Department of Neurology Celebrates 60 Years
Department of Neurology Celebrates 60 Years
Celebrating 60 years of innovation in neurology! Since 1965, the University of Utah Department of Neurology has led breakthroughs in stroke care, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and more—advancing research, education, and patient care. Here's to the next chapter in ending neurological disease.
In a bold experimental move, Stefan Pulst, MD, Dr med, chair of the University of Utah Department of Neurology, used the department’s 60th anniversary celebration as an occasion to find out if Neurologists can dance.
The evening’s festivities on October 24 began with a social hour and tributes to two distinguished neurologists, Kathleen Digre, MD, and Mark Bromberg, MD, PhD, who are retiring this year. After making a brief welcome speech, Pulst’s dance research began.
Under the direction of a professional ballroom dance instructor, attendees gathered in the atrium of the University of Utah Marriott hotel for a 15-minute lesson. Those who participated learned a couple basic steps, including the Cucaracha, a Rumba-style sidestep. Initial experiment results indicate that a few neurologists may, indeed, be able to dance.
Celebration of the anniversary continued with a video documenting the department’s history and achievements. Over the past sixty years, the Department of Neurology at the U has enjoyed great success in brain disease research and treatment advancements. In just the past ten years, faculty members have identified genetic links to conditions like ALS and Parkinson’s disease; launched many studies of the causes and potential treatments for epilepsy, dementia, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, migraines, and more; and they have advanced diagnostic capabilities for earlier or better detection of neurological disorders.
Following the video, guests also enjoyed a dinner buffet and the chance to visit with colleagues and friends. The night wrapped up with a highlight reel of past resident graduation skits. These SNL-style videos are an annual tradition and an opportunity for residents to roast their attending physicians. As Pulst noted, “If we can still laugh at each other and ourselves, then everything’s all right.”
