How Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Differ from Antidepressant Therapy?

Charles Miller, Founder, Owner, CRNA  

     
Charles Miller studied anesthesia in Nashville, TN through the MTSA program. He participated in research as a Resident Resident Nurse Anesthetist (RRNA) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His time at Vanderbilt provided him with the necessary education and experience in the administration of ERAS protocols that are the foundations for our advancements in opioid-free pain management. Charles pursued training and greater understanding of the use of Ketamine Infusion Therapy in the treatment of mood disorder and decided to bring these treatment options home to Chattanooga.

In 2019 he became the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Scenic City Neurotherapy in Chattanooga, TN. Scenic City Neurotherapy utilizes non-opioid, non-narcotic anesthetics in the treatment of chronic pain and mood disorders. The clinic has grown to be the highest performing and most successful clinic worldwide as a result of Charles’ intentionally established processes. Scenic City Neurotherapy’s unique success is further attributed to Charles’ commitment to education and empowerment of patients, leading to meaningful improvements in their quality of life.

Charles continues to pursue innovation in clinical research by submitting Scenic City Neurotherapy’s clinical data for research through the Osmind community. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Osmind Community Advisory Board (CAB) which is a dynamic and diverse group of clinician leaders passionate about advancing mental health treatment and research.

Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim, Medical Collaborator

Dr. Ibrahim graduated from the University of Cairo in Egypt and trained at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. He is board certified in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. Dr. Ibrahim works in the inpatient psychiatry department at Parkridge Valley. He is also the owner of Tri-State Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Ibrahim serves as Scenic City Neurotherapy as its medical collaborator, working to improve patient outcomes through neuroregenerative therapy.

Chris, CRNA

Chris graduated from Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia in 2011. He lives in London, KY with his wife of 17 years and four children. After receiving training from Charles Miller, Chris opened his own ketamine infusion clinic in London, KY called Freedom Neurotherapy. He also remains a part-time provider at Scenic City Neurotherapy. Chris was thrilled to find a clinic where he could learn best practice methods that would prepare him to provide better treatment options to the people in his own community.

Bryan Lopes, CRNA

Bryan was born and raised in Chicago, IL. In 1982, he moved to the south to pursue his college education and fell in love with the people and places in Tennessee, more specifically in Chattanooga. He completed his Associate Nursing degree at Southern Adventist University (SAU) in 1984 and worked on his Bachelor’s degree part-time over the next several years. During this time, he worked as a mental health nurse at Valley Psychiatric Hospital with the local adolescent population. In 1991, he completed his Bachelor’s degree at SAU while working as an assistant head-nurse manager of the Coronary Care Unit at Erlanger Hospital.

Bryan knew he wanted to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist since his high school years. In the fall of 1992, he was accepted into the Erlanger School of Nurse Anesthesia. He attended in spring of 1993 and graduated his anesthesia school/residency in March of 1995.

Bryan spent the last 30 years of his clinical practice in cardiovascular anesthesia. He has collaborated with most of the best cardio-thoracic surgeons in town! He has experience with all other surgical specialties and surgeons in the operating theater as well. Bryan enjoys taking care of each of his patients and feels privileged to help them through some of their most difficult and stressful moments in life.

Through the years, he has enjoyed mountain biking, reading books, watching movies with his family, playing golf with buddies, snow skiing in Colorado, beach trips to Santa Rosa Beach, and a good fire in the fire pit. Most of all, Bryan loves keeping up with his three grown children and their lives. He also has the privilege of living his life with the best partner he could ask for, his wife Christina.

Bryan knows that he can help many folks in Chattanooga and the surrounding area through the best-practice treatment protocols we offer at Scenic City Neurotherapy. Thus, Bryan’s decision to shift from patient care that involves putting brains to sleep for surgery, to waking up brains for a better, more healthy life.

Julie, Superbill Specialist

Julie graduated from Grace Baptist Academy and attended Lee College. She married her college sweetheart of over 26 years. Julie has 20+ years of experience working for major health insurance companies, and she brings her expertise to help patients pursue reimbursement.

Blake, TMS Technician

Blake is a college student who has grown to love his role as a TMS technician. He is passionate about supporting patients through the process to better mental health. In his spare time, Blake can be found tinkering on cars or rock climbing.

Jason, CRNA

Jason was born and raised in sunny Palm Bay, FL, but now considers himself a Tennessean after moving to Chattanooga in 2004. Jason graduated in 2009 from Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. He spent four and a half years working as an R.N. at Memorial Hospital in the CVICU. In 2013, he obtained his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. For the past eight years, Jason has worked full-time in hospitals in the Chattanooga metropolitan area and provided support at other Tennessee regional hospitals through anesthesia administration.

His bilingual (Spanish) communication skills and work with diverse populations set him apart. In his free time, Jason enjoys being with his family, improving his Jeep, caring for his plants, enjoying the outdoors, and organizing an impressive Lego collection.

Elena, Director of TMS

Elena and her family have enjoyed living in the beautiful Chattanooga area for the past 10 years. She has three busy girls and various pets to keep them company. Elena treats patients receiving our highly specific Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), an FDA-approved, non-invasive therapy which has been life changing for so many people. Elena speaks both French and Spanish, in addition to English.

Dr. Keith Jr., Medical Collaborator

Dr. Keith Perkins Jr. was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. He attended DePaul University in Chicago, majoring in biology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. Having found a love for primary care, he decided to train in both internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Tennessee-Memphis. He became board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. He moved to Selmer, TN in 2011, where he still resides. He is the owner of Premier Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and is a collaborator for Scenic City Neurotherapy.

Connie, Patient Care Coordinator

Connie is a native Chattanoogan who loves spending time with her family and friends. For Connie, life goes better with music, and she enjoys it all. She loves to walk, which suits her well because one of her favorite vacation spots is Disney World. Connie and her husband consider it a good day whenever they get to spend time with any of their seven grandchildren. Connie actively serves her community by volunteering in areas that interest her.

Katherine Wilson, Director of Business Development

Katherine is passionate about collaborating on efforts that will create long-lasting, powerful outcomes for people’s mental health and well-being. She works directly with Charles and Ami Miller to build relationships with community leaders, mental health professionals, and general practitioners. Katherine’s role includes creating an engaging presence in our community by telling the story of Scenic City Neurotherapy and by sharing the impact of Ketamine Infusion Therapy and TMS on people’s daily lives.

Katherine is involved with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as other local non-profit organizations. In her free time, Katherine enjoys baking, weightlifting, and spending time with her friends and family.

Ami Miller, Founder & Practice Manager

Ami is a co-founder of Scenic City Neurotherapy. She has dedicated the last 20 years to working with children of all ages through youth and family programs. She is an expert in teaching camping and survival skills, including knife skills, campfire building, Dutch oven cooking, and tactical Navy SEAL survival skills. Ami is passionate about giving people the opportunity to live better lives. Ami has always been inspired to continue challenging herself to do better in all aspects of her life which pushes those around her to do the same.