Douglas Scharre, MD

Interim Chair, Department of Neurology; Director, Division of Cognitive Neurology, Medical Director, Neurobehavior and Memory Disorders Clinics

Douglas Scharre, MD, is the interim chair of the Department of Neurology and the director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders. Dr. Scharre conducts clinical research in dementia and mild cognitive impairment: clinical drug trials using cognitive enhancers and behavioral therapies; functional neuroimaging studies using PET, SPECT and MRI; and screening for mild cognitive impairment and early dementia diagnosis. Dr. Scharre created the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE).

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Miriam Freimer, MD

Director, EMG Laboratory; Co-director, Myasthenia Gravis Clinic

I am an associate professor in the Department of Neurology. My research is focused on neuromuscular diseases including myasthenia gravis (MG), chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP), dermatomyositis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), iodiopathic painful neuropathies and hereditary neuropathies.

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Sandra Kostyk, MD, PhD

Director, Division of Movement Disorders

I am a professor in the Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology. My clinical interests are movement disorders and spinal cord injury. My research interests include neurodegenerative disease processes — neuroregeneration, neurorecovery, neuroadaptation and neuroprotection.

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Douglas Scharre, MD

Director, Division of Cognitive and Memory Disorders

I am a professor of the Departments of clinical neurology and psychiatry. I specialize in cognitive assessment, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and behavioral disturbances in dementia.

Michel Torbey, MD, MPH, FNCS, FCCM, FAHA, FANA

Director, Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases & Neurocritical Care

As medical director of the Neurovascular Stroke Center, I specialize in stroke, acute neurological emergencies, intracerebral hemorrhage, and TBI.

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William Bell, MD

Director, Division of Epilepsy

As medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, I specialize in epilepsy, neurophysiology and sleep medicine.

Christine Bogda, CNP

Nurse Practitioner

Family nurse practitioner Christine Bogda, CNP, specializes in MS diagnosis, management and treatment. She has both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in nursing. She also has experience caring for critically ill neurology and neurosurgical patients.

Mark Constable, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC

Certified Nurse Practitioner

As a CNP, I focus on diagnosing and treating patients with neurologic diseases requiring neurological surgery. I provide leadership on a multidisciplinary team to help drive quality outcomes and continuity of care. I'm involved in every aspect of care including inpatient and outpatient, pre- and post-operative follow-up and consultation. I completed my BSN at the University of Akron and my MS in Nursing at Duke University.

Marissa DeJesus, MS, RN, FNP-BC

Certified Nurse Practitioner

I received both my BSN and MS in Community Health Nursing from Ohio State. I later completed my Family Nurse Practitioner certification in 2005 from Ohio State. I joined the Department of Neurological Surgery in 2008. My clinical interests include recovery and transitions in care of stroke and neurosurgical patients. I currently facilitate the Aneurysm and AVM support group. I am on the executive board of the Philippine Nurses Association of Central Ohio.

Nicole Elking, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

In 2008, I began working at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical center as a staff nurse in the Neuroscience/Trauma Progressive Care Unit. In 2013, I transitioned to the Neurocritical Care Unit while attending The Ohio State University for my Masters in Science in Nursing. In 2015, I joined the Neurocritical Care team as a board certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. My interests include neuroscience and management of the critically ill.

Jennifer Fisher

Neurocritical Care Nurse Practitioner

I completed my BSN, magna cum laude with research distinction in nursing, from Ohio State. I went on to receive my master's in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Ohio State. In 2009, I joined The OSU Wexner Medical Center as a registered nurse in the medical intensive care unit. After working in the University Hospital operating room, I joined the Neurocritical Care Unit, where I work as a certified nurse practitioner. I am a member of the Neurocritical Care Society and certified in the NIH Stroke Scale.

Noah Grose, RN, CNP, ACNP

Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases & Neurocritical Care

I received my BSN at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. Following graduation, I worked as an intensive care nurse at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and received my Master of Science degree in Nursing and Acute Care Nursing Practice. I have been a member of the Stroke and Neurocritical Care team since 2011. My clinical interests include acute management of hemorrhagic strokes, hydrocephalus, acute hypertensive management and neurocritical care.

Renee Kovesci, MS, CNP

Nurse Practitioner

I graduated from Ohio State in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I have held nursing positions at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. I graduated from Ohio State in 2009 with a Master of Science, and became certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. My clinical interests include the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia.

Thomas Lawson, MS, RN, ACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed my BS in Nursing at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH and my MS degree: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Wright State University in Dayton. I joined OSU Wexner Medical Center in 2006 and have been a NP in the Neurocritical Care Unit since 2011. My clinical interests include the critical care management of patients with neurologic diseases. I conduct research to improve the quality and safety in neurocritical care, currently studying emergency vascular access.

Lucretia Long, MS, RN, CNP

Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology; Epilepsy Nurse Practitioner

I received my BSN, MS and Nurse Practitioner Certification from Ohio State University. I have been on the OSU faculty since 1989. My areas of emphasis include epilepsy patient education and women's issues. I am well published in peer-reviewed nursing and medical journals, and I serve as a reviewer for Epilepsy and Behavior. I am a member of the local Epilepsy Foundation and the APP workgroup for the American Academy of Neurology. I am also national trainer for VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) therapy.

James McAuley, RPh, PhD

Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Neurology

In the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, I have the opportunity to interact with patients and healthcare providers, teach and collaborate on clinical research projects. I received my PhD in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. I am the associate dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Pharmacy. My clinical interests include epilepsy, pharmacy, and patient outcomes. I also work closely with the Maternal-Fetal Medicine program, providing collaborative care to pregnant women with epilepsy.

Jerold Reynolds, PhD, RCP, RRT

Respiratory Therapist; Associate Professor of Neurology

I am a licensed respiratory care practitioner and a nationally registered respiratory therapist. My research and practice focus on the complications of neuromuscular disease and how they affect respiration. I began working at Ohio State in 1981 and earned degrees in Respiratory Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Allied Medicine and Allied Health Science. Teaching, clinical practice and clinical research are vital parts of my role in the Department of Neurology, where I have been a member since 1999.

Jennifer Roggenbuck, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor; Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics (Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Neurology)

I specialize in the genetic evaluation of neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophies, hereditary neuropathies and motor neuron diseases. I work to bring genetic testing technology to patient care for noninvasive genetic diagnosis, risk assessment and genetic counseling. My research interests include the genetic basis and genetic counseling for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Jessica Truelove, MS, RN, CNP

Nurse Practitioner

Susan Yeager, MS, RN, CCRN

Clinical Instructor, Neurocritical Care Lead Nurse Practitioner

I serve as the Lead Nurse Practitioner for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Neurocritical Care Unit. In addition to the privilege of providing leadership in that role, I serve on the Board of Directors for both the Neurocritical Care Society and the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. My clinical interests include traumatic brain and spine injury, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, advanced practice provider issues and other Neurocritical care diagnosis.

Ye Zhou, MSN, RN, CCRN

Neurocritical Care Unit

I earned my BSN, magna cum laude, from Bob Jones University, and my master's degree in Acute Care Program from Wright State University. I am board certified in Emergency Neurological Life Support from the Neurocritical Care Society, an acute care nurse practitioner by The American Nurses Credentialing Center and certified critical care nurse by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. My clinical interests include cerebrovascular disease, neurocritical care and traumatic brain injury.

Erica Wright, MSW, LISW

Social Worker

I received my Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University. Since 2009, I have worked in the Columbus community, and have experience with case management, psychosocial assessments, community resources, caregiver issues and knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid.

Michelle Lozano, MS, RN, AG-ACNP

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed my bachelor's degree in Nursing at Capital University and my master's degree in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care at Wright State University. I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2012 and have been working as a nurse practitioner in the Neurocritical Care Unit since 2014. My clinical interests include the management of patients with neurological diseases and those with critical illnesses requiring intensive care.

Randy Yadav, CNP

I received my BSN in 2002 from the University of Rajasthan (Jaipur), India. I received my MSN from the OSU College of Nursing in 2016. I received my certification as an Acute Adult and Gerontology NP and started working with at the Ohio State Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2016. In addition to management of patients with acute stroke, I participate in research related to stroke. 

Ravyn Cash, CNP

Ravyn Cash is a certified nurse practitioner for the Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Elizabeth Bright, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

I joined the NCCU team in 2017 as a nurse practitioner after completing my MS in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track at The Ohio State University. Previously, I obtained my BSN at The University of Toledo and worked in medical/surgical, intensive care, and emergency nursing for a total of 8 years. My clinical interests include critical care management of neurological patients as well as quality and process improvement in healthcare.

Kelly Keller, MS, CCRN, AGACNP-BC

Neurointensive Care Unit

I completed my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from The University of Akron and my Master’s from The Ohio State University.  I started working in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit in 2016. I work with patients who need neuro intensive care, such as acute neuro surgery, treatment of brain and spine cancers, acute strokes, spine surgeries, and other various neurologic illnesses. As a nurse practitioner, I have the opportunity to collaborate with other leaders to make sure our patients receive the best care possible. 

Kimberly Ichrist, MS, AG-ACNP, CCRN

Neurocritical Care Unit

My career started as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy. During my enlistment, I was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Sailor of the Year. In 2002, I started as a registered nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. In 2017, I transitioned to the Neurocritical Care Unit as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. As a member of the neurological critical care team, I provide safe patient care and provide comfort to both patients and families during hospitalization.

Melissa Rentz, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed a BA in psychology from Bowling Green State University. I completed my RN and MSN/Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at The Ohio State University. I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2013 as a staff nurse in the Neuroscience Progressive Care Unit. In 2017, I joined the Neurocritical Care Unit with the goal of providing the best care possible for a variety of complex neurological diseases.  

Jennifer Gadawski, CNP

Certified Nurse Practitioner

A certified nurse practitioner, Jennifer Gadawski treats and manages patients at the Center for Neuromodulation.

Sarah Fout, RN

Clinic Charge Nurse

As the clinic charge nurse, Sarah Fout treats and manages patients at the Center for Neuromodulation.

Crystal Epley, MSN, APRN-CNP

Certified Nurse Practitioner

I received my BSN from OSU and MSN from Ohio University and am now a family nurse practitioner. I've had several years of experience caring for neurology patients: specifically those in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. I joined the Epilepsy division specializing in epilepsy diagnoses, management and treatment in 2017. I work in both the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and outpatient in our Epilepsy clinic. 

Katie Moore, CNP

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Crystal Epley is a certified nurse practitioner for Headache/Neuro-Otology.

Nicole Benameur, MSN, APRN-CNP, FNP-BC

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Nicole Benameur joined the Neuromuscular Team in 2018 as a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner.  She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology. She graduated from Ohio State in 2017 with a Master of Science and before her career in nursing, she was a Registered Dietitian at Ohio State.

Jessica Glenn, MS, RN, CNP

Neurocritical Care Unit

Rozena Davis, APRN-CNP, CRRN

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Rozena Davis, a certified nurse practitioner, treats and manages patients at the Center for Neuromodulation.