A Summer to Remember at Cedars Sinai

Dear readers,

My time at Cedars-Sinai has passed by like a dream. I recently completed a month-long observership with the Movement Disorders Team within Neurology in Los Angeles, and I can say that this experience has left me deeply inspired. It has strengthened both my clinical foundation and my long-term commitment to neurology and movement disorders.

Being mentored by Dr Michele Tagliati, a world-renowned expert in the field, was nothing short of a dream come true. I was also fortunate to work alongside exceptionally talented fellows, residents, and clinicians who welcomed me with such warmth and generosity. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire Cedars team for making me feel truly at home over the past month.

From the moment I stepped into Cedars, I was struck by the healing atmosphere and the way art and music were thoughtfully woven into every corner of the medical center. It was a beautiful reminder that medicine is both a science and an art.

I was also honored to meet Dr Harry C. Sax, MD FACS FACHE, whose guidance and support throughout my observership meant a lot.

Clinical and Academic Highlights

During my observership, I had the opportunity to observe a wide range of Parkinson’s disease consultations, alongside procedures such as botulinum toxin injections for dystonia, deep brain stimulation (DBS) programming sessions, and skin biopsies. These experiences helped me better understand how individualized treatment plans are developed and how therapeutic interventions are tailored to the specific symptoms and needs of each patient.

I also shadowed several inpatient neurology consultations and observed cases in the emergency department, which gave me valuable insight into how multidisciplinary teams collaborate in acute and inpatient settings to deliver timely, holistic neurological care.

I also had the opportunity to expand my understanding of neurosurgery and meet members of the neurosurgical team. It was a pleasure to be introduced to Dr Adam Mamelak, who kindly allowed me to accompany him to observe several procedures, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, battery replacement procedures, a normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) shunt, and a pituitary adenoma operation. These experiences offered invaluable insight into the neurosurgical perspective on neurological care. It was especially enlightening to witness the dynamic collaboration between neurology and neurosurgery, with both specialties working together to support patients from complementary angles — one through functional insight, the other through surgical intervention.

One of the highlights of the month was participating in the Southern California Movement Disorders Training Program (SoCal MOVE) at UC Irvine. This event brought together fellows, faculty, and researchers from leading institutions such as UCLA, University of Southern California, UC San Diego, UC Irvine and Loma Linda University. It was an excellent opportunity to engage with experts, hear about current research, and gain a broader view of how movement disorders are approached across different academic centers.

In the simulation labs, I practiced fundamental clinical skills such as Botox injection techniques (on oranges!) and skin biopsy procedures (on pig feet). These hands-on sessions allowed me to build confidence in procedural techniques under expert guidance.

At Cedars, I also attended weekly research meetings, where I gained exposure to ongoing clinical trials and the innovative research initiatives being pursued by the team. These meetings offered valuable insight into how academic neurology bridges the gap between science and patient care.

Exploring the Future of Digital Parkinson’s Care

I also had the chance to observe the first remote therapeutic monitoring session of a Parkinson’s patient using the Neu Health platform.

Watching the team use real-time symptom tracking data to conduct a virtual follow-up was a powerful glimpse into the future of personalized neurology. Meeting Caroline Cake, CEO of Neu Health, and hearing about her mission to advance digital care was incredibly inspiring.

Global Impact and Outreach

Another unforgettable part of my experience was meeting Cedars-Sinai’s International Team, who are doing remarkable work in global healthcare outreach. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Noha Hachach, MPH, mACHE for warmly welcoming me and taking the time to share their vision. It was a pleasure meeting Talip Kurumehmet, Arshia Yadav, MPH, Benjamin H. Seo, Shiraz Mukhtar, and many others who are part of this impactful team.

Final Reflections

This observership has been an unforgettable chapter in my journey. I’ve learned so much — not just about Parkinson’s care and neurology, but about compassion, collaboration, and the power of mentorship.

Thank you, Dr. Tagliati, for investing your time, trust, and knowledge in me. Your mentorship has made a lasting impact, and I will carry these lessons with me as I continue to grow in this field. I feel incredibly fortunate to have trained, even briefly, at California’s top-ranked hospital, and with the best movement disorders teams in the world.

California has my heart. I leave with new knowledge, new mentors, and a heart full of gratitude.

To everyone following my journey — thank you. I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned and continue building a future grounded in compassionate, research-driven neurology.

Best,

Asli

PS. here's a photo of the hollywood sign I took.