USA Department of Neurology Faculty
Academic Faculty
Dean K. Naritoku, M.D.
Chair of Neurology
Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology
Dr. Naritoku is a graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston IL (B.A., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1977) and the Chicago Medical School (M.D., 1981). He completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois, Chicago (1981-1982), and residency in Neurology at Washington University, St Louis MO (1982-1985). He performed a Neuropharmacology and Epilepsy fellowship at Washington University (under James A. Ferrendelli, M.D.; 1985-1987). He is a former faculty at Southern Illinois University, Springfield (1987-2008) where he was a Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology, as well as Director of the Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology Program.
Dr. Naritoku is currently Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology at USA. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology and by the American Board of Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Naritoku currently serves on the American Board of Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Naritoku received the "Best Doctors" award (2007-present) and "Top Doctors" award (2014-present) for recognition by peers as being in the top 5% of US physicians. His clinical interests include comprehensive epilepsy management, clinical neurophysiology and sleep. His research interests include developing new therapies for epilepsy, studying brain mechanisms of seizures and dysautonomia. He has active laboratory, translational and clinical research programs, and has received research funding from the NIH, Epilepsy Foundation of America and industry. He currently serves as Director of the USA Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy fellowship.
Dr. Naritoku's publications on PubMed
Dr. Naritoku's research patents
Bassam A. Bassam, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Dr. Bassam graduated from Aleppo University, College of Medicine in 1973, and completed two years of internship and internal medicine residency in Lebanon. He then completed a neurology residency at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 1977- 1980, and a fellowship in Neuromuscular diseases and Electromyography at Wayne State University, and Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 1980 -1981. He is a former faculty member at University of Michigan 1982-1985, and joined the University of South Alabama 1985.
Dr. Bassam is Professor of Neurology and board certified in Neurology by the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and American Board of Neuromuscular Medicine Subspecialty
Diplomate. He is also certified in Neuromuscular Diseases and Electromyography by
the American Board of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). He is
the director of the EMG laboratory and Neuromuscular Clinic. His academic focus and
research interests include diseases of peripheral nerve and muscle. Dr. Bassam has
made many national contributions and presentations, and he has served as an examiner,
and chairperson for national professional organizations.
Dr. Bassam's publications on PubMed
Elias Chalhub, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Dr. Elias Chalub attended Emory University, Atlanta, GA (M.D. 1969, B.A. 1965). His graduate studies include NINDS special fellowships in clinical neurology and pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (1972-1976). Dr. Chalub is board certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
Hanna Czarkowska, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Hanna Czarkowska earned her medical degree from the Jagiellonian University School of Medicine in Krakow, Poland. She spent two years shortly after graduation at New York University in New York, NY pursuing clinical research focused on autonomic diseases which resulted in several presentations, abstracts, and journal publications. Dr. Czarkowska completed her residency in neurology at Stony Brook Medicine in Stony Brook, NY and her fellowship in movement disorders at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Manhasset, NY. She worked as a full-time faculty member of the Neurology Department at Stony Brook Medicine for six years prior to joining USA Health as a second movement disorders neurologist in early 2022. While her subspecialty patient base continues to expand, she also takes care of numerous patients with memory complaints. Dr. Czarkowska is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is an active member of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society and the American Academy of Neurology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, singing, and cooking.
Daniel D. Dees, M.D.
Clerkship Director
Associate Professor of Neurology
Dr. Dees received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry (2002) and Medical Degree (2007) from the University of South Alabama, Mobile. He performed an Internship in Internal Medicine (2007-2008) and Neurology residency at the University of South Alabama (2008-2011) and subsequently, a fellowship in Movement Disorders (2011-2012) at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta. Dr. Dees is board-certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2011). He was awarded the 2010 Trainee Travel Award from the American Society of Neuroimaging, and the American Academy of Neurology Student Award for Excellence in Neurology (2007).
Dr. Dees directs the USA Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Center. He evaluates and treats Parkinson Disease, Tremor, Dystonia and other movement problems with medications and deep brain stimulation. He also provides Botox injections for movement disorders, excessive salivation and other disorders.
William Hewitt, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
William Hewitt is a graduate of the University Of Mississippi School Of Medicine, Jackson, MS (M.D. 1997-2001). He also attended Mississippi College, Clinton, MS (B.S. in chemistry 1994-1997). Dr. Hewitt completed a residency in neurology (2002-2005) and fellowship in clinical neurophysiology (2005-2006) at Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Dr. Hewitt is board certified in neurology (2006) and clinical neurophysiology (2007) by the ABPN.
John Hinton, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
John Hinton, Jr. graduated from the University Of South Alabama College Of Medicine, Mobile, AL (M.D. 1984-1988). He completed a surgery internship at Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA (1988-1989), a neurosurgical fellowship at the Neurological Institute of Central Georgia, Macon, GA (1989-1991), as well as a neurology residency (1991-1994) and Internal medicine training (1994-1995) at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. Dr. Hinton is certified in neurology and sleep by the ABPN.
William Kilgo, M.D.
Residency Program Director
Associate Professor of Neurology
Dr. Kilgo received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry (2009) from the University of Alabama. He completed his Medical Degree (2013), Internal Medicine Internship (2014) and Neurology Residency (2017) at the University of South Alabama, Mobile. Dr. Kilgo performed a neuroimmunology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Kilgo currently serves as Program Director of the Neurology Residency Program. His clinical interests include multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, neurosarcoidosis and autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system. His research interests include new and emerging disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis and related conditions.
Robert Kobelja, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Kobelja received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry (2007) from Loyola University New Orleans. He received his Medical Degree (2013) from the University of South Alabama, Mobile. He performed an Internship in Internal Medicine (2013-2014), a Neurology residency (2014-2017) and subsequently, a Neuromuscular fellowship (2017-2018) at the University of Michigan.
His clinical interests are in neuromuscular neurology with special interest in ALS, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory myopathies, CIDP, and myasthenia gravis.
Paul Maertens, M.D.
Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
Paul Maertens received his M.D. from L' Universit Libre de Bruxelles, in Belgium.
He completed his pediatric residency at the TC Thompson Children's Hospital in Chattanooga,
Tennessee. He trained in Child Neurology at the Medical College of Georgia and joined
the faculty at the University of South Alabama. He is certified by the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child Neurology and is certified in Neurosonography.
Dr. Maertens is Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics. His clinical and academic interests
include pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy, cerebral palsy , Rett syndrome, autism,
mental retardation, neurocutaneous disorders, and many more childhood neurologic disorders.
Dr Maertens performs all neurosonographic studies in neonates and infants at USA and
children with sickle cell disease. He serves on the editorial Board of the American
Journal of Neuroimaging and of the journal Headache. He serves on the Membership Committee
of the American Epilepsy Society. He is extensively published in textbooks, including
Textbook of Clinical Neurology (Goetz, ed,; Saunders, 2007); the third edition of
Clinical Pediatric Neurology, (Ronald, ed.; Demos Publishing, 2009), Neurosonology
(Tegeler, ed; Univ. of Chicago Library, 1996), and Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography,
2nd ed., (Babikian, ed; Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd, 1999.)
Dr. Maertens' publications on PubMed
Taha Nisar, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Taha Nisar graduated from medical school at Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. He completed an internship and residency at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Dr. Nisar’s postgraduate education includes a fellowship in vascular neurology at Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY and another in endovascular surgical neuroradiology, also at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is board certified in neurology and vascular neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Nisar has multiple poster presentations, journal article publications, speaker presentations and research projects to his credit.
Juan Ochoa, M.D.
Associate Residency Program Director
Professor of Neurology
Dr. Ochoa received his MD from the Universidad Javeriana Medicine, Bogota, Columbia in 1988. He completed a residency in Family Medicine at Jamaica Hospital, NY (1992-1994), and then completed a Neurology residency at the State University of New York at Brooklyn (1994-1997). He subsequently performed a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, 1997-1998. Dr. Ochoa was an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Florida in Jacksonville (1998-2009) and director of the EEG laboratory and Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville (1998-2009). Dr. Ochoa's subspecialty interests include epilepsy and medical education, and he has published actively in these areas. He has also performed a fellowship in medical education at the University of Florida, Gainesville (2003-2004). He has developed innovative Web-based training programs in Neurology and EEG.
Dr. Ochoa is Board Certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2000) and Clinical Neurophysiology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2001).
Dr. Ochoa is the Associate Director of the Neurology Residency at USA and Associate Professor of Neurology. He is also Director of the SouthCEP Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at USA Health University Hospital. His clinical interests include clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy surgery evaluations. His current research interests include use of hyperosmolar solutions for intractable seizures. He brings a multidisciplinary and multitechnological approach to medical education.
R. Eugene Ramsay, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Dr. Ramsay graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine (1969), completed an internship (1970) in the Department of Surgery at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida, then a clinical fellowship (1975) in the Department of Neurology there. He followed that with a fellowship (1976) in Epilepsy and Electroencephalography at the Department of Neurology of the Malcolm Randall Veterans Administration Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida under the mentorship of B.J. Wilder, M.D. He is a former faculty member at the LSU School of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, University of Queensland and Tulane University. He joined the University of South Alabama in 2024.
Dr. Ramsay is Professor of Neurology and board certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society and American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. His academic focus and research interests include epilepsy and seizures. Dr. Ramsay has multiple books, book chapters and journal articles to his credit. He is listed in the top 2% worldwide based on the impact of his publications in his field over 20 years, according to the Stanford University Research Study Report in 2022.
José Sanchez, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
A licensed Spanish medical interpreter, Dr. Sanchez earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine in Mexico and completed his medical school career and a pre-internship at New York Medical College. Following a residency in neurology at the USA College of Medicine, Sanchez completed a neuromuscular fellowship at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Muhammad Adeel Saleemi, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Muhammad Adeel Saleemi is a graduate of Medical School: Allama Iqbal Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan. He completed his residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, and fellowships in vascular and interventional neurology at Michigan State University’s Sparrow Hospital in East Lansing, MI. Dr. Saleemi is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with certification in Neurology and Vascular Neurology. In addition to poster presentations, publications and speaking engagements, he has experience volunteering in various medical settings and photography organizations. He is also a senior member of the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery.
John N. Soltys, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Soltys received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry (2009) from the University of Vermont. He completed his Medical Degree and Ph.D. in Neuroscience (both 2018) at the University of Colorado at Anschutz Medical Campus. He followed that with an Internal Medicine Internship (2019) and Neurology Residency (2022) at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, where he also served as Chief Resident. Before returning to USA, he finished an Honorary Fellowship in Autoimmune Neurology (2024) at the University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital.
His research interest is neuroimmunology, with a focus on multiple sclerosis and paraneoplastic autoimmune brain disease.
Rebecca Sugg, M.D., F.A.H.A.
Professor of Neurology
Dr. Sugg's area of expertise includes clot retrieval and stent placement in patients suffering from stroke, as well as aneurysm and brain vascular malformation embolization treatment.
Prior to joining USA, Dr. Sugg served as associate professor of neurology, neurosurgery, radiology and surgery at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson. She also served as a neurointerventional vascular neurologist, medical director of the stroke program, chief of the vascular and endovascular division, and vice chair of the department of neurology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Dr. Sugg earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in neurology at UAB, followed by a fellowship in vascular neurology at the University of Texas at Houston and fellowships in neuroradiology and endovascular surgical neuroradiology at UAB.
She is board-certified in neurology and vascular neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is also certified in neuroimaging by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. Her areas of interest include endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular diseases such as carotid and vertebral stenosis, intracranial stenosis, acute stroke, aneurysms, and vascular malformations.
Clinical Adjunct Faculty
Jake Epker, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Epker is a graduate of Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts (B.A. in Psychology). He subsequently attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (Ph.D. in Psychology). Following graduation, Dr. Epker completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in health psychology with a focus on chronic pain.
T. Elliott Foster, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Foster is a graduate of the University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL (B.S. Biology, 2003) and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL (M.D. in 2008). He was an intern in Internal Medicine (2008-2009) and resident in Neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL. Dr. Foster is board certified in Neurology by the ABPN.
Mark R. Gacek, M.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology
Dr. Gacek is a graduate of SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine (M.D. in 1987). He has 33 years of experience. He is an ear, nose, & throat specialist (otorhinolaryngologist) with a subspecialty in neurotology.
Kendrea Garand, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Garand graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC (B.A. in Communication Sciences with a concentration in disorders, 2005). She then went on to attend Purdue University (M.Sc. in Speech-Language Pathology, 2007) followed by the University of Pittsburg (C.Sc.D. in Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 2010). Dr. Garand then graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina (Ph.D. in 2014) and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in 2017.
Ethan Gore, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Gore is a graduate of the University of South Alabama (B.S.) and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (M.D. in 2010). He was an intern in Internal Medicine (2010-2011) and resident in Neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Dr. Gore is board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology and Behavioral Neurology by the ABPN.
Abdel Kasmia, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Kasmia attended the University of Santiago School of Medicine, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (M.D. 1982-1986). His graduate studies include neurosciences at the University of Alberta Medical Center, College of Medicine (1986-1989), an internship in internal medicine at Brown University-Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket, RI (1989-1990) and a residency in neurology at the University of South Alabama (1990-1993). Dr. Kasmia also attended Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH (M.S. 1980-1982) and Cairo University, Cairo Egypt (B.E. 1975-1980). Dr. Kasmia is certified in neurology by the ABPN.
Andrew Manley, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Manley is a graduate of the University of South Alabama (B.S.) and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL (M.D. in 2012). He was an intern in Internal Medicine (2012-2013) and resident in Neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.
Matthew McLean, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. McLean is a graduate of the University of South Alabama (B.S.) and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL (M.D. in 2010). He was an intern in Internal Medicine (2010-2011) and resident in Neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.
Melissa Ogden, Ph.D., ABPP-CN
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Ogden is a board certified Neuropsychologist and Clinical Psychologist who has been in practice in Mobile, Alabama, for 15 years. Dr. Ogden graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas (Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology) and completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology. She is board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Ozgur Oztas, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology
Dr. Oztas is a graduate of Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey (M.D. 1981-1987). He underwent Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Training at Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (1991-1995). Dr. Oztas attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL for internal medicine residency training (1999-2000), neurology residency training (2000-2002) and chief resident, neurology (2002-2003).Dr. Oztas is board certified in neurology by the ABPN (2009).
Daniel C. Potts, M.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology
Dr. Potts graduated from Birmingham-Southern College (B.S. in Biology) and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (M.D.). He participated in an internship in internal medicine and residency, while serving as chief resident, in neurology at the UAB School of Medicine. A fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, Dr. Potts also is an affiliate of the Alabama Research Institute on Aging, the University of Alabama Honors College, and the McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars, and is on the clinical faculty at both the University of Alabama and the University of South Alabama Medical Schools.
John F. Shelley-Tremblay, Ph.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology
Dr. Shelley-Tremblay is a graduate of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO (B.S. in 1995). He holds degrees from the New School for Social Research in New York City (M.A. in 1998) and a Ph.D. from City University of New York (Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience, 2013). He is the Chair of Psychology Department at the University of South Alabama.