Board of Directors

Tj is a licensed attorney in Maryland, with a practice focused on complex litigation.  He has an undergraduate degree from James Madison University in Exercise Science and a JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law.  Tj maintains active involvement in a number of nonprofit organizations including Living Classrooms Foundation, Scleroderma Foundation, Brigance Brigade, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Tj prioritizes his commitment to the community and hopes to bring this same commitment and value to 33 Spine Align in Africa.

Ryan is the owner and founder of Empire Medical, LLC, located in Albany, New York. Empire Medical is a medical equipment supplier. Ryan manages all aspects of the business from negotiating area distribution rights with manufacturers, to overseeing the financials of the business and hiring and directing a sales team and engaging in client development and maintenance. Ryan received his undergraduate degree in Biology and Marine Science from Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he was a member of the 2005, ’07, ’08 Salisbury Division Three National Championship Lacrosse team.

Joy is the President of 1st Avenue Consulting. Joy has vast experience in project management, strategic planning and alignment, and executing organizational strategies. Joy shapes our internal leadership in order to ensure board members are informed and inspired to connect our activities with our mission.

Dan works in the international and national arena as a strategist. With over a decade of international exposure working with governments, non-governmental and nonprofit organizations, Dan uses his skill set to help his clients.  In his local community, he is actively involved in developing relationships, providing inquisitive thought and creating a vision for the world we live in.

Dan is a Partner with Radcliffe Jewelers, one of the Mid-Atlantic regions most Prestigious Jewelers.  Dan oversees all of Radcliffe’s locations, which offer a wide selection of new and estate high-end timepieces the finest new and estate jewelry brands in the world.  Dan received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics from Yale University, where he was a four-year starter on the Yale Men’s Lacrosse team.  Dan also completed his M.B.A. from Loyola University in Baltimore while spending the 2007 year leading the Loyola Men’s Lacrosse team to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 6 years. Dan was born in Brighton, England and holds dual US/UK citizenship.  He has always been someone who respects and understands the drastic differences between the opportunities and access that exists between those who live in the United States vs. the rest of the world.  Dan knows the work that 33 Spine Align commits itself to in helping to provide life changing care to those in need is one small way to make a monumental impact on the lives of those who have not experienced the same level of fortune that exist in other parts of the world.

Natalie is a registered nurse with more than 10 years of experience. She has a background in cardiology from the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and is currently in perioperative and postoperative anesthesia care at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute (UMROI) and Mercy Medical Center (MMC). Natalie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Salisbury University, where she was a collegiate lacrosse athlete, as well as a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland, Baltimore. As an active member of the community, Natalie works with the American Heart Association at UMROI and is a volunteer coordinator for the annual PJ Schafer Golf Tournament which works to fund research for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. She is passionate about bringing modern medicine to communities in need.

Julie is a licensed physician assistant currently employed by the University of Maryland Medical Center.  She has a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Chatham University.  Julie has spent over a decade specializing in orthopedic and spinal care.

Patrick is a Senior Vice President at Advisors Asset Management. Patrick partners with private wealth advisors in New York City and Long Island, providing capital markets advice and investment solutions in an effort to help their clients reach their goals. Patrick received his undergraduate degree in finance from Salisbury University, where he was a member of the 2008 Division Three National Championship Lacrosse team. In May 2018, Patrick received his MBA from Villanova University.

Robin is a dual trained Plastic Surgeon and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. After attending dental school at Columbia University in New York City he completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland and Shock Trauma.  He received his Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical training at Johns Hopkins University than completed a pediatric plastic/ craniofacial fellowship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Rory is a board eligible attending neurosurgeon at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Rory attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, graduating in 2010 while also earning his PhD in Neuroscience. He continued his educational pursuits at Johns Hopkins, following with his internship in Neurological Surgery and completing his fellowship(s) at both Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical School focusing on Complex Spine Intramural and Postdoctoral Spine Oncology and Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program, respectively.

I am a neurosurgeon with a special interest in treating scoliosis and all other spine conditions, which includes spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis. I also perform surgery on spine tumors and provide general neurosurgery. My passion for medicine was cultivated out of my experiences as a kid growing up in West Africa where access to health care was lacking. I have been blessed with great mentors in neurosurgery (Allan H. Friedman, MD) and orthopaedic spine surgery (Lawrence Lenke, MD, and Keith Bridwell, MD) who have equipped me with phenomenal surgical and clinical skills. More importantly, I take great pride in being able to provide compassionate care to all of my patients. Since every patient is unique in their own special way, I design each treatment to meet that patient's needs to ensure excellent outcomes. I take great joy in being a surgeon as it allows me to give back and help people during their most difficult times.