LSU Health Shreveport Department of Neurology

Our Fellows and Dr. Chernyshev, the head-boss of Sleep Medicine, have had their schedules jam-packed. Imagine Dr. Damia coming back from the AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) conference presenting an abstract, only to step into more high heels the day of graduation. 😅
Success isn't easy, but the challenge is always worth it.

The New Medical Building has been an exciting feature of LSUHS. Just when its doors opened, Neurology & Sleep slipped in to hold their graduation ceremony within the Dining Pavilion. Here, we celebrated Residents Dr. Adamu, Dr. Arvas, Dr. Carvajal, and Dr. Murguia, and Sleep Fellows Dr. Bhamrah and Dr. Damia.

We give a special thanks to:
Shaver's Catering for providing dinner.
To Kelly Byrd who framed our backdrop with the balloons pefectly. And a very heart-warming special thanks to Dr. Sheila Asghar, for being a leader in not only helping with the preparations of the scenery, but also hosting the graduation.

Congratulations to all of our graduates that have worked hard for so many years!

Live a 24/8 Lifestyle! 8 Hours of Sleep! 8 Hours of Work! 8 Hours of Play! Sleep shirts just clothed more appeal to the Sleep Med Fellowship! Can you tell that the passionate Director-Boss-General-Headmaster-Overseer of Sleep, Dr. Chernyshev, is pleased?

Last Thursday, the Sleep Med Fellowship program celebrated two wonderful events: A Sloth-themed baby shower for one of our Sleep Fellows, Dr. Hall, and the birthday of the passionate head chief-boss-captain-director of the program, Dr. Chernyshev.

Accompanied with India's catering and a round Great American Cookie cake (organized by Maddison, our GME Specialist), we say a job well-done, a happy birthday to our director, and congratulations to Dr. Hall's soon-to-be chapter of motherhood!

Haven't we already seen this face before when it comes to abstracts and conferences?

🎉👏 We're thrilled to share that our talented neurology resident, Dr. Carvajal, continues to shine on the conference stage! Just returned from the ACTRIMS conference, Dr. Carvajal wowed audiences with not one, but two accepted abstracts (no surprise 😎) for presentation. His dedication to advancing neurological research is truly commendable. Congratulations, Dr. Carvajal, on this well-deserved recognition! 🌟

Dr. Chernyshev, our Sleep Medicine Director, would like to share some exciting news about our Fellowship program.

Please see below the newsletter from AASM Program Directors and Coordinators Committee announcing that LSU Health Sleep Medicine Program at Shreveport was among 6 US-based sleep fellowship programs, who received the approval by The AASM Board of Directors and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to participate in a one-year extension of the AIRE Pilot program nation-wide. This Program provides an opportunity for current faculty members to obtain part-time training in sleep medicine.

This is just a little reminder to all of our followers that Neurology has two subspecialties: Sleep Med Fellowship and Vascular Neurology Fellowship. There's more to love about your Neurology program. 😎

Good morning-afternoon!
Dr. Shah, one of our former Vascular Stroke fellows, now a vital part of our faculty team, offers valuable information that could potentially save lives. Watch the presentation now to learn more about recognizing the signs of stroke and taking proactive measures for better health.

Stroke awareness event to offer free screenings and teach warning signs, symptoms

Last Friday, our campus came alive with vibrant energy as we hosted our annual Cultural Festival. This cherished tradition is all about embracing diversity and honoring the rich tapestry of cultures within our community.

Dr. Badugu, one of our PGY-3s, took part on the 'Culture on the Runway' Fashion Show as she gracefully adorned herself in an exquisite Indian gown. Known for her confident demeanor and vibrant presence, Dr. Badugu has always been the first to eagerly participate in social events--no shy bone in her body has ever been seen! Her confidence and willingness to engage extends beyond the physical realm, as she actively contributes to our department's social media presence, amplifying our message of inclusivity and celebration. Dr. Badugu truly embodies the spirit of our community, embracing diversity with open arms and inspiring us all to embrace our cultural heritage.

Thank you, Dr. Badugu for always being ready for the cameras!

🎳 Dr. Asghar has organized a Wellness Committee program, designed for the wellness of our residents. Inspired, one of our upper residents, Dr. Murguia, organized an event of camaraderie at Holiday Lanes.

Who knew our neurology skills could extend to the bowling alley? Turns out, we're pros at striking the right balance on and off the lanes! 😄

🧠🔬 Hello, all! We've received some exciting news from Dr. Roger Kelley, one of our beloved faculty members! In dedication to Parkinson's Disease Awareness month, our neurology program is proud to announce our participation in the groundbreaking BLAAC PD study funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Led by Dr. Elizabeth Disbrow, and with Dr. Kelley as the collaborator, our team is working to expand research efforts into Parkinson's disease. With the inclusion of Louisiana State University and University of Florida, this study is now operating across six sites!

This collaborative effort, supported by the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s initiative and The Michael J. Fox Foundation, aims to deepen our understanding of the genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease. By focusing on Black and African American connections to Parkinson's, we strive to uncover population-specific pathological variants. This deeper understanding could pave the way for the development of novel interventions and the application of therapies already in testing.

Stay tuned for more updates on our contributions to this vital research! Together, we're making strides towards a better future for Parkinson's patients everywhere.

"Why can't everyday be like this?", a PGY-2 asked. Well, we got to be careful, because if every day we have catering, our brains would get too 'fried' from all the delicious distractions! We must assure that our residents keep stamina with clear focus!

See our fun times during didactic hour and Grand Rounds.

A new chapter! Say hello to our new residents. Congratulations to you all.

"Sleep Deprivation and YOU!", a common talk spoken for Grand Rounds, Resident Lectures, the Sleep Symposium, and now today's Wellness Seminar. Dr. Asghar, a Peds Neurologist, is part of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship and Neurology Residency programs, and is most known for her desire to spread wellbeing. Today, she discussed the difference between Non-REM and REM sleep, activities and diets that can help improve sleep and interfere with sleep, brief cases of real events that impacted society due to sleep deprivation, and keeping a consistent sleep-wake schedule.

What about light? Exposure to natural light, particularly earlier in the day, aids in your body's internal clock or circadian rhythm. This is essential for maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Blue light, which are electronic devices suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Seek blue light filters for your devices or try 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime to shut down these devices.

Other neurological benefits of sleep are:

Improved memory and decision-making
Emotional stability
Immune support
Reduction in inflammatory diseases

Overall, it was a great talk!

💖 Happy Valentine's Day, Neuro Pals! 🧠❤️ Love is a lot like neurology - complicated, mysterious, and occasionally involves a few glitches in the system. 😄

When you see your crush, it's like a lightning-fast synapse firing in your brain - you go from "just friends" to "heart-eyed emoji" in a split second. Love at first sight? More like love at first synapse! Love makes us do silly things, like forgetting where we put our keys or getting lost in thought. Blame it on the "Forget-Me-Not Cortex," a region dedicated to daydreaming about your special someone. All good stuff, right?! But hey, avoid negative energy! When the brain perceives a stressor or experiences heightened emotions, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. This leads to the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, which stimulates the heart to beat faster and with more force. The ANS is also responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate. It consists of two branches – the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).

Basically, Valentine's Day is about being good each other. After all, the brain cannot live without the heart, and the heart cannot live without the brain.

Feeling incredibly grateful for the thoughtful gesture from a stroke faculty member who generously (for the second time) donated funds for our office candy bowl! 🍬💙 While we might not associate candy with traditional wellness, the joy and smiles it brings definitely contribute to our team's positive atmosphere and camaraderie. It's the little things that make a big difference in promoting well-being and creating a supportive work environment. Thank you for brightening our days!

Maddison Coburn, GME Specialist of the Sleep Med Fellowship program, provided Superior Grill's catering to the Sleep clinic staff to support wellness to our Sleep Fellows. The surprises, good food, smiles, and relationships made the environment light-hearted and well worth the effort.

In nearly two decades of serving the Neurology Residency Department, Dr. Rosario Riel-Romero made the announcement last week that she has retired.

In her heartfelt address, she expressed gratitude for the honor of providing pediatric neurology care to countless patients and their families. Her journey was marked by lessons in courage, dedication, and perseverance, and she hoped to have made a positive impact on their medical odysseys.

A significant part of her legacy lies in education. Notably, she co-coordinated the Freshman Neuroscience course for eight years, collaborating across multiple departments to elevate academic rigor. Her dedication reflected in the commendable performance of medical students in the neurosciences part of the USLME exams.

The impact of her mentorship is evident in the success stories of Neurology and Pediatric residents, with many now holding prestigious positions, such as Chief of Pediatric Epilepsy at Johns Hopkins and Chair of Neurology at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Her contributions extended beyond the academic realm. She played a pivotal role in initiating and accrediting the epilepsy program at LSU Health Shreveport. Furthermore, as the principal investigator for clinical trials on Clobazam, she contributed to its approval as a mainstay for epilepsy treatment.

In her advice to residents, she emphasized the importance of moral compass over accolades and encouraged speaking truth to power. Her commitment to equality and excellence in patient care was unwavering, evident in her advocacy for equal treatment regardless of race, color, creed, gender, or insurance status.

As she bids farewell, she expressed pride in her role in the growth of the epilepsy program and gratitude to colleagues Alena Stevens and Gwen Reliford for their unwavering support. The transition process is made smoother with detailed endorsements for her complex patients, ensuring continuity of care under the capable hands of her successors.

Let's join in wishing our retiring faculty member the happiest of holidays and expressing our gratitude for her unwavering dedication to the Department of Neurology. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

We're in the middle of Interview Season. With the holidays and busy events on our calendar, schedules can be tough. However, all PGY-2s were some of the first to step up to help interview our future residents. They have been a big help to faculty, the program director, and program coordinator.

Thank you for your help, Dr. Ali, Dr. Buchhanolla, Dr. Gullapalli, Dr. Khalid, and Dr. Sheikh (and an extra clap for Sheikh for interviewing twice!) 🥹

Dr. Murguia, our Chief Resident, decided to drop a word for the month on the coordinator's markerboard: "You may not always have the right answer, but you can have the right attitude." What is he holding in his hand? He's holding what is called the Pan de Mu***os, a Mexican tradition held once every year to bake this bread. It was shared at the Grand Rounds this morning on the subject of "Hypermotor and tonic seizures in clinical practice" by Dr. Katyal, one of our Epileptologist.

The bread did have a mild but similar taste to a cinnamon bun😁.

Have a good weekend!

It will be one week down as our new Vascular Neurology Fellow, Dr. Prashant Rai, previously the Neurology Program Associate Director at UTMB in Galveston, TX.

We'd also like to wish him a wonderful Happy Birthday! Dr. Rai, we are glad to have you part of the Brain Team! 🦸

Since June, just before the new Academic Year, Maddison Coburn has been our new GME Specialist, a much-needed help in the world of administration. Although her birthday has passed, Dr. Kataria, a member of the Resident Council, took the effort to arrange a birthday cake. It was presented during the Journal Club & M&M event.

Happy birthday to Maddison 🥳🫶🌸💐🎂🎊🎉

We would like to thank Dr. Neel Fotedar, a special guest speaker to our Grand Rounds on the topic of "Eye Movements in Epilepsy". He is a Neurologist and Epileptologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center invited by Dr. Katyal, our Epileptologist. This was also a nice treat for some of our candidates to tune in before interviews. Also, a big thanks to our two PGY-2s, Dr. Khalid & Sheikh, and PGY-4, Dr. Arvas for helping to interview the future of our department!

Happy Friday!

Good morning,
Since early last month, the department of Neurology has had one particular Resident in their mind to honor as Resident of the Month. Finally, we are able to celebrate Dr. Muhammad Ayub as Resident of the Month. Congratulations!

Javalkar - "Dr. Ayub has gone way out to help his co-residents and is always available to help his patients. He is highly motivated and always willing to go the extra mile. He has good work ethics and is a great team player. Always willing to share his medical knowledge with students."

Asghar - "Since September he has been in Pediatric Neurology and has been working tirelessly taking care of the children. With a faculty's unexpected extended leave, he has been a source of support and strength for us on the Pediatric side going above and beyond. I am so proud of him!"

Davis - "GREAT JOB and WELL DESERVED!!"

Guerre - "Congratulations! Keep up the good work"

Kataria - "Way to goooo! Keep climbing high Dr. Ayub and make us all and neurology proud!"

Chernyshev - "Congratulations!!!"

Sleep Med Fellows Dr. Bhamrah and Dr. Damia assumed there would be a sudden mandatory meeting, having no idea that the GME Specialist and Coordinator just wanted to plan a surprise.
..Should have taken pictures of the Nothing Bundt Cakes 🙄

Happy birthday!!!🥳💐🎂🍡🍦🎁🎊🎉

Please join us in attending the virtual Sleep Medicine Symposium, celebrating 40 years of Sleep. Scan the barcode to gain access to speakers (including all 3 Sleep Fellows & Faculty) and other content.