The Multiple Sclerosis Center at Florida Neurology Group

Lane R. Carlin, MD

Lane R. Carlin, MD was born in New York City and moved to Florida in 1955. He attended the University of Florida, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He graduated from medical school at the University of South Florida in 1976 with a distinguished award in neurology. Dr. Carlin served his internship at Tampa General Hospital, followed by two years of public health service in North Carolina. In 1979, he began a three-year residency in neurology at Bowman Gray Medical School in Winston Salem, North Carolina, where he served as chief resident in neurology from 1981 to 1982.

Dr. Carlin began private clinical practice in northern California, moving to Fort Myers in 1983 where he has been in private practice ever since. He is on the board for Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida and has volunteered and directed the free epilepsy clinic in Lee County since 1990. Dr. Carlin is certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

He and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters.

Chris J. Marino, MD

Chris J. Marino, MD was born and grew up in Long Island, New York. His undergraduate education took place at the University of Virginia, where he majored in chemistry. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and earned his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, where Dr. Marino graduated with honors and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his internship and residency in neurology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.

A combat-decorated veteran, Dr. Marino served as the neurologist for the U.S. Army Hospital in Seoul, Korea. He then returned to Walter Reed to serve as the assistant chief of the neurology service, as well as the assistant neurology program director. He later completed his fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at Walter Reed, and then served as the assistant director of the clinical neurophysiology training program.

Dr. Marino joined the Florida Neurology Group in 1998. He has special interest and training in diseases of the muscle and nerve, epilepsy and the treatment of movement disorders with botulinum toxin. Dr. Marino thoroughly enjoys seeing and helping patients with neurological conditions. He has collaborated in the development of multiple clinical processes and protocols to improve the neurological care of patients in Lee County. Dr. Marino has also served on numerous committees within the health system involving quality and medical staff concerns.

He and his wife, Karma, enjoy the outdoors, family, school and church activities along with occasional visits to Disney with their children.

John P. Sullivan, MD

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, John P. Sullivan, MD received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Gannon University in 1998. He graduated in 2002 from the MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Sullivan then completed his medical internship, neurology residency and clinical neurophysiology fellowship at the University of Rochester in New York. During fellowship, he had an emphasis placed on training in neuromuscular diseases and epilepsy. Dr. Sullivan earned distinction during residency because of his dedication to teaching and excellence in clinical standards, with an election to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Dr. Sullivan joined Florida Neurology Group in 2016, relocating from northwestern Pennsylvania where he had been practicing general neurology for eight years. Dr. Sullivan greatly enjoys providing high-quality and compassionate care for patients with a variety of neurological disorders including stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, migraine and neuropathy. He is certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

He enjoys outside activities, involvement in his church and travel with his wife and three children.

Anthony C. Brown, MD

Anthony C. Brown, MD was born in Omaha, Nebraska to a military family and raised in Germany, Hawaii and Florida. His undergraduate education took place at Florida State University, where he majored in athletic training. Dr. Brown attended medical school at New York Medical College in Westchester County, graduating in 2008. He then completed his medical internship and general neurology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he had the distinction of serving as chief resident for two years. Dr. Brown then served as an active duty neurologist for the Unites States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida from 2012-2016. Here, he served as a general neurologist and regional director of traumatic brain injury services for active duty combat personnel.

Dr. Brown joined Florida Neurology Group in 2016. He is a board-certified general neurologist and holds a special interest in the treatment of headache disorders, Parkinson’s disease and the treatment of neurologic disease with botulinum toxin.

During his spare time, Dr. Brown enjoys surfing, paddle boarding and exercise. He lives with his wife and three young sons.

Konstantin Dzamashvili, MD, PhD, MSC

Dr. Konstantin Dzamashvili, MD, PhD, MSC received his medical degree from Chuvash State University in the USSR. Next, he obtained his PhD in the aging of the autonomic nervous system through Tbilisi State Medical Institute in Georgia, USSR. He also holds a master’s degree in science.

Dr. D is double-board certified in neurology and vascular neurology. His long list of accomplishments includes co-director of the stroke and neurovascular program, part of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and The Neuroscience Institute, located in Winfield, Illinois.

He joined Florida Neurology Group in 2016 after moving to the area with his wife, Nina. They have a son and twin daughters. Dr. D is an avid photographer and enjoys showing off his talents with photos of our area’s vibrant wildlife and vegetation.

Sanjeev V. Maniar, MD

Dr. Sanjeev Maniar, MD was born and raised in India. He attended B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. In 1995, Dr. Maniar completed his intern year at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, followed by his neurology residency and neurophysiology fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1999. He practiced for less than two years in Portsmouth, Ohio before joining a practice with Dr. Prasad in 2001. Since then, he has practiced neurology in northwest Indiana, where he became the stroke director and multiple sclerosis director of Methodist Hospital until June 2017. He has been recognized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as a partner in MS care since 2020.

Dr. Maniar is compassionate by nature, contributing to his unique bedside manner. His interactions put a smile on patients’ faces and help them subdue their pain.

Outside of work, he enjoys travel and cultural experiences. Fluent in English, Hindi and Gujarati, Dr. Maniar often donates his time to underserved communities and regularly participates in mission trips internationally. He has traveled with his wife and two daughters on multiple occasions to participate in medical camps in areas such as rural Uganda and India.

Michael P. Smith, MD

Born in Naples, Florida, Dr. Michael Smith completed his neurology residency at the University of South Florida in 2021. He has a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and central nervous system inflammatory disorders. Dr. Smith completed one year of clinical training in vascular neurology at University of Florida, following graduation from medical school in 2014. He has also worked on numerous clinical research trials in behavioral and vascular neurology. He is certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

Prior to pursuing neurology, Dr. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in political science and graduated magna cum laude in 2002. Politics and political philosophy remain of great interest to Dr. Smith.

Most importantly, he enjoys spending time with his wife Bree and two daughters, Amelia and Hannah.

Danaya Lopez Perez, APRN-C

Danaya was born in Puerto Padre, Cuba and spent her early life there until the age of approximately 18 when she immigrated to the United States in 2009. She graduated with a master’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University in 2023. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Danaya worked as a registered nurse at Gulf Coast Medical Center for seven years, where she was part of the progressive care and observation units. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Danaya provides her patients with the best possible care through a holistic approach. She listens and shows compassion to her patients. In October 2023, Danaya joined Florida Neurology Group, where she has continued to demonstrate her passion and kindness in providing comprehensive neurological care to her patients. She is fascinated by the challenges that the neurology specialty brings. She is committed to grow in this profession and is proud to be part of such an amazing team.

In her free time, Danaya enjoys spending time with her family. She has two daughters, Nair and Naiara, who are her greatest blessing. She enjoys helping her husband care for their fruit trees and going on walks outdoors.

Chris Kaiser, APRN-C

Chris was born and raised in Midland, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in nursing. Next, he worked as a registered nurse on a neurology unit in Michigan for two years. Chris moved to Florida in 2016 and worked as a charge nurse on a neurology unit for three years.

While working as a nurse, Chris obtained his master’s degree in nursing from Nova Southeastern University, where he graduated with the highest honors. He is certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Through this work experience and education, Chris has learned to value holistic patient-centered care. He has passion for neurologic disorders, as well as getting to know each of his patients to ensure that their health care goals are met.

Chris and his wife have lived in Florida for four years with their golden retriever, Levi. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, exercising and spending time with his family. He also loves to play music.

Rachel Sims, APRN-C

Rachel is a Lee County native. She graduated in 2015 from Nova Southeastern University with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. In 2019, she earned her master’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University.

Rachel began her nursing career in a medical surgical progressive care unit at Health Park Medical Center, and soon moved to the surgical intensive care unit as a charge nurse. An active member of the Southern Gulf Coast Nurse Practitioner Counsel, she is board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Rachel started with Florida Neurology Group as a Nurse Practitioner in 2020. She enjoys helping her patients and the challenges that the acute care neurology specialty brings.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, spending time with her spouse and pets, and volunteering for a local animal rescue organization.

Estefania Schiavi,APRN-C

Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Estefania was raised in Florida for most of her life. In 2018, she graduated with her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing, and the American Association of Neurology. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.

Estefania previously worked as a registered nurse at Gulf Coast Medical Center in the progressive care and observation units for a total of six years. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Estefania strives to provide holistic patient care and improve health through compassion, honesty and safe patient care. She joined Florida Neurology Group in 2019 and is excelling in this new chapter in her career.

During her free time, Estefania enjoys fitness and health related activities, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their growing family.

Shannon Mims, APRN-C

Born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, Shannon started her medical career in ophthalmology as an ophthalmic technician. She worked for George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates in Washington D.C. for two years. Working for an academic organization inspired her to further pursue her medical career.

Upon graduating from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, she worked at the university for three years as a registered nurse in the neuro-critical care unit. Shannon enjoyed working with adults and wanted to gain more experience in pediatrics. Therefore, she transferred to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for one year, then to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital PICU for two years.

While working in the PICU, she attended University of Tampa, where she pursued her master’s degree in nursing. Shannon graduated with honors in May 2018 and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of American Academy of Neurology.

Shannon joined Florida Neurology Group in 2018 and is passionate about providing comprehensive neurological care to all patients. She incorporates health and wellness in both her personal and professional life. She and her husband, Louis, have a son, daughter and family dog. Her free time is spent enjoying her family, spending time outdoors and pursuing fitness.