Susan M. Dobmeyer, M.D.

Dr. Susan Dobmeyer received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, her medical degree from Ohio State University and completed her neurology residency at Washington University, Barnes Hospital, in St. Louis. During her chief residency year she participated in neurology research co-authoring a definitive study of swallowing dysfunction and response to treatment in Parkinson's disease. This material was published in the American Academy of Neurology journal with Dr. Joel Perlmutter in the department of movement disorders at Barnes Hospital. During that year and subsequent fellowship year at Washington University, Dr. Dobmeyer participated in research in higher cortical neurologic functions, developing novel study protocols exploring language development through use of advance neuroimaging, published multiple abstracts, taught neurology residents and taught portions of the graduate physical therapy neurology course at Washington University.

Dr. Dobmeyer then pursued advanced neurobehaviour fellowship studies at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in the department of neurobehaviour. During this time she had the opportunity to work with world renowned neurologists Hannah and Antonio Damasio who have done extensive work in localization of brain functions to brain locations. While there she developed a study protocol looking at language function and novel language learning in patients who had undergone temporal lobectomies (removal of portions of the temporal lobe of the brain to control seizures).

Dr. Dobmeyer then returned to St. Louis where she had her second child and began her neurology practice. Working on staff at St. Mary's hospital provided the opportunity to teach internal medicine students and residents. This definitely felt like coming home after the previous several years spent in the St. Louis area. Since then, in addition to managing a busy practice, Dr. Dobmeyer has participated in several clinical trials including treatment trials of medications treating Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. She and Dr. Hatlelid were successfully working together at St Mary's hospital and decided to formalize the relationship by forming a "group". This allowed them to provide moment to moment critical care coverage to their hospital patients and to continue to bring new talent and enthusiasm to their practice with the addition of Dr. Faber.

Dr. Dobmeyer has been active at St. Mary's hospital in the development of their first stroke protocols including those for acute and critical care of stroke, including treatment with tissue plasminogen activator, a medication to "bust up" clots in stroke. Dr. Dobmeyer also organized and provided lectures for nursing staff in care of stroke patients. Continuing her interest in stoke care, she completed a formal training program in vascular ultrasound at Bowman Gray University in Chapel Hill.

Dr. Dobmeyer has a long history of interest in the treatment of headache disorders and has continued to add to her knowledge and skills now with the addition of botulinum toxin injections. She has completed the American Academy of Neurology training course in botulinum toxin in the treatment of spasticity. This has been useful in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis, who often suffer from spasticity, as well as in the treatment of cervical and limb dystonias and tremor.

Dr. Dobmeyer has an active multiple sclerosis practice. She has lectured for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and has previously organized and provided support and "talk" groups for our patients. She is on the Multiple Sclerosis Society's list of physicians for referral of patients.

Statement of purpose: I cannot always promise success but I try very hard to listen to what patients are actually telling me and to address the issues that are important to them. I strive for honesty and respectful working relationships with my patients.

Interests: I love animals, gardens, art and good books of almost any kind. (I also love music but, alas, am tone deaf). I tend to avoid committees but did "serve time" on the Medical Executive Committee at St Mary's hospital and found the process interesting. I feel I have learned a great deal over the past several years about how to structure an office that works for the patients, the staff and the physicians. There is always more to learn.