Personnel

Director: John J. Oró, MD

Practice Manager: Stephanie Shany

Nurse Practitioner: Kimberly Sexton, RN, MBA

Coordinator: Shelly Gregory

Medical Assistant: Renee Muniz

Collaborating Physicians

Intensivists, Hospitalists, and Consultants

Our Mission

The mission of The Chiari Care Center is to provide the highest level of care to those suffering from the Chiari I Malformation, syringomyelia, the tethered spinal cord, and related disorders. To educate patients, families and physicians about these disorders and the treatment options available. To conduct research and continue to refine and advance treatment and care of people affected. And to provide a dignified and compassionate atmosphere where we build trusting partnerships with patients and their families.

Our Philosophy of Care

At The Chiari Care Center we begin our relationship with each patient by getting to know them. Though the cause of their suffering is our focus, we want to know as much as we can about the whole person. This will not only help us in our approach to treatment, it will also help us to better manage their expectations about the risks and most realistic outcomes following treatment. Through this process of getting to know our patients we carefully listen to them and address their concerns. We also take the time to help patients understand what can often be very confusing clinical information.

Because our Philosophy of Care model places the patient in the center - they become a major part of our care team, they need to be well educated, feel comfortable and confident about moving forward with surgical treatment (if it is needed), and know that they are always in control of their care.

Personnel

Medical Director of Neurosurgery
John J. Oró, M.D.

Dr. John J. Oró is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of Chiari I Malformation. In 2005, he founded The Chiari Treatment Center, located on The Medical Center of Aurora campus, where he continues to pioneer advances and refinements in the treatment of this disorder.

Dr. Oró's commitment to advancing Chiari care developed during his tenure as Professor and Chief of Neurosurgery at the University of Missouri. "In 1998, I developed a special interest in Chiari I Malformation because I saw that many people were not receiving adequate evaluation and treatment." Since his initial interest, his commitment to providing the best surgical procedures and patient care has increased and in 2005 he moved his practice to Colorado further advance the care of persons with Chiari and/or Syringomyelia.

As Medical Director of the Neurosurgery Center of Colorado, Dr. Oró's expertise covers a variety of neurological disorders including brain tumors, cerebral aneurysms, and disorders of the spine. His unique dedication to aiding those afflicted with Chiari I Malformation has made him one of the most sought after surgeons in the nation by both patients and physicians.

Dr. Oró has been listed among the Best Doctor’s in America since 2001, and listed among America’s Top Surgeons in 2007. Beyond being an excellent surgeon, he has held numerous appointments, serving on boards and committees at the state and national levels.

Currently, Dr. Oró is involved in ongoing research into Chiari I Malformation and Syringomyelia, and continues to present his results and perspectives at national meetings and in published texts and materials. He also edits a Chiari site for professionals at www.ChiariTimes.com.

Practice Manager

Stephanie Shany

Stephanie graduated Cum Laude from Mesa State College with a Bachelor of Science degree, Pre-Medicine emphasis, and two minors in Chemistry and Psychology. Stephanie furthered her education by pursuing a graduate degree in Health Services Administration and Management from Regis University. She is only a thesis away from earning her Masters degree.

Stephanie has extensive experience in the medical field including serving as Director of Operations, Manager of Central Functions, and Practice Manager. She has experience in profit and not-for-profit environments, expertise in specialty and primary care operations, and additional knowledge of diverse areas including billing, call center functions, organizational growth and expansion, and JCAHO audits.

As Practice Manager of The Neurosurgery Center of Colorado, Stephanie’s primary focus is patient and employee satisfaction, and clinic operations. Her aptitude for clinic operations helps ensure smooth and efficient processes, while committing to the highest level of quality care.

Nurse Practitioner
Kimberly Sexton, RN, MBA

Kimberly Sexton has been working as a nurse for twenty-seven years. She has extensive experience in critical care including cardiac, trauma, neuro and spine. She left the bedside for ten years and became the Assistant Director of Supply and Distribution in Materiel Management at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

In 1995, Kimberly began consulting in hospitals across the US working with facility cost containment measures. She assisted with the implementation of medical-surgical supply standardization and utilization. In 2000, she received her MBA/Technology Management degree.

Kimberly has worked at The Medical Center of Aurora since 2001. She specializes in all aspects of spine disorders and provides preoperative classes to patients before major spine surgery. Kimberly follows their care while hospitalized, and is a liaison with physicians, families and nurses. She has her MSN degree and will graduate in May with her Family Nurse Practitioner degree.

Medical Assistant
Stacey Williams, CMA

As an experienced certified medical assistant, Stacey brings a solid understanding of the medical office environment. Often, she is the first person on the phone when persons with the Chiari malformation or related disorders contact The Chiari Center. Her knowledge of physician and nurse support needs as well as patient check-in and set-up procedures, allows the Center to run smoothly, stay on schedule and provide a comfortable and pleasant patient environment.

Education Consultant

Diane Mueller, ND, NP

In 1998, working with Dr. Oró, Diane Mueller helped establish a specialty clinic at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri for patients with the Chiari I Malformation and Syringomyelia. With Dr. Oró, she has published a number of research studies on the Chiari I malformation. A highly regarded educator, Diane and Dr. Oró have recently published The Chiari Book: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers.

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