Trauma and Stroke Symposium

Emma Cortes, DO

Dr. Emma Cortes is a Global Emergency Medicine Fellow in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Brown University and an affiliated fellow with the Watson Institute Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies. She completed a dual training program in emergency medicine and family medicine. 

Dr. Cortes’ research focuses on health services to increase access to healthcare for migrant workers, and she is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization, "The Migrant Health Collaborative of South Jersey". She has also previously focused on addressing intimate partner violence from the emergency department. She has had clinical experiences in Mexico, the Philippines, Uganda, Nigeria and Ethiopia. She also practices emergency medicine within indigenous communities on Native American reservations in Arizona and South Dakota. 

She currently serves as the chair of the American Indian/Alaska Native Health Committee, as well as a member of the executive committee for the Global Emergency Medicine Academy within the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine. She is also a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians International Committee.

Karen Greenberg, DO

Dr. Karen Greenberg, DO, FACOEP-D, FAAEM, FAHA, serves as the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education at Drexel University College of Medicine. With dual board certifications in emergency medicine and neurocritical care, she is a recognized expert in treating neurological emergencies.

Dr. Greenberg played a pivotal role in establishing the nation's first dedicated Neurologic Emergency Department, earning her the inaugural Practice Innovation Award from the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP). In 2021, she received the esteemed Willoughby Award from the ACOEP, honoring her as the top female leader in emergency medicine.

Her impactful contributions extend to numerous publications in emergency, neurology and neurosurgery journals, along with having authored book chapters. Dr. Greenberg holds distinguished fellowship with ACOEP, as well as fellowships with the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the American Heart Association. Most recently, she was elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society by the Delta Zeta Chapter of the Drexel University College of Medicine.

She is an assistant professor of neurosurgery, neurology and emergency medicine with Drexel University College of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Todd Maxson, MD

Dr. Todd Maxson is the Surgeon-in-Chief at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and a Professor of Surgery at UAMS. He also served the State of Arkansas as the consultant on trauma for the Department of Health during the creation of the state’s Trauma System. 

Dr. Maxson grew up with an academic family: his father serving as a college president and his mother, originally a nurse, changing careers, completing a doctorate in education and working as a professor at the college level. He graduated from Texas A&M University and medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He took a general surgical residency at the University of Arkansas from 1990 – 1996. Following training in Arkansas, he moved back to Texas to complete pediatric surgical training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He was on faculty in Houston before moving to the University of Texas–Southwestern in Dallas to begin the trauma program at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. This program became the first Level I pediatric trauma program in the southwest United States to be verified by the American College of Surgeons. 

He and members of his team from Dallas then moved to Austin, Texas to build the trauma service at the new Dell Children’s Medical Center, taking this facility to Level I status, as well. He served for five years on the Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Texas trauma system before moving to Arkansas to build the system and his third Level I Pediatric Trauma Program. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been funded for his research work in the area of brain injury in children and injury prevention. He lectures extensively, both nationally and internationally, on pediatric trauma and injury control.

Cortney Wolfe, PT, DPT, NCS, CBIS-T

Cortney Wolfe is a dedicated Physical Therapist and Clinical Professional Development Coordinator at Craig Hospital, where she has been working in neurological rehabilitation since 2010. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with minors in Kinesiology and Spanish from Regis University. With a background in treating patients with brain and spinal cord injuries, Cortney specializes in advanced handling and facilitation techniques for individuals with dependent mobility. Her expertise extends to integrating neurobehavioral management strategies into physical therapy practices, ensuring comprehensive care for patients. 

At Craig Hospital, Cortney works in the Training and Development department, focusing on interdisciplinary staff education for patient handling and mobility, wheelchair seating and therapeutic integration of neurobehavioral management techniques. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her work in new clinical staff onboarding, continuing education and clinical staff mentorship.

Tessa Woods, DO

Dr. Tessa Woods is an acute care surgeon, specializing in trauma and emergency general surgery with a clinical focus on robotic-assisted procedures in high-acuity settings. Originally from Joplin, Missouri, she earned her medical degree from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa. She went on to complete her general surgery residency in Fort Worth, Texas, followed by a surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Missouri. She now practices in Springfield, Missouri, bringing her training and experience back to serve the region she calls home.

Dr. Woods serves on the Board of Mid-America Transplant and has helped lead the adoption of robotic platforms in emergent and complex general surgery. Her leadership roles have included ICU Medical Director and Trauma/ACS Director, and she has received multiple awards for excellence in surgical education. Her interests include expanding minimally invasive options in trauma, optimizing outcomes in emergency surgery and integrating technology to improve surgical workflow and efficiency.

Tim Plackett, DO

Dr. Timothy Plackett is an Associate Professor of Surgery and trauma surgeon at the University of Chicago.  He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center and fellowships in surgical critical care and trauma outcomes at Loyola University.  Dr. Plackett has provided trauma and combat casualty care around the world.  Additionally, he has been an advisor to multiple foreign governments on developing a national trauma system.

Kim Frey, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Dr. Frey holds a dual Doctorate in Cognitive Science and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder; a Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and proudly holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa in 1993. She has worked clinically in inpatient neurologic rehabilitation since 1995 and also researched, published and presented on behavioral, cognitive and communication impairment due to stroke, traumatic brain injury and viral illness. While working on her dual PhD, she was also an Instructor in the Neurobehavioral Disorders Program in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine where she served as Director of the Cognitive-Communication Disorders Program and a Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy clinic. Dr. Frey has directed the Speech-Language Pathology department at Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO since 2012. In that time, the Department has grown to a staff of 40, which includes inpatient and outpatient speech-language pathologists, teachers and neurologic music therapists. The department includes programs specializing in brain injury, spinal cord injury, augmentative and alternative communication, school curriculum and re-entry, music and intensive aphasia therapy.

Christopher Glisson, DO (Saint Francis)

Christopher C. Glisson, DO, MS, FAAN is an adult neurologist, as well as an adult and pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist, serving as the Medical Director of the Warren Neuroscience Institute at Saint Francis Health in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Previously, he was the inaugural medical director of the neuro-ophthalmology program and co-founding program director of the neurology residency at the Hauenstein Neuroscience Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as an assistant professor of neurology and ophthalmology at Michigan State University. 

Dr. Glisson received his undergraduate degree in biology at Hillsdale College, his master's degree in neurophysiology and biophysics at Wayne State University and his medical degree at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. This was followed by residency in neurology at Sparrow Health Systems/MSU, where he was chief resident in his senior year. Dr. Glisson then completed a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at The University of Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Scheie Eye Institute and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Glisson is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, and he is a Fellow of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the American Academy of Neurology; he is also a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Achievement Award and a member of the American Osteopathic Association.

Kara Wright, DO (Saint Francis)

Dr. Kara Wright is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, also known as a Physiatrist, at Saint Francis Hospital.  She has been working in the acute inpatient rehabilitation setting at Saint Francis for several years.  Dr. Wright attended Oklahoma State University for medical school, attended a preliminary Internal Medicine residency for a year at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa, OK and completed her 3 years of specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX.  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a unique specialty that encompasses training in the management of patients with strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries and pain.  Physiatrists can assist with the management of trauma and stroke patients in many aspects, including agitation, mood, sleep, pain, skin, bowel and bladder.   They also prescribe and oversee physical, occupational and speech therapies to encourage improved function and independence in their patients

Melissa Evans-Brave, DO (Saint Francis)

Melissa Evans-Brave is an emergency physician with a background that spans the wild world of EMS, emergency departments, neurocritical care and community education. She started her career in an ambulance before most people can legally rent a car and has been showing up for patients ever since—with sleeves rolled up and a dry sense of humor in tow.

Her journey has included a joyful adventure through medical leadership—serving as a medical director, shaping quality systems and helping teams grow while learning a few things the hard way (and laughing whenever possible). Melissa recently joined Stillwater Medical Center, where she’s come full circle—back at the bedside, doing what she loves: caring for patients, teaching learners and finding smarter ways to do hard things.

She’s spoken locally on pediatric emergencies, nationally on resuscitation and frequently to herself in the car about how she keeps ending up on quality committees.

Sabrina Filoteo, MA, CCC-SLP

My name is Sabrina Filoteo, and I am a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist at TIRR Memorial Hermann Inpatient Rehabilitation Center. I bring over 14 years of neurorehabilitation, working with both pediatric and adult populations across a variety of settings including inpatient, post-acute, outpatient, home health and skilled nursing facilities. I am especially passionate about pediatric care with a clinical focus on dysphagia and feeding/swallowing. I hold certifications in Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), including VitalStim and Ampcare, as well as MBSImp, and I have experience performing instrumental swallow assessment such as Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation and Swallowing (FEES). I also have a strong commitment to helping individuals rebuild their ability to communicate after brain injury, empowering them to reconnect with the world around them.

Emily Klein, PT, DPT

Emily Klein is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy with over 8 years of experience working with children with neurological disorders across the continuum of care. Emily states that her career working in the inpatient rehabilitation setting with children with traumatic and acquired brain injuries is her "calling." She also has a passion for education in the field of pediatric physical therapy.

Kimberly Day, DO (Saint Francis)

Dr. Day attended OSU Medical School and completed her pediatrics residency at OU Tulsa. She then completed her pediatric critical care fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Day is now a Pediatric Critical Care Intensivist at the Saint Francis Children's Hospital.

Charles H. Morgan, MD

Born and raised in Southwest Oklahoma, graduated Southwestern State College with degrees in chemistry and biology, 1968.  Completed M.D. degree University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1972.  Surgery internship Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee 19 72–73.  Completed residency in psychiatry with a year as chief resident followed by a residency in neurology with a year as chief resident in neurology 1973-1978.  Full-time faculty University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Department of neurology 1978–1984, served as chief of rehabilitation medicine VA Medical Center Oklahoma City Oklahoma.  Board certified in neurology and subspecialty board certified in vascular neurology.

Private practice in neurology at Integris Southwest Medical Center 1984–2024, instrumental in starting the primary stroke center at Integris Southwest Medical Center, and the Integris tele-stroke network throughout Oklahoma.  Instituted the annual statewide stroke conference “Bringing Evidence-Based Stroke Care to Community Hospitals in Oklahoma” 2008–2024.  Was one of the founders of the Oklahoma State Stroke Systems Advisory Committee.