Neurosurgeons
Lee Buono, MD, FACS
Director, Neurosurgery and Neuro Intervention
Director, Center for Spinal Disorders and Spinal Oncology
Dr. Buono received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his internship in general surgery and his residency in neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Buono is board certified in neurological surgery. Dr. Buono specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery.
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Navid Redjal, MD, FAANS
Director, Neurosurgical Oncology
Dr. Navid Redjal, director of Neurosurgical Oncology, is a board certified, Harvard trained neurosurgeon with extensive research and clinical background in neuro-oncology. He has been involved in significant translational brain cancer research and neuro-oncology clinical trials with research fellowships at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Redjal graduated from Harvard Medical School with honors, specifically completing the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Society curriculum with research thesis focusing on targeted therapeutics for brain cancer. After completing medical school, he did his residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard neurosurgery program where he also completed a stereotactic proton radiosurgery fellowship. He is board certified in neurological surgery and a diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He is also a Fellow of American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS).
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Neuropsychology
Luke W. Amann, Psy.D
Dr. Luke Amann is a fellowship trained clinical neuropsychologist. He earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA, where he also received his Master of Science degree in counseling psychology. He completed post-doctoral studies in neuropsychology at Clinical Neuropsychology Associates in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Amann is trained to conduct neuropsychological evaluations, which include clinical interviews, standardized testing administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting. Dr. Amann also provides cognitive rehabilitation services and psychotherapy to improve a patient’s overall functioning and to assist them in restoring and maintaining their everyday activities following traumatic brain injuries or other acquired neurological injuries.
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Jennifer Dave, PhD
Dr. Dave is a fellowship trained clinical neuropsychologist, specializing in the function of the brain and its relationship to patient behaviors. She received her doctorate and master’s degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California, and completed her fellowship training in clinical neuropsychology at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Dr. Dave completed her neuropsychology internship at the University of California – Los Angeles Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Prior to joining Capital Health, she served as a clinical neuropsychologist and director of Neuropsychology Services for the Center for Neurosciences at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, PA.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Dave.
Neurologists
Dwayne O. Brown, DO, PhD
Director, Comprehensive Headache Center
A board certified and fellowship trained neurologist, Dr. Dwayne Brown is director of the Comprehensive Headache Center at Capital Institute for Neurosciences, part of Capital Health. At the Comprehensive Headache Center, Dr. Brown offers a multi-disciplinary approach to patients and a variety of services to treat migraine headache, tension headache, cluster headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalgia, CSF leak headache, high pressure headache, facial pain and various secondary headache conditions. In addition, Dr. Brown offers procedures such as Botox for migraine, trigger point injections and nerve blocks.
Dr. Brown’s research has been published in national and international publications, including Neurology, Neurotoxicity Research, The Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, Neuroscience Letters and Neurochemistry International. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, Society for Neuroscience, American Association of Neurology and the American Headache Society.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Brown.
Andrew Day, MD
Dr. Andrew Day is a board certified, fellowship trained neurologist. His clinical focus is in the treatment of headache disorders, with experience in managing migraine, tension type headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalagias (including cluster headache), low- and high-pressure headaches, and facial pain. He offers a patient-centered approach to his headache care, tailoring treatment to the needs of the individual. He is trained in Botox injections, nerve blocks, and trigger point injections.
Dr. Day received his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed his neurology residency at New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York, New York. He then completed his fellowship training in headache medicine at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the American Association of Neurology and the American Headache Society.
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Callum Dupre, DO
Dr. Dupre is board certified in neurology and sleep medicine. He joined Capital Health after completing his fellowship training in sleep medicine at the nationally renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He earned his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, NY.
Raji Grewal, MD
Dr. Grewal is a board certified neurologist with more than 30 years of experience. He completed his neurology/neuromuscular fellowship and electromyography fellowship training at Columbia University in New York City, New York. He completed his residency in neurology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center (UCLA School of Medicine) in Torrance, California and was chief resident in his final year. Dr. Grewal received his medical degree from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and by the board of Neuromuscular Medicine.
Prior to joining Capital Health, Dr. Grewal worked at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton. Over the years, he has held a variety of positions, including medical director at the Neurogenetics Institute in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania and professor of Neuroscience in the School of Health and Medical Services, Seton Hall University, in South Orange, New Jersey.
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Sidrah Mahmud, MD
Medical Director, Epilepsy Center
Dr. Sidrah Mahmud is a board-certified neurologist and epileptologist who specializes in treating patients diagnosed with epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder in which patients experience recurrent, unprovoked seizures. As medical director of the Epilepsy Center at Capital Institute for Neurosciences, Dr. Mahmud oversees the Institute’s program which offers neurodiagnostic evaluations and a range of medical, neuropsychological and surgical services to treat those with epilepsy.
Dr. Mahmud is a member of the American Epilepsy Society and the American Academy of Neurology. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Urdu and Punjabi.
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Miten Patel, MD
Dr. Miten Patel is board certified in neurology and fellowship trained in neuromuscular medicine. He received his medical degree at University College London in London, England, where he was awarded a distinction in medical sciences (given to the top 10% of the class). He went on to complete further graduate studies at University of Cambridge and conducted research at the Sanger Institute, which cumulated in an MPhil degree, where he was also awarded a distinction.
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Emil Matarese, MD
Director, Concussion Program
Dr. Matarese is director of the Concussion Program at Capital Health’s Capital Institute for Neurosciences. In addition to overseeing the program at the Institute, Dr. Matarese personally educates physicians, school nurses, athletic trainers and members of the community on the importance of screening, preventing, managing and treating concussions.
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Peter Rudzinskiy, MD
Dr. Peter Rudzinskiy is a board certified neurologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He completed his residency at Seton Hall University – JFK Neuroscience Institute in Edison, New Jersey. He received his medical degree from Ternopil Medical School in Ternopil, Ukraine.
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Chirag S. Shukla, MD, FAAN
Director, Outpatient Stroke
Director, Neurophysiology
Dr. Shukla received his medical degree from Shri M.P. Shah Medical College in Jamnagar, India. He completed his residency in neurology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Shukla received fellowship training in neurophysiology also at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Shukla is board certified in neurology, vascular neurology, clinical neurophysiology, and electrodiagnostic medicine.
Arnold S. Witte, MD
Dr. Witte is board certified in neurology, internal medicine, and electrodiagnostic medicine. After receiving his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston, MA, Dr. Witte completed his internship/residency in internal medicine at University Hospitals of Cleveland. He later was a neurology resident at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also completed his fellowship training in neuromuscular disease. Dr. Witte went on to join the faculty of Thomas Jefferson University and was director of the Neuromuscular Electrodiagnostic Laboratory there for several years.
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Endovascular Neurology
Pratit D. Patel, MD
Dr. Pratit Patel is a triple board certified interventional neurologist and endovascular neurosurgeon. He has been recognized for Focused Practice in CNS Endovascular Surgery by The American Board of Neurological Surgery and treats patients with brain aneurysms, stroke, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistula carotid artery stenosis, intracranial hemorrhage, pulsatile tinnitus, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudo tumor cerebri), and other neurovascular conditions.
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Neurohospitalist
David Kiviat, MD
Dr. David Kiviat received his medical degree from the University of Florida, where he also completed his neurology training. He has treated patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings and has managed care in neuro ICU, stroke care, and inpatient neurology service, with extensive experience with high acuity cases.
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Neuro Critical Care
Mohammed Kananeh, MD
Dr. Mohammed Kananeh is a fellowship trained, board certified neurologist who provides intensive care for patients with life threatening conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain or spine injury, brain aneurysms, and other serious neurological disorders.
Dr. Kananeh was fellowship trained in neurocritical care at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his neurology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he also completed his internal medicine internship. Dr. Kananeh received his medical degree from Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China.
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Anita Maraj, MD
Dr. Anita Maraj is a fellowship trained neurocritical care physician. She completed her fellowship training in neurocritical care at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Maraj received her medical degree at American University of Antigua in New York, New York and completed her internship in internal medicine at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where she also completed her neurology residency.
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Dustin Rochestie, DO
Director, Neurology and Neuro Critical Care
Director, Stroke Program
Dr. Rochestie is board certified in neurology and neurocritical care and received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in Davie, FL. After his neurology residency at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Rochestie completed his fellowship training in neurocritical care at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA.
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Radiation Oncology
Nikhil Thaker, MD, MHA, MBA, PMP, CMQ, FABS, DABR, DABPM
Medical Director, Radiation Oncology
Dr. Thaker is a renowned radiation oncologist, scientific researcher, informaticist, and health policy expert who works at the intersection of clinical oncology, technology, and value-based cancer care delivery. He is the medical director of stereotactic radiosurgery at Capital Health.
He received his undergraduate degree in biology with summa cum laude from The College of New Jersey and his medical degree with junior Alpha Omega Alpha status from Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School, receiving both degrees through the highly competitive 7-year accelerated combined medical program. During medical school, he helped develop novel therapeutic combinations for glioblastoma brain tumors and was awarded a clinical and translational research fellowship through the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Thaker.
Pain Management
Jorge E. Alvarez, MD
Director, Interventional Pain Management
Dr. Jorge Alvarez is board certified in the specialties of anesthesiology and pain medicine with additional certification in interventional pain management.
Dr. Alvarez completed his internship and residency training at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH and then his pain management fellowship at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He earned his medical degree from Universidad J. N. Corpas Medical School in Bogota, Colombia.
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Ronald H. Gonzalez, MD
Dr. Ronald Gonzalez is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and joined the Capital Institute for Neurosciences after years of private practice in the greater Mercer County area. He is also certified by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Dr. Gonzalez is part of the Institute’s Center for Pain Management dedicated to helping patients manage chronic pain with a combination of physical modalities, medications, trigger point and joint injections. Also has expertise in neck/back pain, musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries.
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Oleksiy (Alex) Lelyanov, DO
Dr. Oleksiy (Alex) Lelyanov is board certified in pain medicine and anesthesiology and fellowship trained in pain management. He received his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey and completed an internal medicine residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. This was followed by an anesthesiology residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Dr. Lelyanov also completed fellowship training in pain management.
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Adison Weseloh, MD
Dr. Adison Weseloh is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and joined the Center for Pain Management at Capital Institute for Neurosciences after completing his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine (recognized by the North American Spine Society) at the University of Pennsylvania, where he trained in the diagnosis and management of complex non-operative, conventional and interventional management of musculoskeletal and spine conditions using ultrasound and fluoroscopically-guided injections. Dr. Weseloh supports alternative and holistic treatments and emphasizes patient understanding of their conditions to facilitate ways to help the body heal itself.
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Julia Mendola, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Julia Mendola is an advanced practice registered nurse with experience in diagnosing and treating patients in a wide range of health care settings. Julia recieved her Bachelor of Science in Nursing deree at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and received her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Chamberlain University in Chicago, Illinois. She is a board certified family nurse practitioner.
Julia has provided care for patients in high-volume settings such as medical-surgical infectious disease, family medicine, and emergency medicine. Before joining Capital Health – Pain Management Specialists, she was a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Julia is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Click here to schedule an online appointment with Julia Mendola.
Nurse Practitioners
Johanna Demirjian, APN, C
Johanna Demirjian is an advanced practice nurse, a certified neuroscience registered nurse, and a board certified family nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of experience providing care for patients with acute and chronic neurological conditions. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to managing patients as part of the inpatient neurology team, Johanna coordinates the neuroscience nurse practitioner fellowship program.
Before joining Capital Health, Johanna served as stroke program coordinator at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, PA and RWJ Hamilton in Hamilton, NJ, where she also oversaw The Joint Commission’s stroke certification process. Johanna has published articles in professional journals, developed continuing education courses for nurses, and presented research to the New England Cerebrovascular Consortium. She is a member of the New Jersey Department of Health Stroke Advisory Panel and the Neuroscience Nurses Association. She is fluent in Spanish and English.
Nina Lynch, MSN, APN, AGPCNP-BC
Nina Lynch is a fellowship trained advanced practice nurse who provides pain management care as part of the Center for Comprehensive Pain Management at Capital Institute for Neurosciences. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA and her Master of Science in Nursing degree (Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program) at Gwynedd Mercy University in Gwynedd Valley, PA. Nina completed an acute care nurse practitioner fellowship at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell in Pennington, NJ and Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, NJ and she is also a board certified adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Her experience includes working as a registered nurse in private practice, hospital, and school settings. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Janine Santora, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, SCRN, CNRN
Janine Santora is a board certified family nurse practitioner with more than two decades of experience in neuroscience specialties, home care, and other health care settings. A stroke certified registered nurse and certified neuroscience registered nurse, Janine received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, where she also received her Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner degree. While at Drexel, Janine was the recipient of the Kathleen Jennings-Dozier Award for her advocacy in reducing health disparities.
Janine has a passion for stroke prevention and integrates evidence-based practices combined with holistic interventions. She utilizes the most up-to-date treatments for Alzheimer's disease, including anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody infusions. She provides the latest treatments for migraine headaches, including Botox injections for chronic migraine and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors. Janine has published significant research on transient ischemic attack in the Matthews Journal of Emergency Medicine and has presented several research posters related to dementia and medication reconciliation. She is a published author on the subject of lifestyle medicine.
Janine is a volunteer at many community health screening events and with the Mercer County Medical Reserve Corps, which supports local agencies during emergencies. She also volunteers with Remote Area Medical, an organization that provides mobile medical services and disaster relief to medically underserved and underinsured populations in United States and around the world. She is certified by the American Red Cross in disaster training skills and has extensive experience in the field of developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Janine is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Physician Assistants
Diana Evans, PA-C
Diana performs a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and health management services for patients and referring physicians as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
She earned her Master of Science in physician assistant studies from MCPHS University in Worcester, MA and her Bachelor of Arts in cell biology and neuroscience from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She completed her clinical rotation in neurosurgery at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA where she received training in operating room and inpatient care including Neuro ICU, biweekly outpatient clinic, conducting daily rounds and attending weekly conferences including radiology, vascular and tumor board.
In addition to providing medical and surgical care, under the direction and supervision of our physicians, Diana also helps manage new patients before, during and after their surgery. She participates in our multi-disciplinary tumor board and our neuro-oncology research program.
Peter Gdovin, PA-C
Peter Gdovin completed his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University – College of Health and Human Development in University Park, Pennsylvania, with an honors degree in kinesiology from Schreyer Honors College. He then completed a pre-medical, post baccalaureate certificate from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before receiving a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia.
Peter joined the Neurosciences Department at Capital Health in 2015 as a Neurocritical Care PA, and served as the lead Neurocritical Care APP from 2019 to 2022. He recently transitioned to the Neuroendovascular service line of the Capital Institute for Neurosciences.
He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Neurocritical Care Society.
Jacob Mathew, MS, PA-C
Jacob is part of the Center for Spinal Disorders where he performs a variety of diagnostic and health management services for patients and referring physicians. He first assists in minimally invasive and complex spinal and neurological surgery and manages surgical patients in both the ICU and medical surgical units. With more than 15 years of clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, Jacob helps manage the clinical operations of the practice.
Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Jacob received his Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, where he completed an accelerated five-year bachelor/master’s degree program. Prior to joining the Center for Spinal Disorders, Jacob served as one of the senior physician assistants in the Neurosurgery ICU at Capital Health, helping manage a wide array of neurosurgical conditions. In addition to his clinical roles, Jacob also provides spine and neurosurgery education to the nursing and medical staff. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Neuroradiologists
Ajay Choudhri, MD
Medical Director and Chairman, Department of Radiology
Dr. Choudhri received his medical degree from the New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ, Newark. His residency in radiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, was followed by a fellowship in interventional radiology at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute. He previously served as chief of Interventional Radiology at Jackson South Hospital in Miami. He is board certified in radiology.
Yaakov N. Applbaum, MD
Chief, Neuroradiology Section
Dr. Applbaum was chairman and medical director of the Department of Radiology at Capital Health from 2002-2017. Prior to that, he was chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Staten Island University Hospital. A graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, he completed his residency in radiology at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, followed by a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology at University California Irvine. Dr. Applbaum is a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology, with certifications in neuroradiology, interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology. With more than thirty years of experience in interventional radiology and neuroradiology, including spine pain management procedures, Dr. Applbaum has been featured as an Inside Jersey Top Doctor, and Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the New York Metro Area.
Bradd R. Millian, MD
Dr. Millian received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at Boston University Medical Center and received his fellowship training in neuroradiology from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. He is board certified in radiology and neuroradiology.
James L. Montuori, DO
Dr. Montuori graduated with high honors from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, NJ. He completed his radiology residency and served as chief resident at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, NJ. He completed an MRI/body imaging fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital. He is board certified in radiology. Dr. Montuori was previously at Lourdes Health System where he served on the medical executive committee as a member, secretary, and treasurer as well as on the quality assurance committee. Dr. Montuori also served as the MRI division chief before joining Capital Health in August 2018. He specializes in musculoskeletal (MSK) and body imaging including ultrasound, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine/PET.
Matthew A. Neimark, MD
Dr. Neimark received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MIT as well as his medical and PhD degrees from Columbia University School of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY. His residency in diagnostic radiology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center-Brooklyn, NY was followed by a neuroradiology/interventional/vascular radiology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY. He is board certified in diagnostic radiology.
Ramdas M. Prabhu, DO
Dr. Prabhu received his medical degree from UMDNJ - School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology from Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and received his fellowship training in neuroradiology at Yale University School of Medical. Dr. Prabhu is board certified in radiology.
Natalya Soloveychik, DO
Dr. Soloveychik is a graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA. She completed her residency in diagnostic radiology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/UPMC Mercy. She received her fellowship training in neuroradiology from the University of Maryland Medical Center, Department of Radiology in Baltimore, MD. She is board certified in radiology and speaks fluent Ukranian and Russian.