Linda Costello
Department Director
"The people I work with are the BEST at what they do and they always respect and support each other. My role is to remove any obstacles that keep the staff from delivering either the best care possible or a top notch educational program."
Linda provides administrative and program oversight for the Center including financial and human resources management, program planning, grant administration, and physician practice management. She loves working with people who are smart, dedicated, hardworking, and supportive, and she enjoys the variety of responsibilities her position offers.
She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Hartford, and her MBA from The Hartford Graduate Center which is affiliated with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Her tenure at Fullerton Genetics Center spans 11 years. During that time, the Center has grown substantially, from the volume of patients seen and lab tests done to the number educational programs offered throughout WNC to healthcare providers and the general public. Prior to coming to Fullerton Genetics Center, Linda was the Administrative Director for the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Department of OB/GYN.
In her free time, Linda enjoys reading, basket making and hiking.
Bill Allen, MD
Clinical Geneticist
Dr. Allen provides patient care in hospital, office, and satellite clinics across western North Carolina. He also teaches medical genetics to first year medical students at East Tennessee State University Medical School. He made his career decision early after thoroughly enjoying genetics and embryology courses in medical school.
He earned his BS from University of South Carolina, and his MD from Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Allen also completed a pediatric residency in Columbia, SC and a fellowship in genetics at the Greenwood Genetic Center in SC.
Dr. Allen has been with Fullerton for more than a decade. Prior to his tenure at Fullerton, he was a clinical geneticist at the Greenwood Genetic Center in SC. Special interests include dysmorphology, developmental delays, autism, and birth defects.
He serves his community through Mission Manna and its outreach work in Haiti. He is married with four children all grown up and "flown the coop" except for one. So, he says he is still going to soccer games.
Ellen Boyd, MD
Clinical Geneticist
As a physician, Dr. Boyd provides patient care, works with the lab, and conducts clinical research. Her desire to spend more time with children who have special needs led her to go back to school and train as a geneticist.
She earned her BS from University of South Carolina, her MD from Medical University of South Carolina, and she completed a pediatric residency at Ohio State University. To prepare for her genetics career, she completed a fellowship in clinical genetics at Greenwood Genetic Center in SC. She is a member of the American College of Medical Genetics and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
She has been an integral part of the Fullerton Genetics team for more than a decade. Prior to that position, she enjoyed working as a pediatrician for 12 years in Asheville, NC.
Her special interests include dysmorphology, enzyme infusion therapy, and working with genetic counselors who provide counseling for hereditary cancer and prenatal genetic issues. In her spare time, she is an enthusiastic hiker.
Kerry Crandall, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor II
Kerry explains genetics and how it applies to pediatric, prenatal, adult, and cancer patients. She coordinates clinical research trials for specific disorders, and works with the maternal serum screening program to identify pregnancies at higher risk. Helping patients and families understand genetic conditions and making life easier for them keeps her motivated and enthusiastic.
Kerry works with both Dr. Allen and Dr. Boyd in working with patients and families. Her work involves explaining genetics and how it applies to pediatric, prenatal, adult and cancer patients. Kerry coordinates clinical research trials involving enzyme replacement therapy and registries for rare disorders.
She graduated from Findlay College with a BA in pre-veterinary medicine, and earned her MS in genetic counseling from the University of South Carolina. Her special interests include lyosomal storage disorders and hereditary cancer.
Employed by Mission for more than 15 years, she previously worked five years as a regional public health genetic counselor role covering the 30 western counties for the State of North Carolina.
Kerry enjoys hiking and reading when she's not counseling patients.
Shearon F. Roberts, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
Shearon works with pediatric, prenatal, and adult patients as a genetic counselor. Her responsibilities include gathering histories, coordinating patient testing, referrals, and exams as needed, and providing families with clear information, discussion, and support system referrals. She also assists with the NC Pregnancy Exposure Riskline, gives educational talks and updates, and supervises interns at the Center.
She's witnessed almost unbelievable progress in the genetics field and is honored to share that excitement and knowledge.
She earned her BS in Biology from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC and her MS in Medical Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. She is a certified genetic counselor by both the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Prior to her tenure at Fullerton (more than a decade now), she worked for the Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology at LabCorp, and at the University of Florida/Shands Hospital and Clinics in pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology.
Shearon is afflicted with the travel bug, and also takes advantage of the WNC mountains to bicycle and hike. She gives back by her involvement with local and international advocacy issues. She and her partner are owned by three cats.
Carolyn Wilson-Brackett, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
Carolyn works with pediatric, prenatal, adult, and cancer patients as a genetic counselor. Her responsibilities include gathering histories, coordinating patient testing, referrals, and exams as needed, and providing families with clear information, discussion, and support system referrals. She also works with the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic, the NC Pregnancy Exposure Riskline, gives educational talks and updates, and supervises interns at the Center. Working with wonderful families and colleagues, and being in a field that is on the cutting edge of medical science gives her great satisfaction.
Carolyn earned her BS in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California at San Diego. She completed her MS in Genetic Counseling from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
She is a certified genetic counselor through the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Carolyn stared working at Fullerton in a temporary position after graduation from her genetic counseling program; she says she was lucky that the job became permanent. She counsels many different patients, is a FASD clinic counselor, and the lead counselor at the Pregnancy Riskline.
Carolyn is married and has a four-legged dog daughter. When she's not counseling patients, she loves traveling, shopping, and hiking.
Camila Shanahan, BS, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
Camila works with pediatric, prenatal, adult, and cancer patients as a genetic counselor. Her responsibilities include gathering histories, coordinating patient testing, referrals, and exams as needed, and providing families with clear information, discussion, and support system referrals. She also works with the NC Pregnancy Exposure Riskline, gives educational talks and updates, and supervises interns at the Center. She relishes helping families navigate the complicated but fascinating world of genetics.
She graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a BS in Biology and minor in Psychology. At The University of Cincinnati, she earned her MS in Medical Genetics/Genetic Counseling.
Camila has worked at the Fullerton Genetics Center since 2007.
She is married and enjoys volleyball, knitting, and reading. A native of Brazil, she also loves watching soccer.
Sally Bennett, MSW, LCSW
FASD Diagnostic Clinic Coordinator
Sally coordinates the interdisciplinary Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Diagnostic Clinic, and provides follow up education and counseling to caregivers of kids who have an FASD. She also provides education and technical assistance to schools that teach children assessed through the clinic, and facilitates caregiver support groups. She believes that FASD is often the missing piece overlooked in mental health services for children.
She earned her BA from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double major in Women's Studies and Sociology. She earned her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from UNC-Chapel Hill. Sally is a Provisionally Licensed Clinical Social Worker (PLCSW).
Before taking this position in 2006, Sally was an early intervention service coordinator for the Children's Developmental Services of Buncombe County. Prior to that position, she was a Family Support Specialist at Smoky Mountain Mental Health, serving families in Cherokee, Swain, and Graham counties. As a Family Support Specialist, she provided support for families with children displaying delays in their social emotional development.
Being outdoors is a delight for Sally; she loves bike riding and hiking. She also ran her first marathon in 2009 and hopes to run another one soon.
