Department of Neurology
For board-certified physicians, the U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) Best Hospitals rankings are a unique opportunity to acknowledge institutions that excel in patient care, innovation and clinical excellence.
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.
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.
UAB Medicine has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 list of “100 Great Neuro and Spine Programs,” which recognizes hospitals and health systems that demonstrate excellence in neuroscience and spine care.
Muayad Alzuabi, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Neurology in September 2025.
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.
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.
On Thursday, Nov. 20., the Heersink School of Medicine honored 20 faculty members at the Fall 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. This event recognizes Heersink faculty who have made major contributions to research, education, and clinical care.
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.
$10 million endowment to support Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and ALS research and education.
On Friday, November 14, 2025, students from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine gathered to celebrate faculty excellence during the annual Argus Awards Ceremony. Established to recognize outstanding contributions in medical education, the Argus Awards are determined entirely by student nominations and votes, honoring faculty, courses, and course directors who have made a lasting impact throughout the year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One ambulatory clinic in the UAB Department of Neurology has recently achieved outstanding results in patient experience.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) celebrated seven distinguished faculty members from the seventh cohort of the Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead (SAIL) program at a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The program, facilitated by Celeste Morgan, Ph.D., CDMS, senior leadership development specialist, is designed to help early-career faculty strengthen their leadership skills, refine their academic identities, and chart clear, sustainable paths toward long-term success.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) celebrated ten distinguished faculty members from the seventh cohort of the LEading, Advancing, Developing (LEAD) at a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23. Facilitated by Kellie Carter, Ph.D., senior leadership development specialist, this cohort demonstrated a culture of growing leadership skills and advancing academic impact in the UAB community.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week, held annually in late September, recognizes the essential role of APPs in healthcare. These professionals, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and anesthesiologist assistants, provide direct patient care, improve access to services, and contribute to high-quality outcomes across medical specialties.
Seven faculty members in the UAB Department of Neurology have been promoted, and two have received awards of tenure, effective Oct. 1, 2025,
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.
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.
UAB Hospital has once again been recognized among the nation’s top hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, according to the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jeremy Herskowitz, Ph.D., Patsy W. and Charles A. Collat Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Neurology, has been named the latest recipient of the school’s Featured Discovery award. This recognition celebrates notable research contributions made by faculty and highlights the impact of their scientific advancements.
July 22 marks the 12th annual World Brain Day, a global campaign led by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) to promote brain health across all stages of life. This year’s theme, “Brain Health for All Ages,” emphasizes the importance of neurological care from preconception through late adulthood.
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.
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.
Burt Nabors, M.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurology and director of the Division of Neuro-oncology, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Engagement Award from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
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.
Before there were MRI machines or CT scans—never mind the possibility of using AI to unlock the mysteries of the human brain—there was Civitan International.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The twelfth annual Blazer Bolt for Brain Cancer 5K and Fun Run was held Saturday, May 17, at Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the thunderstorms that rolled in early Saturday morning, racers still showed up, participated and made the event a success.
Brain tumor symptoms vary widely and can often resemble other common health conditions. Understanding the risks, symptoms and treatment options can help lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
For one family, a difficult genetic diagnosis sparked a mission. With help from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute (PMI), they’re now turning their journey into hope for families worldwide.
On April 28, 2025, Jasmine Thum, M.D., M.S. assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Biomedical Engineering, hosted a peripheral nerve education course for trainees at UAB. The event offered residents in-depth lectures and anatomic demonstrations of peripheral nerve anatomy, pathology, diagnostic techniques and surgical approaches.
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.