Board of Directors
Dr. Russell Toll, PhD
Russ gained his expertise in TMS, EEG, and MRI at Stanford, where he earned his PhD in Bioengineering. He has performed hundreds of TMS sessions with more than a decade of experience in neuromodulation, neuroimaging, and clinical trials research. After graduating from West Point, he served as a combined armor-infantry platoon leader in Iraq’s Diyala River Valley. His battalion received the Valorous Unit Award for extraordinary heroism over their 14 month deployment in the “Triangle of Death.” After Iraq, Russ served as a casualty officer and his experiences in that role motivated his drive to improve the care we provide Gold Star Families. He is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where he researches mood disorders as well as addiction. Russ also instructs medical students and residents in TMS protocols.
Colonel Desiree Soumoy
Des is an expert logistician, leader, and paratrooper. She has managed the global supply chain for Green Beans Coffee, finances for Pacific Pulmonary Services, and operations at Amazon. She enlisted in the Army as a parachute rigger in the 12th Special Forces Group and then became an officer. Her accomplished career includes State Department operations in Iraq, California Deputy State Inspector General, and Task Force Division Chief at the Pentagon. A native French speaker, she served as the US Army liaison to France. She performed the difficult duties of a casualty officer exceptionally well, guiding families through tragedy with compassion and professionalism. She also brings previous nonprofit board experience.
Dr. Crystal Cooper, PhD
Crystal received her PhD is Health Psychology and Neuroscience while working with veterans from Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She did her postdoctoral fellowship in Psychiatry studying biological markers of depression. She is a Principal Investigator at a local hospital and she holds faculty positions in Bioengineering, Psychiatry, and Psychology at tier 1 research universities in the region where she studies patients with neurological and psychological conditions. She specializes in various forms of magnetic resonance imaging as well as electro- and magnetoencephalography. Broadly, Crystal investigates biosignatures of disease and treatment prediction using behavior and brain function. Crystal is an accomplished endurance athlete and aspiring NASA astronaut candidate.
Staff
Heidi Toll, RN, CPN
Heidi is a certified pediatric registered nurse and loves working with kids. Among her specialties at Scott & White, El Camino, and Stanford Children’s Hospitals was pediatric oncology. The strength and compassion required for that role only exists among a select few, Heidi included. After serving on the float team at Stanford, she took a unique opportunity to become a Guest Health nurse at Disneyland where medicine ranges from a twisted ankle to heart attack. She recently became a seafaring nurse with Disney Cruise Lines and works as Compassion Neuroscience’s clinic nurse when she’s not at sea.
Bret Petkus
Bret is an established commercial leader with P&L experience in health science companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Allergan, and Metagenics. Bret is a graduate of West Point and served the nation as an Army field artillery officer. He has nonprofit board and chair experience with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Surgical Review Corporation, and Obesity Medicine Association. Bret’s experience and integrity guide the operational development of Compassion Neuroscience while maintaining absolute adherence to our mission and values.
Advisory Board
Dr. Andy Czysz, MD, PhD
Dr. Corey Keller, MD, PhD
Dr. Tobi Fuller, PhD, MSN, RN
Nancy Toll, MSN, APRN, NP-C
Dr. David Carreon, MD
Disclaimer
Identification of current or former employment at external institutions/organizations does not constitute their endorsement of Compassion Neuroscience. Compassion Neuroscience is an independent nonprofit organization and is not affiliated in any way with any external organization.