Ngosa Pepala, MA

Education:   Medical School: Adler University, Chicago, IL (Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology, with emphases in Primary Care and Substance Use)

Why did you choose Conemaugh? I chose Conemaugh because I felt a strong alignment with the program’s emphasis on integrated behavioral health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered care within a regional hospital and Level I trauma center. My training and healthcare experiences have strengthened my interest in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan, especially in settings where medical, psychological, and social needs overlap. I felt that Conemaugh’s approach aligned well with the kind of clinician I am becoming, one who values collaborative care, flexibility, and using a therapeutic lens to support treatment success, positive patient experience, and meaningful health outcomes.

Professional Interests:  My clinical interests include health psychology, integrated primary care, behavioral medicine, and interdisciplinary care for medically complex patients across the lifespan. I am particularly interested in working with individuals experiencing chronic pain, complex trauma, and cognitive impairments, and in understanding how these concerns affect emotional functioning, daily life, treatment engagement, and overall health outcomes.

Personal Goals:  My goal is to continue expanding my knowledge and practice in health psychology while strengthening my skills in integrated primary care, behavioral medicine, assessment, brief intervention, and interdisciplinary consultation. I hope to grow into a psychologist who can work effectively within medical teams, provide evidence-based and patient-centered care, and support individuals across the lifespan, particularly those experiencing chronic pain, complex trauma, and cognitive impairments.

Interesting fact(s):  I have traveled to 19 countries, enjoy learning about different cultures and languages, and my dissertation focuses on maternal care and person-centered treatment experiences.