Meet The Care Team
At NeuroMed, our team focuses on education and care coordination to support people with chronic tinnitus and related disorders, working alongside medical professionals as part of coordinated care.
If you would like to learn more about our team or how the program works, please call us at 1-888-226-6330 or request an appointment online.
Meet NeuroMed's Chief Medical Advisor
Hamid Djalilian, MD
Dr. Hamid Djalilian is a distinguished leader in otolaryngology, neurotology, neurosurgery, and biomedical engineering, and serves as NeuroMed’s Chief Medical Advisor.
Dr. Djalilian is the Director of Otology and Neurotology and a Professor of Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. His work continues to expand the frontiers of medical science and tinnitus research. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed medical papers, authored multiple book chapters, and contributed to several medical textbooks focused on hearing and balance disorders.
In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Djalilian is the President of the Migraine in Otolaryngology Society, where he advances innovation at the intersection of neurology and otolaryngology while promoting neurological well-being.
The NeuroMed Solution is informed by clinical research and treatment frameworks developed through Dr. Djalilian’s academic and clinical work. These approaches have helped thousands of patients improve symptoms related to tinnitus, dizziness, migraine-related conditions, long COVID, and other chronic brain sensitivity disorders.
As Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Djalilian provides scientific oversight, protocol development, and provider education. Although he does not provide direct patient care through NeuroMed, the clinical approaches used are informed by the same evidence-based frameworks he applies in his academic practice. Care is delivered by independently licensed healthcare professionals through external clinical services.
Having personally experienced tinnitus, Dr. Djalilian brings more than two decades of clinical and academic insight to his work. His neuroscience-driven and integrative perspective has helped reshape how tinnitus and related disorders are understood and managed, establishing him as a leading authority in this field.
Meet The Care Team
Banu Berkem, MSN, FNP
Banu Berkem is Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a wealth of experience treating tinnitus and related disorders. Banu received her Bachelor's of Science at Indiana University and her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Ball State University. She also received direct postgraduate training from Dr. Hamid Djalilian from the University of California, Irvine, with an emphasis on tinnitus and migraine pathophysiology and management.
Throughout her career, Banu has demonstrated instrumental skills in various roles, including providing care in the fields of pain management, mental health, neurology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. This extensive experience, in conjunction with her personal studies with Dr. Djalilian, makes Banu an exceptionally qualified health care practitioner to treat complex tinnitus patients.
Natalie M. Thon, MSN, NP
Natalie M. Thon is an Advanced Care Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of experience in neurology treatment and care. She has practiced in leading institutions including Cleveland Clinic, Emory University Hospital, Mischer Neuroscience Associates, Renown Regional Medical Center, and Providence St. John’s. Her clinical background spans migraine care, neurocritical care, and outpatient neurology, with advanced certification as a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner.
Natalie is an expert in atypical migraine and its neurological manifestations, in particular its overlap with tinnitus and hearing disorders. Her work integrates advanced training, prescriptive authority across multiple states, and a track record of excellence recognized by a Nurse of Achievement nomination. With her blend of inpatient and outpatient neurology experience, Natalie is uniquely positioned to help patients navigate recovery from severe tinnitus, atypical migraine, neuroinflammation, and brain sensitivity.
Kristen Crosley, MSN, FNP-C
Kristen Crosley is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of advanced clinical experience in neurology, imaging-guided care, and complex patient management. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel University and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. Kristen has held key roles in leading neurological programs, including serving as a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Program Lead, where she worked closely with patients undergoing advanced neurosurgical procedures.
Throughout her career, Kristen has developed deep expertise in telehealth-based care, diagnostic imaging workflows, and multidisciplinary collaboration across neurology, and surgery teams. She is known for her ability to translate complex neurological and imaging findings into clear, patient-centered guidance. With a strong foundation in clinical research and a commitment to precision and compassionate care, Kristen is uniquely positioned to support patients with complex conditions such as tinnitus, atypical migraine, neuroinflammation, and brain sensitivity.
Maria Mendizabal, MS, RD
Maria Mendizabal is a Registered Dietician and Holistic Health Coach with extensive experience treating patients with neurological conditions such as tinnitus, vertigo, and post-concussive syndrome. Maria has collaborated with Dr. Djalilian on clinical publications and contributed to drafting the optimized nutritional plan. As a key member of the care team from its inception, she focuses on helping patients make sustainable lifestyle changes that lead to long-term health improvements.
With degrees in Biology and Clinical Nutrition, and a Graduate Diploma in Integrative Functional Nutrition, Maria brings deep expertise to her practice. She stays current with the latest research on neurological health, ensuring her guidance is tailored to each client's unique needs. Her holistic approach to coaching blends nutrition, lifestyle modifications, sleep, and stress management, helping clients achieve optimal wellness and sustained tinnitus relief.
Sonja McCord, FMCHC
Sonja McCord, FMCHC, is a Functional Medicine Health Coach and Holistic Nutritionist with a personal understanding of tinnitus, having suffered from and recovered from severe symptoms herself. At a care team member, she uses a Functional Medicine approach to help clients manage and overcome tinnitus. By addressing key factors like nutrition, stress management, sleep, and mental wellness, Sonja offers personalized support to help clients regain control over their health and improve their quality of life.
With extensive training in health coaching, nutrition, and mental health, Sonja has helped numerous clients with tinnitus and other chronic health conditions. Her approach combines motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to empower clients to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Passionate about holistic care, Sonja works closely with clients to develop individualized strategies that support both their immediate needs and long-term wellness goals.
Laura Atkinson, MS-SLP, CFMHC
Laura Atkinson is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach with advanced training from the Institute for Functional Medicine. She also holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, completing her schooling through Purdue University and Saint Xavier University. Laura spent the early part of her career in neurorehabilitation across major hospital systems, including Loyola University Medical Center, where she saw firsthand how lifestyle, nervous system regulation, and daily habits shape long-term recovery.
In her coaching practice, Laura blends her medical background with a warm, practical approach that helps clients strengthen foundational areas like sleep, stress regulation, gut health, and daily routines. She creates a steady, collaborative environment where individuals can build sustainable habits and make meaningful, lasting progress. Her combined clinical training and holistic coaching expertise make her a strong fit for programs centered on continuity, whole-person care, and long-term transformation.
Karen Canham, NBC-HWC
Karen Canham is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach who specializes in nervous system regulation, behavior change, and chronic stress physiology. She works with clients experiencing complex symptoms like migraine, sleep disruption, and somatic reactivity, helping them stabilize their physiology through structured routines, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and micro-practices grounded in polyvagal and somatic science. Known for her calm, grounded presence, she translates medical recommendations into realistic daily habits that clients can consistently sustain.
With extensive training in functional medicine, somatic therapies, trauma-informed coaching, and behavior science, Karen collaborates closely with clinicians to bridge the gap between care plans and day-to-day implementation. Her coaching style blends breathwork, somatic grounding, and CBT-style reframing with outcome tracking and longitudinal support, allowing high-distress clients to build durable lifestyle changes and regain a sense of agency over their health.
Medical Advisory Board
Kasra Ziai, MD
Kasra Ziai completed his medical training at Azad University of Medical Sciences and his Otolaryngology residency at the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. He also was a Post-Graduate Research Fellow at the University of California, Irvine.
He is now considered an expert in ENT conditions, including tinnitus and migraine-related conditions, and has published close to 40 papers in peer-reviewed medical journals.
Dr. Ziai enjoys martial arts training and has engaged in club-level kickboxing competitions. He also enjoys spending time with his extended family in sunny Southern California.
Rostam Khoshsar, MD
Dr. Rostam Khoshsar is a top-ranked pain management physician providing state-of-the-art care and treatment for patients in and around Torrance, CA. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and Director of the anesthesia pain clinic at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Long Beach.
Dr. Khoshsar is nationally renowned for treating patients with chronic pain and has been featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes for his novel methods of treating veterans with chronic problems.
Board-certified in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dr.Khoshsar is actively involved in advanced interventional pain medicine research and is the author of numerous publications.
As a leading pain management specialist, Dr.Khoshsar is regularly invited to speak at conferences and courses on chronic pain management.
Ali Djalilian, MD
Dr. Ali Djalilian is an internationally renowned expert in ophthalmology. He specializes in cornea, particularly ocular surface diseases and immunologic diseases of the cornea and anterior segment. He is a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he trains fellows and residents in ophthalmology.
Dr. Ali Djalilian is a leading expert on ocular surface reconstruction and has developed innovative surgical techniques for limbal stem cell transplantation. He regularly performs all types of corneal transplantation and cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants.
Additionally, he is an expert in the effects of migraine and central hypersensitivity on the eye and ocular surface. He has published over 150 papers and book chapters and is the editor-in-chief of the most respected journal in corneal studies, The Ocular Surface.
Dr. Ali Djalilian has published the definitive book on ocular surface diseases, Ocular Surface Disease: A Case-Based Approach.
He has also conducted international clinical trials with sites in multiple countries to treat ophthalmologic diseases and has been an invited lecturer at numerous conferences and universities.
Kanwar Kelley, MD
Dr. Kelley is dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive care to his patients, utilizing the latest technology and connected devices to monitor them 24/7/365 from the comfort of their own home. He is an expert in the use of Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) to provide optimal care for his patients with chronic medical conditions. Dr. Kelley is known for his compassionate and patient-centered approach to care, and is committed to helping his patients achieve optimal health and wellness.
Get in Touch Today!
If you’d like to learn more about our team and how NeuroMed supports people with chronic tinnitus, call us at 1-888-226-6330 or request an appointment online.
At NeuroMed, we coordinate care and empower people with access to advanced, evidence-based medical protocols, bringing structure, guidance, and support to those who are suffering from tinnitus.
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