BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Beginning January 5, 2026, SRNA is bringing all five of our podcast series together into a single, unified podcast channel called “SRNA Soundwaves.” This means that all episodes of "Ask the Expert, ABCs of MOGAD, ABCs of NMOSD, ADEM Academy, and Community Meets Clinic" - past and present - will now be found in one feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast streaming platforms.

What this means for you: If you are already subscribed to our "Ask the Expert" series, you will automatically be subscribed to "SRNA Soundwaves" once the merge happens on January 5th. If you are subscribed to "ABCs of MOGAD, ABCs of NMOSD, ADEM Academy, or Community Meets Clinic," make sure to subscribe to "Ask the Expert," which will be renamed “SRNA Soundwaves” on January 5th, to continue to get new episodes in your feed. You can subscribe here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/srna-ask-the-expert/

We hope this change helps our community navigate our educational content more easily and enjoy a smoother, more organized podcast experience. If you have questions about the upcoming change, please email: podcast@wearesrna.org

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA interviewed Dr. Alexandra Kornbluh from Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. about her role and journey into neurology and neuroimmunology. Dr. Kornbluh discussed her interest in the fast-paced nature of neuroimmunology and her involvement in clinical research, particularly in MOG antibody disease (MOGAD) [00:01:32]. She elaborated on the multidisciplinary approach at Children's National Hospital that supports comprehensive care and ongoing research for pediatric neuroimmune disorders [00:04:58]. Dr. Kornbluh emphasized her commitment to holistic care and the future advancements in treatment and diagnostics for rare neuroimmune conditions [00:05:44].

Alexandra Kornbluh, MD is Associate Program Director for the Child Neurology residency and Co-Program Director of the Pediatric Neuroimmunology Fellowship at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. She completed her medical training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and her pediatric and child neurology residency training through Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She then pursued additional subspecialty fellowship training in pediatric multiple sclerosis and related demyelinating diseases. Through this fellowship, she gained expertise in caring for both children and adults across the age-span of neuroinflammatory diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kornbluh sees patients from the greater Washington, D.C., area as well as second opinion consultations for pediatric demyelinating disease and related disorders within the multidisciplinary neuroimmunology program. She also evaluates patients with headaches and provides general neurology care for patients.

Dr. Kornbluh serves as the Director of Investigational Therapeutics through the pediatric neuroimmunology program and is the principal investigator for clinical research studies in pediatric demyelinating conditions. Her research interests include pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorders (MOGAD), and other related demyelinating conditions. You can view her medical profile here:

https://appointments.childrensnational.org/provider/alexandra-behar-kornbluh/2359826

01:32 Dr. Kornbluh's Journey into Neuroimmunology

03:29 Focus on Rare Neuroimmune Disorders

04:58 Children's National Neuroimmunology Clinic

05:44 Multidisciplinary Care Approach

07:31 Personal Insights and Self-Care

08:25 Message to Families and Final Thoughts

09:48 Hope for the Future

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger moderated a discussion with Dr. Shuvro Roy of the University of Washington and Dr. Catherine Otten of Seattle Children's Hospital. Dr. Otten elaborated on her work with child neurology and pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders, while Dr. Roy discussed his research interests and the complexities of neuroimmunology [00:06:03]. They shared insights into their multidisciplinary clinic teams and how new patients can expect to be integrated into their care systems [00:11:01]. Both doctors highlighted the promising future of treatments for rare neuroimmunologic disorders and shared how they personally manage the emotional toll of their work [00:17:41]. You can view their medical profiles here:

https://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/shuvro-roy

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/directory/catherine-ellyn-otten/

Shuvro Roy, MD is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Washington, specializing in neuroimmunology, with a specific focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) and related neuroimmunologic disorders. He is Co-Director of the UW SRNA Center of Excellence for Rare Neuroimmune disorders. He is also a core teaching faculty member for the UW Medicine Multiple Sclerosis Center’s fellowship program, contributing to clinical education and research initiatives like the ECHO MS program in collaboration with the National MS Society. Dr. Roy is actively engaged in projects aimed at improving access to care, addressing healthcare disparities, and enhancing patient safety for individuals living with MS and related conditions. He has co-authored recent research articles in medical journals on a variety of topics, including studies on stiff person syndrome, encephalomyelitis, MOG-antibody disorder, and multiple sclerosis treatment protocols. Dr. Roy is dedicated to helping his patients thrive amid challenging, lifelong neurological conditions.

Catherine E. Otten, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Washington in the Neurology Department, specializing in child neurology and pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders. Dr. Otten is the Neuroimmunology Medical Director at Seattle Children's Hospital where she runs subspecialty programs for patients with rare neuroimmune conditions. She is board-certified in Pediatrics and Neurology. She leads the Pediatric Neuroimmunology clinic serving patients with multiple sclerosis, MOGAD, NMOSD, transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, acute flaccid myelitis, and other neuroimmune conditions.

Dr. Otten co-leads the Inflammatory Brain Disorders Clinic, a multidisciplinary hub serving patients with autoimmune encephalitis, autoinflammatory disease, and other forms of brain inflammation. Her work extends across Alaska, where she has provided care in outreach clinics in rural Alaskan communities for the past decade. Her academic work includes collaboration with CDC as a consultant on acute flaccid myelitis, as well as published work on autoimmune encephalitis, demyelinating disease, and other neuroimmune conditions. She is committed to the care of pediatric patients with neuroinflammatory diseases and their families across the Pacific Northwest.

00:00 Introduction

02:01 Journey into Neurology and Neuroimmunology

06:03 Research and Clinical Interests

11:01 Multidisciplinary Clinic Teams

17:41 Self-Care and Wellness

25:04 Future of Rare Neuro Immune Disorders

27:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode hosted by Krissy Dilger of SRNA, we meet Dr. Monica Diaz of University of North Carolina Health. Dr. Diaz shared her journey into neurology and neuroimmunology, driven by her fascination with the brain and problem-solving [00:01:34]. She discussed her research focuses, including demyelinating disorders in Latin America and outcomes in Latino communities in the U.S. [00:03:26]. Dr. Diaz detailed the multidisciplinary approach of The Bodford Family Transverse Myelitis Center, highlighting the range of specialists involved in patient care [00:07:17]. She emphasized the importance of staying active and working with a care team for recovery and shared her hopes for future treatments and potential cures for rare neuroimmune disorders [00:11:08].

Monica Maria Diaz, MD, MS is an assistant professor of neurology in the Division of MS/Neuroimmunology at UNC. She sees patients in the multiple sclerosis (MS) and transverse myelitis (TM) clinics of UNC, providing care to patients with multiple sclerosis and autoimmune and infectious diseases affecting the nervous system. She completed her neurology residency at Yale and neuro-infectious/MS/neuroimmunology fellowship at UC San Diego.

Dr. Diaz has lived and worked in Peru intermittently since 2019 through an NIH Fogarty fellowship and continues to lead studies in Peru with the goal of improving neurological outcomes in Latin America, including studies on epidemiology/risk factors for dementia, cognitive impairment in Peruvians living with HIV, and transverse myelitis in Peru. She is the co-director of a bilateral neurology resident rotation between UNC and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Diaz here:

https://www.unchealth.org/care-services/doctors/d/monica-maria-diaz-md-ms

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode hosted by Krissy Dilger of SRNA, we meet Dr. Michael Levy, a clinician from Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Levy is the Research Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Disease at Mass General and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. He shared his journey into the field of neuroimmunology, discussed his research on the causes of MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD, and provided insights into the multidisciplinary clinic team at Mass General [01:27]. The episode also touched on the importance of understanding and reeducating the immune system to improve patient outcomes [15:22]. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Levy here:

https://doctors.massgeneralbrigham.org/provider/michael-levy/1090088

Michael Levy, MD, PhD is a recognized neurologist with over 15 years of clinical and research expertise in rare neuroimmunological disorders. He established the Neuroimmunology Clinic and Research Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital and is the Research Director in the Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Disease. Previously, Dr. Levy was on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University and was the founding Director of their Neuromyelitis Optica Clinic.

Clinically, Dr. Levy cares for patients with MOG antibody disease (MOGAD), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and idiopathic transverse myelitis (TM). Dr. Levy is also the principal investigator (PI) on numerous patient studies and drug trials for new and improved treatments for these disorders. In 2022, Dr. Levy became the lead principal investigator for the two worldwide clinical trials in MOG antibody disease.

In the lab, Dr. Levy’s research focuses on the development of animal models of NMO and MOG with the goal of tolerization as a sustainable long-term treatment. Dr. Levy has more than 200 peer-reviewed research articles, reviews and editorials, and 3 patents covering NMO tolerization therapy, TM diagnostics, and stem cell regeneration approaches.

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Meet Dr. Michael Levy

01:27 Dr. Levy's Journey into Neuroimmunology

04:50 Research Focus and Discoveries

08:54 Clinic Operations at Mass General

12:12 Self-Care and Professional Fulfillment

15:22 Future of Neuroimmunology

16:52 Closing Remarks

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky from Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Sadowski shared her journey to become a physician and her focus on spinal cord injury rehabilitation [00:02:26]. She discussed the Kennedy Krieger Institute International Center for Spinal Cord Injury's comprehensive care approach, which includes long-term and specialized treatments for both pediatric and adult patients [00:07:00]. Dr. Sadowski concluded with insights on what keeps her motivated and her hopes for advancements in the treatment of rare neuroimmune disorders [00:13:51].

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Meet Dr. Christina Sadowski

01:35 Dr. Sadowski's Journey to Medicine

02:41 Focus on Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Care

05:49 Research and Innovations in Spinal Cord Injury

07:32 Overview of the Kennedy Krieger Institute

14:38 Personal Insights and Self-Care

17:09 Advice for Patients and Families

20:49 Hopes for the Future of Neuroimmune Disorders

22:49 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Born in Romania, Cristina Sadowsky, MD attended the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Meridia Huron Hospital/Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. From there, she began a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Immediately following the completion of her second residency, she began a fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine. At the same time, she became a clinical instructor in the school’s Department of Neurology and later assumed an assistant professor in neurology in the Division of Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Unit. In October 2004, she moved to Baltimore, joining the Kennedy Krieger Institute as Director of the Paralysis Restoration Clinic in the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury. In March 2005, she became an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

She frequently serves as an invited clinical scientific peer reviewer for the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Translational Research. She also serves as a section editor for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Sadowsky here: https://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/faculty-staff/cristina-sadowsky

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Jennifer Graves from UC San Diego Health. Dr. Graves shared her journey into neurology and neuroimmunology [00:02:14]. She discussed the multidisciplinary approach of her clinic at UC San Diego Health, emphasizing the importance of holistic care for patients with rare neuroimmune diseases [00:08:45]. Dr. Graves highlighted the significance of learning from rare disorders and her hope for future advancements in treatment and cures [00:16:32]. The conversation concluded with insights on maintaining well-being as a clinician and her faith in the collaborative efforts of the medical community [00:24:09]. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Graves here:

https://providers.ucsd.edu/details/32993/neurology

Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD, MAS is a Professor of Neurosciences and Vice Chair of Human Clinical Research at UCSD. She is Division Chief of Neuroimmunology and directs clinics at UCSD, the San Diego VA Hospital, and the Rady Children’s Hospital. She completed an MD and PhD in Biophysics at the University of Texas Southwestern. She trained in neurology at the University of Pennsylvania receiving the Arthur K. Asbury Award for Clinical Excellence. She completed two fellowships in Neuro-ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania and in Multiple Sclerosis and Clinical Research Methods at the University of California, San Francisco. Her current research focuses on the role of biological age on neuroinflammatory disease expression and the development of wearable sensors to instrument the physical exam for 21st century neurological "vital signs." Her past work has included the study of genetic, environmental, and sex-related factors in neuroimmunological diseases and the application of visual outcome measures in these diseases. She is currently the North American Editor for the Multiple Sclerosis Journal.

The "Community Meets Clinic" podcast series introduces clinicians and healthcare personnel specializing in rare neuroimmune disorders. In this episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Paula Barreras. Dr. Barreras discussed her journey into neuroimmunology, emphasizing the impact of patient interactions [00:01:31]. Her early research focused on misdiagnoses in disorders like transverse myelitis, later expanding to neurosarcoidosis, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy [00:02:42]. She shared how Cedars-Sinai's multidisciplinary clinic, enhanced by specialists, offers comprehensive care, aiming to address patients' various needs efficiently [00:05:41].

Dr. Paula Barreras is a board-certified neurologist with expertise in neuroimmunology. She is an assistant professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Barreras specializes in immune mediated conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord, including neurosarcoidosis and spinal cord disorders such as neuromyelitis optica, MOG associated disease, transverse myelitis, and their mimics.

Dr. Barreras completed her medical school at the University of the Andes, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship in neuroimmunology at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her neurology residency and clinical neuroimmunology fellowship also at Johns Hopkins before joining the team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her research focuses on identifying predictors of final diagnosis after the initial diagnosis of myelopathy, as well as predictors of outcomes in myelitis and neurosarcoidosis. You can view the medical profile of Dr. Barreras here:

https://researchers.cedars-sinai.edu/Paula.Barreras/

For this episode of “Community Meets Clinic,” Rebecca Whitney of SRNA was joined by Dr. Kelsey Poisson and Dr. Camille Wilson of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Kelsey Poisson shared what led her to pediatric neurology and neuroimmunology, as well as her work researching social determinants of health and pediatric neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Dr. Wilson discussed her work as a clinical psychologist with specialty training in neuropsychology. She spoke about her interest in long-term outcomes from a neurocognitive perspective of people who experience events with a neuroimmune basis. Next, they gave an overview of the multidisciplinary team at Nationwide Children's Hospital and which specialists a new patient might expect to see. Dr. Poisson and Dr. Wilson also described how they look after themselves and stay grounded. Finally, they provided details on Neuroimmune Family Education Day which will take place on September 9, 2023. You can view the medical profiles of our guests here:

https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/kelsey-e-poisson

https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/camille-s-wilson