MEET OUR FOUNDER

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Dr Semelka has written 350+ peer-reviewed articles in Radiology and 17 textbooks, including  Health Care Reform in Radiology. He has been one of the most accomplished authors on safety, especially regarding medical radiation, patient information, overuse of imaging, NSF, and most recently GDD.  He has been Director of MR services (Dec 1992- Sept 2017) and vice-Chair of Quality and Safety (Dec 1, 2007 – 2016) at the University of North Carolina. Presently he focuses on treating patients with Gadolinium Deposition Disease at his Medical Clinic in North Carolina. 

Dr. Semelka has been one of the major forces in Radiology for 3 decades. He has been a leading researcher and practitioner in MRI, has pioneered and is the leading author worldwide on abdominal MRI, and is the radiologist with the broadest research, and publication record on safety in Radiology, having authored major works on informed consent, overuse of imaging, risk of cancer from CT and x-rays, nephrogenic system fibrosis, Gadolinium deposition in the brain on MRI, and most recently has pioneered in the medical literature the subject of Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) and is presently the leading author on the subject. GDD is essentially a severe persistent disease secondary to the use of Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) in individuals who often have normal kidney function. 

Dr Semelka has had a profound international role in GDD, essentially being consulted by people from around the world and overseeing their treatment, from India to New Zealand, and every country in between. The majority are in the US, with Canada and the UK, and Europe as the other major centers for patient treatment.  In many respects, Dr. Semelka has unofficially become the Protector Publicus (protector of the people) by focusing on the judicious and appropriate use of advanced imaging throughout the world. He is not the destroyer of imaging but rather the medical doctor with extensive knowledge and expertise to maximize diagnosis while maximizing safety for patients. No other physician or radiologist by global impact or by published expertise can claim this to this extent.

Rev. Tina Brown, Executive Director of GadTTrac, also serves as a board member and patient advocate for Dr. Richard Semelka, serving patients with GDD worldwide. Tina is a recovering patient of GDD and knows by experience the devastation that heavy metal toxicity has on one's life. Having completed four years of DTPA chelation, following the Semelka protocol, she is making great strides in regaining her health and has made it a personal commitment to help others with GDD and other heavy metal illnesses. She is generous, encouraging and opens her home to GDD patients traveling for treatment. 

Tina is also a minister, entrepreneur, gifted musician and designer, devoted life partner, and a loving mother of four. As a minister of 18 years, she has served in pulpit ministry, spiritual education, pastoral care, and online ministry, and has pioneered two churches. Her background includes business tax and accounting courses, 265 credits of Spiritual Education Courses at Unity School of Religious Studies, and a two-year seminary program at Unity School of Christianity, Unity Village, Missouri.  She was licensed and ordained, graduating with the class of 2005. She is currently the lead minister of Inspirational Unity Celebration Church, an online and in-person interfaith ministry. 

She also has a professional background as a designer, public speaker, event planner, professional singer of 30 years, workshop facilitator, and life coach. Tina is a self-taught designer and meticulous in her skill, having served clients throughout the US and was the sole proprietor of Custom Designs Sewing and Alterations, Inc. from 1999 – 2014. She worked in the environmental industry with a world-renowned toxicologist, consulting internationally for water and air purification, and emissions control systems. She gained her life coaching skills and training by completing 165 hrs. of transformational leadership courses and becoming the Arkansas Area Manager of LifeSpring, Inc., a California-based personal effectiveness training company.  

Tina has overcome many obstacles throughout her life and is on a mission to make a difference in the world by serving others. She is a woman of faith and has a tenacious and persistent spirit to accomplish what God has called her to do. Today, Tina is moving forward from the tragedy of GDD and stepping back into her calling after moving through seven years of the debilitating illness of GDD. Currently, she spends her time with family, serving the GadTTRAC community, leading weekly teachings, meditations, and book studies for IUCC, and hosting special interfaith events for a diverse body of faiths and nonprofits, along with practicing self-care to continue and complete her own powerful healing journey. She looks forward to supporting Dr. Semelka, GadTTRAC, and GDD patients worldwide.