Pillar of Excellence: Brain Health

At Georgetown University Medical Center, we are committed to promoting brain health and well-being for individuals at every stage of life. This commitment extends from the treatment of neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and memory and movement disorders to mental health initiatives and family support. Our scholars pioneer groundbreaking studies and clinical trials alongside a robust network of clinical and community partners, making transformative impacts on the medical field.

“We are the premier destination for advancing brain health, defining the future of comprehensive care and returning patients to full function through leadership in research, education, and practice that promotes human dignity.”
— Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, Executive Dean of the School of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center

A student fastens a network of monitoring wires to a person's scalp

Develop the Next Generation of Leaders in Brain Health

By providing students, residents and fellows with educational experiences grounded in our Jesuit values, we will foster ethical, compassionate leaders in brain health research.

A researcher looks at the image of a brain on a computer screen

Catalyze Innovative Studies and Clinical Trials

We will launch innovative studies and clinical trials that accelerate the discovery and implementation of life-saving therapies, interventions, and evidence-based standards of care.

Several physicians in white coats stand in a hallway talking

Provide Holistic Care to All

We will promote the health and human dignity of individuals and communities by providing holistic care that recognizes the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of every patient and family.

Brain Health Pillar of Excellence: Commitment in Motion

Fernando Pagan, MD, stands with four students in medical white coats

Education
Shaping a New Generation of Clinical Leaders

The Fund a Fellow Program at GUMC provides dedicated funding to train early-career neurologists as movement and memory disorders specialists. The two-year fellowship prepares clinicians to diagnose specific neurologic disorders by applying the most up-to-date diagnostic techniques and information.

Fellows work directly with patients and families to enhance access to care, improve outcomes, and assist in the groundbreaking clinical trials being conducted at Georgetown. This fellowship program is funded entirely by philanthropy, with 100% of gifts directly supporting our fellows.

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Karen Anderson stands with her HD-CERC team at a conference

Discovery
Advancing New Treatments for Huntington’s Disease

The Huntington Disease Care, Education, and Research Center (HD-CERC) at GUMC provides compassionate and comprehensive care to patients, families, and caregivers. Since its founding in 2012, the center has solidified its role as a leading center of its kind in the D.C. Metropolitan Area.

HD-CERC recently earned a designation as a Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence, a distinction that Georgetown shares with only 56 peer institutions. The center has led dozens of clinical trials that explore novel treatment strategies and interventions with transformative potential.

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A researcher with the Thrive Center explains her research to several individuals

Community
Helping Children and Families Thrive

Launched in 2024 under the leadership of Matthew G. Biel, MD, the Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities is a multidisciplinary center focusing on child and family mental health, disabilities, health equity, and digital health. Driven by a mission to rapidly advance equitable systems of care and support, the center’s team of over 40 researchers, clinicians, and educators works directly in partnership with families and communities.

Since its founding, the Thrive Center has received significant philanthropic support for innovative research, professorships, and clinical initiatives.

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