Northwell Health has appointed Anna DePold Hohler, MD, FAAN, a distinguished neurologist, researcher and educator as director of neurology for its Westchester Region. In this new role, Dr. Hohler will lead and enhance comprehensive neurology services for two Northwell hospitals, serving as chair of neurology at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) in Mount Kisco and chief of neurology at Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow.
Dr. Hohler will be instrumental in advancing inpatient and outpatient care, ensuring the community has greater access to world-class neurological resources closer to home, as well as enhancing health education in the community. In addition to her responsibilities in Westchester, she will also serve as director of virtual neurology for Northwell Health, a new program that aims to increase accessibility and flexibility for patients by leveraging Northwell’s extensive telehealth network.
“I am driven by the belief that high-level specialty care should be accessible within the community, alleviating the need for patients to travel to the city for advanced treatments,” Dr. Hohler said. “My vision for Northwell in Westchester is to champion the expansion of acute and chronic care for neurologic disorders, strengthening programs for movement disorders, epilepsy, stroke and neuro-oncology.” An internationally recognized expert in movement disorders, Dr. Hohler has a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease, a chronic condition affecting more than one million Americans. She is a strong proponent of a holistic approach to Parkinson’s care, integrating lifestyle modifications, medication optimization and comprehensive therapies, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, alongside cognitive training, to significantly improve patients’ quality of life and overall well-being.
Prior to joining Northwell, Dr. Hohler was professor of neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine and associate and assistant professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine. Clinically, she served as an attending physician at Boston Medical Center, simultaneously leading the movement disorders program at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital.
She later became chair of neurology at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a program she helped to build.
Inspired by the history of military service in her family, Dr. Hohler served as a Major in the U.S. Army for eight years, during which she completed her neurology residency at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC). While there, she also held roles as chief resident, neurology clinic director and residency program director. Her military service earned her multiple commendations, including two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals, recognizing her academic and leadership excellence at MAMC.
“Dr. Hohler’s distinguished career and profound dedication to advancing patient care and medical education are truly exceptional,” said Souhel Najjar, MD, senior vice president and executive director of neurology for Northwell Health. “Her unique blend of clinical expertise, groundbreaking research and a commitment to developing comprehensive, community-focused programs perfectly aligns with our mission to grow our neurology services in Westchester. We are thrilled to have her lead this crucial expansion.” Among an extensive body of peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Hohler authored a seminal paper expanding the understanding of autonomic dysfunction in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and spurring further research on the topic. She has also been deeply involved in research furthering novel Parkinson’s therapies like subcutaneous pumps and advanced deep brain stimulation. In addition, she has served as a journal reviewer for leading trade publications like Neurology, Lancet Neurology and Frontiers in Neurology.
A Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN), Dr. Hohler is an active member of several prestigious professional organizations, including the World Federation of Neurology, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, the American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Her commitment to education has been widely recognized, earning her the COL Robert Skelton Award for Top Resident in Hospital and Teacher of the Year Award, both from MAMC, as well as multiple AAN National Outstanding Neurology Teacher Recognition Awards. She is the first woman to receive both the Burton A. Sandok Visiting Professor of Neurological Education award from the Mayo Clinic and the Soaring Eagle Award from the BU Center for Military and Post-Deployment Health.
Dr. Hohler earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and her Bachelor of Arts from Boston University. She has consistently been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and has been recognized as an Exceptional Woman in Medicine, underscoring her consistent dedication to outstanding patient care.