loved ones, providing crucial support and understanding within the burn survivor community. Having experienced a life-altering event himself, Michael understands the challenges faced by burn survivors. At the age of 17, he was involved in a car accident that resulted in severe burns, leading to a two-month-long coma and an arduous six-month hospitalization. Despite these obstacles, Michael has demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination. With a profound passion for accounting, Michael pursued an academic path that led to a master's degree in the field, complemented by his enrollment as an agent. Driven by a continuous quest for excellence, he is currently striving toward obtaining his CPA license. Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael recently celebrated two major personal milestones: his marriage last year and the joyous arrival of his beautiful daughter, an additional source of inspiration and motivation in his life.

Dr. Kazis is a professor of Health, Law, Policy and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health. He was previously director of Functional Status for the Veterans Health Administration and principal investigator of the Veterans Health Study. Dr. Kazis has developed broadly used health outcomes surveys including the MOS SF-36 and the Veterans RAND 36 and 12 item health surveys (VR-36 and VR-12). In addition, he is the principal developer of the LIBRE Profile, a burn-specific instrument that measures social participation for burn survivors in the community, which he and Dr. Jeffery Schneider are using in a project.  Other projects include a collaboration with Dr. Joseph Giacino to develop a computer adaptive test to identify barriers to successful community integration and participation after traumatic brain injury (PCAT), and partnering with Dr. J. Andrew Taylor to use novel digital phenotyping data in spinal cord injury projects.

Laura Gosselin, an Occupational Therapist, has been an integral part of the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA, since 2017. Her areas of expertise lie in providing specialized care for patients recuperating from orthopedic trauma, amputation, and burn injuries. Notably, she serves as the primary clinical mentor for the burn program and contributes as a board member for the Burn Model Systems. In her capacity as the lead SOAR Coordinator for Spaulding's burn survivors, Laura facilitates invaluable peer support visits. Additionally, she orchestrates weekly telemedicine sessions connecting Spaulding patients with the esteemed MGH burn surgeons, thereby enhancing the efficiency of follow-up burn care procedures. Beyond her clinical commitments, Laura assumes an essential teaching role at the MGH Institute for Health Professionals, imparting her wealth of knowledge to aspiring healthcare professionals. Her dedication to the field is further exemplified by her active participation on the board of Burn Survivors of New England, commencing in December 2022. Moreover, she holds the esteemed position of co-chair for the BSONE Walk for Advocacy and Awareness planning committee. Laura resides in Portsmouth, NH, along with her supportive husband Nick, their adorable newborn son Griffin, and their lovable rescue pup, Pretzel.

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Dr. Jeffrey Schneider is medical director of Trauma and Burn Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network and associate professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. He serves as project director of the Boston Harvard Burn Injury Model System, a multi-institutional center grant focused on long-term outcomes in the burn population. His interests also include utilizing large data to explore rehabilitation outcomes.
John Schulz III, MD, PhD

Dr. John Schulz is an attending burn surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. He received an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Texas A&M University, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard University, and earned a medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Schulz completed his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. After residency he spent eight years as an attending surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston. He then moved to Connecticut where he served as medical director, the Connecticut Burn Center, associate chair, department of surgery and chief of burns/trauma/surgical critical care at Bridgeport Hospital. Before returning to Boston, Dr. Schulz served for a year as the director of trauma and surgical critical care and associate director of burns at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. He returned to Boston in 2015 as medical director, division of burns at Massachusetts General Hospital.Areas of special interest to Dr. Schulz include acute and reconstructive surgery of the burned patient and critical care of injured patients. Dr. Schulz is a member of the American Burn Association, the American Association of Surgery for Trauma, the New England Surgical Society, the Eastern Association for Surgery of Trauma, and the American College of Surgeons.

Board Member, Massachusettes General Hospital

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Dennis Costin, a seasoned veteran in the field of fire service, concluded his distinguished career as the District Fire Chief for Special Operations Hazmat/WMD at the renowned Boston Fire Department. With an impressive tenure of 41 years in the department, he has exemplified exceptional leadership and expertise in dealing with critical situations. In addition to his commendable professional achievements, Dennis has extended his knowledge and experience to the academic realm, serving as an esteemed faculty member, teaching Counter Terrorism at LSU. Furthermore, he actively contributes to the community in various capacities, serving as the President of the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation, where he passionately advocates for the welfare of burn survivors and their families. Additionally, he serves as a dedicated board member of Burn Survivors of New England, working towards enhancing safety and emergency response initiatives in the region. Dennis Costin's unwavering commitment to public service and his multifaceted contributions continue to make a lasting impact in the field of emergency response and community welfare. Dennis cherishes a fulfilling personal life. He is happily married and is a proud parent to four children, as well as a doting grandparent to four grandchildren.