Michael Ellwood Michael Ellwood, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at VCU. He supports the spinal cord injury (SCI) and complex care teams at Sheltering Arms Institute’s Dallas Disbro Ability Center in addition to the hospital’s SCI model systems research program. Dr. Ellwood provides initial evaluations and psychological treatment to assist patients and families with adjusting to and coping with the challenges they face during their admission to the inpatient rehabilitation program. He is a graduate of Hamilton College and the clinical psychology doctoral program at Virginia Commonwealth University. During his career, Dr. Ellwood has held various roles, including serving as a staff psychologist on the SCI Service and the Director of Training for Psychology—fellowship and internship programs accredited by the American Psychological Association and practicum student training—at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. Additionally, Dr. Ellwood has also served as co-director of the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program for Commonwealth Counseling Associates and as associate director of outpatient behavioral health services for Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. His research interests include individuals’ adjustment to living with spinal cord injury.
Daniel W. Klyce Daniel W. Klyce, PhD, LCP, ABPP, is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified rehabilitation psychologist. He is an associate professor (affiliate) in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Klyce is a research psychologist with the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, where he is the co-director for the Richmond Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems project. At Sheltering Arms Institute, Dr. Klyce serves as the rehabilitation psychology advisor and supports VCU’s TBI Model Systems program, Sheltering Arms Institute’s ethics consultation service, and the psychology clinical service. Dr. Klyce’s specialty is brain injury rehabilitation. His clinical expertise includes delirium management, neurocognitive assessment, adjustment to trauma, and interprofessional approaches to rehabilitation. His research interests include clinical measurement, supporting caregiving families, social determinants of health, and brain injury as a chronic condition among veterans and service members. Dr. Klyce serves on the boards of multiple scientific and service organizations, including the editorial board for his field’s flagship journal, Rehabilitation Psychology, and on the board of directors for both the Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology and the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. Dr. Klyce is from Tennessee and completed undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He completed graduate studies in clinical psychology at Purdue University and an internship in behavioral medicine at Vanderbilt University and the Tennessee Valley VA Health Care System. Dr. Klyce completed a postdoctoral fellowship in rehabilitation psychology at the University of Washington and Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. He moved to Richmond and joined the faculty at VCU’s School of Medicine in 2013.
Joseph A. Seacrist Dr. Seacrist graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Toledo and completed an internship, as well as the residency program, with VCU Health’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Seacrist brings experience in implementing quality improvement and training programs. He has presented to the residents and faculty of VCU Health on a variety of PM&R topics.
James P. McGowan Dr. McGowan attended medical school at MCV/VCU followed by a residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). He has practiced PM&R at a variety of inpatient rehabilitation facilities throughout Richmond since completing his residency in 1994. Dr. McGowan joined the VCU team in 2006 and the Sheltering Arms Institute team in 2020. He assisted with the development of Sheltering Arms Institute and the transition from VCU and Sheltering Arms’ Hospitals to Sheltering Arms Institute. Dr. McGowan is especially interested in patients who have survived strokes as well as other neurologic injuries and amputations. In his role as Director of Hospital Operations for Sheltering Arms Institute, he helps bring patients to our hospital.
Will Carter Dr. Carter is an assistant professor and the Director of Oncology Rehabilitation Services at VCU Health’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to his professional interests in spinal cord injury medicine, oncology/cancer rehabilitation and quality improvement, he is an experienced researcher who has contributed to numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Carter graduated with a Doctor of Medicine, as well as a Master’s in Public Health, from the University of Connecticut. From there, he was an intern at the University of Alabama, a resident at VCU Health’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a fellow at McGuire Hunter Holmes VA Hospital.
William McKinley Dr. McKinley has resided in Richmond, Virginia since 1986. He is currently a Professor and serves as Director of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System and Sheltering Arms Institute. He has served as Director of the PM&R Residency Training Program at VCU and is board certified in PM&R, Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Spinal Cord Medicine. Dr. McKinley’s clinical interests focus on managing medical issues and working with an experienced interdisciplinary team to restore function in patients who have sustained neurological injuries. He is experienced in the treatment of SCI, other neurological injuries (such as stroke, traumatic brain injury), joint and muscle injuries and pain, the use of electrodiagnosis, injection therapy, and the development of injury prevention programs to help patients achieve their personal best. Dr. McKinley received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College and his medical degree at Albany Medical College. He completed his residency training in PM&R in 1989 at VCU and remained on faculty to focus on clinical, academic and research pursuits. He has served as Project Director for the VCU SCI Regional Model System of Care (a grant supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research). He has been involved nationally with key SCI organizations, committees, and clinical practice guidelines. He has been published extensively, presented nationally on topics within his expertise in SCI and other neurological injuries. In his spare time, Dr. McKinley enjoys family, tennis, gardening, and travel. Clinical Interests: Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation of Physical Disabilities Electrodiagnostic Testing Peripheral Neuropathy Evaluation and Management Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular Disorders
Joelle Makon Dr. Joelle Makon dedicates her practice to helping patients with a wide variety of diagnoses, including musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, back injury, orthopedic injury, sports injury, concussion and stroke. She offers several specialty services such as prolotherapy, EMG studies, auricular acupuncture and Botox for migraine management. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees at The Penn State University and completed her physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time, Dr. Makon enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching and playing sports, music and dance.
Gregory Leghart Dr. Gregory Leghart serves as Co-director of the Stroke Rehabilitation Program and Director of Medical Informatics at Sheltering Arms Institute. He has special interest and experience in stroke rehabilitation, acquired brain injury, spasticity, spinal cord injury, and musculoskeletal/soft tissue disorders. A physician at Sheltering Arms since 1993, he has served in various roles, including Medical Director of the Functional Restoration/Back to Work Program, Brain Injury Program, Spasticity Program, and Stroke Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Leghart is a graduate of Columbia University and Albany Medical College. He completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia and is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Outside of work, Dr. Leghart serves on community and church boards and loves to play guitar, travel, exercise, sail, and garden. He is married and has three children.
