Riverside 12th Annual Stroke Symposium Presenters
Mark J. Alberts, MD, FAHA
Dr. Mark J. Alberts is physician-in-chief of the Ayer Neuroscience Institute at Hartford HealthCare and Chief of Neurology at Hartford Hospital. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Duke University, graduating magna cum laude, and his medical degree with AOA honors at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He completed a medical-surgical internship at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA; a neurology residency at Duke Hospital in Durham, NC; and a NIH stroke fellowship at Duke. He is board-certified in neurology and vascular neurology.
Dr. Alberts is a nationally renowned physician leader, educator, researcher and healthcare executive with numerous academic accomplishments, and more than 250 scientific publications. His clinical contributions have earned him national and international recognition and awards, including the Neurologist Pioneering Award from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neuroradiology. He is well known for helping develop national standards for hospitals to qualify as stroke centers. His prior experience includes serving as vice chair of clinical affairs and hospital neurology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and as medical director of neurology for the University of Texas Southwestern University Hospitals.
He has held a variety of academic and leadership positions at Duke University Medical Center, Northwestern University Medical School, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Among his many affiliations, he is a member of the Joint Commission’s Technical Advisory Council on Comprehensive Stroke Centers, a fellow of the American Heart Association, and Chair of the Brain Attack Coalition. He is also a principal investigator for the NINDS funded southern New England Stroke Net site (along with Yale University and Brown University). He has received grant support for research from NIH/NINDS, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the American Heart Association. He has served and is a member of several NIH grant review committees.
Alla Al-Habib, MBBS
Dr. Alla Al-Habib has worked in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for the past three years as a Neurologist at Presbyterian Plano and Baylor Scott and White. Clinically, her interests are eclectic. She is particularly interested in the management of acute neurological disorders like stroke, including strokes in younger patients with rare or under-recognized conditions. Other areas of interest include Cerebral Venous Thrombosis and Gestational Stroke. Additionally, Dr. Al-Habib has spent the last four years working in telemedicine at numerous facilities across the country.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Al-Habib has interest in research that stemmed from participating in clinical trials and other research projects. One of her main research projects included work at Washington University in St. Louis studying Leukoaraiosis, a common finding in brain white matter among patients who have suffered a stroke.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young daughters. Her and her family enjoy Texas’ tremendous diversity and welcoming southern hospitality. Dr. Al-Habib speaks English and Arabic.
Jonathan Butler, MD., PhD
Dr. Butler earned his M.D.-Ph.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed an internal medicine internship, adult neurology residency and fellowship training in movement disorders at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Butler has substantial research and teaching experience. With expertise in movement disorders, Parkinson's disease and spastic conditions, Dr. Butler specializes in deep brain stimulation selection and management as well as advanced device interventions and botulinum toxin injections.
A firm believer that diseases do not occur in isolation, Dr. Butler addresses the multifaceted characteristics of patients and their families and is also careful to pay attention to symptoms that may either be treatment side effects or more subtle disease effects. Originally from San Diego, Dr. Butler is married with two young children. They appreciate the multitude of activities in Hampton Roads and proximity to extended family. Dr. Butler’s hobbies include boating, cycling and international travel.
Tanya Claiborne, Pharm.D
Dr. Claiborne earned her pharmacy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005. She completed her pharmacy practice residency at Sentara Healthcare in Tidewater, Virginia in 2006. After acceptance to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacist Patient Care Impact Program in 2007, Dr. Claiborne initiated emergency medicine pharmacy services as the first clinical pharmacy specialist in the field of emergency medicine at Sentara Healthcare where she trained students and residents as part of the residency faculty. Her attentiveness to patient safety and commitment to oversight of the entire medication use process has made her a resource to both her colleagues and her patients.
Dr. Claiborne joined Riverside Regional Medical Center in 2019 and subsequently initiated emergency medicine pharmacy services, becoming the first emergency medicine Team Lead pharmacist at the Riverside Health in 2020. She completed the American Society of Health-System Pharmacist Emergency Medicine Certificate in 2020. Dr. Claiborne enjoys sharing her knowledge of pharmaceutics both through lectures and during the bedside care of patients. During her time off she spends time with her amazing husband, Thomas, their two children, and boxer-lab mix.
David Cohen, MD, FACEP
Dr. Cohen is a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School and completed his Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Chicago. He worked as an attending physician in emergency medicine with Banner Health in Arizona where he held various leadership roles including Chief of Staff at Banner Estrella Medical Center and Chief Medical Officer at Banner Baywood Medical Center. Following his time in Arizona Dr. Cohen joined Riverside Health where he serves as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA.
Alexander, Feliciano, NRP, BTh
Alex Feliciano has been an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) since 1987. He was hired by NYC EMS that same year. In 1990 he got his paramedic certification in NYC. In 2004, Alex moved to the Hampton roads area. In 2005, Alex began working at Hampton Fire and Rescue. Alex is a Master Medic Firefighter and currently assigned to the Training division. Alex holds additional certifications in ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, CPR instructor and has his EMS Education Coordinator.
Kari Fisher, OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT
For the past 14 years, Kari Fisher has been helping patients with neurological conditions regain their functional independence and achieve their personal goals through the utilization and implementation of evidence-based interventions. She received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California in 2007 and her clinical doctorate in occupational therapy from Mount Mary University in 2020. Through her doctoral studies, she sought to establish an interdisciplinary team approach toward improving self-efficacy in adults with acquired brain injury in the outpatient setting.
Kari has extensive experience treating patients with neurological conditions in a variety of settings, including acute care, home health, and during the 8 years she spent working on an inpatient rehabilitation unit. For the past three years she has had the opportunity to combine her love of teaching, research, and patient care as an occupational therapist at ODU Monarch Physical Therapy in Norfolk, Virginia. Kari is certified fieldwork educator, certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment, and trained in the use of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy.
Merging what she has learned from these courses along with her experiences with the use of robotics has helped shape her current practice where she strives to utilize principles of neuroplasticity, proper postural alignment, and client motivation and engagement to maximize clinical outcomes.
William Harper, DDS
Dr. Harper is the only Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine in Southeast Virginia- one of only 400 nationwide. He treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and snoring patients with Custom Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). He has completed the AADSM Mastery Course and the UNC Mini Residency in Dental Sleep Medicine, and has extensive experience treating patients with complex TMJ issues. Dr. Harper’s background in TMD increases compliance and success with OAT as he allows patients to avoid many of the common side effects seen when OAT is not used properly. If side effects do occur, he knows how to address them.
OAT is proven to help those who snore or who have been diagnosed with OSA. It is very effective and well-tolerated if done correctly. Although CPAP therapy is the gold standard for OSA treatment, OAT is better than no treatment and can improve health and lifestyle outcomes similar to PAP therapy.
Most medical insurances will pay for OAT, and Dr. Harper’s sleep practice, Coastal Virginia Sleep Solutions, is contracted with most major insurance carriers, including Medicare and Tricare.
Untreated OSA is associated with stroke, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, impotence, and other dangerous health conditions. It is a major factor in daily fatigue, memory issues, depression/anxiety and neurocognitive function.
Dr. Harper works closely with sleep medicine physicians, PCP’s, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina to help treat their patients who do not tolerate CPAP or choose not to try CPAP. He has worked with many patients to improve their quality of sleep and quality of life, as well as that of their bed partners.
Lisa Koperna, DPT
Lisa R. Koperna, PT, DPT, PhD, ATC is Director of ODU Monarch Physical Therapy, faculty in the College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU), and a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS). Dr. Koperna led the team that launched ODU Monarch Physical Therapy on the University’s Norfolk campus in 2014. She frequently collaborates with administrators, faculty, staff, and students to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. Previously she served as the director of rehabilitation services in private and corporate settings.
Dr. Koperna has over 20 years of leadership experience that she has leveraged to launch successful physical therapy clinics, inspire organizational change, and create stimulating, practical, learning environments for her students in academic and clinical settings. She has also provided care for athletes at local, regional, national, and international sporting events, most notably, the 1995 Pan American Games, and the Games of the XXVI Olympiad. She is actively engaged with many professional associations, advisory boards, intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial activities. Dr. Koperna’s holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Master of Science in Education from ODU, Master and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from Walden University. Her research interests include technology in rehabilitation, and interprofessional health assessments and interventions.
Kim Liebold, NP-A
After graduating from the Riverside School of Professional Nursing, Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Christopher Newport University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is board-certified as an adult nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. Kim has over 30 years of cardiology experience at Riverside, with more than 20 years as a nurse practitioner.
She has expertise in heart rhythm management and specializes in the care of patients who require pacemakers, defibrillators, ablations and left atrial appendage closure implants. Born and raised in Smithfield, Kim is a country girl who loves this area and its seasons, beauty, history and wonderful people. She and her family enjoy the great outdoors, the Outer Banks and their dog. Kim enjoys running and mission work with her church and work family.
Wolfgang Leesch, M.D.
Dr. Leesch is a graduate of the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (the Hannover Medical School in Germany) and completed his residency at New York University Medical Center. Dr. Leesch was fellowship-trained in vascular and critical care neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard University). He also completed a fellowship in endovascular surgery at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (Columbia University) in New York.
He is board-certified in both neurology and vascular neurology. Dr. Leesch specializes in interventional neuroradiology, endovascular neurosurgery, neuro-interventional surgery and vascular neurology. He holds a particular interest in minimally invasive image-guided surgical techniques and treats stroke, TIA, aneurysms, vascular malformations of the brain, spine and other complex neurovascular conditions.
Greg Lietz
Greg Leitz is a Division Chief with Spotsylvania County Fire-Rescue and a Life Member of Lake of the Woods Volunteer Fire-Rescue. He suffered a stroke on September 11, 2013 secondary to a carotid artery dissection. He serves on many local, regional and state stroke workgroups and works diligently to improve stroke care.
John Livingstone II, M.D.
Dr. Livingstone earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia and completed his neurology residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. When choosing his specialty, Dr. Livingstone foresaw major discoveries in the field of neurology taking place in his lifetime. He is witnessing those advancements every day. He holds particular interests in stroke and movement disorders and enjoys the collaborative environment at Riverside. Dr. Livingstone practices neurology with Riverside Medical Group and is also the Stroke Program Medical Director at Riverside Regional Medical Center.
Amanda Polsinelli M.D.
Dr. Polsinelli received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech then worked at Exxonmobil’s engineering headquarters in northern Virginia. She later earned her medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
She went on as a resident and flight physician at the University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine program prior to joining Riverside in 2018. In addition to her clinical work in the Emergency Department, she is currently the Associate Program Director for the new Emergency Medicine residency program that she helped to establish, welcoming their inaugural class of residents in 2020.
Pankajavalli Ramakrishnan, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Ramakrishnan is a graduate of the prestigious Medical Scientist Training Program at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where she earned her M.D.-Ph.D. After a medical internship at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, she completed the Harvard Partners Neurology Residency Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she also remained for fellowship training in vascular neurology. She completed an additional fellowship in interventional neuroradiology at Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Dr. Ramakrishnan is board certified in neurology and vascular neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Recognized by Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2016 “Top Docs” list, Dr. Ramakrishnan is not only a highly successful stroke neurologist and neuro-interventionalist, but also an accomplished author, clinical research investigator, lecturer and educator.
Mark Scialabba, MD
Dr. Scialabba earned his medical degree from the Universita di Palermo in Italy in 1982. He completed an internal medicine residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York in 1986, followed by a neurology residency at North Shore University/Cornell Medical Center in Manhasset, New York in 1989. Dr. Scialabba is board-certified in neurology by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.
During Dr. Scialabba’s 30 years of experience practicing neurology, he has seen the specialty explode with new research, diagnostic advances and treatments for previously untreatable diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Continuing to find his work rewarding and exciting, Dr. Scialabba provides inpatient care as a neurohospitalist with expertise in all areas of neurology. Dr. Scialabba’s medical philosophy is based on caring for patients in a respectful, professional and responsible way. Placing his patients’ needs first, he strives to do what is best for each one. Dr. Scialabba also believes it is important to explain problems and possible solutions in an understandable way so that patients and their families can make informed decisions.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Scialabba has made his home in Virginia since 2001. He enjoys spending time at local beaches, in addition to exercising, reading, traveling and spending time with his family. Dr. Scialabba and his wife, Colleen, have two adult children: Gregory and Juliana.
Clay Singleton, MD
Dr. Singleton earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. He completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation training at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA in 2007. Dr. Singleton is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Singleton has been a physiatrist with Riverside since completing his residency training in 2007. His practice has shifted recently to focus solely on inpatient rehabilitation but has also included outpatient pain management during his tenure. Dr. Singleton enjoys caring for and getting to know patients that are recovering and restoring function during critical points in their lives where inpatient rehabilitation is needed to improve and maximize mobility and function following neurologic, orthopedic and debilitating illnesses. Dr. Singleton has been recognized as a regional Top Doc for several years.
Dr. Singleton was raised in South Carolina and enjoys the southeastern climate and activities afforded in the Hampton Roads area. He enjoys spending time with his two children, sports, travel and helping others. He has gone on a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa and continues to support a local orphanage there and looks forward to doing similar activities in the future.
Yankai Sun, MD
Dr. Yankai Sun graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He received his Medical Degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Sun completed his residency training in Diagnostic Radiology at Westchester Medical Center of New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY and Neuroradiology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC before joining Peninsula Radiological Associates in 2019.
Dr. Sun is board certified by American Board of Radiology and has specialty interest in neuroimaging. He is also a member of multiple societies including American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR), American College of Radiology (ACR) and Radiological Society of North American (RSNA). Dr. Sun has attended and presented at numerous national and international meetings and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and scientific abstracts. Dr. Sun was a recipient of RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award in 2018.
Patrick Wiggins, MPH
Patrick Wiggins is the Disease Prevention Strategist within the Division of Prevention and Health Promotion at the Virginia Department of Health. Mr. Wiggins leads the Virginia Stroke Care Quality Improvement Advisory Group, serves on the leadership team for the Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force, and manages grant funding opportunities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on improving stroke, heart disease, and diabetes outcomes through partnering with clinical and community partners statewide. A graduate of James Madison University (Go Dukes!) in Harrisonburg, VA, Mr. Wiggins then attended Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia, PA where he received his Masters in Public Health in 2013. Mr. Wiggins is a proud husband and father of his 3 year old son, Luke, and 1 year old daughter, Cecilia.