Sanford School of Medicine Neurosciences

Overview

Education
  • Periodic medical correlations for first-year students
  • Neuroscience as part of the introduction to clinical medicine for second-year students
  • Neurology rotations for third- and fourth-year students
    • Weekly Neuroscience case conferences at Sanford Medical Center
    • Regular conferences with neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, rehabilitation medicine, oncology and pathology
    • Daily morning report sessions with department chair and residents on rotation
    • Periodic multidisciplinary specialty clinics
  • Faculty development seminars on ethics
  • Continuing medical education for professionals
Research Areas
  • Quality and safety in medicine
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection
  • Dementia
  • Headaches
Overview of Specialty Clinics
  • The Neuroscience Specialty Clinics have been created to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary evaluations of patients with chronic neurologic disorders.
  • Multi-disciplinary specialty clinics have been established for Parkinson's & Movement Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, and Memory Disorders.
  • A team approach to complex neurologic problems frequently is beneficial for a patient.
  • A clinic typically lasts 3-4 hours during which time a patient has individual assessments with a neurologist, clinical pharmacist, social worker and an advanced practice nurse.
  • Depending upon the patient's needs, a dietician, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, therapeutic recreation therapist, and/or a neuro-psychologist may be part of the team.  
  • Representatives from either the Parkinson's support group or the Multiple Sclerosis support group or the Alzheimer's support groups are present to further enhance education and support services.  
  • The family conference, during which the findings and recommendations are shared, is often cited as one of the most valued aspects of the clinic. The primary physician receives a telephone report of the findings as well as mailed dictations.
  • Sanford USD Medical Center, Clinical Call Center, 605-333-4444. Michelle VanDemark