Pediatric Orthopaedic Experts

Chief of Staff

John D. Lubahn, M.D., was named chief of staff in July 2009, after serving as interim chief of staff since Dec. 2007. He has been a member of the Erie hospital's medical staff since 1981. In addition, Dr. Lubahn has been on staff at Hamot Medical Center in Erie since 1981, and has been affiliated with Hand, Microsurgery and Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Erie since 1987. Dr. Lubahn received his M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University. He completed his general surgery and orthopaedic residencies at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, and completed his fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Louisville Medical School. Dr. Lubahn currently serves as Director of Medical Education, Director of the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Director of the Orthopaedic Residency Program and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, all at Hamot Medical Center in Erie.

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

William F. Schrantz, M.D.,  joined the hospital’s medical staff in January 2008. He was in private practice in Clarion, PA, before joining the medical staff at the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital in 2007.  He is a graduate of Siena College and the Medical College of Virginia and completed his orthopaedic residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He completed his pediatric orthopaedic fellowship at A.I. Dupont Institute and his spine fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University.  In addition to spending 20 years as a medical officer, flight surgeon and orthopaedic surgeon in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Schrantz served as director of pediatric orthopaedics at Betheda Naval Hospital, where he was named Physician of the Year in 1998.  He also was a clinical assistant professor at the Military Medical School at Bethesda.

Pediatrician

Kerry K. Armet, M.D., joined the medical staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Erie in 2007 as a pediatric hospitalist. Dr. Armet received her M.D. degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Albany Medical College. She completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she served as chief resident and assistant program director of the pediatrics residency program. Prior to joining the Shriners Hospital medical staff, Dr. Armet was a pediatric hospitalist at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, N.Y., as well as a general pediatrician in private practice in Atlanta.

Certified Physician Assistant

Marcie L. Fitzgerald, MPAS, PA-C, a certified physician assistant, is a Cum Laude graduate of the Physician Assistant program at Gannon University. She holds a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska. Prior to joining the Shriners Hospital staff, Fitzgerald was an instructor in the Physician Assistant Program at Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pa. She has also worked as a physician assistant at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, W.Va., and Sewickley Valley Hospital in Sewickley, Pa.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner

Mary Jane Smalley, MSN, CRNP, a certified registered nurse practitioner, earned her BSN degree from Penn State University, Shenango Campus, and her MSN degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program.  She is licensed as a certified registered nurse practitioner in pediatric primary care, and is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board in primary care.  Smalley has been with the Erie Shriners Hospital since 1995, working first as a staff nurse on the inpatient care unit, then as a nurse care coordinator.