AWARENESS
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AWARENESS
The Global Nerve Foundation improves overall knowledge of peripheral nerve impact by fostering broad awareness for nerve conditions, symptoms and potential treatment solutions.
We build awareness around nerve symptoms and their common causes by providing context and sharing the most up-to-date resources and data available. We enable clinicians, caregivers and patients to better communicate the impact of nerve symptoms and explore potential opportunities for treatment.
We build awareness around nerve symptoms and their common causes by providing context and sharing the most up-to-date resources and data available. We enable clinicians, caregivers and patients to better communicate the impact of nerve symptoms and explore potential opportunities for treatment.
At the Global Nerve Foundation, we:
- Enhance patient awareness to support individuals as they navigate new interactions and communication between their treating clinicians and caregivers
- Engage individuals in their care conversations, keep them motivated to complete treatment aftercare and stay compliant with follow-up care
- Implement measures to help healthcare practitioners identify the right treatment for the
right patient at the right time
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Nearly 1 in 6 of world’s population suffer from a neurological disorder
Committee members of the GNF are not compensated. They donate their time and expertise to the mission of the GNF.
Awareness Committee
Harry Hoyen, Chair
MetroHealth
Helen Blake
MD
United States
Interventional Pain Management Physician
Dr. Helen Blake is an Interventional Pain Physician and best-selling author of the book “Move Freely: Get Your Life Back After Injury.” She is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. Her compassionate, patient-centered, comprehensive pain management techniques help her patients manage their pain and minimize their dependence on medications. She strives to give her patients the results they need to live their best life.
Dr. Blake is empathetic, passionate, and inspiring to her patients and staff alike. Her training in the Weill Cornell Tri-institute interventional Pain Fellowship gave her advanced training in the evaluation of musculoskeletal complaints and sports injuries but it’s her interest in moving knowledge further with continuing education and the relentless study of cutting-edge therapies that sets her apart from her peers.
To read Dr. Blake’s full bio, visit: https://www.prsstl.com/pain-management-doctors
United States
Interventional Pain Management Physician
Dr. Helen Blake is an Interventional Pain Physician and best-selling author of the book “Move Freely: Get Your Life Back After Injury.” She is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. Her compassionate, patient-centered, comprehensive pain management techniques help her patients manage their pain and minimize their dependence on medications. She strives to give her patients the results they need to live their best life.
Dr. Blake is empathetic, passionate, and inspiring to her patients and staff alike. Her training in the Weill Cornell Tri-institute interventional Pain Fellowship gave her advanced training in the evaluation of musculoskeletal complaints and sports injuries but it’s her interest in moving knowledge further with continuing education and the relentless study of cutting-edge therapies that sets her apart from her peers.
To read Dr. Blake’s full bio, visit: https://www.prsstl.com/pain-management-doctors
St. Louis Spine and Orthopedic
Marvin Chung
MBBS FRCS FRCSEd (Orth) FRCSGlasg (Tr & Orth)
Hong Kong
Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Hong Kong
Dr. Marvin Chung is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon subspecialized in hand surgery. He received his undergraduate medical degree from the University of Hong Kong in 2014 and completed his orthopaedic specialty training at Queen Mary Hospital Hong Kong in 2021. He obtained his fellowship from multiple colleges including the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. Dr. Chung is currently a clinical assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at University of Hong Kong, and serving as a specialist hand surgeon at Queen Mary Hospital, Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. His clinical and research interest lies in peripheral nerve pathology, wide awake local anaesthesia surgery and reconstructive surgery for limb spasticity, tetraplegia and stroke. He has been invited for talks on various upper limb pathologies and nerve injury, and has organized the first cadaveric workshop on upper limb paralytic reconstruction in Hong Kong. Dr. Chung was awarded the Philip K.H. Wong Outstanding Young Fellowship in Orthopaedics & Traumatology from University of Hong Kong in recognition of his achievement as a young surgeon. Dr. Chung is an advocate of patient education and empowerment. Apart from Global Nerve Foundation, he also serves as a committee member in the Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons Public Information Committee where he endeavours in promoting health information in hand and peripheral nerve pathology to the general public.
Hong Kong
Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Hong Kong
Dr. Marvin Chung is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon subspecialized in hand surgery. He received his undergraduate medical degree from the University of Hong Kong in 2014 and completed his orthopaedic specialty training at Queen Mary Hospital Hong Kong in 2021. He obtained his fellowship from multiple colleges including the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. Dr. Chung is currently a clinical assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at University of Hong Kong, and serving as a specialist hand surgeon at Queen Mary Hospital, Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. His clinical and research interest lies in peripheral nerve pathology, wide awake local anaesthesia surgery and reconstructive surgery for limb spasticity, tetraplegia and stroke. He has been invited for talks on various upper limb pathologies and nerve injury, and has organized the first cadaveric workshop on upper limb paralytic reconstruction in Hong Kong. Dr. Chung was awarded the Philip K.H. Wong Outstanding Young Fellowship in Orthopaedics & Traumatology from University of Hong Kong in recognition of his achievement as a young surgeon. Dr. Chung is an advocate of patient education and empowerment. Apart from Global Nerve Foundation, he also serves as a committee member in the Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons Public Information Committee where he endeavours in promoting health information in hand and peripheral nerve pathology to the general public.
University of Hong Kong
Axogen
Amber Leis
MD
United States
Department of Plastic Surgery, Program Director for the Plastic Surgery Resident Training Program
Dr. Amber Leis is an Associate Professor, UCI School of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, where she also serves as Program Director for the Plastic Surgery Resident Training Program. Dr. Leis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology from Oregon State University Honors College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She obtained her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she was honored for her commitment to education with the Nathans Distinguished Service for Mentorship and Teaching. She went on to complete a six year residency in plastic surgery at Loma Linda University, and an additional fellowship of one year in Orthopaedic Hand Surgery at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. At Keck, she worked with leaders in the field of microsurgical reconstruction of complex congenital and traumatic injuries of the upper extremity.
Dr Leis is also affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) where she specializes in congenital hand surgery and pediatric brachial plexus injuries. Dr. Leis provides adult reconstructive care for US Veterans at Veterans Affairs Hospital, Long Beach, California and throughout UCI Health clinical practices in Orange County, CA – Costa Mesa, Orange and Tustin.
For full bio, visit: https://www.orthopaedicsurgery.uci.edu/dr-amber-leis-orthopaedic-irvine-newportbeach-california.html
United States
Department of Plastic Surgery, Program Director for the Plastic Surgery Resident Training Program
Dr. Amber Leis is an Associate Professor, UCI School of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, where she also serves as Program Director for the Plastic Surgery Resident Training Program. Dr. Leis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology from Oregon State University Honors College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She obtained her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she was honored for her commitment to education with the Nathans Distinguished Service for Mentorship and Teaching. She went on to complete a six year residency in plastic surgery at Loma Linda University, and an additional fellowship of one year in Orthopaedic Hand Surgery at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. At Keck, she worked with leaders in the field of microsurgical reconstruction of complex congenital and traumatic injuries of the upper extremity.
Dr Leis is also affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) where she specializes in congenital hand surgery and pediatric brachial plexus injuries. Dr. Leis provides adult reconstructive care for US Veterans at Veterans Affairs Hospital, Long Beach, California and throughout UCI Health clinical practices in Orange County, CA – Costa Mesa, Orange and Tustin.
For full bio, visit: https://www.orthopaedicsurgery.uci.edu/dr-amber-leis-orthopaedic-irvine-newportbeach-california.html
University of California, Irvine
Fraser Leversedge
MD
United States
Chief: Section of Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgery, Co-Director: Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury Program, University of Colorado, Associate Director: Hand Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Leversedge received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College where he also completed his medical studies. He completed a residency at Emory University followed by a fellowship at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital/St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Leversedge has particular interests in brachial plexus and peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), compression neuropathies, tendon injuries, Dupuytren’s contracture, and hand & wrist injuries. He has an extensive background caring for athletes at all levels, including youth and college teams, professional athletes, athletes at two Olympic Games and the weekend warrior.
Dr. Leversedge has been involved in developing advanced programs for training our next generation of leaders in orthopaedic and hand surgery, and he is interested in research related to this educational process. He has experience and ongoing interests in clinical and basic scientific research in nerve repair and regeneration, tendon repair and reconstruction, wrist injuries, compartment syndrome and upper extremity anatomy.
For his full bio visit: https://www.uchealth.org/provider/fraser-leversedge-md/
United States
Chief: Section of Hand, Wrist & Elbow Surgery, Co-Director: Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury Program, University of Colorado, Associate Director: Hand Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Leversedge received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College where he also completed his medical studies. He completed a residency at Emory University followed by a fellowship at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital/St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Leversedge has particular interests in brachial plexus and peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), compression neuropathies, tendon injuries, Dupuytren’s contracture, and hand & wrist injuries. He has an extensive background caring for athletes at all levels, including youth and college teams, professional athletes, athletes at two Olympic Games and the weekend warrior.
Dr. Leversedge has been involved in developing advanced programs for training our next generation of leaders in orthopaedic and hand surgery, and he is interested in research related to this educational process. He has experience and ongoing interests in clinical and basic scientific research in nerve repair and regeneration, tendon repair and reconstruction, wrist injuries, compartment syndrome and upper extremity anatomy.
For his full bio visit: https://www.uchealth.org/provider/fraser-leversedge-md/
UCHealth Hand Clinic
Deana Mercer
MD
United States
Orthopaedic Surgeon, University of New Mexico
Dr. Deana Mercer is a board-certified Orthopaedic surgeon at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. She is a tenured full professor at the state’s Level 1 Trauma Center.
She specializes in the upper extremity and has a special interest in extremity nerve injuries. In her practice, she cares for upper and lower extremity nerve injuries both acute and chronic.
She works alongside her trauma and tumor surgeon colleagues and collaborates with them to address the nerve component of the surgical effort including nerve reconstruction after tumor resection and TMR/RPNI in traumatic amputations.
She is passionate about advancing the science of nerve repair and reconstruction and collaborates across disciplines in nerve research and promotes peripheral nerve injury awareness.
United States
Orthopaedic Surgeon, University of New Mexico
Dr. Deana Mercer is a board-certified Orthopaedic surgeon at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. She is a tenured full professor at the state’s Level 1 Trauma Center.
She specializes in the upper extremity and has a special interest in extremity nerve injuries. In her practice, she cares for upper and lower extremity nerve injuries both acute and chronic.
She works alongside her trauma and tumor surgeon colleagues and collaborates with them to address the nerve component of the surgical effort including nerve reconstruction after tumor resection and TMR/RPNI in traumatic amputations.
She is passionate about advancing the science of nerve repair and reconstruction and collaborates across disciplines in nerve research and promotes peripheral nerve injury awareness.
Ziv Peled
MD
United States
Plastic Surgeon, Private Practice
Ziv M. Peled, MD is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon trained to perform the full spectrum of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgical procedures. He completed his medical school training at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he earned honors in multiple surgical disciplines. He subsequently completed four years of general surgical training at the University of Connecticut during which he also completed an additional two-year, post-doctoral Basic Science Research Fellowship at Stanford University under the tutelage of Dr. Michael T. Longaker, a pioneer in the field of scarless wound healing. During that time, Dr. Peled not only helped establish Dr. Longaker’s laboratory at Stanford but was also awarded a 5-year NIH grant for his work in keloid biology and scarless wound repair. Ziv then completed a prestigious and highly sought-after plastic surgical residency at Harvard University. While there, he was awarded an “Excellence in Teaching” award from the Harvard medical students. Dr. Peled continued to hone his specialty skills with an additional year of training in peripheral nerve surgery at the Dellon Institute for Peripheral Nerve and Plastic Surgery. He is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Peled is also a member of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons.
In 2007, Dr. Peled helped to found a peripheral nerve surgery institute in San Francisco where he served as Director and Chief Plastic & Peripheral Nerve Surgeon. Working with his wife Anne who is an oncoplastic surgeon, they have pioneered a novel operation that is able to restore/preserve sensation in women undergoing mastectomy and implant-based breast reconstruction.
Dr. Peled has authored and co-authored over 50 manuscripts and book chapters on all aspects of plastic surgery and has presented his work as well as taught other surgeons at numerous national/international meetings.
United States
Plastic Surgeon, Private Practice
Ziv M. Peled, MD is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon trained to perform the full spectrum of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgical procedures. He completed his medical school training at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he earned honors in multiple surgical disciplines. He subsequently completed four years of general surgical training at the University of Connecticut during which he also completed an additional two-year, post-doctoral Basic Science Research Fellowship at Stanford University under the tutelage of Dr. Michael T. Longaker, a pioneer in the field of scarless wound healing. During that time, Dr. Peled not only helped establish Dr. Longaker’s laboratory at Stanford but was also awarded a 5-year NIH grant for his work in keloid biology and scarless wound repair. Ziv then completed a prestigious and highly sought-after plastic surgical residency at Harvard University. While there, he was awarded an “Excellence in Teaching” award from the Harvard medical students. Dr. Peled continued to hone his specialty skills with an additional year of training in peripheral nerve surgery at the Dellon Institute for Peripheral Nerve and Plastic Surgery. He is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Peled is also a member of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons.
In 2007, Dr. Peled helped to found a peripheral nerve surgery institute in San Francisco where he served as Director and Chief Plastic & Peripheral Nerve Surgeon. Working with his wife Anne who is an oncoplastic surgeon, they have pioneered a novel operation that is able to restore/preserve sensation in women undergoing mastectomy and implant-based breast reconstruction.
Dr. Peled has authored and co-authored over 50 manuscripts and book chapters on all aspects of plastic surgery and has presented his work as well as taught other surgeons at numerous national/international meetings.
Shafic Sraj
MD
United States
Associate Professor, and Director, System Integration, Dept. of Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Dr. Shafic Sraj, MD is an orthopedic hand surgery specialist in Morgantown, WV. Dr. Sraj is an Associate Professor and Director of System Integration in the Department of Orthopaedics at West Virginia University. He is also a Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon in the Sports Medicine Department. He currently practice at WVU Medicine Orthopaedics and are affiliated with J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Sraj completed fellowships at the Baylor College Of Medicine Hand Surgery, a combined Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Hand and Upper Extremity, and Penn State Hershey Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship. He completed his residency at American University of Beirut-Medical Center, and his medical school at American University of Beirut.
Dr. Sraj has many publications focused on improving patient care through refining technique and patient outcome measures.
United States
Associate Professor, and Director, System Integration, Dept. of Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Dr. Shafic Sraj, MD is an orthopedic hand surgery specialist in Morgantown, WV. Dr. Sraj is an Associate Professor and Director of System Integration in the Department of Orthopaedics at West Virginia University. He is also a Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon in the Sports Medicine Department. He currently practice at WVU Medicine Orthopaedics and are affiliated with J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Sraj completed fellowships at the Baylor College Of Medicine Hand Surgery, a combined Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Hand and Upper Extremity, and Penn State Hershey Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship. He completed his residency at American University of Beirut-Medical Center, and his medical school at American University of Beirut.
Dr. Sraj has many publications focused on improving patient care through refining technique and patient outcome measures.
West Virginia University
Sayed Wahezi
MD
United States
Program Director, Pain Medicine Fellowship and Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology, and Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Wahezi earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Buffalo and completed his Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. He then completed an Interventional Musculoskeletal fellowship. Following his training he completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center, where he cultivated the clinical and academic development of the Pain Program.
Dr. Wahezi currently serves as Associate Professor of PMR, Anesthesiology, and Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City where he serves as the Program Director of the ACGME accredited Pain Fellowship. He has created a fellowship with an interventional focus and multidisciplinary foundation. His mission is to create an academic environment which fosters the growth of Pain Medicine by education and investigation/development of new devices and techniques.
Dr. Wahezi holds membership or leadership titles in the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), New York Pain Society (NYPS), Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), New York Pain Society (NYPS), American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN), Eastern Pain Association (EPA), Spine Intervention Society (SIS), and Academy of Pain Program Directors (APPD) . He is a nominated AAPMR delegate representative for the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Expert Panel on Pain Management. He is also a graduate of the Academy of Academic Physiatrists’ (AAP) Program for Academic Leadership (PAL). He is also Reviewer and Editor for the Pain Physician Journal and the Pain Medicine Journal. In addition, he is a nominated Super Doctor®, as identified by the New York Times Magazine, and included in the list of Best Doctors in America®.
Dr. Wahezi has authored more than eighty publications in peer reviewed pain journals, including book chapters, abstracts, and posters. He has presented at over 100 state and national level academic programs, and has given more than 150 lectures in Pain Management. He is actively involved in basic science and clinical studies in Pain management. His basic science interests include the physiology of neuropathic and orthopedic pain. His clinical research interests include innovative percutaneous pain treatments.
United States
Program Director, Pain Medicine Fellowship and Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology, and Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Wahezi earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Buffalo and completed his Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. He then completed an Interventional Musculoskeletal fellowship. Following his training he completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center, where he cultivated the clinical and academic development of the Pain Program.
Dr. Wahezi currently serves as Associate Professor of PMR, Anesthesiology, and Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City where he serves as the Program Director of the ACGME accredited Pain Fellowship. He has created a fellowship with an interventional focus and multidisciplinary foundation. His mission is to create an academic environment which fosters the growth of Pain Medicine by education and investigation/development of new devices and techniques.
Dr. Wahezi holds membership or leadership titles in the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), New York Pain Society (NYPS), Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), New York Pain Society (NYPS), American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN), Eastern Pain Association (EPA), Spine Intervention Society (SIS), and Academy of Pain Program Directors (APPD) . He is a nominated AAPMR delegate representative for the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Expert Panel on Pain Management. He is also a graduate of the Academy of Academic Physiatrists’ (AAP) Program for Academic Leadership (PAL). He is also Reviewer and Editor for the Pain Physician Journal and the Pain Medicine Journal. In addition, he is a nominated Super Doctor®, as identified by the New York Times Magazine, and included in the list of Best Doctors in America®.
Dr. Wahezi has authored more than eighty publications in peer reviewed pain journals, including book chapters, abstracts, and posters. He has presented at over 100 state and national level academic programs, and has given more than 150 lectures in Pain Management. He is actively involved in basic science and clinical studies in Pain management. His basic science interests include the physiology of neuropathic and orthopedic pain. His clinical research interests include innovative percutaneous pain treatments.
Montefiore Medical Center