The Dizziness and Balance Center at Emory

Dizziness & Balance   Overview Patient Information Education Research

I. General

The Dizziness and Balance Center at Emory consists of a multi-specialty group of physicians and physical therapists with specialists from Neurology, Physical Therapy, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. The Center specializes in treating patients with dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders and has several ongoing research projects. Specific interests include Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, ototoxicity, nystagmus, balance and falls.

II. Clinical Staff:

	Ronald J. Tusa, M.D., Ph.D. is a board-certified Neurologist and oversees the center. His primary appointment is in the Department of Neurology and he holds joint appointments in the Departments of Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology and Rehabilitation Medicine. His research interest is in tests that identify vestibular deficits, causes of disequilibrium, the medical treatment of dizziness and the causes and treatment of nystagmus.
	Sharon S. Hartman, M.D., Ph.D. is a Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology. She completed her Neurology residency at Baylor College of Medicine and completed a neuro-otology fellowship at Emory University. Her expertise is in patients with dizziness and balance disorders. Her research interests include the assessment of healthcare quality for patients with dizziness, and the diagnosis and management of vestibular disorders.
	Susan J. Herdman, P.T., Ph.D. is a Physical Therapist and is director of vestibular rehabilitation at the center. Dr. Herdman is known internationally for her work in vestibular rehabilitation. She has edited the only textbook on the topic. Her primary appointment is in the Rehabilitation Medicine and she has a secondary appointment in the Department of Otolaryngology. Her research interest is in vestibular plasticity, BPPV and vestibular rehabilitation. She is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
	Courtney D. Hall, P.T., Ph.D. is a Physical Therapist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University. She is a Research Health Scientist at Atlanta VA Medical Center. With a MS in exercise and movement science and a PhD in kinesiology, her research interest is in fall risk and fall risk prevention in people with vestibular disorders. She is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
	Lisa Heusel-Gillig, P.T. is a Staff Physical Therapist, Emory University Hospital Her clinical interest is in balance, falls and treatment of those disorders. She is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
	Mary A. Murphy, P.T., Ph.D. is a Physical Therapist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University. Her area of expertise is fall risk in the elderly. She is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
	Douglas E. Mattox, M.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology. He is a Neuro-Otologist with a special interest in ear-related causes of dizziness that are surgically correctable. His expertise is in patients with acoustic neuroma or Meniere's disease that requires surgical forms of treatment.
	Malcolm Graham, M.D. is Professor of the Department of Otolaryngology. He is a Neuro-Otologist with a special interest in hearing loss, tinnitus and ear-related causes of dizziness.
	Mary A. Murphy, P.T., Ph.D. is a Physical Therapist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University. Her area of expertise is fall risk in the elderly. She is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation. She is actively involved in researching the efficacy of different treatments for imbalance in patients with vestibular disorders.
	Nancy Newman, M.D. is Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology. She is a Neuro-Ophthalmologist with a special interest in vision and ocular motility. Her expertise is in patients with strabismus, nystagmus and other ocular causes of dizziness.