Meet Our Physicians

John S. Collis, M.D.
Co-Director, The Spine and Orthopedic Institute

Board-certified in neurosurgery with a special interest in disorders and injuries of the cervical and lumbar spine, Dr. Collis completed residencies in general surgery and neurological surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. A teacher and clinician, he has served as an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Among the many devices he has helped to invent are surgical instruments for total disc replacement, a laminectomy retractor, and a table for disc puncture for testing and treatment. Dr. Collis has held roles as director of spinal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, and as director of neurosurgery at both St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Lutheran Hospital.

Louis Keppler, M.D.
Co-Director, The Spine and Orthopedic Institute

Board-certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Keppler's clinical practice is broad, encompassing sports medicine, spinal reconstructive surgery, scoliosis surgery and joint replacement. Dr. Keppler completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics and spinal surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, and residency training in orthopedic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He has a medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Keppler's dynamic professional practice includes serving as Medical Director for the Cleveland Indians from 2002 to 2003 and he has been a Team Orthopedic Surgeon with the club since 1991. A consultant to orthopedic device developers, Dr. Keppler is involved in implant and instrument design and ongoing clinical research.

Michael B. Canales, D.P.M.
Program Surgeon

Dr. Canales specializes in advanced podiatric medicine and surgery, providing complete medical and surgical care for injuries and conditions of the foot and ankle. His special interests include reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle, trauma of the foot and ankle and sports medicine of the foot and ankle.

Dr. Canales holds a degree in podiatric medicine from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and a bachelor's degree in molecular genetics from The Ohio State University. He completed his residency training in podiatric medicine and surgery at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. Dr. Canales has co-authored several published works and serves as a national speaker on numerous podiatric medicine and surgery topics.

In addition, Dr. Canales is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Ohio Podiatric Medical Association and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Young H. Kim, M.D.
Program Surgeon

Board-certified in neurosurgery, Dr. Kim focuses primarily on disorders and injuries of the cervical and lumbar spine. He earned his medical degree from Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea, and then completed a rotating internship at Detroit Memorial Hospital. Dr. Kim completed residency training in general surgery at Grace Hospital in Detroit and in neurosurgery at The Cleveland Clinic.

D. Philip Stickney, M.D.
Program Surgeon

Dr. Stickney is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. He specializes in sports medicine, total joint replacement surgery, and shoulder and knee arthroscopy and surgery. He received his medical degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed residency programs in general and orthopedic surgery at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, and in orthopedic surgery at Akron General Medical Center.

Deborah A. Blades, M.D.
Program Surgeon

Board-certified in Neurological Surgery, Deborah A. Blades, M.D., brings more than 10 years of experience to The Spine and Orthopedic Institute team. She specializes in neck, spine, head and intracranial surgery. Prior to joining St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Dr. Blades served as a Neurosurgeon at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and worked in the Department of Neurosurgery at Lexington Clinic in Kentucky. As a member of Cuyahoga Physician Network, Dr. Blades serves as a Professor of Neurological Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where she attended medical school. She completed her internship and residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland, and her fellowship in Neurological Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery at New York University Medical Center, Veterans Medical Center of New York and Bellvue Hospital in New York City.

Dr. Blades is the chairperson for the Neurology/Neurosurgery Section of the National Medical Association, and a member of several national and international professional organizations, including: African/African – American Health Council in West Africa; Scientific Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Task Force on Pedicle Screws in Spinal Reconstruction; and Public Relations Committee/Registration Committee – Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Blades has contributed chapters to medical books, as well as numerous articles to publications, such as Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurotrauma and Journal of Neuroscience Research. She has also conducted several research projects in this field of medicine.

Zenos Vangelos, D.O.
Sports Medicine

A graduate of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Vangelos is board-certified in Sports Medicine. His residency and fellowship training were completed at the former Brentwood Hospital (now South Pointe Hospital) in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Kimberly K. Thomsen, M.D.
Rheumatologist

Board-certified in rheumatology, Kimberly K. Thomsen, M.D., practices general adult rheumatology with special interests in osteoporosis and bone health. She also is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist.

Dr. Thomsen joined St. Vincent Charity Hospital after completing a residency in Internal Medicine at Greenwich Hospital, a Yale University affiliate, and a Rheumatology Fellowship at University Hospitals. She received her medical degree from the University of Miami, School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, and her undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Central Florida. She has been active in community service, volunteering for health initiatives such as Overtown Health Fair, Florida Keys Health Fair, Camillus House Homeless Shelter and the Marion House Nursing Home.

Dr. Thomsen also enjoys teaching and is involved with the internal medicine residency program at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. She is a Clinical Instructor at Case Western Reserve University, and an attending for the rheumatology fellows on the consult service at University Hospitals.

Dr. Thomsen is now accepting patient at three convenient office locations: at the St. Vincent Medical Office Building, Suite 201, located at 2322 East 22nd Street in downtown Cleveland, in Broadview Heights at One Eagle Valley Court, Suite 1; and in Westlake at 26908 Detroit Road, Suite 200. To make an appointment or refer a patient, call 216.363.2606.

The Spine and Orthopedic Institute at
St. Vincent Charity Hospital - Science in Motion
Questions/Appointments: 866.333.2950