The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Heather M. Joppich, PhD, is a Tennessee-licensed clinical psychologist and the Owner and Founder of Zephyr Care Mental Health in Nashville. She earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University and completed a pre-doctoral internship through the Vanderbilt University Medical Center/Department of Veterans Affairs Consortium with a concentration in veterans’ mental health. Dr. Joppich specializes in psychological testing and neurodiversity-affirming assessment for children and adults, including evaluations for ADHD and autism. Her approach emphasizes careful, individualized evaluation designed to clarify strengths and challenges and translate results into practical recommendations for home, school, and work settings. Her training includes a testing-focused post-doctoral residency at Athena Consulting & Psychological Services, where she provided outpatient generalist psychological assessment services for children, teens, and adults. Dr. Joppich brings broad experience conducting psychological testing across diverse settings, including hospitals, residential treatment programs, nursing homes, prisons, and schools. She has also served as an adjunct instructor of psychology at Cumberland University. Through her clinical work, Dr. Joppich is committed to thorough assessment, clear communication, and collaborative care.

W. Garrison Strickland, MD, PhD, is a neurologist in Nashville, Tennessee. He is board certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and provides comprehensive evaluation and management of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Dr. Strickland earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed residency training through Vanderbilt University’s graduate medical education program, where he developed a strong clinical foundation in diagnosing complex neurologic conditions and coordinating individualized treatment plans. Dr. Strickland is affiliated with Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, supporting continuity of care for patients who may require inpatient evaluation, advanced testing, or coordinated specialty services. He is committed to clear communication and thoughtful, evidence-based decision-making, with attention to how neurologic symptoms affect daily function and quality of life. Dr. Strickland sees English-speaking patients and works collaboratively with referring clinicians and care teams to ensure thorough assessment and well-integrated care.

Jeffrey D. Willers, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, with a focus on helping patients return to work, daily activities, and sport. He has particular expertise in the evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries, trauma, adult reconstruction, and degenerative or arthritic conditions affecting the foot and ankle. Dr. Willers earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Emory University and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed a surgical internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, followed by advanced fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery at the OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute. Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Willers is a member of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He also serves as a team physician for Lipscomb University and previously worked as a professional football team doctor. Originally from Georgia, Dr. Willers is recognized for delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care tailored to individual goals.

Robert Jeffrey Green, MD, is a physician specializing in hematology and medical oncology in Nashville, Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology. Dr. Green earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed an Internal Medicine residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and pursued advanced fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In clinical practice, Dr. Green evaluates and treats a broad range of cancers and blood disorders. He develops individualized care plans that may include systemic therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, along with supportive care to help manage symptoms and treatment-related side effects. He emphasizes clear communication and shared decision-making, helping patients and families understand diagnoses, treatment options, and expected outcomes. Dr. Green is associated with Tennessee Oncology, PLLC, and works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care across the continuum, including diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and survivorship planning. He holds medical licensure in Tennessee and Florida.

William J. Harb, M.D., is a colon and rectal surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Harb earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed residency training in general surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He pursued advanced fellowship training in colorectal surgery, with experience that included the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Western Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr. Harb provides comprehensive evaluation and surgical care for diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, with a particular focus on inherited colon and rectal cancer. He emphasizes the role of genetic testing in guiding risk assessment, surveillance, and treatment planning for patients and families with hereditary cancer syndromes. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harb serves as an Associate Editor for Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and he serves as Vice-chairman of the Healthcare Economics Committee for the ASCRS. He also serves on the board of Lynch Syndrome International and is affiliated with Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown.

Douglas C. Mathews, MD, FACS, is a neurosurgeon specializing in neurological surgery with Howell Allen Clinic with Ascension Saint Thomas. He provides brain and spine surgical care for patients ages 15 and older and sees patients in Nashville, Jackson, and Paris, Tennessee. Dr. Mathews is board certified in Neurological Surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. His clinical interests include minimally invasive spine procedures and motion-sparing techniques, including artificial disc procedures. He also has experience treating failed back disorders, degenerative and traumatic spinal deformity, Chiari malformations, cranial tumors, and peripheral nerve compression syndromes. Dr. Mathews’ approach emphasizes careful evaluation and tailoring surgical and nonsurgical options to each patient’s condition and goals. Dr. Mathews completed his medical education at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and went on to complete both internship and residency training at Vanderbilt School of Medicine. He is affiliated with Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital, and Saint Thomas Hospital for Specialty Surgery. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Mathews enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and traveling.

Chad T Price, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty certification in orthopaedic sports medicine. He provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a wide range of shoulder, hip, and knee conditions, offering both non-surgical options and advanced surgical care when appropriate. Dr. Price has particular expertise in arthroscopic procedures of the hip, knee, and shoulder, as well as in the diagnosis and management of sports-related injuries. A native of Rutherford County, Tennessee, Dr. Price earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency training at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital/University of Florida College of Medicine and pursued additional fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas. Dr. Price has served as a team physician at the high school level and has also worked as an affiliate team physician in professional football. He is affiliated with Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown and sees patients in Nashville and Franklin. He has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

J.W. Thomas Byrd, MD, is a sports medicine physician specializing in orthopaedic surgery with a major clinical focus on hip arthroscopy and hip preservation. He is recognized as an orthopedic hip specialist and is experienced in evaluating and treating hip pain and related conditions in active individuals, from everyday athletes to elite competitors. Dr. Byrd earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami, graduating magna cum laude, and received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University. He completed orthopaedic training at the University of Louisville and pursued advanced fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery at the American Sports Medicine Institute under Dr. James Andrews. He also completed fellowship training in joint replacement and reconstructive surgery at New England Baptist Hospital. In addition to clinical care, Dr. Byrd has held national and international leadership roles in orthopaedic sports medicine, including serving as president of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy. He serves as a team physician for the Tennessee Titans and has provided medical coverage as a physician for the U.S. Olympic Team. Dr. Byrd has authored or edited textbooks in hip arthroscopy and has published extensively in the scientific literature, contributing to advancements in arthroscopic techniques and instrumentation.

Stanley Hopp, MD, is a physician specializing in orthopaedic surgery with a subspecialty focus in orthopedic spine surgery. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, he brings decades of clinical experience to the evaluation and treatment of spine and back conditions, with care commonly associated with concerns such as sciatica, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and herniated disc disease, as well as surgical options when appropriate. Dr. Hopp earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He is associated with Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA), where he provides patient-centered spine care that emphasizes careful assessment, clear communication, and individualized treatment planning. In addition to his practice, Dr. Hopp is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the region, including Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital for Specialty Surgery, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital (Nashville), and TriStar Skyline Medical Center. He is also listed in the Tennessee Medical Association member directory in the field of orthopedic surgery.

Michael Milek, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon with a subspecialty focus in hand and upper extremity surgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and provides evaluation and surgical and non-surgical management for a wide range of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and arm, with an emphasis on restoring function, relieving pain, and supporting safe return to work and daily activities. Dr. Milek earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed orthopaedic surgery residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and also has additional early postgraduate training that includes general surgery and a transitional internship year. He is associated with Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and cares for patients in the Nashville region. Dr. Milek is affiliated with TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center and Sumner Regional Medical Center. He has also served as a treating orthopaedic surgeon in workers’ compensation settings, providing clinical care and impairment assessments when appropriate. Dr. Milek communicates in English, and Spanish has also been listed among his languages of care.