Neurology for the Non-Neurologist

D7102

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Neurological disorders are among the most common conditions seen in clinical practice, and uncomplicated cases are managed well by primary care providers. However, neurology is a rapidly changing field, with new treatments constantly evolving. The major goal of this annual conference is to provide a refresher and update for primary care providers on diagnostic and treatment approaches to common conditions, including neuropathy, epilepsy, muscle diseases, dementia, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, stroke and others.

“Bridging the Gap” – Connecting Primary and Neurology Specialty Practice, Across the Spectrum from the Community through Tertiary Care

Internal and family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, as well as those practitioners in neurology and other healthcare professionals, may benefit from attending this activity.

• 8 a.m. | Registration/Continental Breakfast
• 8:20 a.m. | Opening Remarks
• 8:30 a.m. | Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Part 1: How to Diagnose and Treat Dementia
  Timothy Kocher, DO and Rollin Wright, MD, MS, MPH

  Objectives

  • Review diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • Describe when and how to use biomarkers and which biomarkers go with what dementia type.
  • Discuss approaches to prevention and treatment of dementia.
• 9:10 a.m. | Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Part 2: How to Anticipate and Provide Support for Day-to-Day Living with Dementia
  Timothy Kocher, DO and Rollin Wright, MD, MS, MPH

  Objectives

  • Explore the meaning of behavioral symptoms, i.e. signs of distress, in people living with dementia (PLWD).
  • Discuss how to support care partners with effective communication strategies and tools they can use to better support PLWD.
  • Explore how and why to incorporate dementia care into your practice.
• 9:50 a.m. | Break/Visit Exhibitors
• 10:05 a.m. | Neurogenic Claudication and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  Thiru Annaswamy, MD, MA

  Objectives

  • Describe the clinical presentation and overview of management options for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication.
  • Outline potential neurological and musculoskeletal mimickers of Lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication.
• 10:45 a.m. | Bridging the Gap: Community Neurology and Making the Most of Your Consult
  William Jens, DO

  Objectives

  • Discuss the steps Penn State Health is currently taking to help decrease waiting times and options available to you.
  • Explain ways to optimize your patients’ time with a neurologist.
  • Review pearls and pitfalls for primary care providers in treating headache.
• 11:25 a.m. | Lunch/Visit Exhibitors
• 12:30 p.m. | Multiple Sclerosis Updates
  Gary Thomas, MD, MBA

  Objectives

  • Review the basics of MS including changes to the McDonald criteria for diagnosis.
  • Explain how to support MS patients in the emergency room and primary care office.
  • Identify treatments and methods used to monitor MS patients’ progress.
• 1:10 p.m. | I Have Goosebumps! Should I get an EEG?
  Bhavan Shah, MD, MPH

  Objectives

  • Review types of epilepsy.
  • Discuss inpatient and outpatient indications for EEG, with a focus on altered mental status.
• 1:50 p.m. | Break/Visit Exhibitors
• 2:05 p.m. | Neuromuscular Emergencies: When to Refer and When to EMG (Electromyography)
  James Grogan, MD, MS

  Objectives

  • Identify potential neuromuscular emergencies and triage initial workup and interventions.
  • Apply reasoning to indications for and blind spots of nerve conduction studies and electromyography.
• 2:45 p.m. | Recognize, Treat, or Refer? A Practical Guide to Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia
  Joseph Seemiller, MD

  Objectives

  • Diagnose idiopathic parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and cervical dystonia by identifying specific clinical features and examination findings.
  • Implement evidence-based first-line management strategies for early Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, including appropriate medication selection, dosing, and lifestyle counseling.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of advanced therapeutics for movements disorders, with emphasis on deep brain stimulation (DBS), focused ultrasound, and botulinum toxin injections.
• 3:25 p.m. | Closing Remarks/Adjournment

James Grogan, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Penn State Neuroscience Institute
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Mansoureh Mamarabadi, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Division of Neuromuscular Medicine
Penn State Neuroscience Institute
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Thiru Annaswamy, MD, MA
Professor and Rocco Ortenzio Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Penn State Neuroscience Institute
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

James Grogan, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Penn State Neuroscience Institute
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

William Jens, DO
Neurologist
Penn State Health Community Group
UPMC Lancaster

Timothy Kocher, DO
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Joseph Seemiller, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
Division of Movement Disorders
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Bhavan Shah, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
Division of Epilepsy
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Gary Thomas, MD, MBA
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Rollin Wright, MD, MS, MPH
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Geriatric Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

AMA

Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses Using AMA Credit

Nurses will receive a certificate from Penn State College of Medicine verifying their participation in up to 5.25 hours of approved continuing medical education. Continuing education activities which are approved by accredited institutions of higher education and that are relevant to patient care or professional nursing meet the requirements of mandatory continuing education for registered nurses in Pennsylvania, as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing recommends that nurses retain their certificates for a period of at least five years. Additional information is available through the State Board of Nursing.

Occupational Therapy

Penn State is an approved provider as defined by Title 49, Chapter 42 Pa Code 42.54 (c)(6). Occupational Therapists licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn clock hours of continuing education for completing this course.

Social Work

Penn State is an approved provider as defined by Pa. Code Sections 47.36(a)(3), 48.36(a)(3), and b49.36 (a)(3). Social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn up to 5.25 clock hours of continuing education for completing this course.

Physical Therapy

Penn State is an approved provider as defined by Title 49, Chapter 40 Pa Code 40.67 (d)(1). Physical Therapists licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn 5.25 clock hours of continuing education for completing this course.

The fee is $100 per person and includes the cost of instruction, listed meals and online handout materials.

Payment is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Registrations received after Thursday, March 5, 2026 will incur a $25 late fee.

Cancellations received after Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.

No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Accommodations are the responsibility of the program participant. A list of lodging in the Hershey area is available online.

Join us in Hershey

Hershey is conveniently located in central Pennsylvania, just 90 minutes from Baltimore and Philadelphia, two hours from Washington, D.C., and three hours from New York City.

• Harrisburg-Area Attractions
• Hershey Attractions
• Tanger Outlets in Hershey
• Historic Gettysburg
• Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish Country

A completed evaluation is required in order to receive a certificate for attending this activity. Please complete and submit the evaluation within the specified time frame.

The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund any program registration fees paid but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Program registrants who are experiencing illness or have been exposed to anyone who is ill should contact the Continuing Education office before attending any in-person activities.

Content and speakers for all programs are subject to change. Registrants will be notified of any significant updates.

On-campus educational activities provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education are required to follow healthcare facility guidelines. Off-campus events provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education follow the COVID-19 requirements of that venue. We ask that all participants respect that some attendees may still choose to wear masks for activities. Check the venue website for the latest requirements and recommendations. Please do not attend this activity if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. By attending the activity, you attest that you do not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, which may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell or any other sign of illness.

Penn State encourages people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Participants who anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or who have questions about the physical access provided should contact the Continuing Education office at least one week in advance of participation or visit.

It is Penn State policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Penn State has a process in place to mitigate any relevant financial relationships with commercial companies disclosed by faculty, course directors and planning committee members. Complete disclosure information will be provided to participants at the beginning of the activity.

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