Newsletter | Scenic City Neurotherapy

April, Ketamine Tech/Care Coordinator

April, a native of Chicago, IL, has called Tennessee home since childhood. She is an avid party planner that enjoys catering events and creating special experiences for family and friends. Alongside her roles as devoted wife and mother to her children and four dogs, April finds joy in crafting DIY projects and antiquing. Her empathetic nature helps her truly understand our clients needs, making her excellent at providing unmatched care and support.

Charles Miller, Founder, CMO

Charles Miller, a graduate of the MTSA anesthesia program in Nashville, TN, brings a wealth of experience to the field, including OB anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and cardiac anesthesia. During his time as a Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RRNA) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he engaged in innovative research, laying the foundation for his expertise in opioid-free pain management through ERAS protocols. Motivated by a strong desire to improve treatment options, Charles pursued training and a greater understanding of Ketamine Infusion Therapy for mental health disorders and was the first to introduce it into Chattanooga’s healthcare landscape.

As the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Scenic City Neurotherapy since 2019, Charles has led the clinic to become a top provider of non-opioid, non-narcotic treatments for chronic pain and mood disorders worldwide. Scenic City Neurotherapy’s growth is a result of Charles’ intentionally established processes. Further, the clinic’s unique success is attributed to Charles’ commitment to education and empowerment of patients, leading to meaningful improvements in their quality of life.

Charles’ commitment to superior treatment options led to the development of the Minimally Stimulated Ketamine Infusion Therapy (MSKIT) protocol, positioning him as a thought leader in Psychoplastogenic Medicine. His innovative approach extends to the development of life-changing Psychoplastogenic Treatments, such as the innovative combination of MSKIT with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), aimed at increasing positive patient outcomes and advancing the conversation surrounding the optimal utilization of psychoplastogens in the treatment of mental health.

Continuing his pursuit of innovation, Charles actively contributes Scenic City Neurotherapy’s clinical data to research initiatives through the Osmind community. He also serves as a valued member of the Osmind Community Advisory Board (CAB), advocating for advancements in mental health treatment and research alongside fellow clinician leaders.

Charles participates in speaking engagements at conferences nationwide and advocates for best practices in ketamine infusion therapy across the United States. His efforts extend to educating healthcare providers, patients, and the wider public on the effective use of Ketamine Infusion Therapy and TMS for managing mental health and chronic pain conditions.

Katherine Kessler, Executive Director – Marketing & Partnerships

Katherine is committed to fostering long-lasting, powerful improvements in mental health and well-being. She plays a pivotal role in cultivating connections with community leaders, healthcare professionals, and therapists to extend the benefits of our Neurotherapy treatments. Katherine actively engages with the community, sharing the narrative of our local clinic and highlighting the transformative effects of Ketamine Infusion Therapy and TMS on individuals’ lives.

Katherine co-founded Brighter Way, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to best-practice care for mental health and chronic pain. In her free time, she finds joy in baking, weightlifting, and cherishing moments with her husband and their German Shepherd.

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.

Ami Miller, Co-founder & CEO

Ami Miller brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in youth and family programs, showcasing her commitment to enhancing the lives of children of all ages. Ami’s expertise extends to teaching a diverse range of skills, from camping and survival techniques, including knife skills and campfire building, to Dutch oven cooking and tactical Navy SEAL survival skills. Her passion lies in providing people with opportunities to lead better lives, and this drive has consistently inspired those around her to strive for excellence.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Scenic City Neurotherapy, Ami is actively involved in influencing and directing both the long-term strategy and day-to-day operations of the clinic with a focus on quality patient care, financial stewardship, and innovative healthcare solutions.

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.

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.

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