NSN Volunteer Board of Directors, Medical Advisors and Advisory Boards

Waden E. Emery III, MD, Neurologist
Emery Neuroscience Center
5340 N Federal Hwy, Suite 205, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
http://www.eneuro.med.pro/

• Fellow American Academy of Neurology – 2000
• Board Certified Diplomate of American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology – 1987
• Assistant Clinical Professor Neurology, University of Miami
• BS – Bethany Nazarene College – Bethany, Oklahoma – Summa Cum laude
• MD – Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri – 1981
• Internship, University of Oklahoma – 1982
• Neurology Residency Program – University of Miami – 1982- 1985
• Complete testing facility and has current training in all aspects of Peripheral Neuropathy

Scott I. Berman, MD Psychiatrist, Bethlehem, PA

• BA – Biomedical Ethics, Brown University 1980
• MD Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 1985
• Psychiatric residency – Hahnemann University Hospital 1989
• Experience: psychiatric inpatient unit director and a geriatric psychiatrist.
• Extensive work treating emotional issues in medically ill patients
• Author of “Coping With Peripheral Neuropathy” and a sufferer from CIDP since 1998

sibshrink225@msn.com

http://www.amazon.com/Coping-Peripheral-Neuropathy-disability-relationships/dp/0595449670

Dr. Yelena Vidgop, MD, Neurologist
Advanced Neuro Spine Institute
21097 NE 27th Ct Ste 540, Aventura, FL 33180

Board Certified in Neurology

Specialties include:

• Neurology
• Neuropathy
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Adult Neurology
• Geriatric Neurology
• Neurological Movement Disorders
• Neuromuscular Medicine
• Functional Neurology

Phillip L. Poffenbarger MD FACP

• Internal Medicine, Disabled American Veteran – Dong Tam, Vietnam 67-68
• Fellow of the American College of Physicians 1976
• American Board of Internal Medicine 1975
• Faculty Member, University of Texas Medical Branch (Neurology Research Group) 1970
• Diabetes Research and Development Award – American Diabetes Association 1969-70
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology at – The Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Harvard Medical School 1968-70
• Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners 1967
• Walter Reed Army Institute for Research 1966-1967
• Indiana University Medical Center MS Biochemistry 1963
• Indiana University Medical Center MD 1963
• Medical Residency, University of Washington, 1963-1966
• Indiana University BS Anatomy and Physiology 1959

Poff13@comcast.net

Cindy Tofthagen, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP, FAANP
Dr. Tofthagen has dedicated the last 20 years of her professional life improving the health and well-being of people with cancer and CIPN (Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy)  She currently holds leadership roles in several organizations including Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and Neuropathy Association’s Neuropathic Pain Management Medical Advisory Council. Dr. Tofthagen is a postdoctoral fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of Massachusetts Boston; a contributing writer for the Neuropathy Journal; and a reviewer for the Oncology Nursing Forum and associate editor for the Oncology Nursing Society website. She also leads a neuropathy support group in Tampa, Florida, coordinating with The Neuropathy Support Network, to help people with neuropathy and their family and friends in the community better understand neuropathy and find support.

ctofthag@health.usf.edu

Matt Hansen, D.P.T. (Physical Therapist)

• B.S., M.S. and Doctorate of Physical Therapy – University of Utah
• SOMA Healthcare Staffing & Consulting, President and CEO
• Practicing P.T. specializing in neurological rehabilitation, pediatrics and immunological disorders
• I.G. Living Magazine, Independent Writer
• GBS/CIDP Foundation, Independent Writer
• Warriors United Sports Alliance, President (Youth & Special Population Sports Foundation)
• World Disaster Alliance, Volunteer Chief Medical Consultant

somastaffing@gmail.com

Jori Reijonen, PhD (Psychologist)
Faculty: University of Phoenix
Support Group Leader for CMTA and MDA
Editor: Neuromuscular Disease at www.BellaOnline.com
MDA Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award 2011 for the State of Michigan
Genetic Neuropathy Patient (CMT)

drreijonen@aol.com

Mims Cushing
Author / Editor
Author of You Can Cope with Peripheral Neuropathy
Writer of children’s books
Ponte Verda Beach, FL

www.mimscushing.com

Jessica Benjamin, MS, CRC
Administrator of Facebook page “Support for Neuropathy”
MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Auburn University
BM in Music from the University of Montevallo.

Guidance and Employment Counselor with Phoenix –
Associated with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
(Works with those who are disabled and on welfare)

Leslie MacGregor-Levine, VMD, PhD, JD
Leslie MacGregor-Levine is a patient advocate, and founder of the Metro West Boston Neuropathy Support Group, a large and very active support group for neuropathy patients in the Boston area. She is a member of the board of directors for the Neuropathy Action Foundation, and works with patients at Massachusetts General Hospital. Leslie obtained her J.D. from Harvard Law School and is a trained biomedical patent attorney.  While serving as the Director of Intellectual Property at Harvard University, Leslie developed acute neuropathy, which left her unable to walk and in great pain. The neuropathy forced her to go on disability from her much valued position. It took about nine months before she was diagnosed with autoimmune small fiber neuropathy, and another year before she started treatment with IVIG.  This treatment almost totally relieved her symptoms.  This life changing experience was the driving force which launched her into becoming a Neuropathy Patient Advocate, creating one of the Boston area’s most active Neuropathy Support Groups, and becoming a valued and very active member of the Neuropathy awareness community.

Kathy K. Moore
Administrator “Our Neuropathy Friends”
Facebook page click here
Retire VP of AR Management Services for 20 years
Volunteer Work:
The Salvation Army
Santa Rosa , FL Optimist Club
Santa Rosa Athletic Association
Myrtle Grove Women’s Optimist Club
Florida Chapter of The Girl Scouts of America
Married to Disabled Veteran
Raised 6 Children who are all an asset to their communities
Have 11 ½ grandchildren

Bob Williamson, PhD (Physics)
Retired College Physics Professor
USNR 1943-1946
Tidewater Neuropathy Support Group
Williamson23@aol.com

Shirley Lynn
President – Kansas City Support Group
denimladye@yahoo.com

Linda McIntosh, RN (Intensive Care) Retired
President, SE Connecticut Neuropathy Support Group

Worked in a General Hospital for 28 years as an ICU Nurse, plus working as Telecommunications Supervisor and Instructor – Telephone Courtesy, Designed and managed Emergency Disaster Plans, Cardiac Arrest Team Plans, Fire Emergency Plans and Nuclear Disaster Plans.

LynMac47@aol.com

Scott W Patrick
President – North Chicago Neuropathy Support Group
Employed by Walmart – 15 years
3305 Beacon St. Unit 68,
North Chicago IL 60064
fishdog200@yahoo.com

Bev Anderson, EdM – President, Western Neuropathy Association
www.PNHelp.org

• Diploma, Central Bible College, Springfield, MO
• BA and EdM California State University at Fresno
• Completed course work for PhD (Philosophy and Psychology of Education) at University of California at Berkeley.
• Elementary School Teacher 34 years

nccna98@colfaxnet.com

Steve Smith
Retired VP of Sales and Marketing (Garment Industry)
President – New York City (Manhattan) Support Group
stevenspuds@optonline.net

Charles Gray and Sylvia Donley
Co-Leaders Calgary Neuropathy Association Alberta, Canada

Judy Chenault
President
Arkansas Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group
che@wholedamarea.com

Velda De Cosentine
President – Neuropathy Support Group of Los Angeles, CA
help@numbtoes.org
www.NumbToes.org

Louise Schulze
President
Erie Neuropathy Support Group/Erie, PA
Public School Teacher (10 years) with 25 years of Volunteer work in Middle School!
Louise230@aol.com

Kay Seawright
President
NE Ohio Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group/Macedonia, OH
Diagnosis: Idiopathic Neuropathy
kjcright@yahoo.com

Mary Robertson
Leader: W. Essex NJ Neuropathy Support Group
Coordinator: Northern NJ Neuropathy Support Group
Pre-K Teacher for 30 years
ithacamom@gmail.com

David Morrow
Diagnosis: Chemo Induced Neuropathy
Executive Producer
Blank Canvas Productions
www.BlankCanvasProductions.tv