Who We Are

Alex J. Slandzicki, M.D., is a native of Ohio and moved to Middle Tennessee in 1998. He obtained his undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame and then completed his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA and became board certified in family medicine in 1996.

Dr. Slandzicki currently serves as medical director of two area nursing homes.

Dr. Slandzicki has over 10 years of research experience in several areas including diabetes, infectious disease, Alzheimer’s, and pulmonology.

Aaron Milstone, M.D., serves as medical director of the Sleep Center at Williamson Medical Center. He is board-certified in pulmonary disease, internal medicine, sleep medicine, and critical care medicine. Dr. Milstone is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Mich., and he completed his residency and fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

He served as associate professor and medical director of Vanderbilt’s lung transplant program prior to joining Williamson Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Milstone’s interests include COPD treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation, and bronchoscopy.

Dr. Milstone has over 15 years of clinical research experience and has served as Principal Investigator for several pulmonary trials.

Erica Scaramuzza is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and received her Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt and Northwestern University combined program. She has extensive experience in the medical research field, having worked at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as an Analyst and Clinical/Translational Research Coordinator and at ObjectiveHealth as Site Director. She has been instrumental in research site management and growth and development during her career. She obtained her Clinical Research Coordinator certification (CCRC) through the Academy of Clinical Research Providers, which distinguishes her as a provider of research knowledge and excellence. Erica has experience in several therapeutic research areas, including orthopedics, dermatology, cardiology, and pulmonary medicine.

Erica’s career is marked by her significant contributions to orthopedics as part of the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network. She has co-authored several research publications in this area, including in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Erica’s professional interests include organizational growth and development, leadership, project management, patient-centric process improvement, and staff professional development.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Erica has diverse interests. She is fluent in German and is currently learning Arabic, a testament to her commitment to cross-cultural communication. A trained classical singer, her personal interests include choir, travel, and spending quality time with her husband and three children. Erica is also a proud member and sawyer with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises with a mission to support humanity and build resiliency.

Casi was raised in Franklin, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and two boys.  From an early age, Casi knew she wanted to pursue her passion for healthcare, eventually earning an undergraduate degree from Belmont University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University. After nearly 15 years of experience in primary care as a Family Nurse Practitioner, a pivotal moment in Casi’s life came with the loss of her mother to cancer, which ignited a deep interest in clinical trials and led to a career shift in clinical research. She truly loves the science behind the research, and the endless possibilities to improve the lives of patients suffering with life-altering illnesses and debilitating diseases, where treatments and cures are often lacking.  Outside of work, Casi cherishes time spent with her husband and two boys, who participate in travel hockey and other sports. Casi loves the balance of a rewarding career and a fulfilling family life, serving as a camp nurse in the mountains of North Georgia with her boys, and they are always seeking new family adventures and memories in the Rocky Mountains.

Sarah Bolton Smith has a degree in Business Adminstration from the UK, she gained valuable experience as an auditor and manager at an ophthalmology clinic in Canada. In recent years, Sarah has shifted her focus to research, where she has been contributing her expertise for the past five years. Her ability to analyze data, solve problems, and collaborate effectively has made her a valuable asset in this field. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending quality time with her beloved dogs and enjoying her time on the lake. Her interests and experiences bring a well-rounded perspective to her professional endeavors.

Veyan is a dedicated Clinical Research Coordinator with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Sociology. Her passion for clinical research drives her work across a range of therapeutic areas, including Neurology, Pulmonology, and Dermatology. Outside of her professional life, Veyan enjoys exploring the outdoors and unwinding with a good mystery novel.

Krista is an AEMT with an Associates in Physics and Chemistry that wanted to apply her knowledge and skills to a pharmaceutical research role. She gained valuable medical experience working in the ER at VUMC Wilson County, and continues to broaden her passion for research and patient care at CTC. Krista also has been watching hockey all of her life and loves supporting her local Nashville Predators!

Raya Strongosky graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. During her academic journey she completed internships at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and with a physician’s assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience in science education and healthcare settings. In her senior year, she joined a research lab focused on the spatiotemporal relationships of phosphorus in local watersheds, which solidified her passion for research and led her to her position at CTC. Outside of work, Raya enjoys spending time in nature and working on craft projects.

Sandra (Sandy) is a graduate of the School of Allied Health at Vanderbilt. Worked at Vanderbilt as a Registered Dietitian, Clinical Education Coordinator for the Dietetic Internship, and in Clinical Research in Nephrology before pursuing the role of Clinical Research Associate (CRA/Monitor).