Miami Neuroscience Symposium, 11th Annual
This symposium offers a broad curriculum focusing on state-of-the-art, evidence-based practices for clinicians and healthcare professionals who treat and care for neuroscience patients from the emergency department through rehabilitation. The expert faculty will engage participants through complex cases, novel treatment strategies and lively panel discussions. The goal of the program is to share the most innovative and evidence-based clinical practices that have been implemented and are available to optimize patient outcomes throughout all areas of neuroscience.
Agenda
Thursday, November 2, 2023 - 7.5 Cat. 1
7:50 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks Symposium Directors |
Neuroscience Nursing Moderator: Jamelah A. Morton, Ph.D., APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN | |
8:00 AM | Focused Neuro Assessment Strategies Mary Kay Bader, R.N., MSN, CCNS, CNRN, CCRN, SCRN, FNCS, FAHA, FCCM |
8:50 AM | Posterior Fossa Stroke Linda Littlejohns, R.N., MSN, SCRN, CNRN, FAAN |
9:40 AM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
9:55 AM | Break and Visit Exhibits |
10:20 AM | Avoiding Collateral Damage in the Patient with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Mary Kay Bader, R.N., MSN, CCNS, CNRN, CCRN, SCRN, FNCS, FAHA, FCCM |
11:10 AM | Neurointerventional Management of the Patient with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Guilherme Dabus, M.D. |
11:35 AM | Indications for CTA and CTP in Acute Stroke Kevin Abrams, M.D. |
12:00 PM | Lunch and Product Theater |
1:30 PM | Differential Diagnosis of Seizures Selim Benbadis, M.D. |
1:55 PM | Management of the Patient in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Holy Wirth, MSN, R.N., SCRN |
2:20 PM | Movement Disorder Vocabulary Jessily Pozo, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC |
2:45 PM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
3:00 PM | Break and Visit Exhibits |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Moderator: Ronald Tolchin, D.O. | |
3:25 PM | Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury/Spasticity Natalia Miranda Cantellops, M.D. |
3:50 PM | Differentiating Upper vs. Lower Motor Neuron in Localizing Spine Lesions Ronald Tolchin, D.O. |
4:15 PM | Caveats to the Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients Luis Orengo, M.D. |
4:40 PM | Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Jose Vives, M.D. |
5:05 PM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator and Faculty |
5:25 PM | Closing Remarks and Adjourn Symposium Directors |
Friday, November 3, 2023 - 7.5 Cat. 1
Select a track from the list below to view the agenda.
7:50 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks Symposium Directors |
8:00 AM | Vascular Malformations of the Brain: Arteriovenous Malformations and Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Robert Wicks, M.D. |
8:25 AM | CNS Vasculitis and Infectious Vasculitis of the CNS with Emphasis on VZV Negar Asdaghi, M.D. |
9:15 AM | PRES and Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Neuroimaging Update Charif Sidani, M.D. |
9:40 AM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
9:55 AM | Break and Visit Exhibits |
10:25 AM | Management of Tandem Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke Guilherme Dabus, M.D. |
10:50 AM | Neuroprotection in Acute Ischemic Stroke Italo Linfante, M.D. |
11:15 AM | Minimally Invasive Surgery for Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Christopher P. Kellner, M.D. |
11:40 AM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
11:55 AM | Lunch and Visit Exhibits |
7:50 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks Symposium Directors |
8:00 AM | Part 1: Interactive 3D Neuroanatomy and Assessment: Stroke, Trauma and Pathology Linda Littlejohns, R.N., MSN, SCRN, CNRN, FAAN |
10:00 AM | Break |
10:10 AM | Part 2: Interactive 3D Neuroanatomy and Assessment: Stroke, Trauma and Pathology Linda Littlejohns, R.N., MSN, SCRN, CNRN, FAAN |
12:10 PM | Lunch and Visit Exhibits (Return to Hilton Miami Dadeland) |
Neurological Disorders Moderator: Diego R. Torres-Russotto, M.D. | |
1:05 PM | An Overview of Headaches Awss Zidan, M.D. |
1:30 PM | Optimizing Epilepsy Management: The Role of Surgical Evaluation Luis Felipe Tornes, M.D. |
1:55 PM | Dementia Diego R. Torres-Russotto, M.D. |
2:20 PM | Basic Approach to Diagnosis and Management of Multiple Sclerosis Miguel A. Melo Bicchi, M.D. |
2:45 PM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
3:00 PM | Break and Visit Exhibits |
3:30 PM | Parkinsonian Disorders Danish Bhatti, M.D. |
3:55 PM | Approach to Tremors Diego R. Torres-Russotto, M.D. |
4:20 PM | HIFU for Essential Tremor Justin Sporrer, M.D. |
4:45 PM | Chemodenervation, Dystonia and Spasticity Diego R. Torres-Russotto, M.D. |
5:10 PM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
5:25 PM | Closing Remarks and Adjourn Symposium Directors |
Saturday, November 4, 2023 - 3.5 Cat. 1
7:50 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks Symposium Directors |
Neurosurgery Moderator: Michael Gomez, M.D. | |
8:00 AM | Endovascular Treatment of Spinal Fistulas Italo Linfante, M.D. |
8:25 AM | Spinal Robotics Nicholas Theodore, M.D., M.S. |
8:50 AM | Cervical Arthroplasty Jason Liounakos, M.D. |
9:15 AM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
9:35 AM | Break and Visit Exhibits |
10:05 AM | Advances in Surgical Approach to Spinal Metastatic Disease Robert Rothrock, M.D. |
10:30 AM | Spinal Robotics Nicholas Theodore M.D., M.S. |
10:55 AM | Spine Surgery: Tracking Outcomes Raul Vasquez, M.D. |
11:20 AM | Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis Across All Age Groups: Infants to Geriatrics Darryl Lau, M.D. |
11:45 AM | Panel Discussion with Question-and-Answer Session Moderator & Faculty |
12:05 PM | Closing Remarks and Adjourn Symposium Directors |
NOTE: Schedule subject to change.

About the Venue
Next to Baptist Hospital, Hilton Miami is two miles from Dadeland Mall and 10 minutes from Dadeland South Metro Station. Miami International Airport is 13 miles away. Hilton Miami offers a wellness center with yoga and Pilates classes plus massages, a heated pool, and guest rooms with fitness equipment. Hilton Miami Dadeland has met cleanliness standards for a WELL Health-Safety Rating.
Symposium Directors and Planners

Chief, Radiology
Medical Director, Neuroradiology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Baptist Hospital of Miami
Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Co-director, Interventional Neuroradiology
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Medical Director, Fellowship Program in Interventional Neuroradiology and Endovascular Neurosurgery
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Neuroscience Institute
Clinical Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Medical Director, Stroke Program
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Neurointensivist and Medical Director, Neurocritical Care
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Director, Interventional Neuroradiology
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Clinical Professor of Radiology and Neuroscience
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Chief Medical Executive
Irma & Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Clinical Neuroscience
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Chief of the Division of Neuroscience and Professor of Translational Medicine
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Neurosurgeon and Medical Director, Brain Tumor Program
Director, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
Co-Director, Skull Base Surgery
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Neurosurgeon and Director, Functional Neurosurgery
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Spine Center
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Chair of Neurology, Chief of Movement Disorders
Neurology Residency Program Director
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Adjunct Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Clinical Professor
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida
Nursing Planners

Clinical Research Supervisor
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Coordinator, Stroke Program
Baptist Hospital of Miami
Neuroscience Research
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Neurosurgery Advance Practice Provider Supervisor
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Seizure and Epilepsy Certificate Holder
Epilepsy Coordinator
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida
Faculty

Associate Professor of Neurology
Cerebrovascular Division
Department of Neurology
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Neurocritical Care CNS
Providence Mission Hospital
Mission Viejo, California

Professor of Neurology
Director, Epilepsy Program
University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital
Tampa, Florida

Associate Professor
Director, Neurology Clerkship
Director, Brain and Behavior Module
Director, Intercession Module
Co-director, HDSA CFHD Center of Excellence
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Orlando, Florida

Director, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Director, Intracerebral Hemorrhage Program
Principal Investigator, Cerebrovascular Translational Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
New York University School of Medicine
Director of Spinal Neurosurgery Research
Director of Complex Spine and Adult Spinal Deformity
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York

Director, Outpatient Spine Surgery
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist health Quality Network
Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, FL

Neuro Clinical Specialist and Consultant
San Juan Capistrano, California
Staff Physiatrist
Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Miami, Florida

Neurohospitalist
Baptist Health South Florida
Miami, Florida

Medical Director, Baptist Health Rehabilitation
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Baptist Health System-wide Stroke Program Manager
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Spinal Neurosurgeon
Director, Spinal Oncology
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Quality Network
Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Neuroradiology Specialist
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Donlin M. Long Professor
Professor of Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics & Biomedical Engineering
Director, Neurosurgical Spine Program
Co-director, Carnegie Center for Surgical Innovation
Co-director and Founder, HEPIUS Lab
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Director of Epilepsy
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Director, Complex Spine Neurosurgery
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist Health Quality Network
Miami, Florida

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Miami Health System
Miami, Florida

Co-director, Cerebrovascular Surgery
Director, Neurosurgery Anatomy Laboratory
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Miami, Florida

Clinical Director of Nursing, Neurosciences
Inova Health System
Falls Church, Virginia

Chief Executive Officer
Dancing Eyes
Syracuse, New York
Disclosures And Resolution Of Conflict Of InterestDisclosure Policy and Disclaimer
Accreditation
Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.
Baptist Health South Florida designates this live activity for a maximum of 18.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been approved for a total of 18.5 credit hours, CE Broker Course #20-1099908, by the Florida Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and by the Florida Council of Physician Assistants.
This activity has also been approved for 18.5 credits, CE Broker Course # 20-1099908 (Thursday – 7.5), (Friday – 7.5), (Saturday- 3.5) for Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, Pharmacists and Techs and Occupational Therapists. Baptist Health South Florida CE Broker Provider #50-182.
American Board of Surgery - Maintenance of Certification (MOC) - Accredited CME - Neurocritical Care
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
Your participation information will be shared with specialty boards through the ACCME's PARS reporting system. Successful completion of a course examination is required. Submissions are recorded in approximately 48 hours. You will receive an email when your credits have been processed.
ASET-The Neurodiagnostic Society - 20 ASET-CEUs are awarded for completion of this course.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts CEs accredited by the ACCME. Individuals are responsible for checking with the AANPCB for further guidelines.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ claimed by physicians attending live events certified and organized in the United States for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ can be claimed through the agreement on mutual recognition of credits between UEMS and AMA, considered as being equal to the European Continuous Medical Education Credits (ECMEC©) granted by the UEMS. One AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is equivalent to one (1) hour of European EACCME Credit (ECMEC©). Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
Disclaimer
Baptist Health South Florida presents this CME activity for use by healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. Opinions, perspectives and information presented by the faculty represent their ideas and views, and participants should carefully consider all available scientific data before acting on knowledge gained through this activity. Additionally, participants should consult the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approved uses prior to prescribing medications or utilizing medical devices discussed in this activity.
While Baptist Health makes reasonable efforts to ensure that accurate information is presented, no warranty, expressed or implied, is offered. Participants should rely on their own clinical judgment, knowledge and experience before applying information acquired to their professional use.
This activity is partially supported by educational grants from Cerenovus, Chiesi, and Medtronic.
We gratefully acknowledge the following exhibitors:
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Amneal Pharmaceuticals
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Baptist Health Infusion Services
Boston Scientific
Cadwell Laboratories
DePuy Synthes
Epilepsy Alliance of Florida
Imperative Care
Ipsen Biopharmacueticals
Lilly
Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals
Medexus Pharma
Medtronic Brain and Spine
Microvention
Neurelis
Neurocrine Biosciences
Miami Neuroscience Institute
Octapharma
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Rapid AI
Sanofi
Sevaro Health
Society of Critical Care Medicine-Florida Chapter
Stryker Neurovascular
Sumitomo Pharma
TeleSpecialists
TEVA Neuroscience
UCB
Viz.Ai
We welcome the following companies as first-time exhibitors:
Abbvie
CND Life Sciences
Corium International
DMR Corporation
Infucare Rx
Neuroptics
Omniscient Neurotechnology
Route 92 Medical
SK Life Science