Episodes

• Episode 7: Reflecting with Reeta Achari, MD
  

  Namaste and welcome to another episode of ‘reflecting with AINA’. Today we have the pleasure of meeting a very special AINA member, Dr. Reeta Achari. Dr. Achari runs a very successful Private practice in Houston in addition to leading the Texas Neurological Society as their President. She also serves as the vice chair of the Neuroimaging section at AAN and the Chair of the Women physician section at Harris county Medical society.

  Dr. Achari is a passionate advocate for her patients and colleagues for her entire career, starting back as a medical student. She has received many awards and recognition for her invaluable contribution to medicine, including the Walter. M. Kirkendall Award for outstanding contribution to the Health and wellbeing of medical students.

  In addition to having a rich experience in migraine, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, movement disorders and other common neurological disorders, Dr. Achari has unique expertise in the field of Nutrition in Neurology. She has published many articles and invited to many talks nationally and internationally, to talk about the impact of nutrition on brain health. Dr. Achari has presented many podcasts on this topic and was recently invited by the BBC to be on their Food Chain podcast series.

  
  

• Episode 6: Reflecting with Aarti Sarwal, MD, FNCS, FAAN, FCCM, RPNI
  

  Namaste and welcome to Reflecting with AINA. Since our last episode we had the opportunity for many AINA members to meet in person in Boston during our annual meeting. It was a unforgettable evening where we got to meet old and make many new friends from India and the US. We also got a chance to honor many awardees and lifelong leaders of the organization. During this event we were introduced to the new elected leadership of AINA and today I get the honor of introducing to you all our new president Dr. Aarti Sarwal.

  Dr. Sarwal is a Professor in Neurology, at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. She has served in the roles of Section Chief for Neurocritical Care and the Medical Director of the Neurocritical Care Unit at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in addition to directing the United Council of Neurological Subspecialty accredited Neurocritical care fellowship program. She serves in the role of Social Media Editor for Critical Care Medicine Social Media Editor and Neurocritical Care journal. She currently directs the Neurovascular lab at Wake Forest School of medicine and Wake Forest Neuro ultrasound courses. She is an invited faculty or course director for several critical care and ultrasound courses and serves as ultrasound expert for clinical research trials. Her research interests include point of care applications of ultrasound in the intensive care unit, Neuroultrasound for assessing cerebral physiology and cerebral hemodynamics and ventilator induced muscle dysfunction in Neurocritical care population.

  Dr. Sarwal has been a vital member of AINA for the longest time. Her contagious positivity and energy has led to many engaging and progressive initiatives within AINA. Her ever present smile and willingness to support young members is truly an asset for our growing organization.

  Please join me in Reflecting with Dr. Aarti Sarwal as she talks about her journey in neurology and AINA.

  Not an AINA member. Become a member of AINA today and join the elite group of Indian neurologists for a chance to network, collaborate, socialize and a lot more. Join Today!

  
  

• Episode 5: Reflecting with Nirmal Surya, MD
  Welcome to reflecting with AINA. Wishing all AINA members a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. We are kicking off the year with one of the most respected and renowned Neurologist- Dr Nirmal Surya. Dr. Surya is the Chairman of Surya Neuro Centre and Founder Trustee and Chairman of Epilepsy Foundation India. He is also a Hon. Ass. professor in Neurology at Bombay Hospital & Research centre and Hon. Neurophysician Saifee hospital, Mumbai. He is the immediate Past president, Indian Academy of Neurology (2021-22) and the President Elect, Asian Oceanian Society of Neurorehabilitation. He serves many more leadership roles on international and national neurological and Neurorehabilitation societies promoting improvement in Neurological care globally. Dr. Surya has been an integral member of AINA and has played a vital role in putting the Indian Neurology community amongst the top on the international front. He has published many papers and books, served on editorial boards of many scholarly journals and is the proud recipient of international awards like the Kenneth M Viste Jr, MD patient Advocacy of the year Award by AAN. Dr. Surya is leading the upcoming 100th free epilepsy camp, an initiative that has benefitted thousands of patients suffering from epilepsy India. It is my pleasure to share this mesmerizing conversation with you as Dr. Surya reflects on his career and leadership Journey in the world of neurology.

  
  

• Episode 4: Reflecting with Prakash Kotagal, MD, FAAN, FAES
  Welcome to another episode of Reflecting with AINA. In this episode we have the great honor of reflecting with Dr. Kotagal about his laudable career path and his inspiring leadership journey in AINA. Dr. Kotagal is a Professor of Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center and lead their Pediatric Epilepsy program as the section head, until a few years ago. Dr.Kotagal is a very well renowned pediatric epileptologist and gets referrals from around the work seeking his expertise. He is an extremely decorated scholar with more than 150 publications and over 40 book chapters. Dr. Kotagal also serves on the editorial boards of many international journals and has edited many journal volumes and book chapters. In addition to remaining extremely busy with his clinical and academic leadership, Dr. Kotagal is a mentor, coach and teacher to many young neurologists. He is currently leading our AINA organization as the current President. Under his visionary leadership AINA has embarked on many new initiatives and global collaborations.

  We want to thank Dr. Kotagal for taking the time to talk to us and inspire us with his experiences and wisdom.

  Not an AINA member. Become a member of AINA today and join the elite group of Indian neurologists for a chance to network, collaborate, socialize and a lot more. Join Today!

  
  

• Episode 3: Reflecting with Sanjay Singh, MD, FAAN, FANA
  In this episode I have the pleasure of talking with AINA's Past President, Dr. Sanjay Singh.  Dr. Singh is the Chairman & Professor of the Department of Neurology at Creighton University School of Medicine. He is also the Medical Director of Neurological Services at CHI Health-Creighton University Medical Center and is the past President of the Medical Staff at CHI Health-Creighton University Medical Center. He previously served as the Vice Chairman (Education) at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the Program Director of the Creighton-Nebraska Joint Neurology Residency Program.

  Dr. Singh is the author of the 'Locatelli & Singh's Handbook of Neurology' and has authored numerous articles and also a few Book Chapters.

  He is the 2021 recipient of the AAN's Mridha Spirit of Neurology Award as well as numerous other awards and honors including the A.B. Baker Teacher recognition award (AAN), the UNMC Chancellor's Gold U Award & Kudos award of the Board of Regents award for University of Nebraska.

  His research includes a novel neuroprotection which prevents brain cells from dying, as happens in neurological disorders like Dementia.

  
  
• Episode 2: Reflecting with Vineeta Singh, MD
  Continuing our celebration of Women in Medicine, it is my pleasure and privilege to introduce to you Dr. Vineeta Singh, Professor of neurology at the UCSF . She is leading the vascular neurology and critical care clinical programs at the Weill institute of Neurosciences and San Francisco general hospital. She is also a leading researcher with many NIH funded studies and several impactful publications. Dr. Singh has served as the fellowship director of the NCC fellowship program at UCSF and received many awards for her excellence in teaching. Not only is Dr. Singh a leader in education, research and critical care, but she is also a pioneer in being the first women president of AINA. Dr. Singh continues to mentor and inspire the younger Indian women neurologist to excel and advance their careers.
  
  Please encourage your Indian colleagues to become members of AINA, if not already a member. There are many benefits, personal and professional. For any questions please contact the AINA Office at AINA@badgerbay.co
  
  
• Episode 1 - Reflecting with P.N Sylaja, MD, FRCP, FESO, FIAN
  Welcome to the launch of Reflecting with AINA. September is Women in Medicine month and we would like to recognize and honor all the amazing Indian women neurologists that are members of AINA. This month I get the privilege of introducing to you two exemplary women leaders in neurology.

  In this episode, I have the privilege of talking with Dr Sylaja P.N. Professor and Head of Neurology at the Comprehensive stroke Care Program, SCTIMST, Trivandrum. Dr. Sylaja completed her Stroke fellowship from the University of Calgary and has led many Stroke programs in India. She is a past President of the Indian Stroke Association and currently serves as a Board of directors for the World Stroke organization. She is true leader in Stroke care in India and internationally. She is also extremely well published with nearly 200 peer reviewed papers and 4 book chapters to her name.

About the Host
Geetanjali Rathore, MD, is a Pediatric Neurologist and the Director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Neuromuscular Program at University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. She is a Member of the AINA Executive committee and the President of the Pediatric Chapter. Besides Neurology, Geetanjali is passionate about advocating for children, women, minorities and all underserved/represented. She is the chair of the Antiracism Committee and President of the WESTRIVE, the women engagement program at UNMC. She also serves on Nebraska Epilepsy foundation and Department of Health, Newborn Screening Advisory Boards. Geetanjali is from Jodhpur, Rajasthan and lives in Omaha with her husband and daughter. Being an AINA member gives her immense pride and sense of belonging to a great culture and community.