Comprehensive care without barriers

Nationally recognized in the Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Gregory W. Stewart specializes in disability prevention, rehabilitative medicine, sports medicine, and has a particular interest in sports concussion. He is the director of the Sports Concussion Management Program and team physician at Tulane, and he has served as team physician for professional, collegiate and high school teams for more than 35 years.

Dr. Stewart is active in professional associations in sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation. He was a major contributor to the successful passage of the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act. He received funding from the U.S Department of Education’s National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research to examine the effects of mild traumatic brain injury in high school football athletes.

Dr. Stewart earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Houston Baptist University in 1982 and a medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in 1986. He completed an internship and residency at Louisiana State University/Charity Hospital. Dr. Stewart is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Professional Affiliations

• Medical Director, Tulane Center for Brain Health
• Co-Founder and Co-Director, Tulane Center for Sport‍
• Tulane University W. Kennon McWilliams Professor of Sports Medicine in Orthopaedics
• Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Medical Director, Tulane School of Medicine NFL Player Care Foundation Healthy Body and Mind Screening program‍
• Medical Director, Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine’s The Trust (powered by the NFLPA) Brain and Body program‍
• Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at Tulane School of Medicine
  

Awards & Honors

• Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, Jimmy Collins Special Award 2020-2021
• Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame 2019
• Best Doctors in America List 2017 – 2022
• Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association, Sports Medicine Person of the Year, 2018
• Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association, Sports Medicine Person of the Year, 2017
• Castle Connolly Top Doctors, 2011 – 2022
• Louisiana High School Athletic Associations Distinguished Service Award, 201
• Who's Who in the World 2018-2020
• America's Most Honored Professionals 2019-2022

Cheryl Abana-Emmer is a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Case Manager. Cheryl has years of experience providing rehabilitation counseling and case management for brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, and general rehabilitation in an inpatient setting from the pre-admission standpoint through discharging to the community. In the private sector, she worked as a vocational counselor providing job placement and life care planning services.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Psychology, University of New Orleans
• Master of Health Sciences in Rehabilitation Counseling, Louisiana State University Health Science Center

As the Director of Community and Veteran Engagement, David's responsibilities include the comprehensive strategy and implementation of all community engagement initiatives for Tulane Center for Sport and the Center for Brain Health. These initiatives include developing outreach programming, coordinating community partnerships, and advocating for military veteran and athlete populations.

‍

David served as an army officer for over 20 years. His career included three combat tours, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. David is a vocal advocate for the Veteran community and has had the honor of leading soldiers at many different levels. His experiences and skills include project management, operations, personnel management, strategic planning and training management.

Education

• Master of Public Administration, Keller School of Management
• Bachelor of Arts, History, Louisiana State University

Awards & Honors

• Bronze Star medals
• Combat Action badge
• Global War on Terrorism service ribbon
• NATO medal
• Meritorious Unit citation

Ryan is a Clinical Patient Navigator at the Tulane University Center for Brain Health. He is responsible for reviewing medical records, completing intake interviews to determine participation eligibility in TUCBH programs, and coordinating the application process and intake assessment on entry into the program.

‍

Ryan is a fourth-generation combat veteran with a tour to Afghanistan as a Hospital Corpsman. Growing up on military bases, he has been around veterans his entire life. While completing his degree, Ryan began serving the veteran community by working with the Nicholls Student Veteran Organization.

Education

• BA in Psychology, Nicholls State University
  

Vanessa Batiste-Leal is a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Case Manager for the Tulane University Center for Brain Health. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2000 and a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Counseling and Rehabilitation from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in 2015.

‍

As a former student-athlete who has played at the Division 1 level and a military spouse, Vanessa is not naïve to the pressures and sometimes the unseen harm inflicted on athletes’ and military members’ mental and physical health. Vanessa has experience working in private practice and the New Orleans school system dealing with mental health and behavioral issues, as well as with case management and life care planning skills, including extensive knowledge in working within an interdisciplinary team through a holistic approach and identifying psychological and physical accommodations for those who experienced traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and severe mental health diagnoses. For the private sector, she worked within the litigation system as a vocational counselor providing psychological testing, vocational assessment and life care planning services. She continues to provide mental health services through private practice.

Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing, University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Master of Health Sciences in Rehabilitation Counseling, Louisiana State University Health Science Center
  

Kenneth is responsible for the coordination of patient care for military veterans and first responders through the provision of facilitated access to high-quality, comprehensive evaluation and treatment plans. This position also provides support and education to potential and current clients, graduates, referral sources, and donors around the country at various military treatment facilities, military installations, and in local communities.

Chelsea Bernard is the Speech-Language Pathologist for Tulane University’s Center for Brain Health. She has been practicing for 14 years in the New Orleans area, and over her career, has worked in in- and out-patient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and acute care. However, most recently, she found a strong passion for serving the Veteran population. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of cognitive communication impairments. While striving to develop a strong rapport with her patients, Chelsea maintains a holistic approach to their treatment.

When she’s not serving her patients, you can find her spending time with her three young children and husband. She’s a true New Orleanian who loves all our city has to offer.

‍

Education

• B.A., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• M.C.D., Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Andrea Booth is responsible for coordinating the schedules for various providers, as well as booking travel and other logistics for the veterans. She is a licensed, ordained minister who has worked with homeless veterans through her church. She has been married for 26 years to her high school sweetheart, and they have four sons.

Heidi Breaux is a licensed clinical social worker and has been a social worker for over 15 years. Since 2014, Heidi has taught graduate students in social work at New York University and Tulane University School of Social Work. As a social worker, Heidi has worked with the veterans community since 2007. Heidi worked at the Brooklyn VA hospital and the VA Harlem Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. She was appointed and served for many years on the Board for Women Veterans at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Heidi also served on the Board of Directors at Bastion Community of Resilience.

Education

• MSW, New York University
• BSW, Rutgers University
• DSW, Tulane University
  

Jeremy is a licensed clinical social worker serving as a Clinical Therapist at Tulane University Center for Brain Health. He is responsible for providing behavioral health assessments to identify patients’ levels of psychological function and treatment planning needs. He provides education and trauma counseling addressing a wide range of behavioral and social needs of patients.

‍

Jeremy is a Marine Corps veteran with two combat tours to Iraq. He has served the veteran community for over ten years as part of various organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project and Bastion Community of Resilience. He is certified through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine — where he also serves on the training faculty — and in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

Education

• MSW, Tulane School of Social Work
• BS in Psychology, University of New Orleans
  

Camilo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and is currently serving as Research Director for the Center for Sport and the Center for Brain Health at Tulane University School of Medicine. In this position, he fronts the Centers’ efforts to build, expand, and strengthen its research portfolio and oversee all research-related operations across all divisions.

‍

Over the last 15 years, Camilo has accrued significant international experience in multiple facets of clinical and translational research, spanning the T0-T4 continuum in academia and industry. He has authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, monographs, editorials, and abstracts and continuously participates as a member of scientific/organizing committees for CME activities endorsed by various medical/scientific associations. He has spoken on diverse science and technology topics nationally and internationally and has received numerous awards. The National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries have funded his research. He holds six international and U.S. patents.

‍

He earned his medical degree from the William C. Gorgas School of Health Sciences in Panama City, completed his internship and residency in medical centers in Panama City and Louisiana, and received fellowship training at the Tulane Center for Cardiovascular Health and the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. He has also received training in business administration from the INCAE institute in Costa Rica; clinical research from the University of Louisville, the National Institutes of Health, and Harvard University; and data science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

‍

Camilo's research interests include sports cardiology, exercise physiology, hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular imaging, diabetes, digital health and preventive cardiology.

Dr. Lawrence has actively explored the connection between mind, body, and spirit for over thirty years – first as an ordained clergywoman, then as a licensed clinical social worker, and more recently as a mind-body medicine practitioner and program developer. Her interest and expertise lie in creating complementary healthcare within conventional medical settings.

‍

As an integrative therapist, Dr. Lawrence works with individuals and groups to help people suffer less, manage debilitating fear and anxiety, and develop coping strategies for a happier life through non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques such as meditation, imagery, and biofeedback.

‍

Dr. Lawrence received her doctoral degree in mind-body medicine and integrative healthcare systems from Saybrook University, her master's in social work from the University of Maryland, and her master's in religious education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the founder and director of Mind-Body Medicine, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to making complementary health modalities easily accessible to individuals in local communities. Her training and experience give her a unique capacity to help others learn self-care as the key to healthcare.

Contact Information

llawrence@tulane.edu

504.988.2616

Education

• Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine and Integrative Healthcare Systems from Saybrook University
• MSW in Social Work and Community Organization from the University of Maryland at Baltimore
• MRE in Religious Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• BS in Education and Speech and Communication
  

As Director of External Relations, Bonnie is responsible for strategic communications and marketing in business partnerships and expansion opportunities for the Center for Sport. Her responsibilities include developing and coordinating the Center’s engagement and fundraising efforts, including donor and major gift opportunities. Before her current role, Bonnie was the Program Manager for the Center for Sport, overseeing the NFL Player Care Foundation Healthy Body & Mind Screening program.

‍

Bonnie is a native of New Orleans and has an extensive background in business management and development. Previously, Bonnie was the manager of a specialty retail business in Mobile, Alabama, for eight years, working closely with the owner to forecast trends and develop a diversified product mix tailored to a specific target market. She helped to develop and implement direct marketing initiatives, monitor inventory/customer databases, coordinate events, and maintain the website and e-commerce store.

Contact Information

bmccollo@tulane.edu

(504) 988-8481

Education

• BS, Business Administration / Marketing & Management, Spring Hill College
  

As Administrative Program Coordinator, Patrice assists the Tulane Center for Brain Health team with various administrative duties related to serving our military Veterans. As part of the intake team, she assists with program scheduling/planning, clinical tasks for the Program Director and Case Managers, and coordination of patient intake and insurance verification. Patrice works with the Program Director, physicians, all faculty, fellows and staff members in the academic medical center.

‍

Prior to joining TUCBH, Patrice worked at Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine for 15 years. She held various roles including Lead Customer Service Coordinator, Senior Lead Referral Authorization Coordinator and Financial Counselor.

Contact Information

pmcghee@tulane.edu

Kristen Monsalve is a Registered Nurse serving as Nurse Coordinator at Tulane University Center for Brain Health working within a comprehensive interdisciplinary medical team to assess patient care needs and provide clinical coordination.  Her primary duties include responding to patient inquiries, patient medical intake assessment, documentation of medical histories and records collection, referral management, evaluation of program eligibility and health insurance coverage, coordination of logistics, and scheduling of patient care procedures.

‍

Kristen received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi and has worked at local hospitals in various specialties for the last nine years.  She is Medical Surgical and Trauma Nursing Core Course Certified (TNCC).  Kristen is a Navy veteran with 12 years of active service and is currently serving in the Navy Reserve.

‍

Education

B.S., Nursing, University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach, MS

A.A., General Studies, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Biloxi, MS

‍

Contact Information

Phone: 504.301.7613

Email: kmonsalve@tulane.edu

‍

‍

‍

Dr. Jami Montagnino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics at Tulane School of Medicine. She enjoys treating a wide variety of sports and musculoskeletal conditions through a non-surgical and patient-centered approach. Her goal is to help all patients understand their condition through quality patient education so that they may work towards being as functional and active as possible.

‍

Dr. Montagnino’s clinical interest include management of sports injuries, care for adaptive athletes, ultrasound-guided interventions, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, regenerative medicine and electrodiagnostics.

‍

For medical training, Dr. Montagnino completed a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency at the University of Washington, then went on to complete a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Stanford University. Now she returns to New Orleans as one of the team physicians for Tulane Athletics where she once played for the women’s basketball team.

‍

Dr. Montagnino sees patients at the Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine, Professional Athletic Care Team Clinic (PACT), and Tulane Center for Brain Health.

‍

Michael Sandoz, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, is a Registered Dietitian from Mandeville, Louisiana, who graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences. He earned his Master’s Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science from Lipscomb University in 2014. Michael is also a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) through the National Certification Board for Diabetes. Before joining the Center for Sport, he worked as an outpatient dietitian at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana for five years.

Maggie is a physical therapist for the Tulane University Center for Brain Health. After completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, she traded the Midwest winters for New Orleans summers. She has experience rehabilitating adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients with orthopedic and neurologic injuries. Over the past several years, she has been involved in developing programs for patients with acquired brain injuries. Maggie also enjoys volunteering with local and international organizations and serves as a volunteer and board member for STAND, which sends medical volunteers to Haiti.

Contact Information

mwatson10@tulane.edu‍

(504) 988-5864

Education

• BS, Exercise Science, Saint Louis University
• Doctor of Physical Therapy, Saint Louis University
  

Kayla Scott is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). She earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts in 2011 and Master of Health Sciences in Rehabilitation Counseling from Louisiana State University Health Science Center of New Orleans in 2013.

‍

Kayla has more than nine years of experience in providing mental health services to adults. She has worked in both private and public sector. In the private sector she has worked with teens and adults providing mental health counseling. In the public sector, she has worked with families and persons of varying ability to as a case manager and rehabilitation counselor while providing trauma-informed care. Her areas of clinical interest include trauma, compassion fatigue, anxiety and depression.

Contact Information

kscott14@tulane.edu

504.247.4145

Oasis is the Center for Brain Health's service dog — a Labrador Retriever trained by U.S. Veterans Service Dogs. USVSD is dedicated to helping veterans return to a new “normal” by training and placing quality service dogs with veterans. These specially-trained dogs provide support to mitigate the effects of mental and physical disabilities.