Leadership Team

Jeffrey C. Berliner, DO
Chairman of the board
executive director of rsvp

Jeffrey C. Berliner, DO. is a co-founder of RSVP Colorado and currently serves in the position of Executive Director of RSVP. He is also a past president of RSVP Texas. Dr. Berliner is dedicated to creating a life of inclusion and meaning for those with disabilities and believes in equity in the care for all persons.

Dr. Berliner joined the medical staff at Craig Hospital after working as Clinical Director of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at TIRR Memorial Hermann. He completed his fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine after graduating from residency at Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in June 2008. He received his medical degree in 2004 at Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr.  Berliner’s primary focus is on caring for patients recovering from spinal cord injuries. His clinical and research include current concepts in neuro-recovery, treatment of paraplegic and tetraplegic patients, and prevention of secondary complications related to spinal cord injury.  

Dr. Berliner currently serves as the chairman of the advocacy committee for the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and a vice-chairman of the advocacy committee for the American Spinal Injury Association. He is a member of the American Spinal Cord Injury Membership and Program Committee, Association of Academic Physiatrists, American Academy of Physiatrists, International Spinal Cord Society, and The Neurorecovery Network-Health Committee. Clinical Interests include: Spinal Cord Injury, Dual diagnosis injuries—Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury, general rehabilitation, spasticity management, and pain management. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a sub-specialization in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine.

William (Bill) Niehaus, MD
national growth director

William (Bill) Niehaus, MD., is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician at the University Of Colorado Hospital.  His current focus is on neuro-rehabilitation and working with patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, stroke, or spinal cord injury. 

Bill also serves as social media editor for a major PM&R journal and can be followed on Twitter @NHausMD.  His commitment to service stems from his involvement in being an AmeriCorps*VISTA and attending Jesuit based education during high school and college.

christina draganich, DO
President

Christina Draganich, DO is a spinal cord injury physician at Craig Hospital. She graduated with distinction in neuroscience from Colorado College after which she completed her medical degree at Rocky Vista University. Her current research focuses on prevention of secondary medical complications in SCI, predictive modeling of ambulatory status in SCI, and healthcare disparities in rehabilitation medicine. She has been involved with RSVP since its inception and is passionate about advocating for individuals with disabilities as well as understanding and bridging disparities in rehabilitation care.

Deanna claus, md
vice president

Deanna Claus, MD is the Spinal Cord Injury Medicine fellow at Craig Hospital. She completed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency and medical school through the University of Colorado. She previously graduated with a degree in Integrative Physiology and a certificate in Neuroscience from University of Colorado Boulder. Deanna became involved with RSVP Clinic in July 2017, and she is passionate about the clinic’s mission to serve uninsured patients with rehabilitation diagnoses in the community and address their social determinants of health. She also enjoys creating lasting relationships with RSVP patients and their families. 

Ben Chappell, CPA
Treasurer

Ben Chappell is a Manager at BKD. As a member of BKD National Health Care Group, he provides audit services for a variety of health care clients, including rural hospitals, urban hospitals and physician groups.

He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Colorado Society of CPAs, Arizona Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and Colorado HFMA. Ben is a 2010 graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, with a B.S. degree in business with a concentration in accounting and operations management.

bridget leary, OTR/L
secretary

Bio to come soon :)

michelle graf
Director of operations

Bio to come soon :)

Haylee yepson, DO
resident coordinator

Haylee Yepson, DO is a current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) resident physician at the University of Colorado where she joined the RSVP clinic in February 2024. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2012 with a degree in Physiology then completed her medical degree from Touro University, California in 2018. After that time she served in the US Navy as a Flight Surgeon for VMFA-312. This experience allowed her to grow in her dedication to service and ensuring the well-being of the most vulnerable in our society. 

dana lubieniecki, MPH
volunteer coordinator

Bio to come soon :)

emma drenth, MD
patient coordinator

Emma Drenth, MD is a current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation resident at the University of Colorado. She completed her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering with a focus in biomedical engineering at Michigan State University, but soon recognized her passion for serving others was better matched within the field of medicine. After graduating from Wayne State University School of Medicine and transitioning to residency, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to assist as a resident volunteer at RSVP Clinic. Emma quickly identified with the RSVP vision to bring specialty rehabilitation care to the most vulnerable individuals within our community and has been grateful for the time spent with the amazing patients, families, and fellow volunteers. Emma is honored to further expand her contribution to RSVP by transitioning into the role of Patient Coordinator as of September 2024.

cameron gartzke, PT, DPT
equipment coordinator

Bio to come soon :)

Heather boone, OMS-iii
co-navigator coordinator

Heather Boone is a Medical Student at Rocky Vista University. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2018. Prior to medical school she worked with adults with physical and cognitive disabilities in a group home setting for over six years. She's passionate about advocating for independence and person-centered care especially in the setting of rehabilitation. She has been involved with Colorado RSVP Clinic since 2022.  

holly williamson, OMS-II
Discharge Coordinator

Holly Williamson is passionate about the intersection of clinical medicine and business operations, bringing 15 years of experience optimizing efficiencies to create lasting, sustainable impact for underserved patients. Her background includes managing international non-profit medical clinic trips in low-income countries, coordinating clinical research in cardiology, and consulting for health-tech startup companies. Holly is currently a medical student at Rocky Vista University and excited to focus on the intersection of physical movement and mental health in rehabilitation. As a native of Colorado, you can find her outside supporting adaptive sports on the ski slopes, at the climbing gym, or underwater scuba diving.

Rachael Martino, OMS-III
Transportation coordinator

Rachael Martino is a 3rd Year Medical Student at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She was born and raised in Colorado and earned her Bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Colorado College. She is passionate about giving back to the community she grew up in and loves helping individuals gain back their independence and improving their quality of life. In her free time, she loves mountain biking, snowshoeing, and baking.

AARON LANGE, OMS-III
scribe coordinator

Aaron Lange is a third-year medical student at Rocky Vista University with a background in Integrative Physiology, having earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before medical school, he worked as a sports massage therapist and has continued his roles as an elite running coach and ski instructor, most recently specializing in adaptive sports at the National Sports Center for the Disabled. These experiences have shaped his passion for rehabilitation and inspired him to pursue a career as a physiatrist. He has been involved with the Colorado RSVP Clinic since 2024 and is excited to continue advocating for patient-centered care and functional recovery.

Kathy Hulse, LCSW, CCM
Care Management Coordinator

Kathy Hulse, LCSW, CCM is an outpatient counselor with Clinical Care Management at Craig Hospital. She received her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1988 and joined the outpatient clinic at Craig Hospital in 1989. She helped to develop the Medicaid Buy-In Program for working adults with disabilities for the state of Colorado. She is a member of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and is on their Advocacy Committee. She serves on the board of directors for Centus Counseling, Consulting & Education. She has been involved with the Colorado RSVP Clinic since 2017.

roxanne wasmer, LCSW, CCM
Care Management Coordinator

Roxanne Wasmer LCSW, CCM is an outpatient counselor with Clinical Care Management at Craig Hospital. Roxi earned her BSSW in 1989 followed by MSW with specialty in Gerontology in 1991 from University of Nebraska. She joined the Craig Outpatient Department as a spinal cord injury counselor in November of 2018 and has over 30 years' of healthcare experience, with 25 of those  years working in Rehabilitation settings. Roxi really enjoys engaging patients and their loved ones as they navigate their journey. She is a member of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and is on their Advocacy Committee. Roxi has been involved with the Colorado RSVP Clinic since 2020.

JENNifer L. Hutton, MS, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CWOCN, CRRN
nursing coordinator

Jenn is an Advanced Practice, Clinical Nurse Specialist with a background in neurorehabilitation nursing, wound, ostomy and continence care. She is a graduate from the University of Colorado College of Nursing,  Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program.  Jenn is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology CNS and is certified in wound, ostomy, continence and rehabilitation nursing. She has been a nurse since 2009 and has cared for patients in multiple settings, including long term care, rehabilitation and acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home care. Jenn is passionate about providing care to those who are most vulnerable in our communities by advocating, educating, and doing her part to eradicate healthcare disparities. She is passionate about the service and mission of the Colorado RSVP Clinic and has been involved since the start of the clinic in 2017. Her patients inspire her and she loves being a nurse!

ANDREW C. SMITH, PT, DPT, PhD
Research Coordinator

Andrew C. Smith is a physical therapist and rehabilitation scientist whose primary interests are improving the assessment and clinical management of individuals with spinal cord injury, and working with underserved communities. Andrew has received several notable research awards from the National Institutes of Health, Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, and the American Physical Therapy Association. Andrew earned his doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT) from the University of Washington, and completed his PhD in neuroscience at Northwestern University. He has been involved with Colorado RSVP Clinic since 2017.