Neurology
Victor Sung, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been named the next director of the Division of Movement Disorders. Anthony Nicholas, M.D., Ph.D., who left UAB in May 2025, previously served as director of the Division since 2017.
A new music video released by the Brain Health Advocacy Mission (BHAM), part of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at UAB, serves to convey the impact of lifestyle habits on brain health. The video reflects BHAM’s mission to inspire members of the community to prioritize brain health across the lifespan—starting at a young age.
A stroke can strike without warning, and every minute counts when it does. It happens when the blood supply to your brain is cut off, causing severe damage in a short amount of time. While many of us are familiar with the common warning signs (BEFAST), other, often overlooked symptoms could be just as crucial to spotting a stroke early.
Forty-seven providers in the Department of Neurology were recently recognized by the UAB Office of Patient Experience and Engagement for the exceptional care they delivered to patients during fiscal year 2025. These providers achieved a rating of 95 percent or higher in care satisfaction, based on patient feedback in Medallia.
Neuroscience is actively researching immunotherapies and neuroprotective compounds that could eventually help mitigate the impact of chronic stress on inflammatory states. However, prevention remains the primary focus for now.
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that causes seizures and affects millions worldwide. Though seizures are a commonly recognized symptom of epilepsy, the disease can present differently depending on the patient.
Established in response to a need to expand access to neurologic care throughout Alabama, the acute teleneurology service at UAB recently recognized a significant milestone as it marked 10,000 consults.
Martina Bebin, M.D., MPA., professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, was recently named chair of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) for Child Neurology. Bebin, who has served as co-chair for the past two years alongside Nina Schor, M.D., Ph.D., will assume the role in January 2026.
A new treatment that proves to slow the progression of Huntington’s disease marks a breakthrough for a condition that has long been considered untreatable. Huntington’s is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that gradually deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities, often leading to death within 10 to 30 years of onset. Until now, treatments have only managed symptoms, rather than altering the disease’s course.
Seasonal allergies are known for causing congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes, but for many, they also cause migraines. As the weather changes and pollen fills the air, people prone to migraines often notice their headaches becoming more frequent or intense.
The UAB Brain Aging and Memory Clinic opened in spring 2024, marking a new era of care in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related disorders for Alabama and the region. One initiative the new space has helped support is clinical trials, bolstering UAB’s status as a performance site for the clinical trials of the most recent generation of anti-Alzheimer therapies.
The UAB Department of Neurology hosted a breakfast to honor its 2025 Service Awards recipients on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Thirty-two members of the department were recognized for their years of service to the department, ranging from five years up to 35 years
Seven faculty members in the UAB Department of Neurology have been promoted, and two have received awards of tenure, effective Oct. 1, 2025,
David S. Geldmacher, M.D., FANA, FACP, professor, Warren Family Endowed Chair, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, and Director of the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been appointed to the rank of University Professor. This makes him the first person to hold the rank of University Professor in the 50-year history of the Department of Neurology.
From his early days as a Birmingham native returning home for medical school to now as the leader of the MS2 neurosciences course, director of the vascular neurology fellowship, and a physician lead for expanding a telestroke network that reaches hospitals statewide, Lyerly has built a career defined by innovation, hands-on teaching, and a drive to strengthen neurological care for every community in Alabama.
When most people think about their health, they focus on the body: the heart, the lungs, the muscles. But what about the brain? The brain deserves just as much attention, and protecting it should start earlier than you think.
Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t impact all communities equally, and understanding why may be one of the most urgent questions in public health today. Chad Murchison, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Departments of Neurology and Biostatistics, is helping unravel that mystery not through a microscope but through data.
L. Burt Nabors, M.D., William Austin Brown Endowed Professor, Vice Chair for Research, and Director of the Division of Neuro-Oncology in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been appointed to the rank of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Neurology.
The UAB Department of Neurology has established a new procedure clinic at Cooper Green Mercy Health to expand access to botulinum toxin therapy for issues like migraines, cervical dystonia, and other movement disorders.
In August 2025, UAB will celebrate the opening of a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), a facility that will more than double patient capacity, increase patient access to services, and enhance research and training opportunities.
The UAB Department of Neurology welcomed Felicia Hataway, M.D., to the faculty as assistant professor in the Division of Cerebrovascular Disease in July 2025.
Muayad Alzuabi, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Neurology in September 2025.
The UAB Department of Neurology welcomed Sarah Letang, Ph.D., to the faculty as assistant professor in February 2025.
The UAB Department of Neurology welcomed Shaida Andrabi, Ph.D., to the faculty as a professor in January 2025.
Anthony P. Nicholas, M.D., Ph.D., recently left UAB after spending 29 years as a faculty member in the Department of Neurology. In that time, Nicholas established himself as a leader in the field of movement disorders on both clinical and research fronts, all while acting as a mentor for young neurologists representing medical students, residents, and junior faculty.
Giovanna Pilonieta, Ph.D., DDS, MPH, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, was recently named one of two 2025 recipients of the McKnight Clinical Translational Research Scholarship in Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss. Pilonieta was awarded along with Deborah Rose, M.D., of the National Institutes of Health.
Alyssa Leibengood, M.D., PGY1, joined the UAB Department of Neurology in June 2024. A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Leibengood completed both her undergraduate education and medical school at the University of Kansas.
Monica Pasala, M.D., PGY1, joined the UAB Department of Neurology in June 2024. Get to know Dr. Pasala better with three quick questions!
The 9th Annual Birmingham Ride to Eradicate Parkinson’s, part of the Team Rowland Road Series, will be Saturday, Oct. 4 at Oak Mountain State Park. This event, in conjunction with the Par Fore Parkinson’s golf tournament Oct. 3, benefits the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Parkinson Association of Alabama.
A recent grant award in the Department of Neurology serves to help investigators analyze how a group of brain cells may be responsible for changes to neural circuits that lead to the movement disorder dystonia.
Angela Hays Shapshak, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been selected as a recipient of the Association of University Professors of Neurology (AUPN) Faculty Leadership Award.
Stephanie Spain, CRNP, advanced practice provider in the UAB Department of Neurology, recently received the 2025 APP Champion Award in recognition of exceptional advanced practice providers.
David Standaert, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair, John N. Whitaker Endowed Chair in the UAB Department of Neurology, delivered a special grand rounds and state of the department presentation titled “UAB Department of Neurology: Past, Present and Future” on Jan. 27, 2026. The grand rounds presentation was followed by a reception honoring the department’s 50th anniversary at UAB, with remarks delivered by UAB President Ray L. Watts and Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine.
A new study involving researchers in the UAB Department of Neurology could help doctors better understand a chronic pain-causing condition associated with diabetes mellitus and, therefore, improve treatment options and reduce pain for diabetic patients.
A new endowed scholar position in the UAB Department of Neurology has been established thanks to a generous gift. The Susan and Rodney Barstein Endowed Faculty Scholar in Parkinson’s Disease, named in recognition of donors Susan and Rodney Barstein, serves to support a faculty member in the Department of Neurology whose specific focus is Parkinson’s disease.
Jerzy P. Szaflarski, M.D., Ph.D., professor and director of the Division of Epilepsy in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been named the first holder of the R. Edward Faught and Janet Jackson Faught Professorship in Epilepsy Research. The appointment was approved at the Board of Trustees’ November 2025 meeting.
Tourette syndrome (TS) often begins in childhood, but for many patients, its challenges and care needs continue into adulthood. From early recognition and behavioral interventions to managing transitions and overcoming adult treatment barriers, TS demands a comprehensive, lifespan approach. At UAB, experts are addressing these needs through a collaborative model that supports patients from childhood through adulthood.
The UAB ALS Clinic, led by Nan Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., has reached several major milestones over the past year, reflecting its expanding leadership in ALS care, research, and innovation. From participating in groundbreaking national studies to expanding access to emerging therapies and receiving prestigious recognition, the clinic continues to advance its mission to improve the lives of individuals with ALS and their families.
The UAB ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic has been designated a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence (CTCE) by the ALS Association, a recognition that underscores its commitment to providing the highest standard of care for patients and families living with ALS.
The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is among eight academic medical centers worldwide selected to train a new movement disorder clinician-researcher through the distinguished Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders for the class of 2028. The fellowship is awarded via the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Four members of the UAB Department of Neurology will be honored among 300 UAB employees for 20-plus years of service at a reception on April 8 at Hill Student Center: Randall L. Foster (35 years), Martina Bebin, M.D., MPA (30 years), Nita A. Limdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D., MSPH (30 years), and L. Burt Nabors, M.D. (25 years).
The UAB Department of Neurology is proud to welcome our newest class of residents in the 2025 Match.
The UAB Department of Neurology is thrilled to announce the results of our 2026 residency match!
One ambulatory clinic in the UAB Department of Neurology has recently achieved outstanding results in patient experience.
UAB neurologists are extending their expertise to Kenya through a global health initiative that combines patient care, provider training, and resident education to help address critical gaps in neurologic speciality care.
The UAB Department of Neurology is proud to announce its Chief Residents for the 2026-2027 academic year.
UAB recently recognized 43 individuals for their years of service in the Department of Neurology, ranging from five years up to 30 years. The UAB and UAB Medicine Service Awards honor employees who have made a significant career commitment to UAB with recognition happening at every five-year milestone.
A recent study authored by UAB researchers in the departments of Neurology, Medicine, and Epidemiology analyzed a decade of data to reveal that lack of access to stroke-related clinical trials may limit access to innovative treatments in geographic regions with high stroke burdens. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, affecting more than 795,000 people annually, with age-adjusted mortality rates varying widely by state.
Members of the UAB Department of Neurology attended and presented at the 2025 Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (NEALS) Consortium annual meeting in Clearwater, Florida, Oct. 7-10.
The UAB Department of Neurology is pleased to announce that Aparna Vaddiparti, M.D., has been appointed as the department’s new Wellness Champion. In this role, Vaddiparti will lead efforts to foster a culture of well-being for faculty, staff, and trainees, working closely with the UAB Medicine Office of Wellness.
Harrison Walker, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, was recently appointed as the Susan and Rodney Barstein Endowed Faculty Scholar in Parkinson’s Disease. The position was established by an endowed gift to UAB from Susan and Rodney Barstein, whose goal is to support innovative research in Deep Brain Stimulation to improve therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease.