Mercy Health System - Mercy Institute of Neuroscience

Our staff

The Mercy Institute of Neuroscience’s comprehensive medical staff includes board certified physicians whose primary concern is conditions relating to the brain and spine.

The physicians and clinicians of MIND are members of professional societies such as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Academy of Neurology, the North American Spine Society, American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the American Society for Cancer Research. They attend many conferences sponsored by these organizations in order to keep abreast of the many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in their fields of expertise. In addition, MIND staff members participate in clinical trials related to spine treatment advancements.

Administrative MIND staff

Medical director - Christopher Sturm, MD, FACS
Program director - Virginia Snyder, PhD, PA-C
Neuroscience administrative director - Randy Lebakken
Program assistant - Becky Brandenburg

Medical MIND Staff

Alan S. Muraki, MD, neuroradiology, interventional radiology
Brenda Larsen, RN, CRRN, BHA, inpatient rehabilitation, ortho/neuro, acute therapy
Christopher Sturm, MD, FACS, neurosurgery
Dawn Perez, PT
David Wakely, PhD, clinical health and rehabilitation psychology
Dena Green, MD, neuro-oncology
Donna Storbakken, PT, outpatient physical therapy sports medicine
Emily Robinson, MD, neuro-oncology
Gregory Love, MD, anesthesiology, pain management
Howard Gartland, PhD, clinical health and rehabilitation psychology
Jennifer Bestland, APNP, neurosurgery
Jennifer Stoll, PhD, clinical neuropsychology
Jeremy McCue, MD, neuroradiology, interventional radiology
Karen Bridge, DC, chiropractic medicine
Kelli Casper, RN, APNP
Kim Payne, MS, CCC/SLP
Kim Buchner, PT
Laird Olson, MD, radiation oncology
Laurie Weber, MHS, OTR, CHT, outpatient occupational therapy, OCC
Lori Cherwenka, R.EEG T., RPSGT
Margie Hannesson, MS, CCC/SLP
Merle Rust, MD, neurosurgery
Patricia Marler-Bentley, R.PSGT., R.EEGT., R.EPT
Rob McGowan, PA-C
Ronald Garcia, MD, physiatry evaluation, rehabilitation pain management (physical medicine and rehabilitation)
Sany Khabbaz, MD, neurology
Scott Priske, DC, chiropractic medicine
Shelly Jones, RRT, sleep center/EEG
Stephen A. Lindahl, MD, occupational medicine
Vanessa Hopper, R.PSGT., EEGT, EPT
Virginia Snyder, PhD, PA-C, neurosurgery