Beth Tacca, RN, BSN, ANP-BC
Nurse Practitioner

I am a certified Adult Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience providing care for patients with multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. I completed my BSN with Honors at the University at Buffalo and furthered my education with a Master’s of Science, Adult Nurse Practitioner. Many patients of the Jacobs MS Center for Treatment and Research have expressed appreciation for my skills and devotion to educating them on their complex disease and disease modifying therapies. I utilize a comprehensive approach to managing symptoms such as spasticity, pain and fatigue through both holistic as well as medication therapies.

Maggie Ziebold, NP
Nurse Practitioner; Administrative Chief for Vascular Neurology; Clinical Assistant Professor

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner with an expertise in stroke prevention and poststroke management. I started my career as a Registered Nurse working in a wide variety of Emergency Departments throughout Western New York for a period of 12 years. I then obtained my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Suny Brockport in 2013 and my Master’s of Science in Nursing from D'Youville College in 2016.

Within my first role as a Nurse Practitoner with Great Lakes Cardiovascular, I helped establish, develop, and coordinate the Atrial Fibrillation Center which gained national attention for novel pathway development and the gold standard for patient care. Within this role I lead the development and implantation of a nationally recognized cryptogenic stroke pathway which enhanced collaboration between electrophysiology and neurology providing seamless multi-disciplinary care for stroke patients.

In 2021, I transitioned to the field of Neurology and have been honored to be a part of UBMD Vascular Neurology Stroke Team where I am trained in acute, sub-acute, and chronic management of the stroke population. My role includes expedition of patient care transitions to outpatient care from the hospital for post-stroke care and participation in national research studies as part of Stroke Research Program and StrokeNet. 

As Administrative Chief of Vascular Neurology, one of my primary goals is to enhance the stroke system of care by fostering close collaboration between acute hospital care, post-stroke care, and community outreach. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure seamless care transitions and improve outcomes for stroke patients throughout the continuum of care.

In April 2024, I was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor allowing me the opportunity to both mentor and teach Nurse Practitioner students aspiring to become the next generation of Advanced Practice Providers. 

Specialties: Cerebrovascular (Stroke), Stroke Risk Factor Modification

Patients Treated: Adults, Senior/Elderly

APP Gender: Female

Rachel Shepherd, MA, AGPCNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner

I am a board-certified Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, who specializes in Movement Disorders. Along with managing patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and Huntington’s disease, I also have expertise in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) programming and management.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (University at Buffalo, 2004), a Master of Arts in Psychology (Long Island University, 2007), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (University at Buffalo, 2014) and a Master of Science in Nursing (Daemen University, 2022).

In 2017, I joined UBMD Neurology as a registered nurse and have been proud to be part of the Movement Disorders division. From the beginning, I was able to gain priceless knowledge about managing various movement disorders. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to become trained in the process of implanting and programming of deep brain stimulators, which is a skill that not many nurses in the WNY region are able to do. In 2022, I obtained my Nurse Practitioner licensure and ANCC board certification, so that I could personally deliver more comprehensive care with a wider scope of practice to individuals who are living with a movement disorder. Additionally, I am involved in the coordination and delivery of patient education events regarding DBS and other therapies for movement disorders and take a lead role in the coordination and collaboration between our movement disorders team and our functional neurosurgery colleagues. Aside from this, I have several years’ experience working in clinical research and continue to take an active role in carrying out various clinical trials with our movement team.

In June 2024, due to my clinical and research background, I was appointed the distinction of Clinical Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo. This distinction has given me the ability to provide formal education and mentorship to those who are on the path to becoming nurse practitioners.

I have been truly fortunate to find a specialty that has greatly impacted me, inspired my career, and has allowed me to expand my knowledge of various movement disorders. I am given the opportunity to attend globally recognized conferences for the purposes of continuing education and become trained in state-of-the-art technology with Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy and its advancements. Most importantly, through my work, I have met so many wonderful patients and families and strive to provide the highest quality care to each and every person I have the opportunity to treat.

Specialties: Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, Dystonia, Huntington’s Disease, Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy

Patient Population: Adults, Senior/Elderly

APP Gender: Female