Continental Who's Who

Michael James Kushner, MD, FAAN

Michael James Kushner, MD, FAAN, is being recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Achiever in the field of Medicine and for acknowledgment of his role as a Neurologist with Emerge Ortho.

Garnering 45 years of vast knowledge and professional experience in neurology, Dr. Kushner is internationally well-known for his influential roles and clinical research studies. Among many of his professional accolades, he is a board-certified neurologist currently serving the Wilson community at Emerge Ortho, a multi-disciplinary community practice. Upon relocating to Wilson in 1990, he has devoted 28 years at Emerge Ortho providing expert general neurology services; and specializing in stroke, headache medicine, and neuroimaging. Utilizing Dr. Kushner’s advanced training and certification in electrophysiology, EMG, EEG, and sleep, Emerge Ortho also provides these diagnostic testing services to their patients. Additionally, Dr. Kushner also continues his imaging practice as the medical director of Wilson Regional MRI and runs an EmergeOrtho vascular ultrasound lab.

Graduating with honors, Dr. Kushner received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from Yale University in 1973. Later, he obtained his Medical Degree from New York University in 1977, where he served as class president. Following this, he went on to complete an internship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX, and later a neurology residency at the Neurological Institute at Columbia –Presbyterian Medical Center in New York in 1981. Continuing his training, Dr. Kushner became a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and joined the medical school faculty there as Assistant Professor of Neurology in 1983.

During his time at the university, he participated in numerous clinical and research studies in the fields of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and neuroimaging. In light of his achievements, he received one of the first Clinical Investigator Development awards.

In his acclaimed academic career, Dr. Kushner traveled around the world presenting his research in Italy, France, Germany, and Japan. Due to his expert research, he became an internationally recognized authority in the field of stroke and brain imaging using vascular ultrasound, MRI, and PET.

Remaining abreast of the latest developments in his field, Dr. Kushner maintains active memberships and affiliations with several professional organizations. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and a Fellow of the Stroke Council with the American Heart Association. Additionally, he is also affiliated with the American Medical Association, North Carolina Medical Society, North Carolina Neurological Society as past president; American Society of Neuroimaging; American Association of Neuromuscular and Electro Diagnostic Medicine.

A respected voice in his field, he has been a consultant to the National Institutes of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, patient advocacy groups, and insurance companies.

In his free time, Dr. Kushner volunteers with St. Timothy Episcopal Church and the North Carolina Yale Club where he interviews prospective students.

Dr. Kushner dedicates this recognition to his wife of 44 years, Mrs. Sarah Warden.

For more information, please visit: emergeortho.com.