Our Providers & Surgeons
Michael H Song MD
Board Certified Neurosurgeon
At Advanced Neurosurgery's offices in Reno and Carson City, Nevada, board-certified neurological surgeon Michael Song, MD, delivers exceptional care and positive outcomes for patients affected by central nervous system conditions and peripheral nerve disorders.
Dr. Song specializes in performing spine surgeries such as artificial disc replacement, herniated disc decompression and fusion, complex spinal revisions, and microsurgery of the spinal cord.
Dr. Song attended Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. After earning his medical degree, he undertook a general surgery internship at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, staying on to complete his neurosurgery residency.
He's a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Dr. Song also received the American College of Surgeons Award as a top student in surgery.
Dr. Song is a diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Washoe County Medical Society, and Nevada State Medical Association.
His hospital affiliations include Surgery Center of Reno, Carson Tahoe Health, Renown Health, Sierra Surgery Hospital in Carson City, and the Northern Nevada Medical Center in Sparks, Nevada.
Dr. Song has earned the Patient's Choice 5th Anniversary Award, an award granted to only 1% of all doctors in the United States, for over 10 years now.
Denis G. Patterson, DO
Board Certified Pain Medicine | Board Certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Patterson is a board-certified pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, with 17 years’ experience in treating chronic pain conditions.
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Dr. Patterson attended medical school at Michigan State University, followed by residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and fellowship at Emory University.
In 2009, Dr. Patterson founded Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in Reno, Nevada. He was drawn to Reno for its small-town feel and sense of community. He recognized the need for comprehensive chronic pain treatment in the area, without requiring patients to travel to receive appropriate care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Patterson has focused on treating the most complex and difficult chronic pain conditions, seeking to provide hope and improved quality of life to patients who may feel discouraged and without options. He believes in treating the whole patient, both body and mind, through a comprehensive and coordinated care approach.
Dr. Patterson is also a well-regarded leader in the pain management space. In 2013, under his leadership, the Northern Nevada Medical Center’s Pain Center was awarded JCAHO’s Gold Seal of Approval for low back pain, the first and only facility in the nation to do so.
In 2023, he was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award by the American Society of Pain and Neurostimulation, recognizing his extensive work in the field of spinal cord stimulation and other advanced treatment techniques. Dr. Patterson continues to provide leadership and guidance as the current President Elect of the Pacific Spine and Pain Society. He is passionate about furthering the field of pain management through innovative and patient-centered treatment options.
Layne Dameron, DPM
Board Certified Specialist in Podiatry
Dr. Layne Dameron, DPM is a highly trained podiatric physician with a strong background in both medical and surgical treatment of foot conditions.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Brigham Young University before pursuing his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in North Chicago, Illinois.
Following medical school, Dr. Dameron completed his residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago under the direction of Dr. Michael Fox, DPM.
During this intensive program, he gained comprehensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of podiatric conditions, including heel pain, arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, fractures, wound care, and nail disorders. His training also encompassed in-office procedures such as injections and nail removal, as well as advanced surgical care of the foot.
Dedicated to his patients’ well-being, Dr. Dameron takes pride in providing compassionate and individualized care, helping patients restore function, relieve pain, and return to the activities they enjoy most.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Dameron enjoys a full and active life with his family. He and his wife are the proud parents of five children—four daughters and one son. His personal interests include outdoor activities, tennis, and martial arts. He is also passionate about languages and speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian.
Ram Challapalli, MD, FACC
Board Certified in Cardiovascular Medicine
Dr. Ram Challapalli has provided care to patients in northern Nevada for over 24 years.
As an experienced electrophysiologist he has developed a comprehensive ablation program treating various cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, SVT and ventricular tachycardia. He has vast experience with implantation of pacemakers, ICDs and biventricular devices.
In addition to his arrhythmia focus, he treats patients with various cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure and hypertension.
Dr. Ram Challapalli earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University, graduated from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, completed his medical residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and cardiovascular medicine fellowship from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
He holds fellowships in cardiac electrophysiology from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Challapalli is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a member of the Heart Rhythm Society, and he currently serves as Director of Electrophysiology at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical.
Alban De Schutter, MD
Board Certified Specialist in Cardiovascular Disease
Dr. Alban De Schutter, MD, is a board-certified specialist in Cardiovascular Diseases and Interventional Cardiology with a deep commitment to improving access to high-quality heart care in both urban and rural communities.
Practicing throughout Northern Nevada, he provides advanced cardiovascular services while also contributing to the medical field as a researcher with more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. He is recognized nationally for his work on the obesity paradox, cardiac rehabilitation, and cardiovascular risk prediction, and remains dedicated to offering patients the most effective treatment options available.
Dr. De Schutter’s areas of expertise include coronary and peripheral interventions, pacemaker and implantable device management, cardiac risk reduction strategies, and the care of patients with complex cardiovascular disease. He currently provides care at Elko Cardiology Associates, Carson Valley Health, Humboldt General Hospital, and Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, in addition to offering telehealth services for expanded accessibility.
His medical training includes earning his Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University, completing his residency in Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, and pursuing a cardiology fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation. He then advanced his specialization with an interventional cardiology fellowship at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
David Ellis, DPM
Board Certified Specialist in Podiatry
After graduating from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, Dr. Ellis obtained a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University in Arizona in 2017.
Following this, he completed a three-year residency at Intermountain HealthCare Podiatry Residency in Salt Lake City where he was surgically trained in rearfoot and forefoot surgery.
Dr. Ellis’ interest in podiatry began as a teenager when his local podiatrist kept him doing what he loved by treating his flat feet, which had been impeding his love for an active lifestyle.
Subsequently, Dr. Ellis has dedicated himself to developing the surgical and clinical expertise to pass this gift forward every time he treats an ankle or foot problem and helps a patient to stay active.
In addition to treating more common issues like ingrown nails, neuromas, plantar fasciitis, or bunions, Dr. Ellis performs more complex procedures including flatfoot reconstruction, ankle scopes and ankle stabilizations and has been well trained in the treatment of trauma of the foot and ankle.
Dr. Ellis is from Vancouver Island, British Columbia and has a great love for the outdoors. In addition to learning to speak English without a Canadian accent, he speaks Spanish. When he is not enjoying time with his wife and three children, he can be found exploring this amazing area of northern Nevada.