A lot has happened in our Department since the pandemic started two years ago! At a time when demand for neurologists ranks at the highest in the entire medical field, twelve new faculty members have joined our Department since late 2019. This group of fantastic colleagues has strengthened our services in a variety of areas. We now have a presence in the Upstate Cancer Center with a new comprehensive Neuro-Oncology program. Covered by two teams, our Neuro-ICU has expanded to 27 beds, one of the largest in the country. The Telestroke program of the Comprehensive Stroke center has continued to expand, serving every corner of Central NY. The EMG lab at the Downtown campus has been accredited with exemplary status. The Upstate Multiple Sclerosis center has recently obtained comprehensive accreditation for the first time in its history. Several of our programs have maintained the highest accreditations including Level 4 Epilepsy program, Gold plus and comprehensive stroke center, as well as the ALS and MDA centers of excellence.

We have built a new clinical space at the Upstate Bone & Joint building at Upstate Campus East. This addition is located adjacent to our existent Neuromuscular clinic and Autonomic laboratory, allowing us to expand our Neurology Infusion clinic to 12 chairs. Further, this new clinical space will soon house the first ever Headache Center in our region. The previous infusion clinic space at UHCC has been transformed into a Telehub area, which will support our clinic operations in a more efficient way.

The historical synergy with the Department of Neurosurgery led to the launch of the Upstate Neurological Institute in the Spring 2021. The Institute will harbor closer collaborations with every area of the institution involved in Neurosciences.

Our Department has remained successful in the field of clinical research. The development of a Clinical Research Section has structured our efforts in both, investigator-initiated and multicenter clinical trials. We have continued to participate in the prestigious and highly competitive NIH-supported-networks, NeuroNext and StrokeNet.

All these accomplishments and more, remind us that it’s the people that make it all possible. Such unprecedented development does not happen in a vacuum. Every member and staff in the Department contributes on a daily basis to provide the best in the areas of patient care, research and education. Dr. Deborah Bradshaw has brought the education mission of our Department through innovation and dedication, to unimaginable heights. Later in this issue, she will expand on her experience and plans for the future, but suffice to say that she has planned the transition of the residency program into the new leadership in a most thoughtful and organized manner.

Spring is here, with a sense of renewal! We look back at our solid accomplishments in the last 2 years, celebrate our rich present and eagerly look forward at the numerous possibilities of the future.