History of CNSM

The History of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine

On June 14, 1979, Dr Justiniano F. Campa, an Associate Professor of Neurology, left the University of Virginia (UVA) Faculty to establish a neurology private practice in Charlottesville, affiliated with Martha Jefferson Hospital. Dr. Campa trained in neurology and neuropathology at UVA (1963-1968) and in neuromuscular research at the University of Copenhagen (EMG) and at the National Institutes of Health (1968-1970). He was appointed Assistant Professor (1970), then Associate Professor with tenure (1976) in the University of Virginia faculty of neurology. He was also named Director of the EMG and Muscle Histochemistry Laboratories of the UVA Hospital. After nine years in the UVA Neurology Faculty, Dr. Campa decided to expand his practice from a neuromuscular subspecialty to that of general clinical neurology with neuroimaging. To accomplish this, he started his private practice, under the name of Justiniano F. Campa, MD, PC. His first office was located at 820 East High Street, across from Martha Jefferson Hospital.

Dr. Campa would remain in solo practice for 25 years, building a general neurology practice in the community, attending to children as well as adults, consulting for hospital inpatients and providing diagnostic neurology services in EEG, EMG, CT and MRI. Dr Campa is certified by the Boards of Neurology, Electro-diagnostic Medicine and Neuroimaging.

In June of 2004, Dr. Campa invited Dr. W. Christopher Winter to join him in his neurology practice. Like Dr. Campa, Dr. Winter had done his neurology residency at the University of Virginia where her served as cheif resident in his final year. Dr. Winter was introduced to sleep medicine while an undergraduate at the University of Virginia. As a research assistant to Dr. Paul Suratt, Dr. Winter began to develop an interest in the field. As a medical student at Emory University, Dr. Winter worked with Dr. Donald Bliwise in their sleep center helping with several research projects while simultaneously developing an interest in neurology. Dr. Winter would return to Charlottesville to complete his neurology residency at the University of Virginia and a sleep fellowship at the University of North Carolina.

Prior to Dr. Winter's arrival, the practice moved its location to 400 Tenth Street, NE. Dr. Winter was also hired to help create a sleep medicine center at Martha Jefferson Hospital and would become the first Medical Director of the program, a title he continues to hold. Dr. Campa and Dr. Winter would work together for the next 5 years with Dr. Winter becoming a partner in the practice on March 1, 2005.

Dr. Campa retired in May 31 of 2009, after 30 years in private practice, 9 years in the UVA Neurology Faculty and 49 years since graduation from Medical School at the University of Madrid, Spain. Dr. Winter became the sole owner and President on September 19, 2009. On December 7, 2009, the business renamed itself Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, PC to better reflect its character and future direction.

On October 21, 2011, Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine saw their final patients in the 400 Tenth Street location. On October 24, the practice officially relocated to their new facility at 1410 Rolkin Court, a move that has made patient access and parking much more convenient to patients given its easy access to Interstate 64 and proximity to the new Martha Jefferson Hospital.

In January of 2015, Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine performed their final EEG study. It was performed by Geni Rowan-Grella who performed the first EEG studies for the practice nearly 30 years ago. On July 7, 2015, Geni retired from the practice having joined Dr. Campa in 1985.

On March 2, 2015, CNSM welcomed Johanna Claasen to the practice as its first physician's assistant. In 2017, after her departure, the practice hired Ellen Wermter as its first nurse practitioner. In addition to her comprehensive sleep knowledge, Ellen is fully trained as a CBTi practitioner for patients suffering from insomnia.

On November 23, 2019, Dr. Campa passed away surrounded by his family at the age of 83. He leaves behind a legacy of medical excellence and unmatched caring for his patients. Our office will always carry Justo in our hearts and will always strive to deliver the same level of care to our patients as he did when he was with us.

In March of 2022, our amazing office manager of 18 years, Tammy Charron depated our practice for bigger and brighter opportunities. Two years later, in July of 2024, Ellen Wermter departed as well.

Former Employees

Ellen Wermter is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Virginia and her Masters of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and is a member of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP).

Ellen is a dedicated sleep professional both board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine (DBSM) as well as being certified in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia who actively treats patients full time. In addition to her clinical work, she is a regular contributor with the Better Sleep Council as well as other media outlets about the science of sleep and healthy rest. Her expertise has been featured in outlets such as Reader's Digest, The Washington Post, Forbes and Yahoo media. She enjoys sharing her expertise in the sleep field by guest lecturing at universities, and has spoken on behalf VCNP, Future Tech, Another Mother Runner, and Insomnia Insight. She is nationally regarded for her expertise in narcolepsy and was the clinical lead for the Harmony Bioscience Pitolisant expanded access program's Central Virginia site. She is a speaker/consultant for Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Harmony Bioscience, and Axsome Pharmaceuticals, and a member of the Narcolepsy Network Advisory Board.

In her free time Ellen prefers to be outside in nature and stays active running and practicing yoga. She lives on a farm with her husband and four children where she grows apple trees and keeps honeybees. She also enjoys singing loudly in the car and rarely gets the lyrics right.

Selected Media Appearances: