About Us

The R&O team welcomes you as a patient and appreciates the opportunity to provide you healthcare.

Our providers are specialists in rheumatology, osteoporosis, arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

Our Beginnings

In 2004, Dr. Vernon Garwood founded Rheumatology & Osteoporosis Services PC (R&O).

Dr. Amy Garwood and Dr. Jennifer Elliott were roommates throughout medical school at UNMC, graduating in 2001. Dr. Amy Garwood joined her father in practice in 2006 after completing her fellowship in Rheumatology in Colorado. At that time, her mother, Susan Garwood was the Practice Administrator and there were six employees. Dr. Jennifer Elliott joined the R&O team in 2009 from Pittsburgh and brought world class expertise in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Dr. Vernon Garwood retired in October 2015 after fifty years of hard work and dedication. He is an inspiring mentor to his partners, providing outstanding care to folks and defining success by the enjoyment of long-standing relationships.

Our Providers

MD

Amy Garwood, MD

MD

Jennifer Elliott, MD

MD

Amy Garwood, MD

Dr. Garwood was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. She received her under-graduate degree in Russian Language from the University of Kansas. She received her Masters in Public Policy from Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. She completed her medical degree and Internal Medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Garwood completed her fellowship in Rheumatology from the University of Colorado. She has been with R&O since 2006. Amy is married to Henry and they have a son named Ford.

MD

Jennifer Elliott, MD

Dr. Elliott is a native Nebraskan. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for her undergraduate degree and then completed her medical degree and Internal Medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She then attended the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where she completed her fellowship in Rheumatology in 2006 and was a Rheumatology attending and Clinical Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh until she joined R&O in 2009. In addition to general Rheumatology, Dr. Elliott’s area of interest is in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. She is married to Kelly and they have a son named Elliott.

PA-C

Kayla Bruss, PA-C

APRN

Carley Foreman, APRN

PA-C

Nicole Hansen, PA-C

PA-C

Dominic Piccolo, PA-C

APRN

Jamie Russell, APRN

APRN

Heather Sorensen, APRN

APRN

Corinne Schriver, APRN

PA-C

Kayla Bruss, PA-C

Kayla Bruss, PAC was raised in Bennet, NE.

She received her undergraduate degree in Biology with Chemistry and Psychology Minor at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA. She received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. She joined the R&O family in 2016. She is married to Preston and they have two sons, Maddox and Jack.

APRN

Carley Foreman, APRN

Carley Foreman was born and raised in York, NE.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing/APRN from Clarkson College in Omaha, NE. She joined the R&O family in 2019. She is married to Trinity, and they have a daughter, Kadence, and two sons Kolton and Kain.

PA-C

Nicole Hansen, PA-C

Nicole Hansen was born and raised in Syracuse, NE.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, NE. She received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Union College in Lincoln, NE. She joined the R&O team in 2019. She is married to Tyler and they have two Labrador retrievers, Charlee and Timber.

PA-C

Dominic Piccolo, PA-C

Dominic Piccolo was born and raised in Lincoln, NE.

He received his undergraduate degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He received his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Union College in Lincoln, NE. He joined the R&O team in 2022. He is married to Emma and they have two sons, Isaac and Kolby.

APRN

Jamie Russell, APRN

Jaimie Russell was born and raised in Lincoln, NE .                 

She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Jaimie has spent nearly her entire adult life in the field of Rheumatology.  As a Nurse Practitioner in Rheumatology for the last 6 years she has developed a special interest in connective tissues diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as well as difficult to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She recently joined the R&O team in 2023.

Jaimie is married to Brian and they have a son, Ryker, daughter Rylynn and yellow Labrador Berkley.

APRN

Heather Sorensen, APRN

Heather Sorensen is a native Nebraskan.

She received her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She received her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University followed by a Post-Master’s Certificate, Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Heather has been practicing in Rheumatology since 2012 and has a special interest in Osteoporosis. She has recently joined R&O to lead their Fracture Liaison Service and Bone Health Clinic. Heather is married to Todd and they have two sons, Preston and Grant.

APRN

Corinne Schriver, APRN

Corinne Schriver was raised in Lincoln, NE

She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Norfolk and her Master of Science in Nursing/APRN from Clarkson College in Omaha, NE. She is married to Zach. She joined the R&O family in 2022 as an infusion nurse, and has now joined as a Nurse Practitioner in 2023.

Our Team

AllAdministrativeClinical TeamFront TeamInfusion TeamPatient Support TeamRadiology Technicians

Amanda

CMA, Scribe

Ana Cristina

Front Office

Arleth

New Patient Coordinator

Blake

CMA

Brianna

Medical Data Entry Specialist

Bryna

Radiology Tech

Carrie

New Patient Coordinator

Casey

Infusion RN

Celeste

Infusion LPN

Cheseney

Patient Care Coordinator

Crystal

LPN, Patient Care Coordinator

Erin

RN

Ginger Johnson

Practice Administrator

Heather

CMA

Jeanna

CMA

Jessica

Front Office

JoBeth

CMA

Julie

RN, Clinical Team Lead

Kamberly

Billing Coordinator

Karen

LPN

Kelsey

Radiology Tech

Kymberly

Front Office Lead

Leah

Lead Billing Coordinator

Lisa

CMA, Clinical Team Lead

Megan Conradt

Finance Director

Rachel

CMA

Riley

CNA

Roberta

Front Office

Tricia

Infusion RN

Patient Testimonials

“I feel very fortunate to have Dr. Amy Garwood as my rheumatologist. She is, as I expected, a personable, thoughtful and compassionate physician. She is extremely knowledgeable and thorough when diagnosing or prescribing treatment and medication and always answers my questions and concerns in a patient and caring manner. I never feel hurried or rushed when I have an appointment and the staff nurses are congenial and professional. Best of all, I feel like a wonderful, young doctor friend is taking care of me and she is!!! Who could ask for more?”

BEV L.

“I am a new patient at R&O this year, my doctor is Jennifer Elliott. Words can’t even describe the excellent care that this practice provides! I love how I am remembered when I walk in the door and am treated like an actual patient and not just another number on a chart. The staff at R&O truly take the time to listen, get to know you, and make sure you receive the best care possible. Hands down me and my family are truly grateful for Dr. Elliott and the staff at R&O. You guys rock!”

TABATHA C.

“Everyone is so nice and caring and they care about you as if they were their own family. They always welcome you with a smile, and they treat you like a person, not a patient. I always enjoy my time there. They always tell you everything straight forward, and if you don’t understand something they will spend the time to make sure that you do. Whenever I call in, I either get someone right away or they call back as soon as they get my message. Even when I have had to go see other specialists that they referred, I have always felt comfortable.”

JESSICA R.