​​Certified Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Technician

Only trained state and federal officials, certified veterinarians or PA Department of Agriculture Certified Chronic Wasting Disease Technicians may collect samples for CWD testing.  If no one is available to collect, the head may be taken to one of the PA laboratories (Penn State, PA Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, or New Bolton Center, a fee may be charged for this process).  Note: If a cervid is behaving abnormally, it may have rabies or another dangerous transmissible disease and should only be collected by a veterinarian or regulatory official.

Anyone interested in learning how to collect, properly handle and submit CWD specimens to the laboratory may contact any PA Department of Agriculture Regional Office for more information and opportunities for training.  No application or fee is necessary.

Note: CWD Technicians should handle only specimens from normal, healthy cervids.  For cervids showing signs suspicious of CWD, always contact a veterinarian or animal health official.

• Region 1 - Northwest
  Dr. Heather Palm, 13410 Dunham Rd.Meadville, PA  16335 - (814) 332-6890
  
  
• Region 2 - Northcentral
  Dr. Amy Nesselrodt, 542 County Farm Rd, Montoursville PA  17754 - (570) 433-2640
  

• Region 3 - Northeast
  Dr. Tony LaBarbera, Rt. 92. S., Tunkhannock, PA  18657 - (570) 836-2181
  

• Region 4 - Southwest
  Dr. Erin Moore, 226 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA  15601 - (724) 832-1073
  
  
• Region 5 - Southwest Central
  Dr. Elizabeth Santini, 403 E. Christiana Street, Martinsburg Commons, Martinsburg, PA  16662 - (814) 793-1849
  

• Region 6 - Southcentral
  Dr. John Roberts, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA  17110 - (717) 772-2852
  
  
• Region 7 - Southeast
  Dr. Aliza Simeone, 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, PA  19426 - (610) 489-1003