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 a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) attending physician at Denver Health Medical Center. She attended the University of Colorado Boulder for a degree in Integrative Physiology with a certificate in Neuroscience. She graduated medical school, followed by PM&R residency medical training, through the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed a subspecialty fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at Craig Hospital. 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, OTR/L
Director of operations
therapy coordinator
Bio to come soon :)
preston le, MD
volunteer coordinator
Preston Le, MD is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation resident physician at the University of Colorado. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Denver and his medical degree at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. As a Colorado native, he found it difficult to leave and has a strong commitment to serving patients with disabilities given his own experience being hard-of-hearing.
He initially joined the Colorado RSVP Clinic in medical school and piloted Uber Health to expand access to rehabilitation care by reducing transportation barriers. He now helps to facilitate volunteers as one of the Volunteer Coordinators.
Preston’s clinical interests include pain medicine, functional restoration, and improving quality of life for individuals with disabling conditions. As Volunteer Coordinator, Preston is passionate about fostering a collaborative and welcoming environment for students and providers alike, ensuring that volunteers feel supported while delivering meaningful care to patients. His hobbies and interests include competing in powerlifting, music including R&B and EDM, and snowboarding.
EDA SHI
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Bio to come soon :)
Brooke Emery
Assistant 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 :)
Holly williamson, OMS-iV
patient navigation 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.
JESSE DAVIS, OMS-III
patient navigation coordinator
Jesse Davis is a medical student at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Growing up in Colorado, she developed a strong appreciation for an active lifestyle, which later evolved into a passion for rehabilitation medicine through her experience teaching Pilates. She values helping patients regain function and confidence through movement and individualized care.
At RSVP Clinic, Jesse enjoys being part of a team that prioritizes collaborative, patient-centered care. Outside of medicine, she takes full advantage of Colorado’s outdoors, especially snowboarding, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Dylan, and their goldendoodle, Reme.
ANthony Lordi
Discharge Coordinator
Anthony Lordi is a medical student at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Since joining RSVP Clinic in 2025, Anthony has enjoyed connecting with patients and the team-oriented, multi-disciplinary approach that the clinic provides. Anthony is originally from Philadelphia and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Public Health. When not in clinic, you can find him exploring the outdoors with his wife (Kacey) and dog (Brumley) or in the pool with the local water polo club.
Kristina Cavey
Transportation coordinator
Bio to come soon :)
Abigail warren, OMS-III
scribe coordinator
Abigail is currently a medical student at Rocky Vista University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Missouri. Originally from Arkansas, she has developed a strong passion for serving vulnerable populations within her Colorado community. Abigail is deeply committed to working alongside patients to support self-advocacy, foster independence, and improve overall quality of life. Outside of the clinic and her studies, she enjoys running, reading, skiing, and spending time with loved ones.
Lauren Bloomfield
Clinic Coordinator
Bio to come soon :)
Colten Corzine
Clinic Day Patient Liaison
Bio to come soon :)
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.