Staff, Board & Advisors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VeDA's board of directors is composed of people who have been diagnosed with one or more vestibular disorders, friends and family members of vestibular patients, and medical specialists in the vestibular field. Their focus is to expand awareness for vestibular disorders while improving care and treatment for patients suffering from vestibular dysfunction.

Habib Rizk, MD, President (Mount Pleasant, SC)

Habib Rizk MD. MSCR is an Associate professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He is a fellowship trained neurotologist and directs the multidisciplinary vestibular program. He is also the chair of the clinical and translational research ethics committee at MUSC. In addition to teaching students and residents from all disciplines who would interface with vestibular disorders, his research interests are related to all areas of vestibular disorders with specific expertise in Meniere’s disease and Vestibular Migraine. He is a member of the American Balance Society as well as a member of the Otology-Neurotology Education committee of the American academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a member of the Bárány Society.

Holly Fisher, EdD, Vice President & Treasurer (Coppell, TX)

Dr. Holly B. Fisher is a Principal Director with Accenture, the global consulting firm, in their Talent and Organization/Human Performance Strategy practice. She has over 20 years of experience helping Fortune 500 companies implement organizational transformations via talent development and learning, organizational design, cultural transformations, executive coaching, change management, and strategic communications. Dr. Fisher’s academic and research background is in Education Leadership with a focus on adult learning, education program planning and implementation, and continuing education in the professions. Dr. Fisher is also a dedicated volunteer, currently serving as Treasurer of the Board of the Vestibular Disorders Association. Dr. Fisher received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University in 2017, her M.S. in Adult, Occupational, and Continuing Education from Kansas State University in 2011, and her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland’s European Division in 1991.

Patricia Gerend, MA, Secretary (San Francisco, CA)

Patricia (Patty) Gerend is a data scientist who worked many years in clinical trials. She has been a vestibular patient since 2004 and was very happy to learn about VeDA and their mission. She currently serves on VeDA's Medical Advocacy Committee and helps oversee VeDA's Patient Registry data.

Salvatore Gruttadauria, AuD, SLP (Kenmore, NY)

Dr. Salvatore A. Gruttadauria is the owner and CEO of Diversified Rehabilitation Services, Diversified Hearing and Balance Centers, Children’s Rehab Services of Western New York and Greater Buffalo Centers for Dizziness and Balance - private rehabilitation practices that provide Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, as well as Audiology and Hearing Aid Services. Dr. Gruttadauria, an Audiologist and Speech/Language received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Buffalo and Doctorate in Audiology degree from the University of Florida.

Dr. Gruttadauria is an Adjunct Profession at the University of Buffalo and also serves as Clinial Director Consultant for Balanceback-a manufacturer of vestibular testing and treatment equipment. He is a past President of the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association, past President of the Western New York Academy of Audiology, Past President of the Western New York Private Practice Association and Vice President of Audiolgy for the Speech/Langauge and Hearing Association of Western New York. Dr. Gruttadauria has lectured extensively on professional issues involving Audiology and Rehabilitation services and sits on a number of healthcare advisory boards.

Abbie Ross, PT, DPT, NCS (Pompano Beach, FL)

Dr. Abbie Ross is a physical therapist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of patients with vestibular and balance dysfunction. She is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist, which includes the rehabilitation management of vestibular disorders, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and more. Dr. Ross operates a primarily virtual vestibular rehabilitation clinic called Balancing Act Rehabilitation PLLC. In addition, she co-produces a podcast focused on vestibular dysfunction called Talk Dizzy to Me alongside Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT.

She is a graduate of SUNY Upstate Medical University and of the Vestibular Competency Course presented by Duke University School of Medicine and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Dr. Ross is a member of the APTA and Vestibular Rehabilitation Special Interest Group. She is honored to serve on the Board of Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) and on the Virtual Conference Committee to participate in the vision and mission of VeDA.

Lynn Johnson (Secane, PA)

Lynn's life became unbalanced Thanksgiving, 2015. She had been feeling off, and out of the blue woke up with imbalance and loud tinnitus (ringing) in her right ear. As days past, her symptoms continued to get worse. Five months and four doctors later, she was diagnosed with Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) and Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction. Her symptoms include bilateral hearing loss, oscillopsia (jumping vision), and imbalance. Lynn says that if she had been given the correct diagnosis in the beginning, they might have been able to save her hearing. "This disease has robbed me of my hearing, my career as high school biology teacher, my ability to walk, to drive, and so many things," says Lynn. "But I refuse to let it rob me of my joy and quality of life." Lynn is a VeDA Ambassador because she is passionate about spreading awareness, educating, and advocating on behalf of patients like herself so that misdiagnosis can be prevented. She currently helps facilitate the Autoimmune Inner-Ear Disorder Facebook Group.

Stefanie Adams (South Boston, MA)

Stefanie suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries and had her third concussion in 2017. As soon as she hit her head she felt off-balance and started to sway. Over the next year she developed terrible migraines and dizziness. Eventually the migraines left, but the dizziness stayed. A year later she discovered that she had a perilymph fistula (a hole in the membrane separating the middle and inner ears) when she got the flu, blew her nose, and the room started to spin. She’s had surgery to repair the fistula and is now a VeDA Ambassador and vestibular advocate.

Darcy Bonjour (Chanute, KS)

Darcy worked several years in a State Disability Services Department, then for the Social Security Administration, processing claims for disability and retirement. In 2005 she had her first vertigo episode, which led to a vestibular journey that continues today. Initially diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, testing also showed an Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct and eventually an Acoustic Neuroma. After surgery she lost all of her hearing. She now has bilateral cochlear implants. It was life changing not returning to a job she loved and instead going full circle in the disability process; filing for her own benefits. While there were many hard days of not feeling well, and with added diagnoses of Vestibular Migraine, PPPD, as well as additional chronic illnesses, she saw there was still so much joy to be found in every day life, even while being sick. Determined to continue to find a way to help and encourage others, she became involved in patient advocacy. She is currently an Ambassador for VeDA and is serving on the DEI Committee. She serves on the Social Media Committee for Miles for Migraine and is a contributing writer for Health Union’s Chronic Hive’s group. She is also an admin for 3 Facebook groups for people with chronic illness. She loves reading and light gardening, but her favorite thing to do is spend time with her 6 grandkids.

Jessica Pagan, DC (Farmingdale, NY)

Jessica's vestibular journey began in 2019. While walking down a hallway, her visual field shifted diagonally and her body went completely towards the right. She was taken to the hospital for heart palpitations and shortness of breath and was diagnosed with "stress." After her second dizzy attack she was rushed to the hospital for a suspected stroke because she lost vision in both eyes for a few seconds,. Finally she was diagnosed with vestibular migraine. With a medical background as a practicing chiropractor, Jessica did her own research because she did not feel that the VM diagnosis matched her symptoms. She was later diagnosed with Binocular Vision Dysfunction. Jessica raises awareness by posting humorous videos about what it's like to live with a vestibular disorder on social media.

Christine Moyer (Ashburn, VA)

After two years of overwhelming stress, anxiety, and trauma, accompanied with chronic ear infections, Christine suddenly became bedridden with debilitating non-vertigo dizziness. Her medical team deemed her “the perfect storm” when she was diagnosed with PPPD in 2022. After seeing thirteen doctors in thirteen weeks, Christine understood the need for self-advocacy in finding a proper diagnosis. Through lifestyle changes, her faith in God, vestibular rehab therapy, and medication, she was able to slowly regain her stability. Her goal is to spread hope and positivity on her social media platforms while educating about vestibular disorders. You can find Christine on Instagram at @thatdizzzygirl.