Meet the Neurology Team

Anna DePold Hohler, MD, FAAN, Movement Disorders Specialist

 SEMC Dr. Anna Hohler Dr. Hohler joined St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center from Boston Medical Center in November of 2017 as the first female Chair of Neurology. She is a Professor of Neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine. (TUSM) She also serves as Director of Medical Student Education for Steward Health Care. She is the Assistant Dean, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Affiliate Site for Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). At BUSM and Boston Medical Center, Dr. Hohler served as the Assistant Dean for Strategic and Affiliate Relations, the Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Military and Post-Deployment Health, the Director of Quality Improvement for Neurology, and the Director for Neurology Global Health. In addition, her various leadership roles included Director of Neurology Medical Student Education and Director of Resident and Medical Student Research Programs. Prior to that, at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC), Dr. Hohler served as the Neurology Residency Program Director and the Neurology Clinic Chief.

 

Dr. Hohler completed her undergraduate and her medical degree at Boston University in the seven-year accelerated medical program. She then completed her internship and residency in Neurology at MAMC in Tacoma, Washington. After eight years of distinguished military service in the U.S. Army, she was honorably discharged having achieved the rank of Major. She then completed a Fellowship in Movement Disorders at Boston Medical Center and served there for 11 years. Dr. Hohler received numerous awards and recognition throughout her career, including Army Commendation, Army Achievement, and Meritorious Service Medals for academic and leadership excellence. She received the Col. Robert Skelton Award for Top Resident at MAMC, the American Academy of Neurology National Outstanding Teacher Recognition Award, and the Stanley Robbins Award; the highest teaching honor in all BUSM. In 2016, she received the Burton A. Sandok National Neurology Educator of the Year Award by the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Hohler has a national and international reputation and lectures on neurological, movement, and autonomic disorders. Dr. Hohler’s areas of special research and clinical interest include movement disorders, autonomic diseases, and deep brain stimulation programming. She served as Chair of the national neurology Brain PAC, the Co-Chair of the American Academy of Neurology Quality and Safety Subcommittee, the Chair of the Patient Safety Subcommittee, and was a member of the Practice Improvement Subcommittee, and the Practice Committee. In addition, she served as the Associate Editor for Practice for the journal Continuum. Dr. Hohler also served locally as the president of the Massachusetts Neurological Association. Dr. Hohler currently serves as a reviewer for numerous journals, including Neurology, Neurology Clinical Practice, and Parkinson’s and Related Movement Disorders. Dr. Hohler has authored over 50 manuscripts, reviews, chapters and quality improvement measurement sets.

David Weinberg, MD, Neuromuscular Specialist

 SEMC Dr. Weinberg Dr. Weinberg is an experienced and regionally renowned neuromuscular disease expert with broad experience with a variety of nerve and muscle diseases. His major clinical and research focus has been the care of patients with Myasthenia Gravis, but his practice is not limited to this unusual muscle disease. He has published research papers and book chapters on a wide range of neuromuscular disease topics.

 

Dr. Weinberg is Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurology and Director of the Neurophysiology Lab at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. He is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine. He serves as a member of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Board of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Myasthenia Gravis Association of New England. He is a former President of the Massachusetts Neurological Association.

Dr. Weinberg received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his Neurology residency and fellowship at Tufts Medical Center. His expertise has been acknowledged by the community and his peers through such honors as being named as a Boston Magazine “Top Doc”, a Best Doctors “Best Doctor in America”, a Consumers’ Research Council of America “America’s Top Physicians” among many others.

Kaarkuzhali Krishnamurthy, MD, Epilepsy and Seizure Specialist

 dr krishnamurthy neurologist Dr. Krishnamurthy is an experienced epilepsy specialist with numerous areas of expertise.  She is the Director of Epilepsy for St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. She joined St. Elizabeth’s from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) where she established the Women’s Health in Epilepsy multidisciplinary comprehensive program.   Her evaluations of anticonvulsants during the menstrual cycle have been novel and impactful. This program won the Team Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care from BIDMC.  She has an active role in the Epilepsy Foundation serving on numerous committees and as the Chair of the Professional Advisory Board. 

Dr. Krishnamurthy has developed and organized a number of educational initiatives.  As the Office of Faculty Development Chair of the Subcommittee for Women, she organized a mentoring training, implementation, and evaluation program.  She made important contributions to education with the development of an epilepsy curriculum for residents and medical students.  Dr. Krishnamurthy also developed an ethics curriculum and served as a member of the Ethics Support Team.  This work in ethics led to regional and national presentations, and written contributions.  At St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Dr. Krishnamurthy is the ethics lead for Neurology.

Dr. Krishnamurthy has been active in over 40 clinical trials related to epilepsy.  She was the Vice-Chair of the IRB at BIDMC and was the Director of the Human Subjects Protection Office. In that role, she created a four-part research curriculum and oversaw the accreditation of the human subjects protection program. 

Dr. Krishnamurthy received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed her Neurology internship at Yale and her residency at the Harvard-Longwood Area Neurology Program.  She was the Chief Resident in the Harvard Neurology Program and completed her Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at Beth Israel Hospital.  She received numerous awards, including the William Alexander Hammond Award for Excellence in Neurology and was a Maryland Distinguished Scholar.  In addition, she has published numerous articles, chapters, editorials and abstracts on novel topics in epilepsy. 

Judith Hinchey, MD, Stroke Specialist

 judy hinchey neurologist Dr. Hinchey is the Director of the Stroke Program at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and manages the inpatient evaluation and treatment protocols and procedures, and helps to direct the stroke quality insurance initiatives. She is the representative for the State Stroke Consortium and is an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.  Dr. Hinchey also serves on the Quality and Outcomes Committee of the American Stroke Association. 

At St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Dr. Hinchey is also the site director for neurology resident education.  In this role, she develops the teaching program for the residents for their rotations and facilitates their experience.  She serves on the Tufts Resident Selection Committee and also serves on the Tufts Residency Review Committee. 

Dr. Hinchey has been involved in numerous stroke clinical trials and has worked on policy development for stroke both locally and nationally as a member of the American Academy of Neurology.  In addition, she served as the neurology representative for the American Medical Association Consortium for Physician Improvement. 

Dr. Hinchey received her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine.  She completed her neurology residency at New England Medical Center, a neurophysiology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a cerebrovascular fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic

She received the Kasdon Award as a student because of her distinguished neurology promise, the Clinical Translational Research Award from St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, and a Best of Boston Neurology Award for several years. Dr. Hinchey has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, reviews, and abstracts on stroke.

Michael Slama, MD, PhD, Neuromuscular Specialist

michael slama neurologist Dr. Slama is a neurologist and neuromuscular specialist. After receiving his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, he completed his neurology residency and neuromuscular fellowship training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. His clinical expertise includes diagnosing and treating a broad range of neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis, neuropathy and myopathy. He performs and interprets electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies. He is board certified in neurology (ABPN), in neuromuscular medicine (ABPN) and in electrodiagnostic medicine (ABEM).

Prior to his medical studies, Dr. Slama completed training in electrical and computer engineering, music, and hearing sciences. He received a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his research on auditory neurophysiology. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, reviews and abstracts related to his interests in auditory neurophysiology, neurology and neuromuscular medicine.

Born and raised in France, Dr. Slama is a recipient of the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans – an award given to new Americans who are poised to make significant contributions to U.S. society, culture and academia. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Academy of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM).

Thanh Nguyen, MD, FRCPc, FSVIN, FAHA, Director of the Neurointerventional Service

Thanh Nguyen, MD Dr. Nguyen is the Director of the Neurointerventional Service at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. After receiving her medical degree from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Canada, Dr. Nguyen performed her neurology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Following her fellowship in vascular neurology and neurocritical care at Massachusetts General Hospital, she completed a fellowship in interventional neuroradiology (INR) involving more than 1,000 INR procedures at Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal with the internationally renowned experts Jean Raymond and others. She has now been involved in a total of more than 3,000 INR procedures, including more than 500 brain aneurysm interventions (coilings/flow diversion) and 350 acute stroke interventions.

Dr. Nguyen is skilled in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations/dural arteriovenous fistula of the brain and spine, large vessel occlusion stroke, subdural hematoma, and pulsatile tinnitus. She has advanced training in lesions of the face and neck, including epistaxis, venolymphtic malformations, and tumors. Dr. Nguyen also treats vertebral compression fractures using minimally invasive techniques to provide improved stability to the spine and relieve pain.

Dr. Nguyen has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to national guideline statements and book chapters. She was awarded Fellow of the SVIN (FSVIN) in 2012 based on her contributions to the field of Interventional Neurology. She was awarded Fellow of the AHA (FAHA) in 2018 and is the American Heart Association Board of Director for the Boston area 2018-2020.

Dr. Nguyen was awarded Boston Magazine Top Doctor in Neurology for 2017, 2019, Be Exceptional Award for BMC in 2018, and SVIN Distinguished Service Award in 2018.

Margarita Ebril-Lel, MD, Epilepsy Specialist

dr ebril-lel neurologist Dr. Ebril-Lel graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2011. She completed her neurology residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where she served as a chief resident and went on to complete a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology/EEG there as well. Dr. Ebril-Lel’s clinical expertise is in epilepsy and EEG and she has an interest in sleep disorders. Prior to joining St. Elizabeth’s medical staff, she worked at Newton Wellesley Hospital and served as the clerkship director for second-year Massachusetts College of Pharmacy physician assistant students. Dr. Ebril-Lel is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the Massachusetts Neurologic Association.

Ying Geng, MD, Neurohospitalist

Dr. GengDr. Geng is a neurohospitalist and devotes her time to ensuring that the neurology inpatients are optimally managed in the emergency department, on the wards, and in the hospital.  She helps to develop protocols for care and serves as a primary point person for resident education.  Dr. Geng serves as a liaison between neurology and the other specialties in the hospital providing a link to facilitate optimized care.

Dr. Geng completed her Ph.D. in neuropathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed her medical training at Peking University School of Medicine, her residency in neurology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and neurophysiology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 

She is the author of several peer-reviewed publications and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Dr. Geng received a first prize for a scholarship as a medical student and several pathology awards, including the American Society for Investigative Pathology Trainee Award, the Histochemical Society Trainee Award, and the American Society for Investigative Pathology Experimental Pathologist in Training Merit Award. 

Bradford Thompson, MD, Neurocritical Care

Dr. Bradford ThompsonDr. Thompson is a neurointensivist and a stroke specialist who joined the staff at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in 2022. Prior to that, he was the Chief of the Division of Neurocritical Care, Medical Director of the Neurocritical Care Unit, and Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center for Neurocritical Care Services at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. He also acted as the Medical Director of a COVID Intensive Care Unit at Rhode Island Hospital early in the COVID pandemic. He was an associate professor in neurology and neurosurgery at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is board certified in neurology, neurocritical care, and vascular neurology. Dr. Thompson earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College. He completed his neurology residency at Rhode Island Hospital / Alpert Medical School before going on to a fellowship in vascular and critical care neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital / Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School. His professional focus is program development best utilizing Advanced Practice Providers. His clinical interests include brain death, intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and communication with families of neurocritically ill patients.

Terrence Li, MD, FAAN General Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology

Dr. Terrence LiDr. Terrence Li joined Steward Medical Group at St Elizabeth’s Hospital after practicing clinical neurology at Advocate Medical Group in Chicago for 11 years. Dr. Li is grateful to Dr. Hohler and Steward Medical Group to have the opportunity to practice neurology in Boston. 

Dr. Li practices inpatient and outpatient general neurology, botulinum injections for chronic migraine, and incorporates clinical neurophysiology into his clinical practice including interpretation of electroencephalograms (EEG) and performing electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG and NCS).

Dr. Li completed his medical school and neurology residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University and served as the chief resident in his final year of residency. He completed a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Li’s other passion is medical education. He has had the pleasure of being the neurology clerkship director at Chicago Medical School for 6 ½ years and is the neurology clerkship director for Tufts University, site director for Tufts medical students at St Elizabeth’s Hospital and is involved in the 2nd year neuroscience course at Tufts University. Dr. Li is looking forward to adding to the already solid foundation of the neurology clerkship with additional curricular materials including USMLE style shelf questions, PowerPoint presentations and podcasts.

Dr. Li has enjoyed success in his clinical and medical education career. He recently was made a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN), inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) through Chicago Medical School, has won several awards at Chicago Medical School, including the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Education and Champion Awards, and was awarded the Arnold P Gold Humanism and Teaching Excellence Award twice during his residency. He currently is an associate professor in neurology at Chicago Medical School.

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 madelynn paul neurologist Madelynn is a board-certified Physician Assistant who currently practices with Steward Medical Group’s Neurology Team at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. Madelynn received her neurology training at St. Elizabeth’s while she was a student at Boston University, and upon graduation rejoined the team as an Advanced Practice Neurology Provider. 

 

Madelynn completed her undergraduate degree at Boston College and graduated with honors. She concentrated her studies in biology, philosophy, and forensic science as an Eagle, and she serves as a guest-lecturer and a panelist for BC’s Pre-Physician Assistant Society. Madelynn received her Master’s Degree from Boston University’s School of Medicine with a focus on general medicine. She studied and published a literature review on Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography for her Master’s Thesis project and quickly became interested in the intersection between neurology and rheumatology. Madelynn is currently a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Olivia Johnson, PA

olivia johnson neurology Olivia is a board-certified Physician Assistant with the Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation team at Steward Medical Group Neurology. As a PA, Olivia enjoys connecting with patients while providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

Olivia received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Environmental Sciences from University of Massachusetts Amherst and later received her master's from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She gained experience while working as a certified nursing assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital Neurosciences unit as well as delivering care to patients with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy within their own homes. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants, and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society. 

Suja Sadasivan, MD

ssDr. Suja Sadasivan has joined St. Elizabeth's Medical Center and Steward Medical Group as the Director of Movement Disorders. Prior to that she served as the Medical Director, and Director of Movement Disorders at Community Neuroscience Services in Westborough, MA. She is a board-certified neurologist and is fellowship-trained in Movement Disorders. Her expertise is in treating patients with a variety of movement disorders including Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremor, Hemifacial Spasms and Dystonia. She is also an expert in treating patients with various headache disorders, including cluster headaches, and migraines. She is skilled in Botox injections for a variety of neurologic disorders including spasticity, hemifacial spasms, sialorrhea, dystonia, and migraines, as well as management of patients with deep brain stimulation. 

Dr. Sadasivan completed her undergraduate and medical school training at the Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, MA. She completed her neurological residency at Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence, RI, where she served as the chief resident. She then pursued fellowship training in Movement Disorders at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. 

Dr. Sadasivan is actively involved in medical student education. While at Community Neuroscience Services, she regularly gave lectures to medical students from University of Massachusetts and pharmacy students from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She will be actively working with students from Boston University School of Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine while she is at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. 

Dr. Sadasivan also participates in clinical research, evaluating novel pharmacological agents in Parkinson’s disease, and in genetic testing research in Parkinson’s disease. She is very involved in raising awareness of early Parkinson’s disease, benefits of neurosurgical treatment modalities such as deep brain stimulation and MRI guided ultrasound ablation in Parkinson’s disease, and other movement disorders. 

Dr. Sadasivan has a patient-centric approach, combining medical excellence with personalized care. She is an advocate for a comprehensive view of patient care and goes beyond addressing the symptoms to understand the unique needs and concerns of each individual under her care. She believes in fostering open and empathetic communication with her patients, empowering them to actively participate in their healthcare decisions and treatment plans. Her compassionate and holistic approach to patient care has garnered her recognition as a trusted and compassionate medical professional.


Keith J. Ciccone, BS, LPN

 keith ciccione neurology Keith J. Ciccone is a nurse specialist working in collaboration with Dr. Anna Hohler providing nursing care, assessment, telephone triage, coordinating community resources and services, and facilitating the Deep Brain Stimulation programming. Keith has almost two decades of experience working with patients and families with Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, Movement Disorder, Epilepsy and Cognitive Impairment.  He has more than 13 years of experience in Deep Brain Stimulation, coordinating pre- and post-surgery care, as well as DBS programming management.  Since 2005, Keith has served as co-facilitator for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association monthly support group for Parkinson's patients with Deep Brain Stimulation. Keith received his Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA.  He received his Nursing diploma from Chelsea Soldier Home School of Nursing.  He was the recipient of Outstanding Young Men in America Award, the Student Nursing Leadership Award, the Salvatore A.  Esposito, Sr. Award from the American Parkinson Disease Association, and the 2010 Chairman’s Award. He is involved in numerous non-profit organizations including serving as the past president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.