Meet Our Team

Megen Simpson, M.Ed, LPC – Director

Megen Simpson joined The MetroHealth System in the spring of 2016. Simpson earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from The University of Mount Union and an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Akron.

She is currently an active Licensed Professional Counselor through the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage Family Therapist Board.

Vanessa P. Ho, MD, MPH – TRC Medical Director 

Dr. Vanessa Ho joined the MetroHealth system in January 2018 as an attending surgeon in the Department of Surgery Division of Trauma, Critical Care, Acute Care Surgery, and Burns. 

Dr. Ho earned her MD from Northwestern University in 2005 and her Masters in Public Health from Columbia University in 2010. Dr. Ho completed her General Surgery training in New York City at Weill Cornell Medical College and a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School in 2013.

Dr. Ho has a passion for supporting individuals who are affected by emergency surgical diseases and trauma.

Sarah E. Benuska, M.S., Ph.D. – Counseling Psychologist

Sarah E. Benuska (she/her) completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Family Medicine Integrated Health with The MetroHealth System in the spring 2017 and began a faculty appointment (CWRU affiliated) in Psychiatry and Family Medicine that fall.

Dr. Benuska earned a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2009, and (master’s and) doctoral degree(s) in Counseling Psychology through The University of Akron in May 2016. She has training and leadership roles in psychology, psychiatry, and integrated primary care.

Her formal connection with TRS began in the fall of 2021. Dr. Benuska’s interests include direct service provision, training, and program development of Trauma-informed Care, Trauma-focused Care, LGBTQ+ and Person-affirming Care as well as provider Compassion Satisfaction, Wellness, and Resiliency.

Shanell Harris, MSSA, LSW – Manager, Trauma Recovery Center

Shanell Harris joined the MetroHealth System in November of 2020.

Harris earned her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Ursuline College, as well as her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve Joseph, Jack, and Morton Mandel School of Social Science. 

Sarah Pawlaczyk, LSW – Lead Trauma Recovery Coach 

Sarah Pawlaczyk joined The MetroHealth System in November of 2020. Pawlaczyk has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Middle Childhood Education from John Carroll University as well as Masters in Applied Social Sciences from Case Western Reserve University.

She holds an active Social Worker license from the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Monica Lee, LSW – Trauma Recovery Coach

Monica Lee joined The MetroHealth System in the spring of 2016.

Lee earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree of Social Work from the University of Toledo.

She is currently an active Licensed Social Worker through the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board.

Marlon Leek, MSW – Trauma Recovery Coach

Marlon Leek joined The MetroHealth System in the spring of 2020.

Leek earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology as well as a Master’s in Social Work, both from Cleveland State University.

Toni Zingale, LSW – Trauma Recovery Coach

Toni Lea Zingale returned to The MetroHealth system in June of 2022. Zingale obtained an Associate of Applied Science at Cuyahoga Community which allowed her work as a Medical Team Assistant at MetroHealth from 2013 to 2017.

Zingale then earned a Bachelor and Master of Social Work Degree from Cleveland State University. She is currently an active Licensed Social Worker from the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Shannon Burgess, LSW – Mental Health Counselor

Shannon Burgess joined The MetroHealth System in the spring of 2024.

Burgess earned an Associates in Arts degree from Cuyahoga Community College in 2012. Burgess went on to receive her Bachelors in Social Work and Sociology from Cleveland State University and graduated with honors in 2014. Burgess was accepted into the Advance Standing Master’s Program of Social Work at Cleveland State University and graduated with Honors in 2015.

Stephanie DeLuca, MSHRM – Business Operations Advisor

Stephanie DeLuca joined The MetroHealth System in the spring of 2019.

DeLuca earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree’s in Criminology and Sociology as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University.

She also earned Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Franklin University.

Bethany Monteiro – Community Outreach Education Coach

Bethany Monteiro joined The MetroHealth System in the fall of 2023. Monteiro earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Neuroscience from Earlham College. Upon graduation, she joined the United States Peace Corps and served for 3.5 years in Nampula, Mozambique.

She has been working as a trauma-informed program facilitator and professional educator in Cleveland for the past 10 years, and she is currently an active mental health advocate and trauma-informed care consultant.

Traci Grasso – Peer Coordinator

Traci Grasso joined the MetroHealth team in July 2024. Traci earned a Liberal Arts Degree in Applied Social Science from Portland State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2004. She received the Laurel Scholarship through the PSU University Studies Peer Mentor Program.

Traci has been working in victim-centered, trauma-informed programming for over 10 years, and was recently recognized by the State of Ohio for her impact of service within the city of Cleveland and surrounding communities.

Keturah Thompson – Community Health Worker

Keturah Thompson joined The Metro Health System in the early part of 2023 after receiving her C-CHW from Cuyahoga Community College. She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, from Cleveland State University.

Keturah is bringing to an organization that is "doing the work" several years of community-based Mental Health Case Management and experience as a Resource Specialist advocating for DCFS involved families.