MEET OUR TEAM

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Owner

David Day, PA-C, MPAS

David Day is the Owner of NEUCOA, where he leads the clinic’s mission to deliver personalized, non-invasive brain health care. A Physician Assistant with more than 23 years of clinical experience, David specializes in family medicine, urgent and trauma care, orthopedics, surgery, and military operational medicine.

He began his healthcare career as a Hospital Corpsman (Fleet Marine Force) in the U.S. Navy, later completing the Navy Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program (IPAP) in 1999. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.

During his 26 years of military service, LCDR Day completed multiple combat deployments with the U.S. Marine Corps, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) carrier strike group, and Naval Special Warfare SEAL Team/Joint Special Operations units. After retiring from the Navy in 2017, he trained in TMS at Wave Neuroscience (Brain Treatment Center) and began accepting patients at NEUCOA in 2019.

David is also a proud member of the Clinical TMS Society.

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Office Manager, Neurotechnician

Martin Dierks

Martin Dierks is NEUCOA’s Office Manager and Neurotechnician, bringing over 20 years of medical and military experience to the team. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman, Martin served as a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Corpsman and Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) with the U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Special Warfare SEAL Team/Joint Special Operations units, completing multiple combat deployments before retiring in 2019.

Throughout his career, Martin gained extensive clinical experience in internal medicine, cardiology, urgent and trauma care, orthopedics, and intensive care. He also served as an rEMT/CPR/First Aid/TCCC Instructor. After completing his TMS training at Wave Neuroscience (Brain Treatment Center) in 2019, Martin joined NEUCOA, where he has been a trusted part of the clinic team since December of that year.

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Neurotechnician

Haleigh Nichols

Haleigh Nichols is a Neurotechnician at NEUCOA, where she brings dedication, compassion, and attention to detail to every patient she works with. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Longwood University and completed her TMS training with Wave Neuroscience (Brain Treatment Center).

The daughter of a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran, Haleigh is proud to carry forward a tradition of service and care. She joined NEUCOA in June 2023 and has been an integral part of the clinic’s team ever since.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. “Shumi” Tabassum Abid Rahman-Rawlins, Psy.D.

  • Dr. “Shumi” Tabassum Abid Rahman-Rawlins, is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia with extensive experience in both military and clinical settings. She earned her Psy.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology and her B.S. in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan.

    As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves and Active Duty Lieutenant in the Navy Medical Service Corps, Dr. Rahman-Rawlins served as a Behavioral Science Specialist and Operational Psychologist for Naval Special Warfare. Her expertise includes behavioral threat assessment, resilience training, psychological evaluations, and fitness/suitability assessments.

    In addition to completing APA-accredited internships and contributing to PTSD research, she has presented nationally on insider threat and behavioral analysis and received advanced operational psychology training. Dr. Rahman-Rawlins has also served on veteran and childhood cancer boards, and her contributions have been recognized with the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Navy Commendation Award.

    At NEUCOA, she serves as a consulting Clinical Psychologist, bringing her depth of expertise to support patient care and treatment planning.

Medical Director

Dr. William Highlander, MD

  • Dr. William Highlander is a board-certified Neurologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist with over 30 years of clinical experience. He graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1992 and went on to complete residencies in Internal Medicine (1993), Neurovascular Ultrasound at Wake Forest University (1994), and Neurology & Sleep Medicine (1996).

    A Diplomate of the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, Dr. Highlander is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In addition to his practice as a Neurologist and Sleep Specialist in Virginia, he serves as Medical Director for NEUCOA, providing oversight and expertise in patient care.

Memorial card with a photo of a man in a U.S. Navy uniform, several medals, and a painted eagle and anchor emblem behind him.

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Matthew J Hickey
CAPT, SEAL, Medical Corps, United States Navy

Dr. Matt Hickey and I opened NEUCOA in 2019 with the shared mission of caring for our SEAL Team teammates, military service members, veterans, and their families who were struggling with TBI, poor sleep, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Together, we built a clinic designed to make treatment simple, efficient, affordable, and above all, compassionate.

Since then, our team has been honored to provide life-changing care to more than 500 patients—our extended “families”—from around the world, using safe, non-pharmaceutical, and non-invasive treatment modalities.

As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering world-class care to every patient, carrying on Matt’s vision and honoring his lasting legacy. 

Long Live The Brotherhood,
D-Day & Team NEUCOA