The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Patrick D. Thrasher, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides comprehensive psychiatric care for adults in the Norfolk, Virginia area. He earned his undergraduate education at Old Dominion University and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Thrasher completed residency training in psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati and has since built a long-standing clinical career in private practice. Dr. Thrasher’s services include comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, psychotherapy, and behavioral medicine. His practice also offers specialized support for workplace and trauma-related concerns, as well as forensic psychiatry services and independent medical evaluations. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Thrasher has held a variety of leadership roles across community, hospital, and psychiatric treatment settings. These have included medical director and departmental leadership positions, as well as service on health-system credentialing and related committees. His work reflects a commitment to high standards of psychiatric care, thoughtful assessment, and individualized treatment planning.

Dr. Lonnie A. Slone is a licensed chiropractor serving patients in the Norfolk, Virginia area. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College (now Life University) and has built a long-standing career focused on conservative, hands-on care. With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Slone works with patients seeking non-surgical, drug-free approaches to musculoskeletal concerns, including back and neck discomfort and related functional limitations. Dr. Slone is associated with Slone Chiropractic Clinic P.C., where he emphasizes individualized treatment plans designed to support mobility, comfort, and day-to-day performance. He is also recognized for professional service to the field, including participation in efforts to strengthen collaboration within Virginia’s chiropractic community through a statewide unification initiative. In addition, he has contributed to public health education by serving as a chiropractic resource for consumer questions in a widely used online forum. Patients value Dr. Slone’s experience-driven approach, clear communication, and commitment to helping people return to the activities that matter to them.

Dr. Hicks C. Manson is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in orthopaedic trauma care. He is affiliated with Sentara Orthopaedic Trauma Specialists and provides evaluation and surgical management for musculoskeletal injuries, with a focus on restoring function and mobility through evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient. Dr. Manson earned his medical degree from East Tennessee State University College of Medicine and completed residency training through Navy Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Manson contributes to the advancement of orthopaedic trauma care through scholarly work. He has co-authored peer-reviewed research examining surgical repair of chronic patellar tendon rupture with allograft augmentation in an active-duty military population, reflecting a commitment to practical solutions for complex knee and extensor mechanism injuries. Dr. Manson is known for a collaborative approach, working closely with patients and multidisciplinary teams to support recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to activity.

Michael Scott Niblo, DC (often listed as Dr. M. Scott Niblo) is a chiropractor serving the Norfolk, Virginia community. He is the owner of Norfolk Chiropractic Center, where he focuses on helping patients improve function, reduce pain, and return to daily activities with individualized, evidence-informed care. Dr. Niblo completed undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech and Old Dominion University before pursuing chiropractic education at Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia. In practice, he utilizes established chiropractic approaches including the Diversified Technique and the Activator Method®, tailoring care plans to each patient’s presentation and goals. His postgraduate training includes two acupuncture fellowships through the International Academy of Acupuncture and the Acupuncture Society of America, supporting an integrative approach to musculoskeletal and neuromuscular concerns. He has also completed additional training in naturopathic medicine through Breyer State University. With more than three decades of clinical experience, Dr. Niblo emphasizes clear communication, practical home recommendations, and collaborative care. When appropriate, he works with other local medical practitioners to co-manage patient care and support coordinated treatment plans.

Dr. Jonathan Wiesen is a physician specializing in internal medicine with a clinical focus in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed postgraduate training at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, including residency in internal medicine followed by fellowship training in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. He also pursued additional training in medical ethics. Dr. Wiesen is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease. His clinical interests include the evaluation and management of complex respiratory and critical illness conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary function testing. His background supports a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that integrates outpatient pulmonary care with the management of acutely ill hospitalized patients. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Wiesen has contributed to peer-reviewed medical literature, including publications related to critical illness and pulmonary procedures. He is affiliated with hospitals in the Sentara system, including Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center.

Rachel Ellis, M.D., is a dermatologist serving patients in Virginia. She provides medical and procedural dermatologic care with a focus on accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient education for a broad range of skin, hair, and nail conditions. Dr. Ellis has been recognized in U.S. Navy communications for her role as a staff dermatologist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, reflecting experience caring for active-duty service members and their families. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Ellis has contributed to the dermatology community through involvement with the Virginia Dermatology Society, including participation in educational programming and advocacy-related activities. Her practice experience includes care across multiple Virginia locations. Dr. Ellis is licensed to practice medicine in Virginia and is listed as a Spanish-speaking physician. Accessibility services for patients who are hearing-impaired are also indicated as available at her primary practice location. She is committed to delivering respectful, clear communication and individualized care that supports patients’ long-term skin health.

Grant K. Cochran, MD, is a physician specializing in orthopaedic surgery. He earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine). Dr. Cochran has been affiliated with orthopaedic surgery services within a military medical center environment, including Naval Medical Center San Diego, reflecting experience in the evaluation and management of a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Cochran has contributed to peer-reviewed medical literature, including a case-based publication addressing a Morel-Lavallée lesion involving the upper extremity. This work highlights attention to complex soft-tissue injuries and the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely management in orthopaedic care. Dr. Cochran’s professional background supports a patient-centered approach that emphasizes careful assessment, evidence-informed treatment planning, and clear communication. He is licensed to practice medicine in multiple states.

Austin C. Nabet, DO, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement, with a focus on adult hip and knee reconstruction, including partial knee replacement. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Dr. Nabet then pursued advanced fellowship training in adult hip and knee reconstruction at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopaedics at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Dr. Nabet brings a U.S. Navy background to his clinical practice, having served as an orthopaedic surgeon in military medicine with prior roles at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. During his service, he also contributed to surgical education as an Associate Professor of Surgery with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, supporting resident training. His clinical interests include minimally invasive and rapid-recovery joint replacement approaches, as well as robotic and computer-assisted techniques for knee replacement. Dr. Nabet has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and has presented research at professional meetings. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and holds memberships in AAOS, SOMOS, and AAHKS.

Bradley K. Deafenbaugh, MD, is an orthopaedic trauma physician specializing in the evaluation and surgical management of complex musculoskeletal injuries, including fractures and trauma-related conditions. He earned his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed postgraduate training in orthopedic surgery at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, including both internship and residency. He further advanced his expertise with fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma and trauma surgery at UC Davis Medical Center. Dr. Deafenbaugh is board certified in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. His clinical approach emphasizes evidence-based care, thoughtful surgical planning, and coordinated recovery to help patients regain function and return to daily activities as safely and efficiently as possible. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Deafenbaugh has contributed to the orthopaedic trauma literature through peer-reviewed publications, reflecting an ongoing commitment to quality improvement and surgical education. His professional background also includes service within U.S. Navy medical settings, bringing broad experience in managing traumatic injuries across diverse clinical environments.

Shannon R. Blackmer, MD, MPH, is a physician specializing in general practice with advanced training and board certification in preventive medicine. She serves as a Preventive Medicine Officer, with a professional focus that bridges individual clinical care with population health, workplace health, and readiness-oriented prevention programs. Dr. Blackmer completed her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School and went on to pursue postgraduate training that included a surgery internship and residency training in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine through the National Capital Consortium/Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She is board certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in Occupational Medicine as well as Public Health and General Preventive Medicine, reflecting comprehensive expertise in prevention, risk reduction, and health protection for diverse communities and workforces. Licensed in both California and Virginia, Dr. Blackmer’s practice is aligned with public health services within a military health system setting, where she supports initiatives that promote health, safety, and operational readiness. Her experience also includes participation in global health engagement planning and operational support activities.