Meet the Experts:
Michael Bertics, Esq. has practiced exclusively in the area of Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Law in his professional career. He earned his bachelors degree with Distinction from Duke University and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law with Honors in 2006. He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of North Carolina and all State courts. He is also a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the Wake County Bar Association.
Erica Byrne Gaskins, PT, DPT earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. For the past three years, she has worked with the Eastern NC Chapter of the MS Society to build the Physical Therapy Initiative program, which aims to educate people living with MS about physical therapy, exercise, and wellness. She joined the staff of Raleigh Neurology Associates as a physical therapist in 2010.
Ugo Goetzl, M.D. was in private neurology practice in Durham for 29 years prior to joining Raleigh Neurology Associates in January 2008. He completed his neurology residency at Duke University Medical Center and is board certified in both neurology and psychiatry. Dr. Goetzl is active with the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society where he serves as Chair of the Clinical Advisory Committee and as a member of the Board of Trustees. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and is an inductee of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Hall of Fame.
Kristine Herfkens, Ph.D. is a neuropsychologist in private practice in Durham. Her practice is focused on diagnosis and treatment of adult neurocognitive disorders, with a subspecialty focus on geriatrics, MS, and forensic neuropsychology. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from Carleton College and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Tulsa in 1994. Dr. Herfkens is also a member of the chapter’s clinical advisory committee.
Jonas Horwitz, Ph.D. attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a B.A. in psychology. In 2005, he was awarded his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Horwitz is a board certified Licensed Psychologist as well as a member of the American Psychological Association, the North Carolina Psychology Association and The American Academy of Psychotherapists.
Melissa Mahon, PT, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a University of North Carolina MS Scholar, class of 2010. As an UNC MS Scholar, Melissa received many training opportunities to work specifically with people living with MS and has worked in all realms of wellness, mobility and health. She worked at University Physical Therapy, the UNC Division of Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff Practice. Most recently she joined the staff at Raleigh Neurology as a physical therapist.
Mark Skeen, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University. After retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2002 he joined the faculty at Duke where he practices and teaches in the clinic and in the hospital. His time is divided between general neurology and multiple sclerosis patients and is involved in clinical research in multiple sclerosis therapies.
UNC Physical Therapy Scholars:
Kasey Gore and Kelly Thomas are physical therapy graduate students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The students are pursuing a curriculum track in the doctorate program geared specifically to address the challenges of people living with MS. Gore and Thomas are recipients of the Chapter’s Physical Therapy MS Scholarship. The chapter has worked with UNC to more aggressively attract the best and brightest physical therapy doctoral students to consider this particular field, thereby increasing access to physical therapy for eastern North Carolinians living with MS. Read more about the Physical Therapy Initiative.
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