Division of Neurology

Our Division of Neurology has been named a top 50 Neurology program by U.S. News and World Report, providing some of the best care in the nation. Our team provides expert diagnosis of neurologic conditions via our nationally-accredited neurodiagnostic labs that include vascular, autonomic and neurophysiology. In addition to general neurology, our division subspecialists have extensive experience diagnosing or treating epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disease, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, and vascular neurology, and we staff a number of Scripps programs and clinics to carefully address these conditions with patients. We often work in conjunction with Scripps Clinic for Integrative Medicine to provide patients with a holistic approach and medical integrated care. With a team of more than twenty neurologists, a neuropsychologist and Advanced Practice Clinicians, we work collaboratively within and across departments to research, understand, and provide the best care possible to neurology patients everywhere.

Our Team

Our areas of particular interest and expertise are noted below:

Joshua Alexander, DO (Division Head)

General Neurology
Osteopathy

Robert Claycomb, MD, PhD

Vascular Neurology
Neurohospitalist

Julian Duda, MD

Neurohospitalist

Emily Rubenstein Engel, MD

Headache
Facial Pain
Dizziness

Omar Ghausi, MD

General Neurology

Melissa Houser, MD

Movement Disorders
Parkinson’s Disease
Tremor
Deep Brain Stimulation

Nelson Hwynn, DO

Movement Disorders
Neuromuscular Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Tremor
Deep Brain Stimulation

Christy Jackson, MD

Headache
Facial pain
Pediatric migraine

Mary Kalafut, MD

Stroke
Cerebrovascular disease

John-Michael Li, MD

Neuromuscular disease

Michael McManus, MD

Neurohospitalist

Tawny Ngo, MD

General Neurology
Headache
Epilepsy

Lucas Ramirez, MD

Neurohospitalist

Zachary Rosensweet, DO

Movement Disorders
Parkinson’s Disease
Tremor
Deep Brain Stimulation

Charles Smith, MD

Multiple Sclerosis
Headache
General Neurology

Leonard Sokol, MD (starting July 31, 2023)

Dementia
Memory and Supportive Care
Palliative Cognitive Neurology

Gilda Tafreshi, MD

Neurohospitalist

Michelle Van Noord, MD

Epilepsy
Headache

Maya Vaysbrot, MD

General Neurology

Joanne Hamilton, PsyD

Neuropsychology

Olivia Harner, PsyD

Neuropsychology

Advanced Practice Clinicians
Jane Davidson, PA
Sherrie Gould, NP
Andrea Lee, PA
Niki Momin, NP
Josepha Simi, PA
Stacy Simons, NP
Monique Urbina, NP

Our Neurology practice locations are noted below:

Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines

Joshua Alexander, DO
Emily Rubinstein Engel, MD
Melissa Houser, MD
Nelson Hwynn, DO
Christy Jackson, MD
Mary Kalafut, MD
John-Michael Li, MD
Michael McManus, MD
Zachery Rosensweet, DO
Charles Smith, MD
Leonard Sokol, MD (starting July 31, 2023)
Michelle Van Noord, MD
Joanne Hamilton, PsyD
Olivia Harner, PsyD
Jane Davidson, PA
Sherrie Gould, NP
Andrea Lee, PA
Niki Momin, NP
Josepha Simi, PA

Scripps Clinic Encinitas

Nelson Hwynn, DO
Christy Jackson, MD
Leonard Sokol, MD (starting July 31, 2023)

Scripps Clinic Jefferson – Oceanside

Zachery Rosensweet, DO
Maya Vaysbrot, DO

Scripps Clinic La Jolla – Anderson Medical Pavilion

Joshua Alexander, DO
Omar Ghausi, MD
Mary Kalafut, MD
Michael McManus, MD
Tawny Ngo, MD
Lucas Ramirez, MD
Gilda Tafreshi, MD
Maya Vaysbrot, DO
Stacy Simons, NP
Monique Urbina, NP

Scripps Clinic Mercy

Robert Claycomb, MD, PhD
Julian Duda, MD

Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo

Emily Rubinstein Engel, MD
Nelson Hwynn, DO
Charles Smith, MD

Featured Services

  • Autonomic Neuro Lab

  • Don Dalessio Headache Center

  • Deep Brain Stimulation Program

  • Inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

  • Parkinson’s Disease and Neuro Restoration Center

  • Partner in Multiple Sclerosis Care, National MS Society

  • Stroke Prevention/TIA

Recognitions & Awards

  • Ranked as a top 50 neurology program by US News & World Report (#48) in 2019

  • Division members have received national, state, and local recognition for excellence and service

  • Division members have received numerous research grants and academic recognitions

  • Our staff’s diligent care contributed to JCAHO’s accreditation of Scripps Memorial as a comprehensive stroke center, recognizing excellence in care for stroke patients who require a higher level of care

  • Our inpatient stroke programs have been awarded the American Heart Association Gold Plus award their most prestigious award for stroke care

Our Division supports a number of education programs including training medical residents, interns, and rotating medical students. We also provide neurophysiology technician training, vascular technician training and a PA teaching program.

For more information or to apply, please visit the Graduate Medical Education page.

  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease
  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Clinical trials in multiple sclerosis headache, epilepsy and stroke
SEE ALL SCMG RESEARCH