Our MS Experts

Ted R. Brown, MD, MPH

Medical Director - MS Neuro-Rehabilitation

Dr. Theodore (Ted) Brown is a board-certified member of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Brown works to maximize function and quality of life for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.

He earned his medical degree at Harvard, followed by internship and residency at University of Washington, a Master of Public Health at UC Berkeley and most recently, a fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the UW. He also completed a Heiser Fellowship for research in Leprosy and Tuberculosis at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, a Paul Dudley White Fellowship at Kyoto University in Japan and a David Boren Graduate fellowship in Thailand and California.

Dr. Brown has numerous publications on topics including the role of exercise in MS and has several research projects involving rehabilitation in MS.

Virginia Simnad, MD, MSc

Medical Director - Neurology

Dr. Virginia Simnad is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with fellowship training in neuromuscular disorders from the University of Virginia. She previously was medical director and founding member of the James Q. Miller Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at the University of Virginia.

She has nearly a decade of clinical experience in MS and has participated in numerous therapeutic trials and clinical research in MS. Dr. Simnad is a strong advocate of comprehensive care models for the treatment of MS.

Bren Hammond, RN

Bren Hammond graduated from the Shoreline Community College Nursing Program and has worked at Evergreen since 2004.  She spent the first years of her nursing career in women’s healthcare, and has also enjoyed working as a substitute nurse in local public schools.

Bren became interested in working with people who live with disabilities long before becoming a nurse. She is proud to work at the MS Center at Evergreen where she can participate in a multi-disciplinary team that includes the patient as a valued member, working together to enrich quality of life.  Bren is interested in how MS impacts one’s whole life, and sees herself as a link in the process of providing individualized and comprehensive care.

Lorien Friedman, MSW

Lorien Friedman is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who specializes in providing care as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Lorien received a Master of Arts degree in Social Welfare from San Jose State University. She interned at the highly regarded San Francisco General Hospital and at Laguna Honda Hospital.

Lorien takes pride in providing compassionate support and care across a broad spectrum of patient and family circumstances and needs. Her family has been impacted by multiple sclerosis, which has had a significant impact on her diecision to improve the lives  of people and families affected by MS.

Norlyn Dizon, MA

Norlyn Dizon joined the Multiple Sclerosis Center in 2008, after receiving her medical assistant training and certification from Bryman College in 2006.  After graduating, she held various temporary positions in Parkinson's and OB-GYN clinics as well as experience as a nursing assistant in a community home setting.