About us

Cerebral Venous Foundation (CVF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by patients and volunteers.  We were co-founded in late 2025 by a group of patients with unique paths to diagnosis and treatment who saw the need to improve education, awareness, and research regarding cerebral venous disorders (CVD). 

We have a Board of Directors we are in the process of establishing our Medical Advisory Board. We aim to stand up a Patient Advisory Board shortly.  Our goal is to develop a robust team that includes patients, family members, caregivers, friends, physicians, researchers, and other health professionals working together to improve the lives of patients with CVDs. 

We hope the resources provided on this website help others learn about CVDs and we expect to continually add to and improve the material on this site.  As the organization grows, we look forward to organizing patient support groups, participating in annual awareness and fundraising events, and funding further research on the cerebral venous system. 

Logo for Cerebral Venous Foundation featuring a stylized stethoscope intertwined with veins forming the shape of the venous outflow system in the neck that removes deoxygenated blood from the brain.

Board of Directors

Olivia Scott

President, Board of Directors; Co-Founder

Olivia has been a practicing trial attorney for over twenty years.  After a provocative test dramatically worsened her health, she spent several years trying to find the underlying cause for her acute and debilitating symptoms.  She was finally diagnosed with a cerebral venous disorder (CVD).

Olivia co-founded Cerebral Venous Foundation (CVF) to help other patients learn about and find treatment for cerebral venous disorders.  Olivia's background as a trial attorney came in handy in advocating for herself, but she was dismayed at how difficult it was to navigate her illness, get to a diagnosis, and find doctors with an understanding of these complicated conditions.  She is passionate about improving education and outreach to both patients and providers dealing with these conditions.   Olivia lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and dog.

Jannen Sparks

Secretary, Board of Directors; Co-Founder

Jannen graduated from LSU in Shreveport with a BA in Mass Communications and has experience working with many non-profits. No stranger to chronic pain, she was diagnosed with Endometriosis and migraines as early as high school. After years of medication and botox, Jannen suffered an ischemic stroke that halted her life as she knew it. She was lucky to live in Hawaii at the time and was referred to Queens Medical to see Dr. Hui, where she was diagnosed with a cerebral vein disorder (CVD) called Internal Jugular Vein stenosis or sometimes vascular Eagles Syndrome, as well as a Cerebral Bone Spur that she developed from a car accident years prior.

In 2024, Jannen underwent a three hour decompression procedure to clear one side of her head and neck that included a styloidectomy, lymphadectomy, and osteophytectomy. The surgery was a huge success, leading her to live a normal life again. Jannen now enjoys a second chance at life as a military wife and stay at home mom to a 7 year old, a 6 year old, and their newest addition, a 5 month old. Her new lease on life has propelled her to wanting the same for others. She knows first hand what it’s like to ignore symptoms, not have time for medical evaluations, and not have extended family, a stable village, or resources to assist during hard times. Her hopes through CVF™ are to reach the unreachable and encourage others that their health matters.

Michael Goeke

Treasurer, Board of Directors; Co-Founder

Michael has worked in corporate finance for 15 years, primarily in the construction industry, most recently serving as CFO. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife, Macy, son Fritz and dog Jane. He enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and hiking, as well as working on their older home and vintage cars. Michael became a co-founder of CVF Inc. after a long and complicated journey with CSF leaks and high-pressure headaches following a traumatic mountain biking accident.

After a lengthy process to receive a correct diagnosis for CSF leaks and multiple corrective surgeries at Johns Hopkins, Michael was encouraged by a leading neuroradiologist to explore what was causing the recurring CSF leaks. An angiogram showed bilateral compression of the internal jugular veins, which restricted drainage from the head and caused high pressure in the intracranial space. Michael underwent experimental surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute to identify and correct the compression. After surgery, Michael was happy to be able to return to his normal activities, and his post-surgery angiogram showed normalized pressure in the internal jugular veins.

Medical Advisory Board

Coming Soon

Patient Advisory Board

Coming Soon