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Clinical Trials & ResearchThe Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’sclinical trials program is among the largestin the country for Alzheimer’s disease. Wehave conducted more than 100 trials inParkinson’s disease, MS, Alzheimer’s disease,memory decline and normal cognition.Additionally, we offer investigator-led studies,including a study of repeated head traumain active and retired professional fighters.We offer opportunities to participate inresearch regardless of where individualsreceive neurological care.WHAT ARE CLINICAL TRIALS? Clinical trials are research studiesconducted on people to determine whethertreatments are safe and effective. There are many types of clinical trialsspanning treatment, diagnosis,prevention, screening, observationand quality of life. Clinical trials are a required step towardFDA approval of new drugs, and thus arethe only way to find new treatments or acure for brain disease.WHY SHOULD I GET INVOLVED? To contribute to the effort of findingmore effective treatments forneurological disease To gain access to potential treatmentsbefore they are widely availableBE A HEROYour participation in clinical researchcould make a difference for your familyand your community. More informationis at 702.791.7044 and atclevelandclinic.org/NevadaResearch.OUR PEOPLENEUROLOGYDylan Wint, MDDirector, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain HealthLas Vegas Legacy NeuroscienceEducation ChairDirector, EducationNeuropsychiatrist, Cognitive Disorders TeamDr. Dylan Wint is boardcertified in neurology,psychiatry, and behavioralneurology and neuropsychiatry.He was educated atStanford, University ofMiami, University of Floridaand the National Institutes of Health.Carrie M. Hersh, DO, MSc, FAANStaff Neurologist, Cleveland Clinic MellenProgram for MS at the Lou Ruvo Centerfor Brain Health, Las VegasProgram Director, MS Health andWellness InitiativeDr. Carrie Hersh completedher neuroimmunologyfellowship and adultneurology residency atCleveland Clinic and amaster’s degree in clinicalresearch at Case WesternReserve University. She graduated withhonors from Nova Southeastern UniversityCollege of Osteopathic Medicine and is amember of Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Hersh isparticularly interested in outcomes-basedresearch for MS therapeutics, health andwellness, and is a lead investigator formultiple MS studies and clinical trials.Le Hua, MD, FAANDirector, Cleveland Clinic MellenProgram for MS at the Lou Ruvo Centerfor Brain Health, Las VegasSheila and Eric Samson Chair forMultiple Sclerosis ResearchDr. Le Hua earned her MDat Keck School of Medicineat the University of SouthernCalifornia. Subsequently,she completed her internshipat Banner Good SamaritanMedical Center in Phoenix andher neurology residency at Stanford UniversitySchool of Medicine. She went on to completea clinical fellowship in neuro-immunology andMS at the Barrow Neurological Institute andSt. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center inPhoenix. Dr. Hua is involved in clinical trialsassessing new therapies for the treatment ofMS and her research interests include usingadvanced MRI techniques to study MS andneurological disorders, as well as aging andcognition in MS.Zoltan Mari, MD, FAANDirector, Parkinson’s andMovement Disorder ProgramRuvo Family ChairDr. Zoltan Mari is aboard-certified neurologistfellowship-trained in movementdisorders at the NationalInstitutes of Health. He isan internationally recognizedParkinson and movementdisorder specialist, who directed the JohnsHopkins Movement Disorder Center beforejoining Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Mari has authored100 peer-reviewed articles and serves inmultiple leadership roles in internationalParkinson and movement disorder journalsand professional organizations. He is co-directorof the Cleveland Clinic Parkinson’s FoundationCenter of Excellence.Jenny Nguyen, MSN, APRN, FNP-CNurse Practitioner,Movement Disorders TeamJenny Nguyen is a boardcertified family nursepractitioner. She receivedher Bachelor of Sciencein nursing from RosemanUniversity of Health Sciencesin 2013 and received herMaster of Science in nursing — family nursepractitioner from the George WashingtonUniversity in 2017.Odinachi Oguh, MDStaff Neurologist, Movement Disorders TeamDr. Odinachi Oguh is a boardcertified movement disorderneurologist. She graduatedsumma cum laude from hermedical school, finished herneurology residency at theUniversity of Illinois and apost graduate movement disorder fellowshipat Northwestern University. Prior to joiningCleveland Clinic in 2019, she spearheadedthe Movement Disorders Program at theUniversity of Florida, focusing on clinicalresearch programs, deep brain stimulationpre-surgical evaluation, Botox managementand community outreach. Dr. Oguh’sresearch interests lie in novel drug targetsfor Parkinson’s disease.

NEUROPSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGYKelly Papesh, DNPNurse Practitioner,Movement Disorders TeamDr. Kelly Papesh earnedher Doctorate in NursingPractice and is a certifiedfamily nurse practitionerwho manages patients withParkinson’s disease, tremor,Huntington’s disease, andataxia among other movement disorders.She has skilled training in management ofadvanced procedures such as botulinumtoxin injections, deep brain stimulation andDuopa. Dr. Papesh is a member of theMovement Disorders Society and AmericanAcademy of Neurology.Aaron Ritter, MDStaff Neuropsychiatrist,Cognitive Disorders TeamDr. Aaron Ritter receivedhis Bachelor of Arts at theUniversity of WisconsinMadison and obtained hismedical degree from theUniversity of Colorado.He completed an internshipin pediatrics and residency training inpsychiatry at the University of Arizonain Tucson, followed by a two yearfellowship in Behavioral Neurology andNeuropsychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic.His research interests include advancingtreatment of neurodegenerative diseasesand studying the effects of repetitive headtrauma from sports.Simrit Kaur Saraon, DNP, APRNNurse Practitioner,Cognitive Disorders TeamDr. Simrit Saraon is aboard-certified familynurse practitioner. Sheearned her bachelor’sdegree in general science,education and nursing.She has been an educatorfor 11 years and a registered nurseworking with patients with Alzheimer’sand other dementias for five years.Dr. Saraon completed both her Masterof Science and doctorate in nursing atfrom Duke University.Jiong Shi, MD, PhD, FAANDirector, Clinical Trials ProgramNormal Pressure Hydrocephalus andClinical Dementia SpecialistCognitive Disorders TeamDr. Shi is a board certifiedneurologist specialized indementia and other cognitivedisorders. He completedhis residency and fellowshipat University Hospitals ofCleveland and earned adoctorate in pharmacodynamics at University ofFlorida. Dr. Shi focuses his research on findingnovel biomarkers and therapeutic agents forAlzheimer’s disease and has published morethan 70 peer-reviewed papers. He was withBarrow Neurological Institute prior to joiningCleveland Clinic in May 2020.Maileen Ulep-Reed, MSN, APRN, FNP-BCNurse Practitioner,Cognitive Disorders TeamThe American Association ofNurse Practitioners awardedMaileen Ulep-Reed with theprestigious NP State Award forExcellence for Nevada in 2018.She graduated cum laude withher BS in nursing and a minorin anthropology; MS in nursing, family nursepractitioner; and post-master’s certificate innursing education, all from the University ofNevada Las Vegas, where she is currentlypursuing a PhD. Her research seeks to betterunderstand the impact of neurodegenerativedisorders on language.Erin Zdenek, MSN, APRN, FNP-CNurse Practitioner,Multiple Sclerosis TeamErin Zdenek is a boardcertified family nursepractitioner. She earned herBachelor of Science in nursingfrom Roseman University ofHealth Sciences in 2009 andearned her Master of Sciencein nursing — family nurse practitioner fromIndiana State University in 2019.Jessica Z.K. Caldwell, PhD, ABPP/CNDirector, Neuropsychology TrainingDirector, Women’s Alzheimer’s MovementPrevention Center at Cleveland ClinicDr. Jessica Caldwell is a clinicalpsychologist specializing inneuropsychology. Her graduatetraining at the University ofWisconsin-Madison focusedon behavioral correlates offunction and structure of medialtemporal lobe brain regions. She completedan internship at Harvard Medical School andfellowship at Brown University. Her researchinterests include sex differences in Alzheimer’sdisease, brain imaging data quality andAlzheimer’s disease prevention.Lucille Carriere, PhDStaff Health PsychologistAngie Ruvo Endowed Caregiving ChairDr. Lucille Carriere is aclinical psychologist specializingin health psychology andbehavioral sleep medicine. Shecompleted her graduate trainingat Auburn University, aninternship through VanderbiltUniversity and the Veterans Affairs MedicalCenter in Nashville, TN, and a fellowship atthe Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for MultipleSclerosis. Prior to joining the Lou Ruvo Centerfor Brain Health, she worked in geriatric primarycare and provided psychotherapy for individualsand caregivers living with complex medicalconditions. She is interested in outcomesresearch related to caregivers.Justin B. Miller, PhD, ABPP/CNDirector, NeuropsychologyDr. Justin Miller is a clinicalpsychologist with specializationin neuropsychology andrehabilitation. His graduatetraining at Wayne StateUniversity in Detroit focused onrecovery of function followingneurological injury. He completed his internshipand fellowship at the UCLA Semel Institute forNeuroscience and Human Behavior, where heworked with a complex neurological populationincluding movement disorder, brain tumor,epilepsy and neurodegenerative disease patients.Christina G. Wong, PhDStaff NeuropsychologistDr. Christina Wong earnedher doctorate in clinicalpsychology, with specializationin neuropsychology, at WayneState University. She completedher internship and fellowship atUCSD/VA San Diego where shefocused on assessment of neurodegenerativedisorders including Alzheimer’s disease,movement disorders, and vascular dementiain individuals with co-occurring medical andpsychiatric conditions. Her research interestsinclude early detection of cognitive disorders.

NEUROREHABILITATION: PHYSICAL,OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPYPriscilla Flores, OTD, MSOTR/LOccupational TherapistDr. Priscilla Flores receivedher bachelor’s degree inoccupational science andpsychology from Nevada StateCollege and a Master’s inoccupational therapy fromTouro University Nevada.She received her doctorate in occupationaltherapy from University of Utah. Ms. Floreshas a passion for helping individuals withneurocognitive and psychiatric conditions.Michael Gevertzman, PT, DPTPhysical TherapistDr. Michael Gevertzmanreceived his bachelor’s degreein exercise science and sportstudies: applied kinesiology,and a doctorate in physicaltherapy from the ColumbiaUniversity Medical Center.He is currently a PhD student at UNLV andserves on the board of the Rutgers UniversityKinesiology & Health Alumni Committee.He enjoys assisting and empowering thosewith neurologic, vestibular, orthopedic,and cardiopulmonary conditions to improvetheir function and quality of life.Shaina Meyer, OTR/L, MSCS, CDPManager, Rehabilitation ServicesShaina Meyer receivedher bachelor’s degree inpsychology from WestminsterCollege and master’s degreein occupational therapyfrom St. Louis University.She has specializedcertifications for working with peopleliving with neurodegenerative conditions.She is currently pursuing her Master’s inorganizational leadership for the purposeof developing leaders who will improveand innovate how we care for people.Sherry Perucho, MA, CCC-SLPSpeech-Language PathologistSherry Perucho received herbachelor’s degree in speechpathologyy from the Universityof the Philippines in ManilaCollege of Allied MedicalProfessions and her Master’sin speech pathology fromSan Jose State University in California.She received the Certificate of ClinicalCompetence in Speech-Language Pathologyfrom the American Speech-Language HearingAssociation in 2007. She focuses on theevaluation and treatment of speech, language,cognition, voice and swallowing disordersin individuals with neurological disorders.SOCIAL WORKMatthew Plourde, PTA, CDPPhysical Therapist AssistantMatthew Plourde earnedhis Associate of AppliedScience at the College ofSouthern Nevada. He hasbeen an active practicingboard-certified PTA in theLas Vegas Valley for 25 years,with extensive background in orthopedics,home health care and rehabilitation.Mr. Plourde has continued his studies inneurological disease processes to becomea CDP and PWR certified therapist.Christy Ross, PT, DPT, GCS, MSCS, CDPPhysical Therapist, CDPDr. Christy Ross is aboard-certified geriatricclinical specialist in physicaltherapy. She completed herdoctorate in physical therapyat Creighton Universityand a postdoctoral geriatricresidency program at the University ofDelaware. Dr. Ross continued her studiesfrom the University of Michigan in AdvancedClinical Dementia Practice. She hasspecialized training in Parkinson’s disease,is a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist,and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.Kelly Winkel, PT, DPTPhysical TherapistDr. Kelly Winkel receivedher bachelor’s degreein kinesiology from theUniversity of Wisconsin- Madison, and her doctoratein physical therapy from theAnschutz Medical Campusof the University of Colorado - Denver.She is passionate about helping individualswith neurologic, orthopedic and chronicpain conditions improve their function andquality of life.Ruth A. Almén, LCSWClinical Manager, Social Work ServicesRuth Almén received herBachelor of Arts in psychologyfrom Wittenberg University inOhio and her master’s degreein social work from TempleUniversity. She has extensiveexperience with nonprofit socialservice agencies, community collaborationand program development. Ms. Alménco-facilitates support groups, works directlywith individuals and families, and collaborateswith local agencies.Sandy Chapman, LSW, MSCSCase ManagerSandra Chapman receivedher bachelor’s degree in socialwork summa cum laude fromNorthern Michigan University.Ms. Chapman worked in familydynamics, case managementand regional substance abuseservices in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan;her outreach team has been nationallyrecognized for successful outcomes.At the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health,Ms. Chapman coordinates the Major José M.Fajardo Patient Services program servingpatients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.Michelle Pester, MSW, LSW, ACHP-SWCase ManagerPrior to completing herMaster of Social Work atthe University of Nevada,Las Vegas, Michelle Pestergraduated with a Bachelor ofArts in psychology at HawaiiPacific University. She alsohas additional training in Hospice and PalliativeCare. Ms. Pester is retired from the Army.Becky Wellman, PhD, LPMT, MT-BCMusic TherapistDr. Becky Wellman holdsdegrees from Hiram College,Ohio University, and CapellaUniversity. She is a NeurologicMusic Therapy Fellow, CertifiedDementia Practitioner, and hasadvanced training in drummingprotocols, grief interventions, psychological firstaid, Bonny Method of Guided Imagery andMusic, and other music therapy approaches.Dr. Wellman is adjunct instructor of HumanServices specializing in elder studies at Ivy TechCommunity College.

Contact UsAbout UsCleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health888 West Bonneville Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106To schedule an appointment, call 702.483.6000For information on clinical research,contact 702.701.7944 orvisit clevelandclinic.org/NevadaResearchFor a list of no-cost educational, therapeutic and supportprograms, visit clevelandclinic.org/NevadaEventsTo support our work, please contact 702.263.9797or DonateNevada@ccf.orgTo learn more about our center, visitclevelandclinic.org/Nevada or keepmemoryalive.orgCleveland ClinicCleveland Clinic — now in its centennial year — is a nonprofitmultispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospitalcare with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it wasfounded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providingoutstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation,compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medicalbreakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first facetransplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistentlynames Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual“America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 70,800employees worldwide are more than 4,660 salaried physicians andresearchers, and 18,500 registered nurses and advanced practiceproviders, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties.Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acremain campus near downtown Cleveland, 19 hospitals, more than 220outpatient facilities, and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada;Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2020, therewere 8.7 million total outpatient visits, 273,000 hospital admissions andobservations, and 217,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’shealth system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185countries. clevelandclinic.org.Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain HealthCleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which opened in2009, provides expert diagnosis and treatment for individuals and familiesliving with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body, frontotemporal and otherdementias; Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, multiple system atrophyand other movement disorders; and multiple sclerosis. With locations inCleveland, OH; Weston, Florida and headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada,the center offers a continuum of care with no-cost opportunities for thecommunity to participate in education and research, including diseaseprevention studies and clinical trials of promising new medications.An integrated entity, Keep Memory Alive, raises funds exclusively insupport of the Nevada location. clevelandclinic.org/Nevada.Exit 41BKeep Memory Alive Event CenterFrom the mind of world-renownedarchitect Frank Gehry, the breathtakingKeep Memory Alive Event Center is asiconic as it is unique. The event centeris available for rent by the public, and aportion of revenue generated supportsthe Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.KMAEventCenterLasVegas.com or702.263.9797.Keep Memory Alive100% of funds raised by KeepMemory Alive support theLou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’swork in advancing brain science forthe benefit of our community. Helpus foster a brain span that matchesour lifespan. keepmemoryalive.orgJoin Our TableLove celebrity chefs and good food?Like to eat well and do good? If you’renot already receiving information aboutKeep Memory Alive’s events that arefilled with food, fun and feel-good,please contact us and join our mailinglist. Learn more about the purposebehind the party. 702.263.9797 orspecialevents@keepmemoryalive.orgrev. August ‘21

in nursing from Roseman University of Health Sciences in 2013 and received her Master of Science in nursing — family nurse practitioner from the George Washington University in 2017. Odinachi Oguh, MD Staff Neurologist, Movement Disorders Team Dr. Odinachi Oguh is a board certified movement disorder neurologist. She graduated