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Dr. Richard Riggs
Richard Riggs is a board certified rehabilitation physician in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. He is a Clinical Professor at CSMC and UCLA and received the Chief of Staff Award in 2008. He is a member of the Board of Directors and Medical Executive Committee of CSMC, and currently or formerly served in many different leadership roles on a variety of policy, finance, and leadership committees. He is the author or co-author of dozens of publications, a renowned lecturer, and a sought-after expert in rehabilitation and Medicare payment and appeals issues. He is the co-founder of IRFdefend, comprehensive appeals software for rehabilitation hospitals. He lives in Santa Monica, California with his partner and two daughters.
Dr. Simone Gold
Simone Gold, MD, JD, is a board certified emergency physician in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Chicago Medical School before attending Stanford University Law School to earn her Juris Doctorate degree. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York. Dr. Gold has had a life-long interest in health policy, and worked in Washington D.C. for the former Surgeon General, as well as for the Chairman of the Labor & Human Resources Committee. She worked as a physician advisor determining inpatient or outpatient status, and as a physician-attorney advocate for hospital-clients with Medicare and Medicaid appeals. She is a published author and editor of several magazine and newspaper articles and is the co-founder of IRFdefend, comprehensive appeals software for rehabilitation hospitals. She lives in Beverly Hills, California with her two sons.
Our Contributors
Amy Hasselkus
Amy Hasselkus, M.A., CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, graduating with honors, and her Masters in speech-language pathology from the University of Georgia. She has an additional Masters in communication from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She is an instructor at George Mason as well as Lord Fairfax Community College, teaching introductory communication courses. Amy also serves as a speech-language pathology consultant for a continuing education provider. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband and son.
Dr. Bryt Christensen
Dr. Bryt Christensen graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah. His past residencies and fellowships include a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at John Hopkins Hospital, a fellowship in Pain Medicine at John Hopkins Hospital, and an internship in general surgery at Carolinas Medical Center. He has served as Chief Resident of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at John Hopkins Hospital, was awarded the 2007 Russel A. Hibbs Award for best basic science manuscript by the Scoliosis Research Society, and carries a professional membership with the AAPMR, AAPMU, ASIPP, and the NASS. Dr. Christensen currently resides in Maryland with his wife and three beautiful daughters.
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Dr. Christopher Bui
Chris Bui, MD, is a rehabilitation physician in San Diego, California. He graduated from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The UCLA/WLAVA PM&R Program. He is currently a Fellow in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the UCSD/Scripps Health System Program. Dr. Bui also is currently earning his MBA and is one of the few recipients of the UCSD Rady School of Management Fellowship. He is the author of numerous publications in musculoskeletal, pain, and rehabilitation medicine; in addition to several patents. He lives in San Diego, California with his wife and son.
Dr. Levan Atanelov
Dr. Levan Atanelov attended the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and is currently in his fourth year of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at The John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He is undecided at this time about pursuing a fellowship or entering practice.
Dr. Nicole Lacerda
Dr. Nicole Lacerda attended UC Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento, California and completed her residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at New Jersey Medical School/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in Northern New Jersey. She currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania where she is completing a Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship at Coordinated Health. In addition to taking care of patients, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons.
Dr. Mackenzie Brown
Dr. Mackenzie Brown graduated from Touro University in Vellejo, California and completed her residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Austin, Texas. She is currently a PGY-4 specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Austin, Texas. She holds many honors and is affiliated with many professional societies, including: Chief resident, Sigma Sigma Phi Honors Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), Texas Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society, Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA), and Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California (OPSC). A California native, Dr. Brown is relishing her time in Austin, Texas. She spends her recreation time running her dog around town lake in addition to exploring local cuisine and music.
Executive Team
CEO: Simone Gold, MD, JD sgold@irfdefend.com
CMO: Richard Riggs, MD, FABPMR rriggs@irfdefend.com
EVP, Technology: Jesse Johnson, BS jjohnson@irfdefend.com
EVP, Operations: Max Vagheei, BA mvagheei@irfdefend.com
Editorial: Emily Hobbs, BA editor@irfdefend.com
Librarian: Kathleen Parker, MLS librarian@irfdefend.com