Our Medical Marijuana Doctors

Dr. Gabrielle F. Morris, MD

Chief Medical Officer, Physician

With more than 30 years medical experience, Dr. Gabrielle Morris possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from West Virginia University and Doctorate of Medicine degree from Marshall University. She is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Morris is a first generation American, born to Hungarian immigrants who landed in West Virginia, where Dr. Morris first called home and began her medical training. 

Dr. Morris’s career spans a myriad of specialties including Neurological Surgery, Trauma, Complex Orthopedic Spinal Surgery, and Emergency Medicine. She has also held management roles such as Medical Directorships for various entities. She has been a formal teacher and instructor throughout her career beginning with high school chemistry and continues today by teaching nurses and other doctors.

In her personal time, Dr. Morris is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys activities such as skiing, swimming, and rollerblading. She is passionate about large dog rescue, especially geriatric dogs. Currently their family includes two (very energetic!) puppies at home: Maxi, a St. Bernard mix rescued from the 2022 flood in Kentucky, and the newest member of the family, Mateo, a stray who walked into their lives 12 hours after they lost their girl, Minnie (Staffordshire Terrier).

Dr. Morris has been a long-time proponent of medical marijuana and was an early supporter of California’s Proposition 215, which first legalized medical marijuana treatment for patients in 1996 was during her time as the Senior Neurological Surgery Resident at a local trauma center. She believes that medical marijuana is a viable and beneficial treatment option for many patients who seek to improve their quality of life through cannabis.

Dr. Loraine Glaser Zakem

Doctor

Dr. Loraine Glaser Zakem Is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she studied in the College of Pharmacy and graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and after five years of private practice, spent the next 25 years in Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care.

Dr. Glaser Zakem has experience in medical volunteerism, having led a medical mission to rural Nicaragua, and participated in others. She also has experience as a Medical Director of a medical dermspa, patient counseling and weight loss, and disability evaluation for Social Security. She has enjoyed a wide and varied career interacting with people from all walks of life. 

Dr. Glaser Zakem became interested in medical cannabis when a family member was able to break a 20 year addiction to opioids by using medical cannabis for pain management. She has researched this subject extensively and delivered Grand Rounds on the topic, as well as being a founding member of the Ohio Medical Marijuana Physicians Association. Through her experience with over 2000 patients in the past five years, she has come to recognize the full benefits of medical cannabis for a wide variety of chronically difficult to treat medical conditions. 

In her free time, Dr. Glaser Zakem enjoys spending time with her four children and seven grandchildren, volunteering, teaching children to read and tutoring at a local orphanage, reading, snorkeling, and generally being thankful for all the blessings in her life. 

Dr. Rank Dawson, MD

Doctor

Dr. Dawson has a strong background in medical education and training, he earned his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine after completing his B.S. in Biology at the University of Cincinnati. His training includes an internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and a general surgery residency at Allentown Affiliated Hospitals. Dr. Dawson also completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Kettering Medical Center and a prestigious Hand Surgery Fellowship at the Christine M. Kleinert Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship in Louisville, KY. He has also received advanced Hyperbaric Medicine training in Long Beach, CA and San Antonio, TX.

Dr. Dawson is currently in private practice in Cincinnati, OH. He has held the position of Assistant Professor on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he contributed to shaping the next generation of medical professionals. Additionally, he has worked as a contract surgeon at Sono Bello and serves as a Vohra Wound Care physician.

A trailblazer in the medical field, Dr. Dawson was the first physician to ever place Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) on an exposed brain, a groundbreaking achievement in the field of wound care. His dedication to patient care extends beyond the operating room, as he has personally witnessed the impact of cannabis on the numerous patients achieving significant reductions in opioid use and remarkable improvements in their overall health, including symptom reduction in inflammatory bowel diseases and metastatic cancer.

In his personal life, Dr. Dawson enjoys biking, hiking, and camping, which reflect his commitment to a balanced and active lifestyle.

Dr. Meredith Wylie, MD

Doctor

Dr. Wylie graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Having a close friend die of a heroin overdose eventually led her on a path to Addiction Medicine. She has worked in treatment facilities across the state of Ohio providing methadone and buprenorphine, including helping to establish the first methadone clinic in Zanesville, Ohio. 

Dr. Wylie is also passionate about medical marijuana, seeing the benefits of it for relatives with cancer and post-surgical chronic pain, as well as having numerous patients who benefit from it for anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD.

In her free time, Dr. Wylie can often be found in the woods hunting for mushrooms.

Abbey Ross

Nurse Practitioner

Abbey Ross graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2010 and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)  in 2015. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and American Board of Wound Healing.  She and her husband, John, live in Florence with their three children.

Abbey strongly believes that cannabis can be a safer, non-pharmaceutical treatment option for some patients. “I hear stories every day from patients and families. From being able to get off opioids after 15 years, finally sleeping though the night, relief from diabetic neuropathy or seizures, the success stories are endless. As a lifelong, Mississippi resident, I am aware of the stigma associated with marijuana. I am excited about the opportunity to educate patients and the community about the benefits and uses of medical marijuana.”

Mari Micci Bramuchi Shannon

Nurse Practitioner

Mari Micci obtained her Bachelor of Science from Mississippi State University in Biological Sciences. She continued her studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she received her Master of Nursing. She is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2022.

When not working, Mari Micci enjoys traveling with her husband, Daniel, playing tennis, cheering on the Mississippi State Bulldogs; and spending time with family and friends

Throughout her healthcare career, she has seen firsthand the negative effects of opioids in the chronically ill, as well as witnessed the increasing opioid crisis as a nurse practitioner. She is committed to making a difference to her patients by exploring all medical treatment options available and treating the whole person, mind, and body.

Lori Case

Nurse Practitioner

I received an associate in arts in 2012 and an associate in nursing in 2014 from Copiah Lincoln community college. I then received a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2019 and went on to receive a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in Family Nursing Practice in 2021. I am also a certified wound and skin specialist. 

My hobbies include spending time with her family and 2 dogs Nelson and Hank. In my spare time I enjoy going to the beach and spending time outdoors with my family, including hunting and fishing.

I believe medical cannabis is a safer alternative holistic medicine. I believe it’s safer than traditionl medications made of chemicals components made from pharmaceutical companies trying to make a profit; therefore, getting patients hooked on these medicines that are often hard to step away from.

Joanna Nelson

Nurse Practitioner

Originally from New York, I moved to Mississippi in 2020 with my husband Robert, our daughter Alexandra and our son Nicholas. I graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY in 1993 with a dual BA in Psychology and Pre-Medicine. I continued my education at Columbia University, NY NY, then at Regis College, Weston, MA, graduating in 1999 with my master’s in nursing followed by my Board Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner with the ANCC.

Throughout my 25-year career as a Nurse Practitioner, I worked primarily in Neurosurgery, treating patients from the ER, the OR, the ICU, and the Clinic Milieu. I also worked 8 years in Addiction Medicine, treating patients from both a Psychiatric and Medical model of care. I believe my work in these two fields of medicine has guided me to the care of the Medical Cannabis patient. My professional drive to help patients has led me to the belief that Medical Cannabis not only improves patient quality of life but goes beyond to alleviate medical conditions such as chronic pain, to mitigate the emotional and physical harm of PTSD and Sleep Disorder, and to work as adjunct therapy to improve the devastating effects of Neurologic Disorders such as Seizure Disorder and Parkinson’s disease.

When not working, I enjoy being my kids’ biggest fan. My daughter Alexandra is an ER nurse in Boston, MA and my son Nicholas is a sophomore at Madison Ridgeland Academy where he is a Varsity Football Offensive Lineman (and a budding Neurosurgeon). I also am Mom to my rescue Pitties, Kyle and Regina George.

Additionally, I love music (trying to teach myself electric guitar) and cooking for my crew.

Rachael Flynn

Nurse Practitinoer

With over 19 years of healthcare experience, I have cultivated a deep-seated desire to improve patient well-being through innovative and empathetic care. My tenure as a registered nurse has allowed me to gain expertise in diverse care settings, including home health, assisted living, and long-term care facilities. These experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of patient needs across various stages of life. I have also witnessed firsthand the limitations of conventional medicine, particularly in managing chronic conditions and pain, which has driven my passion for holistic approaches, including medical cannabis. My goal is to provide patient-centered care that not only treats symptoms but enhances quality of life.

My educational background includes an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing (A.A.S.) at Tulsa Community College, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) at Southern Nazarene University, 2019- Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) at Southern Nazarene University, 2024 Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) at Mississippi University for Women

Outside of my professional life, I am passionate about gardening, traveling, and reading. I also enjoy playing online games, which provides a fun way to unwind and connect with others. I find joy in being outdoors, whether tending to my garden or exploring new destinations. Spending time with my husband, children, and animals is incredibly important to me, and we often enjoy outdoor activities together. My love for nature, adventure, and gaming fuels my curiosity and keeps me balanced, while reading allows me to learn and grow continually.

Why I am passionate about cannabis as medicine – I am drawn to the opportunity to educate patients and the broader community about the benefits of medical cannabis. There is a profound need to dismantle the stigma associated with cannabis use, which persists despite substantial scientific evidence supporting its therapeutic benefits. As a healthcare provider, I feel responsible for advocating for patient access to all effective treatments, including medical cannabis, and ensuring they are used safely and responsibly.

Carla Phillips-Coakley

Nurse Practitioner

Carla earned an AAS in Applied Science from Hinds (2006) and an AS in Nursing from Meridian Community College (2008). She has practiced nursing since 2008 and completed a BSN (Mississippi University for Women, 2012) and an MSN/FNP (Mississippi University for Women, 2015), becoming certified as an AANC Family Nurse Practitioner that same year.

Professionally, Carla brings extensive clinical experience in adult neuroscience, including stepdown and ICU care, for over eight years as an RN, and more than nine years as a primary care provider in pediatrics.

Personally, Carla shares, “I live holistically, grounding my mind, body, and spirit in the outdoors. Hiking, camping, fishing, gardening, and regular workouts keep me physically strong and mentally clear. My vegetarian diet fuels recovery and reflects the values of sustainability and compassion. I also have a strong conviction in cannabis as a medicinal tool and am an advocate, hoping to empower and encourage those who choose cannabis to support their health. Together, these practices create balanced well-being, resilience, presence, and a deep connection to nature that shapes how I live and make choices.”

Stefanie Shepherd

Nurse Practitioner

Stefanie Shepherd, NP, is a dedicated Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in nursing. Since beginning her nursing career in 2010, Stefanie has provided compassionate, evidence-based care to patients across the lifespan, from children as young as five to older adults up to age 93. She earned her Post-Masters Certificate as a PMHNP in 2021 and has since specialized in the diagnosis and management of ADHD, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, and insomnia.

Stefanie is passionate about holistic and individualized mental health care. She has a particular interest in the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis, especially for chronic pain and PTSD. She also recognizes the potential of medical cannabis to support patients struggling with anxiety and sleep disorders. Stefanie is committed to staying current with emerging treatments and integrating innovative approaches to improve her patients’ quality of life.

Stefanie is known for her empathetic approach, clinical expertise, and dedication to empowering patients on their mental health journeys.

Alison Cassell-Harris

Nurse Practitioner

Alison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and a Post-Master’s Certificate from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her professional background spans urgent care, emergency medicine, primary care, dermatology, pediatrics, and neurosurgery.

She lives on a hobby farm with her husband and two teenage children, where much of their time is spent outdoors. The family enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring local parks—essentially anything that gets them outside. She is also a strong supporter of the arts and loves attending shows and festivals whenever possible.

She believes in the therapeutic potential of cannabis for both physical and mental health. Having witnessed family members experience significant improvements in anxiety and PTSD symptoms through cannabis after trying many other remedies, she is passionate about helping others discover similar relief and healing on their own journeys.