The Medical Opinion Marketplace

David M. Megee, MD, is a plastic surgery physician with advanced expertise in hand and peripheral nerve surgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds a Subspecialty Certificate in Surgery of the Hand, reflecting focused training and experience in complex conditions affecting the upper extremity. Dr. Megee is fellowship-trained in microvascular reconstructive hand surgery and has a clinical emphasis on treating hand problems and challenging peripheral nerve injuries, including complex upper-extremity nerve conditions such as brachial plexus disorders. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Megee serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, contributing to academic medicine through teaching and collaboration within the Department of Surgery. Patients and referring clinicians value his specialized approach to restoring function and improving outcomes following injury or disease involving the hand, wrist, and nerves of the upper limb. Dr. Megee is licensed to practice in Ohio and Illinois.

Ravi Ravinuthala, MD, is a gastroenterologist based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a clinical focus that includes hepatology and advanced liver disease care, including transplant-related hepatology. He completed medical school at Rangaraya Medical College (NTR University of Health Sciences), followed by residency training in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in Gastroenterology at Henry Ford Hospital/Health. Dr. Ravinuthala is board certified in Gastroenterology through the American Board of Internal Medicine. In addition to providing comprehensive gastroenterology care, Dr. Ravinuthala has developed a dedicated interest in complex liver conditions and the coordinated, multidisciplinary management they often require. He has described helping establish and grow a hepatology service line during a long tenure with a gastroenterology practice organization. Dr. Ravinuthala also lists the professional designations MRCP and FAASLD. He is known for bringing extensive training and experience to the evaluation and treatment of digestive and liver disorders, with an emphasis on evidence-based care and thoughtful, patient-centered decision-making.

Gary S. Robins, DMD, is a dentist with clinical expertise in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ). He is board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain and is recognized for a practice focus that emphasizes careful evaluation and evidence-based, patient-centered management of complex jaw and facial pain conditions. Dr. Robins earned his dental degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Cincinnati in pharmacy. He has pursued extensive advanced training in his specialty area, completing more than 2,000 hours of continuing education focused on orofacial pain and TMD, including a 9-month mini-residency at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry Orofacial Pain Center. Affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Robins also contributes to scholarly work, with peer-reviewed publications that include topics related to TMJ/TMD evaluation. He is committed to helping patients understand the drivers of their symptoms and to developing individualized treatment plans aimed at improving comfort, function, and quality of life.

Myles Pensak, MD, is an otology and neurotology physician and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the State University of New York at Binghamton and received his medical degree from New York Medical College. His postgraduate training includes surgical internship and surgery training at SUNY Upstate Medical Center, an otolaryngology residency at Yale University School of Medicine, and fellowship training in otolaryngology and neurotology through The Ear Foundation and The Otolaryngology Group. Dr. Pensak is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and holds subspecialty certification in neurotology. Clinically, his interests focus on complex disorders of the ear and lateral skull base, including hearing loss, cochlear implantation, vestibular and balance disorders, acoustic neuromas, and skull base surgery. A longtime leader in academic medicine, he has served as chair of an academic otolaryngology department and held senior clinical enterprise leadership roles, including CEO of a physician practice organization and senior associate dean for clinical affairs. He has been recognized with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s Daniel Drake Medal and maintains active involvement in national professional societies within otolaryngology and neurotology.

Angela Klimick Pereira, L.AC., also known as Gigi Pereira, is a licensed acupuncturist who provides integrative, patient-centered care. She is committed to whole-person healing, with an approach that considers the connection between body, mind, and spirit. In her practice, she prioritizes attentive listening and takes time to understand each patient’s individual story, tailoring acupuncture care to personal goals, concerns, and daily life. Ms. Pereira completed acupuncture training at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture and has additional education from the University of Phoenix and Universidade Gama Filho. She is professionally affiliated with the Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Ms. Pereira strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their care. Her focus on collaboration and individualized treatment helps patients engage actively in their wellbeing and pursue meaningful, sustainable improvements in health.

T. Toan Le, MD, is an orthopaedic trauma physician with UC Health and a Professor of Clinical in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He practices within the Division of Adult Reconstruction and Musculoskeletal Traumatology, caring for patients with complex musculoskeletal injuries and conditions requiring specialized orthopaedic expertise. Dr. Le earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and completed his medical degree through the University of California. He pursued broad surgical training with an internship in the Department of Surgery at University Hospitals of Cleveland, followed by an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland. He then completed advanced fellowship training in Orthopaedic Traumatology at MetroHealth Medical Center. His additional postgraduate experiences include an AO International Fellowship in Freiberg, Germany, and a fellowship experience at Rush University in Chicago. Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Le also contributes to the academic mission through teaching and scholarly work, including peer-reviewed publications in orthopaedic research.

Dr. Velissarios Karacostas is a psychiatrist specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and adults. He earned his M.D. from Eastern Virginia Medical School and also completed a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at The George Washington University. Dr. Karacostas completed residency training in Psychiatry at the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and advanced fellowship training in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. He is board certified in Psychiatry as well as Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Karacostas provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and individualized treatment that may include psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, and thoughtfully managed psychopharmacology. His clinical interests include ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder. He has additional psychoanalytic training through the Topeka Institute for Psychoanalysis and the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute. His professional background includes work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he directed a psychiatric consultation-liaison service for medically hospitalized patients and provided consultation support to schools. He has also held an academic appointment as an Associate Clinical Professor and has supervised psychotherapy training for both adult and child psychiatry residents.

Mark Brigham, DO, FOCOO, is an otolaryngology (ENT) physician providing comprehensive care for disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. He earned his medical degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed an otolaryngology residency at OhioHealth/Doctors Hospital, where he developed broad clinical and surgical training across the full spectrum of ENT conditions. Dr. Brigham is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Otolaryngology & Ophthalmology, reflecting a commitment to rigorous standards, ongoing education, and high-quality patient care. His approach emphasizes careful evaluation, clear communication, and individualized treatment planning, with attention to both medical and procedural options when appropriate. He participates in University Hospitals’ UH Quality Care Network, collaborating within a community of providers focused on coordinated, patient-centered care. Dr. Brigham sees patients in Ohio and provides care in English.

Nicholas S. Mirkopoulos, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon providing comprehensive musculoskeletal care with an emphasis on total joint replacement and the evaluation and treatment of sports medicine–related orthopaedic conditions. His clinical approach focuses on helping patients reduce pain, restore function, and return to the activities that matter most through individualized treatment plans that may include nonoperative therapies as well as surgical options when appropriate. Dr. Mirkopoulos is affiliated with Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine through a partnership arrangement involving TriHealth. He has extensive experience caring for patients across the region, including the Cincinnati area and the Batesville, Indiana community, where he has served patients for many years. Public directory listings also note practice activity in Ohio locations beyond Cincinnati. Known for combining practical, patient-centered communication with thorough orthopaedic evaluation, Dr. Mirkopoulos works with patients to clarify diagnoses, review treatment alternatives, and set realistic expectations for recovery. He is described as a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon in a public U.S. government document.

Thomas A. Bender, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with a longstanding commitment to musculoskeletal health and patient-centered care. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed postgraduate training in orthopaedic surgery, including internship training at TriHealth and residency training at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center/College of Medicine. Dr. Bender provides comprehensive orthopaedic evaluation and treatment, helping patients address a wide range of bone, joint, and soft-tissue conditions. His approach emphasizes careful diagnosis, clear communication, and individualized care plans that align with each patient’s goals, function, and lifestyle. He is licensed to practice in Ohio and Kentucky and is affiliated with Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Through a combination of clinical experience and dedication to high professional standards, Dr. Bender strives to support patients in improving mobility, reducing pain, and returning safely to daily activities.