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 has special interest and experience in stroke rehabilitation, acquired brain injury, spasticity, spinal cord injury and musculoskeletal/soft tissue disorders. He performs electrodiagnostic evaluations when needed as part of his comprehensive assessments. He 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. 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. Outside of work, Dr. Leghart serves on community and church boards. He loves to play guitar, travel, exercise, sail and garden. He is married and has three children.
Jessica Hupe Dr. Hupe has resided in Richmond, Virginia since 2008. She currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor and Associate Residency Program Director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Dr. Hupe’s clinical interests focus on striving to relieve pain and restore function in patients of all ages and ability levels from recreational activities to competitive athletics. She is experienced in the treatment of concussion, joint and muscle injuries and pain, the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound, injection therapy, and the development of injury prevention programs and lifestyle modifications to help patients achieve their personal best. She has been published on topics including the effects of sleep on athletic performance. She has also presented nationally on the topic of traumatic brain injury and alcohol withdrawal during acute care hospitalization. Dr. Hupe received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University. She earned her medical degree and completed her residency training at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and health system. She was an NCAA Division I athlete at Eastern Michigan University where she competed in basketball and soccer. She holds four all-time scoring records in soccer and was inducted into the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. Dr. Hupe now enjoys running, tennis, gardening, international travel, and photography.
