Bio
Dr. Veronica Santini is a neurologist who specializes in the diagnosis and management of movement disorders, including the treatment of Parkinsons disease and atypical parkinsonism, tremor, tic disorder (including Tourette’s syndrome), dystonia, chorea, and ataxia. Dr. Santini co-directs the Multidisciplinary Huntingtons Disease and Ataxia Clinic at Stanford University Movement Disorders Clinic. In this role, she oversees a large and dedicated team of doctors and specialists, who collectively provide the emotional, cognitive, psychosocial, and physical supports required for truly holistic, patient-centered care. Already providing gold standard care for these patients, Dr. Santini further expanded the services of the clinic and its patient referral basis, leading to its prestigious designation as a Huntingtons Disease Society of America (HDSA) Center of Excellence. In addition to her work in Huntingtons disease and ataxia syndromes, Dr. Santini has specialized training in disorders of the autonomic nervous system and has a particular interest in the management of Multiple System Atrophy.
Dr. Santini is enthusiastic about medical education and has a responsibility in teaching Stanford medical students from their first to their graduating years at Stanford. In their first year, Dr. Santini leads Quarter 3 of the Practice of Medicine course, followed by neurology specific workshops in Quarters 5 and 6 of the students’ second year. She is also a lead lecturer in the neurosciences portion of the Human Health and Disease course in the second year. She resumes her instruction to the senior medical students as the Associate Clerkship Director of the Neurology Clerkship. She is also an influential educator and mentor for the neurology residents and the movement disorders fellows, implementing several curricula for these trainees. Dr. Santini is a valued educator in the Department of Neurology and the School of Medicine and she has won numerous teaching awards within these roles.
Dr. Santini is also impassioned to provide exceptional and equitable healthcare to all. Identifying the great disparities in neurologic care worldwide, Dr. Santini launched global neurologic programs to provide care to developing nations. Her most recent work, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the St. Luke Foundation, delivers neurologic care to Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, which has been struck by devastating natural disasters. She leads a team of neurologists, trainees, nurses, physical therapists, and pharmacists to Port-au-Prince personally at least once annually, while other teams of neurologists provide continuity of care at least once monthly. In addition to providing neurologic care and education in Haiti, Dr. Santini has worked with medical centers in Nepal and Kenya.
Dr. Santini performs research within these realms to advance the science, improve patient care outcomes, and to increase education and understanding of neurologic disease. In addition to numerous speaking engagements, Dr. Santini has authored several articles in well-respected, peer-reviewed journals and a book chapter within the celebrated text: Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders.
Dr. Santini received her medical degree from Boston University, where she went on to complete her Neurology residency, becoming Chief Resident in her final year of training. She continued on at Boston University to complete a fellowship in Movement Disorders and joined the Stanford faculty in 2014. She was 1 of only 12 international candidates selected as an AAN Emerging Leader and also became an AAN Palatucci Advocate. Furthermore, she received distinctions as the recipient of the Neurology Clerkship Educator award, the Lysa Forno Excellence in Teaching award, and as a Faculty Fellow of the Stanford University Center for Innovation in Global Health.
Clinical Focus
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Administrative Appointments
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Educator 4 C.A.R.E. (Compassion, Advocacy, Responsibility, Empathy), Stanford University, School of Medicine (2017 - Present)
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Co-Lead Quarter 3, Practice of Medicine I, Stanford University, School of Medicine (2015 - Present)
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Director, Parkinsons Disease Duopa Program, Stanford Movement Disorders Clinic (2015 - Present)
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Associate Clerkship Director of the Neurology clerkship, Stanford University, School of Medicine (2014 - Present)
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Co-Director, Multidisciplinary Huntingtons Disease and Ataxia Clinic, A Huntington's Disease Society of America, Center of Excellence (2014 - Present)
Honors & Awards
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The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Pre-Clinical Teaching, Stanford University, School of Medicine (2018)
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Emerging Leaders Forum, American Academy of Neurology (2016)
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Lysia Forno Excellence in Teaching Award, Stanford University, Department of Neurology (2016)
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Medical Student Neurology Clerkship Faculty Teaching Award, Stanford University, Department of Neurology (2016)
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Fellow, Stanford University's Center for Innovation in Global Health (2015)
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Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, American Academy of Neurology (2015)
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Global Ambassador, St. Luke Foundation Nonprofit Organization in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2014)
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Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award, Outstanding Resident Role Model, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation (2012)
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Resident Award for Excellence in Teaching, Tufts Medical Center (2010)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Member, Parkinson Study Group (2018 - Present)
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Member, Huntington Study Group (2016 - Present)
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Executive Committee Member, Massachusetts Neurological Association (2012 - 2014)
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Member, Huntington's Disease Society of America (2014 - Present)
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Executive Board Member, Boston University Global Health Committee (2013 - Present)
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DIrector, Boston Medical Center Neurology Global Health Committee (2012 - Present)
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Member, Movement Disorders Society (2013 - Present)
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Member, American Academy of Neurology (2008 - Present)
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Member, American Medical Association (2005 - Present)
Professional Education
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Fellowship:Boston University School of Medicine Office of the Registrar (2014) MA
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Residency:Boston University School of Medicine Office of the Registrar (2013) MA
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Medical Education:Boston University School of Medicine Office of the Registrar (2009) MA
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Board Certification: Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2013)
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Internship:Caritas St Elizabeth?s Medical Center (2010) MA
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Fellowship in Movement Disorders, Boston University Medical Center (2014)
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Board Certification, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2013)
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Residency, Boston University Medical Center (2013)
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Internship, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (2010)
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Medical Doctorate, Boston University School of Medicine (2009)
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Bachelor's of Science, University of Miami, Chemistry (2003)
Community and International Work
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St. Luke Foundation, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Location
International
Ongoing Project
No
Opportunities for Student Involvement
No
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Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Kakamega, Kenya
Topic
Global Neurologic Education and Programs
Populations Served
Underserved, middle-low income countries
Location
International
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes
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Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
Topic
Gobal Health Delivery
Location
International
Ongoing Project
No
Opportunities for Student Involvement
No