On behalf of the Department of Neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, I’m excited to welcome you to our vibrant community. As Chair, it’s a privilege to lead a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the nervous system and translating these advances to the care of our patients on Long Island and beyond.
Our department stands at the forefront of innovative clinical practices, exceptional education, and groundbreaking research. With over 25 pediatric and adult neurologists leading diverse subspecialty programs, our patients and trainees benefit from strong collaborative relationships with the departments of Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, and Neurobiology and Behavior. Together, we form the Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute —a beacon of interdisciplinary excellence. Together, we strive to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients while fostering an environment that promotes collaboration and growth among our staff and trainees.
As you explore our department’s website, I encourage you to discover the remarkable highlights of Stony Brook. We take pride in being the only tertiary care hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center in Suffolk County. We house Suffolk County’s sole Level IV Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as well as Suffolk County’s first Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center — all supported by a state-of-the-art Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU). Stony Brook University Hospital is the only hospital in New York State to be recognized in the top 5% nationally, as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care for 10 years in a row by Healthgrades® (2016-2025). Our NCCU is one of only 5 in New York State to earn a prestigious 3-year Beacon Award of Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACA), which recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes. We’re expanding our sub-specialty services, including new clinical programs in cognitive neurology and neurorehabilitation.
For prospective residents and fellows, our neurology program combines cutting-edge research with exceptional clinical training. You'll benefit from a diverse faculty of experienced neurologists and interdisciplinary collaboration at the Stony Brook Neurosciences Institute, gaining exposure to various subspecialties and the broad spectrum of neurological diseases. Our program emphasizes hands-on experience, allowing you to engage with innovative treatments and participate in groundbreaking research.
This is an exciting time for academic neurologists, with rapid advancements in neuroscience and patient care. Stony Brook researchers are making significant progress in understanding conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and stroke, leading to new diagnostic tools and therapies. Our NIH research funding exceeds $25 million, focusing on dementia, epilepsy, stroke, and global health. The unique blend of research, clinical practice, and innovation at Stony Brook offers neurologists a rewarding opportunity to impact patient outcomes and shape the future of the field.
I’m thrilled that you are here to learn more about the Department of Neurology at Stony Brook. We look forward to your engagement and hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Joe Verghese, MD, MS, FRCPI
Chair, Department of Neurology