Our Team
Advanced Practice Providers
Christi DeLemos, N.P., Stephanie Chiarappa, N.P., Rose George, N.P., Donald Noel, N.P.
The Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are board certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who practice in collaboration with neurosurgeons and neurointensivists, providing a team approach in the management of patients' health care. APPs are licensed medical professionals who can examine, test, treat and prescribe medications for patients. Our APPs practice both in the hospital and in our clinics.
The goal of advanced practice providers is to ensure continuity of care and increase access to neurosurgical treatment. They also provide patient and family education regarding diagnoses and treatment plans. They work closely with your doctor to deliver high quality care.
-
Adult ServiceChristine Picinich, N.P.
APP Manager, Neurological Surgery
As a highly skilled nurse practitioner for critically ill patients with neurological injury, Christine Picinich manages APPs for the Department of Neurological Surgery.
-
Adult ServiceNick Loper, N.P.
Supervisor, Neurological Surgery
Nick Loper is a neurosurgery APP supervisor who is passionate about leading quality improvement projects and developing a great team culture.
-
Adult ServiceChristi DeLemos, N.P.
Chief, UC Davis Health
Advanced PracticeIn addition to providing exceptional care to neurosurgery patients, Christi DeLemos leads advanced practice at UC Davis Health and works nationally and internationally to shape the future of the profession and patient care.
-
Pediatric ServiceTeresa Gonzalez, N.P.
Supervisor, Neurological Surgery
Teresa Gonzalez supervises the pediatric neurosurgery APPs while collaborating with caregivers, family members and our pediatric patients themselves to provide the most compassionate care.
-
Michelle Abraham, P.A.
Michelle Abraham cares for patients in the spine program. She has expertise treating spinal stenosis, spondylosis and other conditions.
-
Vilija Abrute, N.P. III
Vilija Abrute centers team-based care and communication to ensure the best outcomes for her neurosurgery patients.
-
Rex Ambatali, N.P.
Rex Ambatali cares for patients in the hospital with particular expertise in the care of patients undergoing spinal surgery.
-
Ary Arauz, Sr. P.A.
Ary Arauz was named PA of the year in 2023 and provides outpatient management of patients in the spine program.
-
Daniel Ayana, D.N.P. III
Daniel Ayana provides care to patients in our cranial clinic. Daniel has been a leader for our department's global outreach by organizing mission trips to Ethiopia.
-
Claire Basco, N.P.
Claire Basco cares for patients with a particular emphasis on patients with skull base lesions.
-
Melanie Catangay, N.P.
Melanie Catangay cares for ICU patients with critical neurological injury.
-
Stephanie Chiarappa, N.P.
Stephanie Chiarappa cares for ICU patients with critical neurological injury.
-
Ehsan Ejaz, Sr. P.A.
Ehsan Ejaz has expertise in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and cares for adult neurosurgery patients with expertise in our neurospine patient population.
-
Rose George, N.P.
Rose George treats her neurosurgical patients with compassion, dignity and respect while providing the latest evidence-based health care.
-
John Hume, P.A.
John Hume cares for ICU patients with critical neurological injury.
-
Giselle Kaneshige, N.P.
Giselle Kaneshige provides neurosurgical coverage to our inpatient population at night, She has a special interest in global healthcare and has been an instrumental part of our mission trips.
-
Donald Noel, N.P.
Donald Noel cares for adult neurosurgery patients. He has background in acute stroke patients and now provides coverage for our hospitalization patients overnight.
-
Sarah Riesinger, P.A.
Sarah Riesinger cares for patients in the spine program. She has a background in pain management and brings this expertise to the complex care of our spine population.
-
Cheryl Shirley, Sr. P.A.
Cheryl Shirley cares for patients in the spine program. She has expertise treating spinal stenosis, spondylosis and other conditions.
-
Kristin Toms, P.A.
Kristin Toms cares for patients in the spine program. She has a background in pain management and brings this expertise to the complex care of our spine population.
-
Richelle Zaragoza, N.P.
Richelle Zaragoza cares for ICU patients with critical neurological injury.
-
Max Caudle, P.A.
Max Caudle provides care for our inpatient neurosurgical patients with a special emphasis in the pediatric population.
-
Tram James, N.P. III
Tram James provides specialized care to pediatric neurosurgery patients before and after neurosurgery. Tram has expert knowledge in pediatric patients with skull anomalies.
-
Peggy Jung, N.P.
Peggy Jung is a board certified nurse practitioner. She specializes in epilepsy, providing expert care to patients before and after epilepsy neurosurgery.