Faculty

	Puneet K. Aggarwal, MD Medical Director, Carolinas Back and Sports Specialists Dr. Aggarwal is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia - Roanoke and his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine. Later, he completed an Interventional Spine fellowship at Medical College of Virginia Hospital and the Sheltering Arms Spine and Sport Center. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. Associations in which Dr. Aggarwal is active include the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiatric Association of Spine, Sport and Occupational Rehabilitation, North American Spine Society, International Spinal Injection Society and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Aggarwal's primary interests are in interventional spine care, musculoskeletal and sports medicine, as well as electromyography (EMG/NCS). Dr. Aggarwal enjoys spending time with his wife, swimming, jogging and reading. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing racquetball, tennis and ultimate frisbee.
	David Agner, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Agner is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Agner completed his undergraduate degree in pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of Rho Chi, the Pharmaceutical Honor Society. He completed his medical degree at East Carolinas University, and completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, and his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.
	William L. Bockenek, MD Chair, Department of PM&R, Carolinas Medical Center Medical Director, Carolinas Rehabilitation Director, Post Polio Program Dr. Bockenek, Medical Director of Carolinas Rehabilitation, graduated from medical school at the University of South Florida and completed his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/New Jersey Medical School, which is affiliated with the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation. Dr. Bockenek received the highest score in the nation on the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) board qualifying examination and the Spinal Cord Injury subspecialty examination. He sits on the American Board of PM&R and is a member of the American Paraplegia Society, the American Spinal Injury Society, the Association of Academic Physiatrists, American Academy of PM&R and the residency review committee for PM&R of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). In addition to certification in PM&R and SCI Medicine, Dr. Bockenek is also certified in electrodiagnostic medicine by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Dr. Bockenek is President of the American Paraplegia Society and the Vice President of the Spinal Cord Injury Professionals. Dr. Bockenek enjoys hiking, bicycling, kayaking and spending time with his family.
	Jennifer Camp, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Camp received her undergraduate degree from Davidson College and her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her internship in internal medicine from Baylor College of Medicine and her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston where she was also Chief Resident. Dr. Camp completed a fellowship in cancer rehabilitation at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her clinical interests are in cancer rehabilitation and spinal cord injury. She is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Association of Academic Physiatrists. Dr. Camp is married with one child and enjoys swimming, traveling and reading.
	J. Leon Chandler, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Chandler is a graduate of the State University of New York Downstate - College of Medicine. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital and his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital. Associations in which Dr. Chandler is active include the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation. Special interests include orthopaedic rehabilitation and stroke as well as complementary/alternative medicine. Dr. Chandler enjoys playing the trumpet, jogging and playing basketball. He and his wife have a daughter.
	Lori M. Grafton, MD Director, Brain Injury Program Dr. Grafton received her undergraduate degree in biological sciences with distinction and honors from Goucher College and her medical degree from the University of Rochester. She studied molecular and genetic aspects of endocrine and metabolic diseases at the Amsterdam International Medical Summer School. Her internship in Internal Medicine was at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore. Her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was completed at Sinai Hospital in Maryland where she was chief resident. Dr. Grafton completed her brain injury fellowship at Carolinas Rehabilitation. She is an active member of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
	Flora M. Hammond, MD Research Faculty Project Director, Carolinas Rehabilitation Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Dr. Hammond is the Principal Investigator and Project Director for our Traumatic Brain Injury Model System project at Carolinas Rehabilitation. She is also the site principal investigator for our SCIRehab and Traumatic Brain Injury-practice based evidence projects. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from Tulane University, and completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Hammond completed a brain injury fellowship at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. In addition to her work with Carolinas Rehabilitation, she serves as the Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Indiana University School of Medicine. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has served as an invited participant to both the Aspen Conference and Galveston Brain Injury Conference. In 2001, she received the Young Academician Award from the Association of Academic Physiatrist. Dr. Hammond has served on the board of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and was appointed to the North Carolina Governor’s Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury. Prior to a medical career, Dr. Hammond was a competitive swimmer and triathlete, and still enjoys exercising and staying fit. She has three young boys and cherishes time spent with her family.
	Mark Alexander Hirsch, PhD Research Faculty Physician Dr. Hirsch's background is in teaching and PM&R, with clinical and academic expertise in motor therapy, neuroscience, aging and physical therapy education. Dr. Hirsch holds a bachelor of science in education from the State University of New York, College at Cortland, a master of arts in education from the University of South Florida and a Ph.D. from Florida State University, where he trained with Drs. Robert A. Rider and Tonya Toole and focused on motor control and gerontology. His Ph.D. was awarded for showing that people living with Parkinson's disease could benefit from a high-intensity balance and resistance training program which improved postural control and muscle strength. He served as an NIH funded post-doctoral research fellow with Barbara J. de Lateur, MD in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University with a major emphasis in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, aging and neurological rehabilitation and served as an Assistant Professor, part time, on the faculty of the Department of PM&R. Dr. Hirsch has taught and worked internationally in Motor Therapy, Neurology, Sport Rehabilitation and Orthopedic settings. Dr. Hirsh's current research interests are in the following areas: Motor learning and motor recovery Plasticity in the nervous system Evelopmental neuroscience Biomechanics of posture, gait and upper limb movements,and spasticity measurement
	Sharon K. Kanelos, MD Co-Director, Lymphedema Program Dr. Kanelos graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine where her involvement included the Council of Student Organizations and Women in Medicine. She completed her internship at Carolinas Medical Center and her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at Carolinas Rehabilitation, where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Kanelos's primary interests are in the musculoskeletal area, prosthetics and orthotics, lymphedema and electromyography. In her free time, Dr. Kanelos enjoys spending time with her husband and three children and the family dog.
	Shilpa R. Kasuganti, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Kasuganti is a graduate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Evanston Northwestern Hospital and her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Associations in which Dr. Kasuganti is active include the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Association of Academic Physiatrists.
	Michael J. Kennelly, MD, FACS Medical Director, Charlotte Continence Center Director, Urology Services Dr. Kennelly is a specialist in female urology, neurourology, urodynamics and pelvic reconstruction. Prior to completing an internship and residency in Surgery and Urology at the University of Michigan, Dr. Kennelly earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. He received his fellowship training through the Division of Urology at the University of Texas. He is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, he is a member of the American Urological Association, the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology, the American Urogynecology Association and the American Spinal Injury Association. He has authored or co-authored several articles and book chapters in these areas of specialty. Dr. Kennelly holds various teaching positions at Carolinas Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is Medical Director of CMC's Continence Center and Director of Urology at Carolinas Rehabilitation. In addition, he is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Urology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and President of the American Spinal Injury Association.
	Jesse Lieberman, MD Faculty Physician Jesse Lieberman, MD received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and his medical degree from Wake Forest University. He completed his internship in internal medicine at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation. Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Lieberman is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Public Health. He is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and board eligible in spinal cord injury medicine. He is a member of the American Heart Association, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Spinal Injury Association and the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals. Dr. Lieberman’s clinical interests include spinal cord injury medicine, research of cardiovascular disease, and prevention and detection in individuals with spinal cord injury. Dr. Lieberman is married with twins. He enjoys spending time with his family and reading.
	LaTanya D. Lofton, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Lofton is a graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She was a clinical fellow in Spinal Cord Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Lofton is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Associations in which Dr. Lofton is active include the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Association of Academic Physiatrists, the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association and the Arkansas Medical Society. Her clinical interests include spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amputee rehabilitation and neuromuscular disease. Dr. Lofton enjoys cooking, reading, playing the piano and playing the saxophone.
	James T. McDeavitt, MD Senior Vice President, Education and Research Dr. McDeavitt, former Medical Director of Carolinas Rehabilitation and former Chairman of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, oversees the medical education and research activities of Carolinas HealthCare System as Senior Vice President of Medical Education and Research and DIO for all the CMC residencies. He continues his participation in the PM&R residency program doing weekly teaching rounds, participating in didactic lecture series, and PM&R workshops. Dr. McDeavitt received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and a doctorate in Medicine from Wake Forest University. He completed his PM&R training at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and has been employed here at CMC since 1991. In addition to his interests in Brain Injury and Neurorehabilitation, he is board certified by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
	Maureen R. Nelson, MD Director, Pediatric Rehabilitation Dr. Nelson graduated from the University of Illinois and completed a pediatric rehabilitation fellowship at the Alfred I. DuPont Institute. She later served as Residency Program Director at Baylor College of Medicine and Medical Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Texas Children's Hospital. During her more than 10 years at Baylor, she was involved in many community activities and made numerous national presentations. She has been Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation since March 2002. Dr. Nelson loves music, enjoys traveling with family and friends and playing with her poodles.
	Vu Q.C. Nguyen, MD Director, Residency Program Director, Stroke Program Director, Acupuncture Clinic Dr. Nguyen graduated from Michigan State University and completed an internship in Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics. He served as a physician in the United States Air Force, functioning as an emergency medicine physician and Interim Medical Director, and later practicing family medicine. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to residency training at Carolinas Rehabilitation where he served as Chief Resident and subsequently joined the faculty of Carolinas Rehabilitation. As of January 1, 2006, he became Residency Program Director. Dr. Nguyen is board certified in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He subspecializes in Stroke Rehabilitation. His research interests involve post-traumatic amnesia, dysphagia, spasticity and neuromodulation of shoulder subluxation. Dr. Nguyen is married to another physician. They have four children - three humans and one feline. Their current interests include hiking, camping, and going to the beach.
	Asim S. Otey, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Otey is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine and his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center. During the final year of residency, Dr. Otey served as chief resident. Associations in which Dr. Otey is active include the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation, the New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the American Medical Association. Special interests include musculoskeletal medicine, general rehabilitation and electrodiagnostics. Dr. Otey enjoys exercising, playing chess, traveling and spending time with his wife and daughter.
	Vish Raj, MD Director, Cancer Rehabilitation Co-Director, Lymphedema Program Dr. Raj is a graduate of Princeton University where he received his bachelor's degree in Biophysical Chemistry. He subsequently received his Medical Doctorate from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School on the campus of Rutgers University. His internship in Internal Medicine was completed at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, Pa.; and he completed his training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Raj is an active member of the cancer rehabilitation community contributing work at the local, regional and national levels. His academic interest relates to cancer fatigue and treatment as well as a variety of other rehabilitation issues pertinent to cancer diagnoses. With active membership in national organizations such as the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the Association for Academic Physiatrists, Dr. Raj hopes to further the cause of cancer rehabilitation and contribute to research that will promote appropriate treatment protocols for Hematological and Oncological rehabilitation issues. Dr. Raj is married and currently lives in the Charlotte area. Though he enjoys all of the cultural and sporting events Charlotte has to offer, he particularly enjoys outdoor activities with his three dogs: Yogi, Missy and Mr. Pickles.
	Sonya G. Rissmiller, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Rissmiller graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and completed her residency training at Carolinas Medical Center. Her special interests include musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, amputee rehabilitation, management of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain, and exercise prescription for the elderly. Dr. Rissmiller is married with two children, two cats and two dogs. She enjoys weightlifting, fitness activities, Dr. Phil and chocolate.
	William Scelza, MD Director, Spinal Injury Program Dr. Scelza received his medical training at Case Western Reserve University and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan. Dr. Scelza has also completed a fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Spinal Cord Injury Medicine and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Dr. Scelza is involved with a number of national organizations and is published in the field of spinal cord injury. Special interests include exercise, sports and lifelong care of those with spinal cord injuries. These interests stem from personal experience, as Dr. Scelza has lived with a spinal cord injury since age 17. He enjoys wheelchair sports, hand-cycling and spending time with his wife and three boys.
	Matthew B. Shall, MD Director, Carolinas Rehabilitation, Mount Holly Dr. Shall received his undergraduate degree from Miami of Ohio and his Doctorate of Medicine from the Medical University of Ohio. He then completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School before completing his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation where he served as Chief Resident. Following his residency, Dr. Shall joined a private practice in Seattle Washington before returning to Carolinas Rehabilitation in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to become Medical Director of our new facility in Mount Holly. Dr. Shall is Board Certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as being a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to participating in numerous volunteer activities and community service projects, Dr. Shall has received several honors and awards. Dr. Shall resides with his wife, Amanda, in the northwest suburbs of Charlotte.
	Patricia Shannon, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Shannon graduated from Wright State University and completed her internship and residency at Carolinas Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Shannon worked in an outpatient spine center practicing musculoskeletal and electrodiagnostic medicine before returning to Carolinas Rehabilitation and Carolinas Back and Sports Specialists. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and experienced in general rehabilitation and musculoskeletal rehabilitation and electromyography (EMG/NCS). Dr. Shannon is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the American Medical Association. She enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, swimming, golfing and crafting unique pieces of pottery.
	Judi Tassone, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Tassone joined Carolinas Rehabilitation and Carolinas Back and Sports Specialists in 2009. She is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and electrodiagnostic medicine and is a member of the American Medical Directors Association. Dr. Tassone is originally from Hammonton, NJ, and has published articles in various medical journals. She is a specialist in diagnosing and treating problems of the musculoskeletal system. She offers an aggressive, non-surgical approach to pain and injury, including low back and neck pain, sports and work-related injuries, arthritis and herniated discs. She works to restore function to people with stroke, hip fracture and walking difficulty. In her spare time, Dr. Tassone enjoys ballet, sailing, birdwatching and spending time with family. She believes in caring for the whole person- body, mind and spirit.
	Douglas M. Thommen, MD Faculty Physician Dr. Thommen is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey and his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the JFK-Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, where he was chief resident. His clinical special interests include musculoskeletal and electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Thommen is married with one son. He enjoys marathon running, triathlons, reading and playing guitar.
	Colleen A. Wunderlich, MD Associate Director, Pediatric Rehabilitation Dr. Colleen A. Wunderlich graduated from Pennsylvania State University and enjoyed a brief stint in the U.S. Army in South Korea and Colorado, before she attended medical school at St. George's University. She was an intern at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J., in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, then went on to complete her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the University of Minnesota. Preferring warmer climates, she chose to do her Pediatric Rehabilitation fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University and Children's Hospital of Richmond. While in medical school, Dr. Wunderlich earned her Master's of Science (MSc) for her work with malaria vectors. In residency, Dr. Wunderlich developed an interest in intrathecal baclofen pumps and presented at the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. In fellowship, she participated in a multi-site study concerning a specific genetic marker and cerebral palsy, and had the opportunity to co-lecture on the genetics of neuromuscular disease at the Academic Association of Physiatrists. She remains interested in and committed to research endeavors to better the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Dr. Wunderlich is an active member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Academic Association of Physiatrists, and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Dr. Wunderlich's best accomplishments during her training were the births of her two children, who continue to challenge and delight her daily. She enjoys spending time with her family, seeing new sights, and learning along the way.
	Shawn Van Wallendael, PA-C Mr. Van Wallendael has been a member of Carolinas Rehabilitation staff in one capacity or another, for nearly 10 years. He worked as a pediatrics CNA before attending Bowman Gray for his Physician's Assistant certification. He has assisted the physicians in stroke, pediatric, oncology and spinal cord rehabilitation. Those from the Salisbury area may recognize him from his numerous stage appearances with Piedmont Players and the St. Thomas Players. Besides amateur theater, Van Wallendael's other interests include chess/games and spelunking.
	Jeffrey M. Wiggins, PA-C Mr. Wiggins received his undergraduate degree in biology from Georgia Southern University and earned his masters degree to become a Physician Assistant at South University in Savannah. Prior to PA school, he worked as a physical therapist assistant for almost seven years. He has been on staff at Carolinas Rehabilitation since June 2004. A member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the National Stroke Association, Jeff is certified through the National Commission of Physician Assistants. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching sporting events, traveling, listening to live jazz and the outdoors.