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Zeeshan Ahmad, M.D.
Fellowship-Trained, Board-Certified Physiatrist

As a board-certified, fellowship-trained physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) specialist at Carle Spine Institute, Dr. Ahmad specializes in the nonsurgical relief of back and neck pain.

Dr. Ahmad completed a three-year fellowship in orthopedic, musculoskeletal and sports medicine with specific experience and training in interventional pain management at Portner Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Inc., in Honolulu, Hawaii. He also completed a four-year residency at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, where he trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation and internal medicine. Dr. Ahmad’s undergraduate degree was earned at Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, where he studied medicine and surgery. He completed an internship in internal medicine at Civil Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, and an additional internship in surgery at the Institute of Urology and Transplantation.

Dr. Ahmad has given multiple presentations at professional medical conferences and has served as the Regional Managing Editor of Rehab in Review, a monthly publication produced in collaboration with the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Ahmad is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation (PASSOR), the North American Spine Society (NASS) and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP).

In his spare time, Dr. Ahmad enjoys singing, swimming, bicycling and traveling.

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James J. Harms, M.D.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Fellowship-Trained in Spine

Dr. Harms is a fellowship-trained, board-certified spine surgeon. Before joining Carle Spine Institute, Dr. Harms practiced orthopedic surgery at the Carle Clinic Association. Dr. Harms is also a professor in the department of surgery at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Harms completed a fellowship in spine surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital and the University of Illinois Hospital. He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry at the University of Illinois and his medical degree at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Harms is a member of the editorial board of Spine Journal. His other professional society memberships include the American Academy of Osteopathic Surgeons, American Medical Association, Champaign County Medical Society, Illinois Orthopedic Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Mid-American Orthopaedic Association and the Scoliosis Research Society.

Dr. Harms’ specific medical interests include spinal deformities, scoliosis, kyphosis spinal fractures, infections and tumors of the spine, and cervical, thoracic and lumbar problems of the spine.

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Robert K. Hurford, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon, fellowship-trained in spine

Dr. Hurford is an orthopedic surgeon at Carle Spine Institute.

After graduating summa cum laude from Harvard College with an A.B. in biochemical sciences, Dr. Hurford proceeded to earn his M.D. and Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Dr. Hurford finished the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program after completing a surgical internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Hurford is fellowship-trained in spine surgery, which is the highest level of training available for a specialized physician. He completed his fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Medical research is an interest that Dr. Hurford pursued at length throughout his years at Harvard Medical School, particularly in genetics. He received several awards for his research during that time, including one during his residency in Boston.

Dr. Hurford’s other interests include golf, downhill skiing, and scuba diving.

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Victoria J. Johnson, M.D.
Board-Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Johnson specializes in the non-surgical treatment of neck and back pain at Carle Spine Institute. She has practiced physical medicine and rehabilitation at Carle Clinic for more than 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and two graduate degrees at Indiana University. Dr. Johnson received her medical degree at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. She completed two years of training in internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and three years of training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Her professional interests include treatment of musculoskeletal injuries of the spine, spinal cord injuries and electrodiagnostic medicine.

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William Olivero, M.D.
Fellowship-Trained in Pediatric Neurosurgery

Dr. Olivero is a neurological surgeon at Carle Spine Institute.

He earned both his B.S. and M.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana.
Dr. Olivero finished a neurosurgery residency at the University of Illinois in Peoria, Illinois.

Dr. Olivero is fellowship-trained in pediatric neurosurgery, which is the highest level of training available for a specialized physician. He completed his fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ.

He is a member of many professional organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association and the Illinois Neurological Society.

Dr. Olivero is currently participating with the Research Department at the University of Illinois, Urbana. His current study is to help determine why some patients develop chronic low back pain and sciatica. The study utilizes a functional MRI.

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Samatha Tipirneni, M.D.
Board-Eligible in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Fellowship-Trained in Pain

Dr. Tipirneni is a spine specialized physical medicine physician at Carle Spine Institute.

She earned her M.D. from Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Dr. Tipirneni completed an physical medicine and rehabilitation internship (2003-2004) and residency (2004-2007) at Washington University, Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Tipirneni is fellowship-trained in pain, which is the highest level of training available for a specialized physician. She completed her fellowship at Emory University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology in Atlanta, Georgia.

She is a member of many professional organizations including the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Association and the American Pain Society.

At Carle Spine Institute, Dr. Tipirneni specializes in thoracic and lumbar epidural injections, cervical and lumbar facet injections, cervical and lumbar radiofrequency nerve ablation injections, as well as trigger and sacroiliac joint injections.

Todd Osterbur, PA-C
Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Todd joined the Carle Spine Institute in July 2004. He practices Orthopedic Spine Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Robert Hurford. Todd evaluates new patients and follows up with established patients in the office.  In the hospital, Todd assists Dr. Hurford in surgery and rounds on post-operative patients. Todd received his Physician Assistant degree from Midwestern University located in Downers Grove, Illinois on May 28, 2004. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and as Valedictorian. He also scored in the 99th percentile on his national certifying exam. Prior to becoming a PA, Todd received his nursing degree from Parkland College in 1998. He spent five years working in Critical Care. Todd is nationally board-certified and licensed to practice in the state of Illinois. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and a member of the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. In his spare time, Todd enjoys spending time with his family.

Glenett Barrett, CNP
Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Glenett received her Bachelors in Nursing and  Science from Lakeview College of Nursing in 1997.  She worked in the Intensive Care Unit until she received her Master’s Degree in Science and Nurse Practitioner certification in 2004.  She is board certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. In 2004, she joined Dr. Harms’ orthopedic spine practice at Carle Spine Institute.  Dr. Harms further trained Glenett in the specialty of spine.  Glenett collaborates with Dr. Harms in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of patients seen in their practice. Glenett is an active member of the Illinois Society of Advanced Practice Nursing, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses.

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