Eric Seachrist, MD

Eric Seachrist

Board Certification: N/A

Medical School: West Virginia University     

Residency: West Virginia University Neurology 

Faculty Rank: Assistant Professor 

Special Clinical/Research Interests: Multiple Sclerosis, Antibody-mediated Autoimmune Neurology, Infectious Neurology, Teaching 

Is there a particular population of students (e.g., ethnicity, spiritual, sexual orientation) that you would particularly like to advise? All are welcome 

What does a typical day in the life of a Neurologist include?

          The life of a typical neurologist varies widely depending upon one’s subspecialty and location. For me, I work mostly in the clinic (8 AM to 5 PM typically) seeing a variety of patients with an emphasis on autoimmune neurology, such as multiple sclerosis. I also rotate on the inpatient service and participate in teleneurology and telestroke consults. In between these activities, I focus on teaching resident physicians and medical students. 

What is the biggest challenge of being a Neurologist?

          The biggest challenge currently is how extensively and how rapidly the field has changed. A variety of highly effective treatment options now exist (large strokes, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, movement disorders) for diseases that we previously could not do much for. 

How do you foresee Neurology changing over the next 20 years?

          I expect the continued identification of antibody-mediated neurological diseases that were previously unknown and more treatment options. In addition, I expect the continued involvement of neurologists in acute stroke thrombectomy procedures (removing large clots from brains). The need for neurologists, especially in the hospital setting will continue to increase substantially. 

What advice would you give a student who is considering a Neurology residency?

          Neurology is a fantastic and very diverse field. You have the options of fast-paced medicine with stroke and intensive care, of procedures through neurointervention, lumbar punctures, EEG, and EMG, of shift-work lifestyle via neurohospitalist, and of outpatient clinic through a variety of options including epilepsy, autoimmune, headache, and movement disorders.