Dr. Asad has over 25 years experience as an expert in Neurological Medicine and is Board Certified in Traumatic brain injury by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He attended Medical School at the Dow University of Health Sciences and received medical training and Board Certification in Nuclear Medicine from the Harvard Medical School joint program of Nuclear medicine and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr, Asad furthered his medical training and Board Certification in Neurology from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta from 2002 though 2005. Dr. Asad proudly served in the US Army reserves, Medical Corp from 2001 through 2008 when he received an Honorable Discharge. He founded the Universal neurological Care outpatient neurology clinic in 2015 with special focus on Traumatic Brain Injury. He also served as an independent neuro-trauma consultant to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team from 2011 through 2014. Dr. Asad also practiced as an unaffiliated neuro-trauma consultant to the NFL with sideline assessments to concussed players during NFL football games in 2013, and continues to serve as a consultant and Neurological Specialist to the Jacksonville Jaguars today. He also follows and treats the AEW Wrestling team in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Asad has served as Medical Director for the Eisenhower Center in Jacksonville, Fl since 2017. The Eisenhower center is a traumatic brain injury rehab facility mainly catering to retired professional athletes and military vets.
Dr. Amy Hessler is a national leader in the field of Women’s Neurology. Dr. Hessler is a triple boarded neurologist: Neurology, Clinical Epilepsy and Headache Medicine. Her passion is Women’s Neurology and career goal, in conjunction with her nationally mentors, is to develop Women’s Neurology into a recognized subspecialty within neurology. In the social media space, Dr. Hessler is the co-founder of the Women Neurologists Group which has grown to 3900 women neurologist around the world.
Dr. Hessler relocated from Lexington, Kentucky where she was an Associate Professor of Neurology and Clerkship Director at the University of Kentucky for the last 12 years. She established an Obstetrical Neurology Clinic integrated in the obstetrics clinic for several years before leaving Kentucky. Dr. Hessler attended medical school at Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine then completed two years of Internal Medicine residency before transitioned to a neurology residency at Tufts Medical Center followed by a Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship at the University of Michigan.Dr. Hessler is very involved in the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) as a named fellow and as the former Women’s Issues in Neurology section chair. Currently she is a national subcommittee chair and serves on two national committees. At the national AAN meeting, she has severed as the course director for Case Studies in Pregnancy
Dr. Carrigan is an accomplished neurologist with a rich background in medical leadership and a passion for serving the community. A Jacksonville native, Dr. Carrigan has held numerous leadership roles in the Baptist Health System, where he made significant contributions to stroke care and neurology.
A native of the Jacksonville Beaches and proud graduate of Fletcher High School, Dr. Carrigan earned his engineering degree from University of Florida and his medical degree from Florida State University College of Medicine. He completed neurology residency at Mayo Clinic. His journey into medicine began on a 2001 medical mission trip with Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church to Kimbila, Mexico, which ignited his desire to serve as a physician. In addition to his work with Kimbila Neuro Fund, Dr. Carrigan is the owner of our strategic partner, Kimbila Neurology, where one of his duties is serving as an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant for the NFL in the Jacksonville market. He is a married father of three adult children and enjoys live music, boating, surfing, travel, and mentoring.
Ken Ryan, DNP, APRN is an ANCC board-certified family nurse practitioner who has been specializing in neurology in the Jacksonville area for nearly 10 years with a special interest in MS care, headache management and cognitive disorders. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida: BSN 2013, and the University of Florida DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) in 2017. Prior to beginning his career in medicine he served honorably in the US Navy from 1997 until 2007. He then served veterans at Malcolm Randal VAMC for the first 4 years of his nursing career on a neurological/ TBI specialty floor.
Kens affiliations and certifications include:
CMSC Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist (currently pursuing/ exam pending)
American Academy of Neurology Member 2017- present
Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Individual Member 2019- present
IOMSN member 2021- present
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider Certification, American Heart Association
Advanced Stroke Life Support Certification (ASLS)
When not in the clinic; he enjoys cooking, fishing, golfing, traveling and hiking with his family. His children are involved in organized sports. He and his wife have been active volunteers in the youth sports arena for the last 14 years as a coaches and organizers.
Rebecca attended Jacksonville University of Nursing for her BSN in Jacksonville, Florida and received her Master’s in Science from the Maryville college nurse practitioner program in 2014.
She has personal experience with pain and injury; After suffering from a car accident in 2009, the injury helped her to understand the pain that her patients are going through and offer them hope and communicate every stage of the healing process to them.
Rebecca is able to offer her patients a well-rounded approach to their health due to deep understanding of health and wellness. She encourages all patients to ask questions to ensure that they are a part of their care and understand the healing process.
She has vast experiences in personal injury, pain management and migraine treatment, sports medicine, regenerative medicine, bioidentical hormone therapy, Trigger point pain therapy, primary care, and concierge medicine
In her spare time, Rebecca loves to watch her Jaguars, exercise, sing, and play her guitar
Angelo Capobianco holds an impressive record of medical training. He received his Bachelor’s in Biology from Nova Southeastern University, Master of Medical Science from the University of South Florida, received 1 year of training in ophthalmology and holds a Second Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University-Jacksonville.
Angelo’s undergraduate research was in Organic Chemistry, utilizing a compound that he synthesized as a possible drug transfer agent. His recent Master’s Thesis was on the utilization of Deep Brain Stimulators for the treatment of both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
He always knew that he wanted to work in medicine. After being flagged down in the street at the scene of a motorcycle accident at the age of 19, he then vowed to complete medical training to help people in need after one victim in the crash didn’t make it home to his family that night.
Angelo’s hobbies include watching movies and sports or just spending time with his dog, Samson.
Mollie Wolfe is a board certified Physician Assistant with a passion for her patients. Prior to graduate school, Mollie attended South Georgia State College where she obtained her Bachelors in Biological Sciences. She attended South University in Savannah, GA and graduated with her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
Mollie is a Georgia native who recently moved to Jacksonville with her husband and dog. She enjoys traveling, cooking, live music and spending time with family and friends.
Caitlin Brown is a board-certified Physician Associate. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Mississippi State University and a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Nova Southeastern University-Jacksonville.
During her undergraduate years, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for a healthcare agency. She traveled to various assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation hospitals to provide excellent patient care, working mostly in memory care units. Her recent Master’s Thesis was on the addition of vitamin D supplementation to prevent progression of Multiple Sclerosis. When Caitlin was still a PA student, she did her elective clinical rotations here at Universal Neurological Care and completed further research on the use of calcitonin-gene related peptide receptor antagonists for the management of migraine headaches.
Caitlin is a Chicago area native, moving to Jacksonville before beginning PA school. Her hobbies include yoga, cooking, reading, live music, and watching her favorite Chicago sports teams.
Kimberly "Missy" McCranie is an FSU graduate who has spent her entire career working with the adult population in multiple settings including hospital, home health and long-term care. Her skill set includes diagnosing and treating patients with communication impairments, vocal disturbances, swallowing difficulties and cognitive deficits. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, family and playing pickle ball.
Zlatan Pecar – “Z” was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia. He moved to the United States in 2000 and received his Bachelor of Science in Biology in December 2010. In May of 2015, “Z” received his Associate in Science degree in Nursing. After successfully completing his NCLEX boards, he joined the Universal Neurological Care team in September of 2015 as a Registered Nurse. Spring of 2017, he received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is looking forward to acquiring an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) degree. At Universal Neurological Care, Zlatan is in charge of diagnostic testing as well as various therapy modalities.
Born in Sarajevo, BiH. Lived in several other countries before settling in the US. Earned his associate in sciences degree in nursing from FSCJ. In the free time, enjoys spending time with the family/friends, traveling, sports, chess
Annie Asad is the co-founder and Practice Administrator of Universal Neurological Care. She received her undergraduate degree in Health Administration and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of North Florida. Due to her strong educational background in healthcare administration, Annie possesses comprehensive knowledge of healthcare policies, regulations, and reimbursement systems. Annie is known for fostering a collaborative work environment, and developing strong relationships with healthcare providers, staff, and patients alike. In her spare time, Annie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and meditation.
Liliam was born in Honduras and moved to Florida in 2008. She is a brand-new addition to the UNC team but comes equipped with 8 years of experience in patient care and healthcare management. She has led teams and achieved remarkable results. She is proven to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver exceptional outcomes. In her free time, she loves to garden, even though she is not so good at it, and loves to read romcoms. Additionally, she loves to go on Disney trips with her Husband Angelo.
Marc was born in Cebu, Philippines and later moved to Florida in 1999. He graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Information Systems. Shortly after, he began his IT career with Universal Neurological Care in 2017. In his free time, Marc enjoys family time, photography, art, games, and fishing!
Erica Sanders born and raised from New Jersey. Relocated to Florida in 2020. Entry level into billing with UNC. She enjoys spending family time with her children, nature walks and meditation.
Sydni is a medical assistant and scribe at UNC. She joined the team in 2023. She is graduating in August with a Bachelors in Science with a major in Public Health and a minor in Health Education; she holds a certification in Basic Life Support. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and baking.
Devon has over a year of experience in neurology, starting with her internship at the Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic - Neuro Recovery Center. She attended the University of North Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Health (B.S.H.) and a minor in Public Health. Devon began furthering her experience in neurology when she started at Universal Neurological Care in July of 2022.
Sarah is a graduate of Mandarin High schools' medical program where she received her certification as a CMAA. She also holds certifications in CPR, BLS, and CNA. She is graduating from the University of North Florida with a degree in Public health and minors in health education and American Sign Language. Sarah has been accepted to continue her education at UNF in a Master's program for epidemiology. Sarah joined the Universal Neurological Care team in 2023 as a medical assistant and enjoys working along side her colleges to help patients.
Brittany has been a medical assistant at Universal Neurological Care since 2021. She graduated from the University of North Florida where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences. Brittany has aspirations of becoming a Physician's Associate.
Daylyn was born and raised in Oregon. She attended Grand Canyon University and graduated with both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in General Psychology. She relocated to Florida in October 2022 to explore and seek out opportunities to advance in a career in medicine. In her free time, Daylyn enjoys reading, beach days, and running!
Amelia is a 2024 graduate from Elon University. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and minored in biology and public health. She was a teaching assistant and lab manager for general biology at her alma mater for two years. Amelia has done stroke research for Mayo Clinic’s Clinical Research Internship Study Program. Amelia also is certified in CPR and BLS by the AHA. She is currently applying to schools to obtain her Bachelor's of science in nursing with her overall goal of being a nurse anesthetist.
In her free time, she loves to walk her 2 dogs at the beach, work out in the gym, and spend time with her family.
With a foundation in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, I transitioned from a career as a collegiate and professional athlete to pursue my passion for research. My expertise lies in investigating behavioral, neuropsychological, and psychopathological abnormalities through innovative and alternative research practices. I am driven by a commitment to contribute to advancements in our understanding of human behavior and cognition, to positively impact individuals' lives.
I currently serve as the Research Project Manager and Wellness Director at Universal Neurological Care in Jacksonville. Our practice specializes in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) through a comprehensive approach that emphasizes lifestyle and wellness interventions for rehabilitation. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology and advanced instruments, we strive to achieve the highest standards in neural diagnostics and identify optimal treatment protocols for our patients.
My role involves spearheading advanced research projects focused on TBI treatment, utilizing cutting-edge neural diagnostics to drive scientific excellence and achieve superior patient outcomes. I develop and implement comprehensive lifestyle and wellness protocols tailored for TBI self-rehabilitation, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, photobiomodulation, and molecular hydrogen treatments to support holistic recovery.
Our goal is to enhance patient outcomes through an integrative approach that combines traditional neurological practices with innovative wellness strategies. By focusing on both advanced instrumentation and holistic methodologies, we aim to provide a comprehensive pathway to recovery and improved quality of life for individuals suffering from brain injuries.
Angela Tompkins, JD is a Jacksonville native and law school graduate with a wealth of experience in the legal field. She has held leadership roles in both plaintiffs' and defendants' offices, where her impeccable communication skills allowed her to lead teams and develop strong professional relationships. Her expertise and leadership capabilities paved the way for her transition into the non-profit sector, where she served as Chief Operations Officer for a local organization.
In early 2024, Angela joined Universal Neurological Care as the Medical Legal Liaison. In this role, she serves as the key link between the medical and legal sectors, effectively communicating with attorneys' offices and ensuring smooth collaboration between the two practices. Throughout her career, Angela has consistently leveraged her communication skills to foster relationships and enhance organizational success.
Jihae is the Medical Records Custodian at Universal Neurological Care. She graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Sciences. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, travelling, and spending time with her three Shih Tzus.
Tonya was born in Charlotte, NC. She has worked in medical field for over 20 years with 2 of those years in Neurology. She moved to Florida in 2018. In her spare time she enjoys family, long walks on the beach, and hiking!
Allison was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to coming to this practice, she worked at a different neurology office for 17 years. She has been married for 27 years and is a mother to a wonderful son. She enjoys spending time with family, floating in her pool, cooking and traveling.
Emily was born and raised in Jacksonville Florida. She currently attends FSCJ but, will be transferring to University of South Florida to study Forensic Psychology next fall. In her spare time, she enjoys surfing, concerts, and watching college sports.
Michelle McCormick joined News4Jax in December 2023 and in February 2024, she happily accepted the opportunity to officially join the News4Jax Weather Authority team as the weekend morning meteorologist. She is a member of both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association.
Raised in Dallas, Texas with a passion for airplanes, Michelle became a private pilot in the mid-1990s. After realizing she'll never be an airline pilot, she combined her love for radio and flying by becoming an airborne traffic reporter for both airplanes and helicopters. Michelle even covered the 2005 Super Bowl in Jacksonville from a helicopter for the competition.
Michelle is a proud graduate of Western Colorado University (formally Western State College) in Gunnsion, Colorado and received her MS in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Since moving to Jacksonville Beach in 1998, she's been involved in several nonprofits and board positions, most recently as the President of the FBI Jacksonville Citizen's Academy Alumni Association. When not looking up at the sky, Michelle enjoys hanging out with her adult daughters and husband. She loves loud music, mountains and travelling to both warm and cold spots.
Julian is a diagnostic lab assistant at Universal Neurological Care and a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in both Biology and Psychology. A lifelong Jacksonville native, he wishes to continue his education with a Master of Medical Science degree from the University of Florida with the goal of one day becoming a physician. Julian is an avid gym-goer and Netflix binger who likes to spend quality time with his friends and family.
Maya was born and raised in Connecticut. She relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 2019 to attend the University of North Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in Health with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Education. She began her career in healthcare in April 2022 as an Instructional Design intern with the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She has continued to gain experience in healthcare and Neurology through her career at Universal Neurological Care.
Rebecca is a New Patient Coordinator at Universal Neurological Care. She recently joined the team in 2023. She is currently a marketing major at the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida. She is expecting to graduate in early 2024 with her Bachelor's Degree and then continuing her education to receive her Masters. Rebecca is originally from New York but has lived in Jacksonville for most of her life. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with her Australian Shepard.
