Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship
Cognition, emotion, behavior — become a trusted specialist in all things at the very core of our humanity with Geisinger’s Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship.
About the program
Are you fascinated by the neurological roots of human behavior — and do you dream of making life better for those whose quality of life is affected by impaired memory, reason or intellect?
That describes every member of the team you’ll join as part of Geisinger’s Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship. And if it describes you, too, we’d love to have you join us.
Our subspecialty’s unique concern is nothing short of preserving and enhancing everything that makes us human. It’s a field that will only grow as our population ages, facing dementias and other problems associated with an aging brain.
As our behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry fellow, you’ll gain deep knowledge of the clinical and pathological aspects of neural processes associated with cognition, emotion, behavior and elementary neurological functioning. Working with faculty mentors dedicated to your success, you’ll master the clinical skills you’ll need to evaluate and treat patients facing these issues.
It's a subspecialty that requires a special type of direct, yet sensitive communication. That’s why we’re devoted to fostering your professionalism and interpersonal and communication skills, too. And, of course, you’ll be grounded in the practice- and systems-based competencies you’ll need wherever you choose to apply your expertise.
The Geisinger Memory and Cognition Program Fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry offers 2 tracks:
Program director's message
Of all the organs and systems in the human body, the brain and nervous system are the most mysterious and complex. Our brain makes us who we are. It gives us language, music, art, logic, memories — everything uniquely human. Despite its centrality to our personal identity, we are only just beginning to understand how this amazing organ works. That’s what makes behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry such a fascinating subspecialty. It’s a subspecialty on the brink of amazing discoveries and its practitioners have the great privilege of working to enhance and preserve those functions patients most closely identify with their own sense of self. It’s a tremendous honor, as well as a fulfilling career path.
As founding director of Geisinger’s Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program, I am naturally enthusiastic about this new subspecialty. What I find even more exciting, however, is Geisinger’s multidisciplinary, team-based approach to neuropsychiatric and behavioral neurology care. I came from the University of Florida’s premier behavioral neurology program to Geisinger because of its strong commitment to building practice settings that offer comprehensive care — from social workers to speech, physical and occupational therapy — to patients with dementias and other neurological disorders. I was also drawn by the unparalleled opportunity to conduct research with both a world-class biobank (MyCode®) and decades of searchable electronic health record data that spans generations.
I am proud of the Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program we’ve built. Our program is accredited by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS). Our clinicians and fellows have access to state-of-the-art tools, like a driving simulator, as well as the rich research opportunities previously mentioned. Our UCNS-certified faculty includes Maya Lichtenstein, MD, Joanne Alonso Byars, MD, Michael Justin Coffey, MD, and myself.
Behavioral neurology & neuropsychiatry is a rapidly growing field. Fellows have a wealth of options, from private practice to research to academia. Geisinger offers opportunities in all of these interests. As a fellow, you may even choose to dual certify with a subspecialty on Geisinger’s growing list of fellowships.
I welcome you to continue exploring our program on this site. Or you can call 570-849-7886 or email emrathbone@geisinger.edu for more information.
Glen R. Finney, MD, FAAN, FANA
Program Director
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country.
Location
Northeastern Pennsylvania is a unique and wonderful place to train. Opportunities for outdoor recreation are endless, the cost of living is low, and traffic is almost nonexistent. In addition, we’re close enough to Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C., to make weekend getaways easy.
