Famous American Neurologists

Sanjay Gupta is an accomplished American neurosurgeon, medical reporter, and writer. He holds key positions at Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Gupta is a renowned member of prestigious medical academies and serves as CNN's chief medical correspondent. He is highly regarded for his TV appearances discussing health-related topics, especially during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Gupta has received multiple Emmy Awards for his work and has authored several books, including "Chasing Life" and "Keep Sharp." He co-hosts the health conference Life Itself and contributes to various CNN programs and CBS News.

Paul Kalanithi was an American neurosurgeon known for his exceptional skill and dedication in the field of medicine. He was also a talented writer, showcasing his introspective and profound thoughts through his memoir, When Breath Becomes Air. Kalanithi's professional life was characterized by a passion for both healing and storytelling, as he navigated the complexities of medicine and his own battle with terminal illness. His work continues to inspire readers and medical professionals alike, leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Glenn Shadix was an American actor known for his work in film, television, and theater. He appeared in various movies and TV shows, often portraying eccentric or comedic characters. Shadix's career included roles in popular films such as "Beetlejuice" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." He also lent his voice to animated projects and was recognized for his versatile acting skills. In addition to acting, Shadix was involved in the theater world, showcasing his talent on stage in various productions.

James Tait Goodrich was a renowned American neurosurgeon known for his expertise in pediatric neurosurgery. He served as the director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Montefiore Health System and held professorial positions at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Goodrich gained global acclaim for successfully performing multiple separations of conjoined twins, including assisting in two craniopagus separations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His contributions to the field of neurosurgery have left a lasting impact on the medical community.

Harvey Williams Cushing was a prominent American neurosurgeon, pathologist, writer, and draftsman known for his pioneering work in brain surgery. He was the first exclusive neurosurgeon and the first to describe Cushing's disease. Cushing also authored a comprehensive three-volume biography of physician William Osler. His contributions to the field of neurosurgery and pathology have had a lasting impact on medical science, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the history of medicine.

Eric Kandel is a renowned Austrian-born American medical doctor, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and professor at Columbia University. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000 for his groundbreaking research on the physiological mechanisms underlying memory storage in neurons. As a Senior Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, he has made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience. Kandel also founded the Center for Neurobiology and Behavior at Columbia University and is actively involved in the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

Thomas Stoltz Harvey was an American pathologist known for conducting the autopsy on Albert Einstein in 1955. Following the autopsy, Harvey preserved Einstein's brain for scientific study. Despite facing criticism for his actions, Harvey believed that studying the brain could provide valuable insights into Einstein's genius. He continued to study the brain himself and allowed other researchers access to it for further examination. Harvey's decision to preserve and study Einstein's brain has had a lasting impact on neuroscience and our understanding of brain function.

David H. Hubel was an esteemed American Canadian neurophysiologist renowned for his groundbreaking research on the structure and function of the visual cortex. Alongside Torsten Wiesel, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981 for their pioneering work on information processing in the visual system. Hubel held prominent positions as a Professor of Neurobiology at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School. Throughout his illustrious career, he received accolades such as the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia University and the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.

Sam Sheppard was an American osteopath who gained national attention following his conviction for the murder of his wife, Marilyn Reese Sheppard, in 1954. However, his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court due to concerns about the fairness of his trial. After a retrial in 1966, Sheppard was acquitted of all charges. Despite the legal battles surrounding his case, Sheppard's professional life primarily revolved around his work as an osteopath.

Howard Gardner is an American developmental psychologist and the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Research Professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard University. He was a founding member of Harvard Project Zero in 1967 and held leadership roles at that research center from 1972 to 2023. Since 1995, he has been the co-director of The Good Project. Gardner is best known for his theory of multiple intelligences, outlined in his 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He retired from teaching in 2019 and continues his research and writing, including several blogs.

Stanley B. Prusiner is an American neurologist and biochemist known for his work on prions, infectious self-reproducing pathogens made primarily of protein. He serves as the director of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco. Prusiner's groundbreaking research on prion diseases, conducted with his team of experts, led to him being awarded the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1994 and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1997. His scientific theory on prions was initially met with skepticism but has since revolutionized the field.

Walter Jackson Freeman II was an American physician known for popularizing and simplifying the lobotomy procedure. He invented the transorbital lobotomy method, using an orbitoclast and mallet to access the brain through the eye socket. Freeman's approach allowed for lobotomies to be performed by non-neurosurgeons outside of traditional operating rooms. Despite lacking formal surgical training, he conducted thousands of lobotomies, resulting in patient deaths and ultimately being banned from surgery in 1967. Freeman's controversial procedure had a significant impact on the field of psychiatry.

Silas Weir Mitchell was a prominent figure in the field of medicine, known for his groundbreaking contributions to neurology. He is credited with discovering causalgia and erythromelalgia, two conditions that greatly impacted the understanding and treatment of pain syndromes. Mitchell also played a key role in developing the rest cure, a treatment method for nervous disorders that had a lasting impact on the field of psychiatry. His work as a physician, scientist, novelist, and poet solidified his reputation as a multifaceted and influential figure in the medical community.

Joseph Erlanger was an American physiologist known for his significant contributions to neuroscience. Alongside Herbert Spencer Gasser, he identified various types of nerve fibers and established the correlation between action potential velocity and fiber diameter. Their groundbreaking work in this field earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1944. Erlanger's research and discoveries have had a lasting impact on our understanding of the nervous system and have paved the way for further advancements in the field of neuroscience.

Alexa Canady is a pioneering American pediatric neurosurgeon, known for being the first black woman in the field. She completed her residency in 1981 and went on to become the chief of neurosurgery at a Michigan hospital. Canady was also a respected professor at Wayne State University. Throughout her career, she focused on patient care and conducted research in addition to performing surgeries. Her contributions to the field were recognized with inductions into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame and receipt of prestigious awards.

Fred Plum was an American neurologist known for developing the terms "persistent vegetative state" and "locked-in syndrome" through his research on consciousness and comas. He served as the head of the department of neurology at the University of Washington and co-authored significant works on coma diagnosis. Plum also collaborated on the creation of the Glasgow Coma Scale to monitor patients' conscious state objectively. He advocated for advance health care directives and provided medical care to notable figures like Richard Nixon.

Dr. Joseph Ransohoff, II was a renowned figure in the field of neurosurgery, known for his innovative contributions that revolutionized the practice. He trained numerous neurosurgeons and was celebrated for his adeptness in adapting cutting-edge technologies to save lives. Dr. Ransohoff's accomplishments included establishing the first dedicated neurosurgery intensive care unit, pioneering the use of medical imaging and catheterization for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment, and shaping the disciplines of pediatric neurosurgery and neuroradiology. His work left a lasting impact on the field and even influenced popular culture.

Pakistani-American neurologist Teepu Siddique began his academic journey in botany before transitioning to medicine. Renowned for his groundbreaking research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he dedicated his career to understanding the causes of this neurodegenerative disease. Siddique's professional affiliations included prestigious institutions like Northwestern University and the University of Southern California. Through his work, he made significant contributions to the field of neurology and left a lasting impact on the medical community with his efforts to unravel the mysteries of ALS.

Bronson Crothers, a Harvard professor and pediatric neurologist, began his career in Minnesota before serving as an army doctor during World War I. Renowned for his research on neurological injuries leading to conditions like cerebral palsy, he made significant contributions in the field. Additionally, Crothers held the prestigious position of president in the American Pediatric Society, further showcasing his expertise and leadership abilities. His impactful work has left a lasting legacy in the medical community, particularly in the realm of pediatric neurology.