Neurology Community Committee

Every individual is deserving of expert and timely neurological care delivered respectfully by caregivers who are dedicated to the health and well-being of the community.

To cultivate a culture of care that embraces the richness of our community of patients and team members. We strive to meet the needs of our community, to promote brain health for all.

• Develop targeted recruitment strategies to attract a skilled and empathetic pool of faculty, staff, and trainees with a focus on bettering neurological health in the community.
• Offer regular training sessions for all staff and trainees to enhance their knowledge of community concerns and priorities.
• Incorporate community-centered topics into the neurology curriculum and continuing medical education.
• Host grand rounds and seminars that address community health needs in neurology and related fields.
• Conduct community outreach programs to increase awareness and access to neurological care.
• Develop protocols widen the reach of neurological treatment outcomes.
• Partner with local organizations to provide neurological services to all communities
• Partner with local organizations to provide neurological services to marginalized communities

• Javier Provencio (Co-Chair)
• Sarah M. Jones (Co-Chair)
• Jose H. Posas, MD
• Alana Harrison, NP
• M. Agustina Rossetti, PhD
• Cesarina Thohan, MD

Past Chair: Amal Abu Libdeh, MBBS (Now at U. of Jordan)

We consider ourselves fortunate to be a part of community here at the University of Virginia, as well as UVA Health and the UVA School of Medicine. In addition, Charlottesville, Virginia (video: Life in Charlottesville) is an eclectic, rich community that has become a national example of strength and excellence. It is a place where we feel safe and are proud to call home.

Our workgroup stated in 2015 with a focus on faculty & APP recruitment to help better care for our community. In 2017 our efforts widened to include improving access in our outpatient clinics. Through departmental meetings and our Grand Round lecture series, we have had success in promoting awareness of brain health concerns affected on the community level and of the wide breadth of expert research and clinical work being performed all over the country.

Departmental didactics include the annual Grand Rounds lecture series, with at least two presentations each year focused on community health topics and/or highlighting scholarship of UVA Neurology alumni.

Several faculty & APPs have demonstrated scholarly work in improving brain health outcomes in the community in their area of expertise:

• Dr. M. Agustina Rossetti is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist who has established a Spanish speaking Neuropsychology clinic for persons with cognitive disorders, focused on access and cross-cultural support.
• NP Alana Harrison, Dr. Kristen Heinan, NP Tanya Prachar and Dr. Jose Posas continue to improve upon the care given to pediatric and adult athletes who have had signs and symptoms of concussions and traumatic brain injury.
• Dr. Cesarina Thohan has started a multidisciplinary vascular neurology (stroke) clinic modeled after the clinic developed at the Cleveland Clinic by UVA neurology alumna Dr. Gwendolyn Lynch.