Overview
Brian Emmert, MD, is an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, in the Division of Epilepsy. Dr. Emmert obtained his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, double-majoring in biology and psychology and minoring in cognitive neuroscience, where he graduated valedictorian of the psychology major. He completed his medical doctorate at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where he graduated at the top of his class, earning the Dean’s Award, and was also inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Dr. Emmert then pursued his medicine internship and neurology residency at the University of Pennsylvania. During residency, Dr. Emmert was inducted into the Gold Humanism Society at the University of Pennsylvania for his commitment to patient care and humanism. He also won the Galetta Teaching Award for Excellence in Medical Education.
After residency, Dr. Emmert completed a fellowship in epilepsy, followed by a fellowship in intracranial EEG. He concurrently completed a fellowship in Medical Education.
Dr. Emmert is a member of the board of directors of the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.), and also serves as an associate editor for the Aquifer Neurology editorial board. He has previously served as the President of the Consortium of Neurology Residents and Fellows (CNRF) and on the Graduate Education Subcommittee (GES) at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).
Dr. Emmert has a clinical interest in drug-resistant epilepsy and medical education.
Academic Appointments
- Assistant Professor of Neurology at CUMC
Gender
- Male
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Phone Appointments
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Affinity Health Plan
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Amida Care
- Special Needs
Cigna
- EPO
- Great West (National)
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
Emblem/GHI
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Emblem/HIP
- ConnectiCare
- EPO
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
- Select Care (Exchange)
- Vytra
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- EPO
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Fidelis Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Healthfirst
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Leaf (Exchange)
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Local 1199
- Local 1199
MagnaCare (National)
- MagnaCare
Medicare
- Traditional Medicare
Multiplan
- Multiplan
MVP Health Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
RiverSpring
- Special Needs
UnitedHealthcare
- Compass (Exchange)
- Empire Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid (Community Plan)
- Medicare Managed Care
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
WellCare
- Medicaid Managed Care
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- BS, 2015 Biology and Psychology, minor in Cognitive Psychology, Villanova University
- MD, 2019 Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Internship: 2020 Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania
- Residency: 2023 Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania
- Fellowship: 2024 Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania (Epilepsy)
- Fellowship: 2025 Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania (Intracranial Electroencephalography)
- Fellowship: 2025 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania (Measey Medical Education)
Honors & Awards
- Galetta Teaching Award, University of Pennsylvania Department of Neurology
- Gold Humanism Society, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Gold Humanism Society, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Valedictorian and Dean’s Recognition Award, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Valedictorian, Villanova University Department of Psychology
- Intern of the Year, Pennsylvania Hospital
- “Big Cheese” Nursing Award for Excellence in Communication
Research
My main areas of research are in medical education and quality of care in epilepsy. I am interested in understanding how medical students decide on a career choice, and what we as medical educators can do to guide their decision. I am also interested in understanding how we as medical educators can improve our medical education systems and infrastructure to improve outcomes for learners. For example, I have developed a Peer Observation program at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, where peer expert educators observe and provide feedback to speakers on their teaching style and methods, with the goal of improving the quality of teaching at all levels.
Regarding epilepsy, my research interests lie in understanding the way in which we deliver excellent care to patients. For example, I evaluated the practice of administering alcohol in the epilepsy monitoring unit to induce events in patients, with the goal of understanding whether this practice, long utilized but little studied, was efficacious and safe. I also helped to develop and implement first seizure of life and breakthrough seizure pathways in the emergency department to reduce ED length of stay, and improve connection to outpatient care.
For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov