Deanna Saylor, MD, MHS
Associate Professor of Neurology
Areas of Interest
Global neurology, Neuro-HIV, Stroke, Multiple sclerosis, Transverse myelitis, Neuromyelitis optica, Implementation science, Medical education, Clinical and research training in low-resourced settings, Quality improvement, Sub-Saharan Africa
About
Dr. Saylor is a neurologist specializing in neuro-infectious disease, neuroimmunology, and global health. She is also a clinical researcher with a public health background, so her work primarily includes epidemiology and implementation science/quality improvement studies with some clinical intervention work. Currently, the majority of her research is in Africa (Zambia and Uganda) where she focuses on utilizing implementation science approaches to improve the delivery of neurological care, particularly stroke care; innovative medical education approaches to improve neurology training in regions with few neurologists; and epidemiological and intervention studies to better understand the mechanisms of and develop appropriate treatments for HIV-associated cognitive impairment and HIV-associated stroke.
Honors and Awards:
- 2024 Zambia Health Summit and Awards Excellence in Medical Education and Mentorship
- 2nd place, 2024 University of Liverpool Global Brain Health Changemaker Challenge
- 2023 American Academy of Neurology / American Brain Foundation Ted Burns Humanism in Neurology Award
- 2022 American Neurological Association Distinguished Neurology Teaching Award
- 2022 Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Global Achievement Award
- 2021 American Academy of Neurology Mridha Spirit of Neurology Award
- 2021 American Academy of Neurology Neuro-Infectious Disease Award
- 2019 Johns Hopkins Institute for Excellence in Education Lisa J. Heiser Award for Junior Faculty Contribution in Education
- 2018 American Academy of Neurology A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award
- 2017 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Neurology Neurology Outstanding Educator in Clinical Faculty Award
Memberships
- Chair, Global Neurology Section, American Academy of Neurology
- Vice Chair, Global Engagement Committee, American Neurological Association
In the news
At this year’s Global Health Scholars Symposium, students and early‑career researchers showcased a powerful range of studies addressing urgent neurological and health systems challenges in Zambia. The event was sponsored by the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Neurologist Monica Diaz, MD, MS, led the breakout … Read more Nzia Hall has felt drawn to adult neurology for quite some time. As president of the Student Interest Group in Neurology, she helped revive the organization’s UNC chapter and now finds herself in the midst of applying to multiple neurology residency programs. During her neurology acting internship, Hall met Dr. Deanna Saylor, a member of the … Read more Deanna Saylor, MD, MHS, received the Osuntokun Award, a prestigious honor named for Professor Benjamin Oluwakayode Osuntokun, an influential African neuroepidemiologist known for his pioneering stroke research in Africa. This annual award established by the African Stroke Organization (ASO) recognizes a scientist’s lifetime contributions to stroke research on the continent. Saylor delivered the Osuntokun Award Lecture November … Read more Monica Maria Diaz, MD, MS and Deanna Saylor, MD, MHS, are reviewing recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of chronic meningitis, focusing on tuberculous meningitis (TBM), cryptococcal meningitis (CM), syphilitic meningitis, neuroborreliosis, and recurrent chronic meningitis. Diagnosis and management of chronic meningitis remain significant challenges, and further research is needed to improve our diagnostic and therapeutic … Read more
Zambia Scholars Drive New Insights in Neurological Health
A Neurology Students Impact in Zambia
Deanna Saylor Receives the Osuntokun Award for Lifetime Contributions to Stroke Research
Chronic Meningitis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges
Education
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Undergraduate
The Ohio State University
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Medical School
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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Residency
Johns Hopkins Hospital
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Fellowship
Johns Hopkins Hospital
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Graduate Degree
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health