At the Jersey Shore: Advances in Neuroscience and Neurosurgical Care

Overview
Neurological disorders and neurosurgical conditions remain a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden in the United States. At the same time, rapid advancements in neuroimaging, thrombolytic therapy, mechanical thrombectomy, neurointerventional procedures, neuromodulation, and minimally invasive surgical techniques have fundamentally transformed the landscape of neuroscience care. However, these innovations have also introduced increasing complexity in clinical decision-making, patient selection, and care coordination, contributing to persistent variability in the consistent application of evidence-based practices.

Our multidisciplinary program targets critical gaps in neurological and neurosurgical conditions by equipping providers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care. This activity will not only educate clinicians on evolving guidelines but also how to effectively operationalize them in time-sensitive, real-world environments. Through this symposium, providers will improve their medical decision making by integrating emerging technologies and surgical innovations, strengthening communication and coordinating multidisciplinary teams, while enhancing patient safety, documentation, and quality improvement practices.

Expert-led presentations, case-based learning, and interactive multidisciplinary discussions will help providers identify gaps between current evidence and clinical practice, translate new knowledge into actionable strategies, and improve team-based care across the continuum.

Target Audience
This activity is intended for physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, residents, and fellows involved in the medical and surgical management of neurological disorders.

Planning Committee
Merritt Brown, MD
Joseph Bibawy, DO
Ryan Holland, MD
Ryan Khanna, MD
Amanda Leibowitz, APN
Anil Nanda, MD, MPH
Lindsey Casole, MSN, RN, SCRN, Director of Neuroscience Services, RWJBH Community Medical Center
Kimberly Garner, MBA, BSN, RN, AVP Clinical Operations, RWJBH Community Medical Center
Madison Karpe, Coordinator, Community Outreach, RWJBH Community Medical Center
Morgan Sypniewski, BSN, RN, EMT, Stroke Coordinator, RWJBH Community Medical Center
Julie Tang, PA-C, Physician Assistant, RWJBH Community Medical Center

1. Apply evidence-based guidelines and current best practices to diagnose and manage acute and chronic neurological and neurosurgical conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, brain tumors, and spine disorders.
2. Evaluate and select appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including reperfusion therapies, advanced neuroimaging, and neurointerventional or surgical procedures, based on patient-specific factors and current evidence.
3. Integrate emerging technologies, neurodiagnostics, and surgical innovations into clinical decision-making to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment precision, and patient outcomes.
4. Optimize multidisciplinary care coordination and communication across multidisciplinary teams to enhance continuity, efficiency, and safety of care.
5. Implement neurocritical care and patient safety principles, including prevention of complications, secondary brain injury, and adherence to documentation and quality standards.
6. Apply high-value care principles by differentiating appropriate versus low-value diagnostic testing and interventions in neurological practice.
7. Incorporate patient-centered and palliative care approaches, including effective communication and shared decision-making for patients with serious neurological illness.

Registration: Complimentary.

Pre-registration is recommended. On-site registration will be accommodated on a space available basis.

Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, continuing education credits and course material.

Registration will be accepted through our secure online website until July 20, 2026.

Confirmation
Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation.  As the activity date approaches, you will receive additional information to assist you with your plans to participate in this activity.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: This activity is awarded 5.25 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim those contact hours actually spent participating in the activity.

Physician Associates: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.


Method of Participation
In order to meet the learning objectives and receive continuing education credit, participants are expected to check in at the registration desk, attend the program, and complete the online evaluation at the conclusion of the activity. A CE certificate will be emailed to participants upon completion of the online evaluation.

Course Material
In an effort to provide the most complete materials to attendees and conserve resources, PDF versions of the lecture slides will be made available online to registered attendees. Additional information will be provided in future confirmation communication.

Additional Information
For additional information, questions, concerns, or if you require special arrangements to attend this activity, please contact CCOE by email at [email protected].

Disclaimer
RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center and Rutgers Health reserve the right to modify program content, faculty and program activities.  It also reserves the right to cancel the activity, if necessary.

Location
Branches
123 Monmouth Road
West Long Branch, NJ 07764

Parking
Complimentary parking is available at Branches. Participants will receive additional information in their confirmation materials.

For directions, please click here.

RWJBarnabas Health/Rutgers Health Faculty

Activity Director

Anil Nanda, MD, MPH, Professor of Neurosurgery, Rutgers New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson Medical Schools; Peter W. Carmel, MD, Endowed Chair of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Director of Global Neurosurgery Outreach, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center

Activity Co-Director

Merritt Brown, MD, Assistant Professor, Neurological Medical Director, Endovascular Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Interim Stroke Medical Director, and RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center

Faculty

Joseph Bibawy, DO, Neurointerventional Surgery, Neuroradiology, Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers Health and RWJBarnabas Community Medical Center

David D’Ambrosio, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director, Cyberknife, RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical and Monmouth Medical Centers

Robert Gross, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson Medical Schools Senior Vice President VP, Neurosciences/Neurosurgery, RWJBarnabas Health

Ryan Holland, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; RWJBarnabas Community Medical Center

Jessica L. Israel, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Complete Care Management; Chief Medical Officer, NJ Palliative Care Solution

Ryan Khanna, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director of Spinal Oncology Research, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and RWJBarnabas Community Medical Center

Issam Koleilat, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Vascular Surgeon, RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center, Program Director, Rutgers Health/ Community Medical Center General Surgery Residency

Shawn Lee, MD, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, RWJBarnabas Community Medical Center

Amanda Leibowitz, MSN, AGPCNP, SCRN, Neuroscience Nurse Practitioner, RWJBarnabas Community Medical Center

Amor Mehta, MD, Director, Adult Epilepsy Program RWJBarnbas Community Medical Center

M. Haris Usman, MD, Interventional Cardiologist, Medical Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, RWJBarnbas Community Medical Center

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

The relevant financial relationships of all individuals who affect the content of continuing education activities and any discussion of off-label/investigational uses will be disclosed to the audience at the time of the activity.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Exhibit Opportunity Available

Download the Exhibitor Invitation

Download the Exhibitor Registration

Download the Exhibitor Agreement

This activity is jointly provided by

RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center
Neurosciences Service
and
Rutgers Health