After a comprehensive national search, Cedars-Sinai announced May 10 the appointment of Dr. Nancy Sicotte as chair of the Department of Neurology. Sicotte has been at Cedars-Sinai for nine years, serving most recently as interim chair of neurology, director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center and professor of neurology.

Dr. Michael Weisman consults with Dr. Nancy Sicotte, who was recently named chair of the Neurology Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. (photo courtesy of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

“This important leadership appointment reflects Dr. Sicotte’s valued contributions to Cedars-Sinai’s growing neuroscience enterprise,” said Shlomo Melmed, executive vice president of academic affairs and dean of the medical faculty. “This well-deserved promotion also recognizes Dr. Sicotte’s diagnostics and distinguished record for advancing clinical care, physician education and pioneering research of novel therapies for multiple sclerosis.”

Sicotte is an internationally recognized leader in her field and a prolific author and lecturer. She is a recipient of important honors and teaching awards, including the Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and the Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. Her most recent published research showed that nearly 18% of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis before being referred to Cedars-Sinai and one other Los Angeles medical center had actually been misdiagnosed with the autoimmune disease.

“It brings me no greater joy than to walk alongside my patients and the Cedars-Sinai community in this expanded role,” Sicotte said. “I am eager to begin this new journey and anticipate the Department of Neurology will continue to make pivotal advances for those most in need.”

In her new role as chair of the department, Sicotte will lead strategic direction of clinical, academic and research programs in the Department of Neurology.

Sicotte earned her medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, where she was ranked first in her class. She completed her neurology residency and a fellowship in neuroimaging at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Cedars-Sinai is located at 8700 Beverly Blvd. For information, visit cedars-sinai.org.