OUR TEAM

A multidisciplinary team advancing clinical care, translational research, and innovation in complex craniospinal disorders.

Surgical Director

Paolo A. Bolognese, MD | Craniospinal disorders

Paolo A. Bolognese, MD

Neurosurgeon

Dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of complex craniospinal disorders through specialized neurosurgical care, diagnostic and surgical innovation, and biology-guided strategies to improve outcomes for patients with challenging neurological presentations.

Areas of Special Expertise

Craniocervical instability, Chiari 1 Malformation, Syringomyelia, Tethered cord syndrome, Eagle syndrome, Intracranial hypertension, Intracranial hypotension, Cerebral venous outflow disorders and CSF Pressure disorders.

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Clinical Leadership

Ilene Ruhoy, MD, PhD

Ilene Ruhoy, MD, PhD

Neurologist and Medical Director

As a collaborating clinician-scientist, Dr. Ruhoy contributes specialized expertise in complex neurological, autonomic, neuroimmune, and connective tissue disorders to support the Center’s clinical and translational research programs.

Jonathan Sisti, MD

Jonathan Sisti, MD

Interventional Neurosurgeon

Specializing in complex cranial and spinal neurosurgery, Dr. Sisti contributes expertise in the multidisciplinary diagnosis and surgical treatment of complex craniospinal disorders.

George Xipoleas, MD

George Xipoleas, MD

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Xipoleas specializes in tissue fragility and wound healing in connective tissue disorders, applying specialized soft tissue techniques to optimize surgical closure and recovery.

Michael Travis Caton, MD

Michael Travis Caton, MD

Interventional Neuroradiologist

Specializing in interventional neuroradiology and neurovascular disorders, Dr. Caton contributes expertise in the diagnosis and evaluation of complex craniospinal disease.

Multidisciplinary Clinical Specialists

Stelios Koutsoumbelis, MD

Stelios Koutsoumbelis, MD

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Prajoy Kadkade, MD

Prajoy Kadkade, MD

Otolaryngologist (ENT)
Yelena Markovskaya, MD

Yelena Markovskaya, MD

Infectious Disease Specialist
Philippa Cheetham, MD

Philippa Cheetham, MD

Urologist
Gad Klein, PhD

Gad Klein, PhD

Neuropsychologist

Research Team

Allison Bloom, MD

Allison Bloom, MD

Director Translational Research

Leading translational research that connects clinical observation, craniospinal disease, and connective tissue biology to advance diagnosis and treatment in Neuro-EDS.

Randall Dass, PhD

Randall Dass, PhD

Director of Research

Leading molecular research and biomarker discovery to define the biological mechanisms underlying Neuro-EDS.

John B. Biggins, PhD

John B. Biggins, PhD

Director of Clinical Research

Leading prospective clinical studies, outcomes research, and trials to advance evidence-based care in Neuro-EDS.

Advanced Practice & Perioperative Care

Jaclyn Amaru, MS PA-C

Clinical Director
Peri-Operative Team

Coordinating preoperative preparation and inpatient postoperative care for patients undergoing complex craniospinal surgery.

Philip Papadimas, PA

Physician Assistant to Dr. Bolognese

Providing intraoperative support, postoperative management, and longitudinal follow-up for patients undergoing complex craniospinal surgery.

IOM Solutions

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring

Advanced intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring for surgical safety.

Administrative Team

Catherine Soto, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN

Neuroscience Service Line Administrator

Yansi Carranza, MPA

Administrative Coordinator for Neuroscience

Ivania Solorzano, B.S, CCS

Manager of Neurosurgical Insurance Integrity

Irene Pendergast
 

Executive Assistant to Dr. Bolognese

Dawn Verity
 

Surgical Coordinator
Different Diagnoses. Same Patient.