Florida Society of Neurology Meeting Highlights Advances in Migraine Care and Neurology Innovation
As the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Dr. Teshamae Monteith concluded her term as president, the Florida Society of Neurology’s annual meeting spotlighted new research, evolving migraine treatments and collaboration across the state.
At this year’s annual meeting, Florida Society of Neurology (FSN) members shareds the latest clinical and research developments in neurology. The sessions highlighted how Florida’s neurology community is working together across the state to advance patient care and research while keeping pace with a field that continues to evolve.
Teshamae Monteith, M.D., professor of clinical neurology and chief of the Headache Division in the Department of Neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, completed her two-year term as FSN president at this year’s meeting.
“What has impressed me most is the field’s growing focus on early detection, accurate diagnosis, prevention and the possibility of disease modification,” said Dr. Monteith. “It’s exciting to see and hear colleagues across neurology, including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, talk about how multimodal strategies and earlier intervention are reshaping patient care.”
Dr. Monteith will remain as immediate past president on the FSN board. Erika Marulanda, M.D., an associate professor of clinical neurology, will continue to represent the Miller School as an elected board member. Nikolaus McFarland, M.D., Ph.D., is the newly elected FSN president.
A Statewide Forum for Emerging Neurology Research and Care
Over two days, presentations covered groundbreaking research, clinical trial updates and emerging treatment options.
In addition to Dr. Monteith’s discussion of advances in migraine, three Miller School faculty members presented in their areas of expertise:
• Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders: Henry Moore, M.D., associate professor of clinical neurology in the Miller School’s Division of Movement Disorders
• Neuro-Ophthalmology Cases and Updates: Byron Lam, M.D., professor of ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
• Update on Atypical Parkinsonisms: Danielle Shpiner, M.D., associate professor of clinical neurology and co-director of the Movement Disorders Fellowship at the Miller School and director of the UM Parkinson’s Disease Interdisciplinary Clinic
A Changing Migraine Landscape
Dr. Monteith’s session focused on advances in migraine. She noted that potential changes in treatment approaches are generating “excitement in the field because it will identify better ways to diagnose these disorders and align with biology and treatment implications.”
The session included discussion of a 2025 publication co-authored by Dr. Monteith that points to a shift in how the disease is approached, with growing emphasis on initiating preventive strategies earlier and redefining what constitutes optimal disease control. Rather than focusing solely on managing individual attacks, clinicians are increasingly focused on modifying the course of migraine itself.
“I spoke about situational prevention, where people who are able to identify their triggers can use targeted therapies when they recognize a higher likelihood for a migraine,” Dr. Monteith said. “It allows for short-term prevention in specific settings.”
While the number of physicians entering neurology has remained relatively stable, the specialty itself is becoming more complex. Dr. Monteith emphasized the need for innovative approaches to educating neurology trainees, particularly as artificial intelligence and disease-modifying therapies become more integrated into clinical practice.
“We are seeing great therapies in the neurology space,” she said. “Some come with a cost and that raises the question of how we digest all of this new information.”
Intersection of Neurology and Ophthalmology
A recent CME session presented by Dr. Lam highlighted multidisciplinary collaboration at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute focused on preventing vision loss in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
Key objectives included applying OCT metrics for diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of papilledema, reviewing emerging data on GLP-1 receptor agonists in IIH management and outlining structured escalation pathways for refractory disease, including surgical options. The session emphasized coordinated surveillance strategies to detect early optic nerve injury and prevent irreversible visual loss.
Training the Next Generation of Neurologists
The meeting also introduced new initiatives aimed at trainee engagement. FSN hosted its first annual NeuroBowl, where trainees, medical students and fellows competed in a Jeopardy-style format. A new resident and fellow breakfast mentoring session paired 20 trainees with mentors to discuss research careers.
“The goal was to support and engage,” Dr. Monteith said. “Mentorship is incredibly important early in a career.”
Participants also learned about a pilot program that created epilepsy-focused chapters, allowing physicians across Florida to communicate between conferences, discuss challenging cases and support one another in real-time.
Telehealth was another major topic of discussion, particularly the importance of making it a permanent option in Florida. Experts noted its role in reducing disparities for patients with chronic neurological conditions, especially older adults, individuals with disabilities and those living in rural or underserved areas.
David Geldmacher, M.D., director of the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, presented “More Than a Memory: Advancing Early Diagnosis and Amyloid-Targeted Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Looking Ahead: Advocacy for Neurologists
As her term ends, Dr. Monteith emphasized expanding FSN membership and engaging neurologists and other health care professionals across Florida to strengthen collaboration, mentorship and professional growth.
“The field is growing rapidly and the collegiality we have in the state of Florida is special,” she said.
Dr. Monteith was the first FSN president from the Miller School. Looking ahead, she noted that the focus remains on advocacy and physician wellness. Wellness efforts aim to improve neurologists’ work-life balance through greater access to resources and more sustainable practice models. Dr. Monteith also stressed the importance of staying engaged through FSN and in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology, as policy decisions increasingly shape how neurologists practice and affect patient access to care.
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, cluster headache, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, deep brain stimulation, Deep Brain Stimulation Program, Department of Neurology, Dr. Teshamae Monteith, dystonia, essential tremor, headache medicine, Lewy body dementia, migraine, neurology