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VA Charleston health care

This page is to introduce our Geriatrics and Extended Care staff

Medical School: Medical College of Ohio Residency: Psychiatry - Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Fellowship: &nbsp;Geriatric Psychiatry - Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Board Certification: YesMy primary clinical focus is on the evaluation and treatment of cognitive disorders in older adults, along with the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. I bring almost 20 years of experience caring for older adults with cognitive and behavioral disorders.&nbsp;I work with a team of researchers at the Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research, where our focus is on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. &nbsp;We currently have clinical trials for all stages of dementia including "pre-symptomatic" to "end of life." We offer a variety of studies including ones that offer infusion treatments, oral (pill) treatments, musical interventions, and even observation studies (no medications).I love to go for walks/hikes and explore the natural beauty of South Carolina. &nbsp;I also enjoy camping, stargazing, reading, and travel.

Assistant Professor, Geriatric Psychiatrist

Dr. Jessica Broadway is a board certified Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor.

Medical School: Buenos Aires University Residency: Psychiatry Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine - Jerusalem, Israel Fellowship: &nbsp;Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences University of California Board Certification: YesMy main clinical service is to provide individualized, state-of-the-art dementia care as well as access to the most promising clinical research programs to Veterans suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. We are the only VA facility in the US that provides access to clinical research on Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders to Veterans.&nbsp;Our team conducts research on all aspects of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders ranging from projects targeting normal individuals who have the basic lesion of Alzheimer's disease in their brains to patients who are cognitively impaired and agitated during the last days of their lives. Examples of our original work include the demonstration of the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate in the treatment of apathy in Alzheimer's disease patients, demonstrating the efficacy and safety of citalopram in the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease, and the evaluation of the role of music as a tool for brain stimulation in individuals with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.As part of my role on the AARP Global Council on Brain Health, we have identified several key pillars for maintaining and improving brain health that can substantially improve brain health. I take pride in recommending and following that crucial advice. Therefore, I do at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week, at least 90 minutes of weight training a week, I eat a mainly vegetarian Mediterranean diet (learning to try cook it appropriately), I am very involved in community activities such as serving on the Board of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, I challenge myself doing things that I am very bad as such as yoga, and I try to be the best husband and father I can be for my family.

Dr. Jacobo Mintzer is a board certified psychologist who provides individualized dementia care to the Veterans at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.  

He is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Care as well as Internal Medicine. Completed Internal Medicine residency training at the Medical University of South Carolina. He then went on to complete Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship training at Vanderbilt University. His clinical practice focuses on caring for Veterans living with serious, chronic illnesses. He has previous work experience as a Hospice Medical Director and is passionate about caring for Veterans.

Dr. Ritchie is the GEC Chief for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.

Medical School: Emory University Residency: Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center Decatur, GA I work with older adult Veterans with health issues that are more common with aging such as memory problems, falls and mobility trouble, and many medications. &nbsp;I focus on the specific health matters that are most important to patients and their caregivers. My visit is conducted through a visit to the patient's home. Critical transition times including going to the hospital, rehab, or emergency/urgent care, or major changes such as moving or having a new caregiver, can sometimes lead to new difficult problems to navigate at home. Health care support such as GHELP during these times can help early identify and treat problems to prevent and reduce unnecessary visits back to the hospital or emergency/urgent care.&nbsp;

Geriatric High-Risk Evaluation and Liaison Program -Nurse Practitioner (GHELP NP)

Katherine Horn  is a Geriatric High-Risk Evaluation and Liaison Program -Nurse Practitioner (GHELP NP) at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.


Medical School: Nursing Program: Medical University of South Carolina&nbsp; Board Certification: YesNurse Practitioner: Specialty trained in Memory and Dementia Care with a focus on the care of the Veteran and their family as a dyad. Over twenty years of Geriatric and Adult Health promotion.&nbsp;Assist with screening Veterans for new research and treatment for Alzheimer's Disease and other types of cognitive decline.&nbsp;In my free time I like reading, gardening, walking my dog, collecting Depression Era glass.

Jill Cleary is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.

Medical School: Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions Board Certification: YesMy clinical service to our Veterans is home based primary care.&nbsp;I like to spend my free time with family and friends and work out.

Adult and Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Amy Colby is a Adult and Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.

Nursing School: Robeson Community College Board Certification: Yes - ADULT/GERONTOLOGYMy clinical service to our Veterans is to perform comprehensive geriatric assessment in the home setting to identify limitations and develop care plan to improve quality of life, prevent admissions, and delay progression of disease process.&nbsp;I like to spend my free time walking on the beach/park and attend musical/theatrical shows.

Cheryl Williams is a Adult and Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.


Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Residency: PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - Ralph H Johnson VA Medical CenterSince completing residency, I have held a variety of roles within the Geriatrics department including providing care for nursing home, hospice and palliative care, GeriPACT and home-based primary care (HBPC) veterans. I also ran a clinic for complex patients for several years focused on medication education and de-prescribing in effort to reduce risk of hospitalization. I currently focus primarily on HBPC veterans. My areas of interest include geriatrics in general, hospice/end of life care, and reducing polypharmacy through deprescribing.&nbsp;My research at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System include various quality improvement and assurance projects to optimize medication safety in elderly veterans.Outside of work, I enjoy boating with her family, yoga, watching UNC basketball and traveling.&nbsp;

Ellika Bengtson is a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner at the Rlaph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System

Dr. Olga Brawman-Mintzer is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the co-founder of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System ADRD research program, and a Subject Matter Expert for the recently established Ralph H. Johnson VA National Institute for Brain Health.

Dr. Brawman-Mintzer is a provider at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.

Dr. Lalich is a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist who joined the medical staff at the Ralph H Johnson VA in August 2019. She initially worked as a tele-mental health clinician within the Mental Health service line (MHSL) before transitioning into her current position within the GEC service line. She currently provides both inpatient and outpatient clinical care to Veterans suffering from psychiatric and cognitive disorders in later life. In addition to the roles she serves at the Ralph H Johnson VA, she is a member of the MUSC faculty, a position she has held since 2013, serving as an Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She received her B.S. in Business Administration, with a minor in Biology, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 and her M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2008. She completed both her General Psychiatry residency and Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship training at the Medical University of South Carolina. She served as chief resident during the 2011-2012 academic year. Prior to working at the VA, she worked at MUSC as an attending physician for the Psychiatric Consult-Liaison, as well as the General Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry inpatient, services. Throughout her time at MUSC, she also provided outpatient consulting services at local nursing homes, an endeavor in which she still continues today, in addition to her work serving Veterans.

Dr. Lalich is a psychiatrist for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.

He is a physician executive and retired military medical officer with extensive experience in veterans’ healthcare, operational medicine, and emergency management. He serves as Medical Director for Home Based Primary Care at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina, and as VISN 2 HBPC Lead, collaborating with eight programs. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, he has held senior Navy and Air National Guard roles with multiple overseas deployments and Space Shuttle support missions. He is recognized for expanding access to home-based care and improving quality, satisfaction, and utilization outcomes.

Dr. Lienert is the medical director for the HBPC in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. 

MD Program Spartan Health Sciences University, Residency Trained in Internal Medicine, I care for all of my patients as I would for any of my family member.

Staff Physician - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Dr. Pel is a Staff Physician for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. 

He attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed residency in Emergency Medicine at Indiana University and fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care at the Medical University of South Carolina. He practices palliative care with the goal of providing comprehensive support and symptom management for patients experiencing serious illness.

Dr. Thompson is a Staff Physician with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.