An Inside Look at the 11th Annual Miami Neuroscience Symposium

Diego Torres-Russotto, MD

The 11th Annual Miami Neuroscience Symposium at Baptist Health kicks off November 2nd, with opening remarks and welcome by symposium directors early that morning. The 3-day event offers a broad curriculum focusing on state-of-the-art, evidence-based practices for clinicians and healthcare professionals who treat and care for patients with neurologic diseases across various different settings. By the end of the symposium, clinicians should be up-to-date on the most innovative and evidence-based clinical practices that have been implemented and available to optimize patient outcomes.

Prior to the meeting, NeurologyLive^® sat down with Diego Torres-Russotto, MD, chair of neurology at the Miami Neuroscience Institute and member of the planning committee, to discuss the many opportunities this event provides. Torres-Russotto, who also serves as the neurology resident program director, gave commentary on what went into constructing the symposium, how the courses align with themes in neurology, and why it applies to a wide range of health care professionals, not just neurologists.

NeurologyLive^®: Can you discuss the specific goals of this symposium and what we aim to achieve here?

Diego Torres-Russotto, MD: The Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute is nationally ranked in the top 40 in the United States. We take our missions of patient care, education, preparing the next generation of physicians, and advancing research very seriously. The symposium reflects the essence of the Miami Neuroscience Institute, which comprises neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, pain specialists, and more. The topics we cover align with our expertise in brain-related fields. We invite those interested in learning about neurological diseases to join us and understand how we care for patients from the emergency room to rehabilitation, including those with chronic brain diseases. That's the essence of our symposium.

Could you provide an overview of the course selection and what's available?

On the first day, we focus on recognizing neurological disorders. We delve into topics like strokes, how they impact individuals, identifying seizures, and managing them in the acute setting. We also cover various types of movement disorders and spend time on rehabilitating patients with brain and spine disorders, including spasticity. We review breakthrough technologies for spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological disorders. The second day centers on advanced intravascular treatment options, especially in stroke. We also discuss managing inflammatory and non-inflammatory arteriopathy and describe minimally invasive procedures for acute intracranial hemorrhages. Additionally, we explore identifying patients suitable for various neurosurgical procedures, such as high-intensity ultrasound and Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. We also address the fundamentals of managing neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and other movement disorders.

Who should attend, and how can they benefit from this symposium?

We've designed our presentations to be beneficial to all clinicians who may encounter neurological patients. The reality is that more than 30% of the population has neurological diseases, so whether you're directly caring for the patient or identifying them for the first time and referring them to a neurologist, this symposium is relevant. The brain is an incredibly fascinating field, and if you're interested in innovation and staying updated on the latest developments in neurology and the neurosciences, this is an excellent opportunity. The landscape of neurological care has changed significantly over the last two decades, and this symposium offers a concise way to gain in-depth knowledge about various neurological diseases. We welcome neurologists, neurosurgeons, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, psychiatrists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses.

When you were putting the event together, what factors influenced the course selection?

As an educator, I take great pride in the meticulous planning of our programs. Our symposium directors and planners come from diverse backgrounds, including neuroradiology, stroke, interventional neurology, neuro-intensive care, neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology, research scientists, and nursing coordinators. More than a dozen members on the planning committee have met regularly, considering the audience and our objectives. Having organized this for 11 years, we have a deep understanding of what people like and what topics we should cover. The selection process focused on creating a comprehensive symposium that encompasses the full scope of neuroscience.

How do the learning objectives in this symposium reflect the current state and future of neurology?

Neurology and neurosciences have evolved significantly. In the past, it was mainly about diagnosing the patient and waiting for the brain to heal or for the patient's fate to be decided. Now, thanks to innovations and technology, we can provide incredible treatments and improved prognoses for patients with neurological diseases. Over the last two decades, we've gone from just a few antiepileptics to more than 20. Treatments for conditions like multiple sclerosis have similarly multiplied. The key shift is the identification of patients with neurological and neuroscience-related disorders, which is now crucial to ensure they receive the best possible care and treatment. In essence, the focus has shifted from diagnosis to early identification, facilitating the delivery of appropriate treatments.

Transcript was edited by artificial intelligence. For details on the symposium, click here: https://cmeonline.baptisthealth.net/miamineurosymposium