About MIND

In 2021, a young woman in Charleston, SC was involved in a near-fatal car crash, one of over 140,000 that occur each year in the state. She was transported to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where Dr. Nathan Rowland was the neurosurgeon on call.

After two operations to relieve pressure on her brain, she remained in critical condition. It was unclear whether she would survive. In addition to the traumatic brain injury she suffered, her neck was fractured in multiple places, and both of her legs were broken. She underwent over a dozen operations and was eventually transported to the Atlanta Shepherd Center for rehabilitation since South Carolina did not have a neuroscience institute with comparable services.

Today, we are proud to say that she is back home in Charleston and has made a remarkable recovery. She is able to breathe on her own, sit up in her wheelchair, participate with therapy, eat meals and speak. Her family generously presented a monetary gift to MUSC in hopes of building an institute for patients like her who require extensive care, family support and rehabilitation services located here in our own state of South Carolina. In addition to these services, the new MUSC Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (or MIND) will serve as a hub for educating learners and clinicians about brain injury, as well as operate a multidisciplinary research center dedicated to pioneering innovations in brain science.

MIND Leadership

Nathan C. Rowland, M.D., Ph.D., FAANS

Executive Director

Dr. Rowland is a board-certified neurosurgeon who also holds appointments in Neurology and Health Sciences Research. He oversees the planning, administration and programming of the Institute while aligning its mission and strategic objectives.

Ameet Nagpal, M.D, MS, MEd, MBA

Deputy Director

Ameet Nagpal is the Division Chief of PM&R at the Medical University of South Carolina and a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine. Additionally, he is actively involved in clinical research.

Jennie de Leon, BSN, RN, CPN

Director of Patient Outreach and Coordination

Jennie is MIND’s Director of Patient Outreach and Coordination. She plans, oversees and carries out day-to-day clinical operations. Her primary responsibility is to ensure that comprehensive clinical support is delivered to all patients and their families.

Ian Sheets, MPA

Director of Finance and Operations

Ian is MIND’s Director of Finance and Operations. He executes MIND’s financial strategy, maximizes opportunities for growth, manages expenditures and assists the Executive Director with the development of MIND’s financial planning.

MIND Advisory Board

The MIND Advisory Board is comprised of senior leaders, faculty and experts in the fields of neuroscience and rehabilitation. The MIND Advisory Board convenes regularly to provide oversight and guidance on MIND’s activities.

Sunil Patel, M.D.

Chair, Neurosurgery

Dr. Sunil Patel is board certified in neurological surgery, with additional fellowship training in skull base surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, and microneurosurgery. He has been in practice for over 20 years and is currently the chair of neurosurgery at MUSC.

Steve Kautz, Ph.D.

Chair, Health Sciences and Research

Dr. Kautz is professor and chair of the Department of Health Sciences Research in the College of Health Professions. He also serves as director of the  Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for Stroke Recovery.

Marvella Ford, Ph.D.

Endowed Chair, Cancer Disparities

Dr. Ford is a professor at Hollings Cancer Center and serves as Associate Director of  Population Science and Community Outreach and Engagement.

Heather Boger, Ph.D.

Department of Neuroscience, Professor

Dr. Boger is a full professor in the Department of Neuroscience. Her laboratory studies mechanisms of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Caroline Delongchamps

MUSC Manager of Patient- and Family-Centered Care

Caroline Delongchamps is the Patient-and Family-Centered Care Program Director for the Medical University of South Carolina Health System.

MIND Clinical Neuroscience Executive Council

Ameet Nagpal, M.D, MS, MEd, MBA

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr. Nagpal is a physiatrist who offers clinical care for patients with chronic pain conditions. His primary clinical specialty is musculoskeletal pain.

Ramin Eskandari, MS, M.D.

Neurosurgery

Dr. Eskandari is an associate professor of neurosurgery, focusing on pediatric neurosurgery and minimally invasive surgical techniques for complex brain disorders.

Tiffany Baker, M.D., Ph.D.

Neuropathology

Dr. Baker is a neuropathologist with a special interest in molecular biomarkers of brain tumors. She is also involved in surgical pathology and clinical teaching.

Michael Antonucci, M.D., Ph.D.

Neuroradiology

Dr. Antonucci is a Professor of Neuroradiology at MUSC, contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors through advanced imaging techniques.

Sharlene Wedin, PsyD, ABPP

Behavioral Medicine

Dr. Wedin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry specializing in pain psychology and coping with chronic medical conditions.

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Neurology

Dr. Rosenberg researches the nervous system's adaptation to austere environments, including spaceflight, and applies his findings to improve neurological care for patients at MUSC.

Contact Our Team

The MUSC Institute for Neuroscience Discovery is located at 96 Jonathan Lucas St, Charleston, SC 29425. Call 843-792-0680 to speak to our team or schedule a Telehealth consult today. DISCLAIMER: MIND does not provide direct medical services or treatment.