Heidi Allison Bender, PhD, ABPP-CN

Neuropsychology

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Personal Statement

As a child, I was fascinated watching my grandmother create intricate needlepoint – marveling at how each individual stitch eventually came together to form large, detailed scenes on the canvas. My passion for neuropsychology requires a similar level of intense focus and appreciation for detail, requiring me to be a keen observer at both granular and broad levels simultaneously in order to holistically conceptualizing a patient’s case. In doing so, multiple threads of information, including medical history, observed behavior, life circumstances, and neuropsychological test data are woven together to create a complex, richly colored diagnostic fabric unique to each patient. Though a time-intensive and intricate process for both myself and my patients, this neuropsychological ‘tapestry’ is often critical in supporting correct neuromedical decision-making, yielding targeted academic recommendations, and facilitating functional/occupational successes.

Biographical Info

Dr. Heidi Bender is an award-winning, board-certified neuropsychologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of patients of all ages with a wide range of neurological and cognitive disorders. She has expertise in evaluating patients to determine if they are candidates for epilepsy surgery, in special procedures such as the intraoperative testing of patients during awake craniotomies, and in cognitive remediation therapies appropriate for patients with a wide variety of cognitive challenges (i.e., after neurological surgery, cerebrovascular accidents, and other events). Dr. Bender has a special interest in the neuropsychological needs of non-native English speakers and patients born outside of the United States, and is active in professional groups working to reduce disparities in healthcare. To facilitate this, Dr. Bender holds a leadership roles in multiple neuropsychological organizations committed to equity for all, including the New York Neuropsychology Group’s Bilingual Task Force (co-Chair) and the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society (Member-At-Large). As Director of Neuropsychological Services at Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, Dr. Bender is pleased to provide a full spectrum of care to patients before, during, and after neurosurgical treatment.

Board Certifications
American Board of Professional Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)
Clinical Expertise
Cognitive Remediation After Brain Surgery
Cognitive Remediation After Traumatic Brain Injury
Epilepsy
Cognitive Dysfunction
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Chemo Brain
Cognitive Remediation After Brain Tumor Resection
Cognitive Remediation After Cardiovascular Event
Cognitive Remediation After Chemotherapy
Cognitive Remediation After Radiation
Cognitive Remediation After Stroke
Cognitive Remediation After Surgery
Cognitive Remediation For Chronic Cardiovascular Disorders
Cognitive Remediation For Movement Disorders
Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Dysfunction
Concussion Management
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive and Behavioral Changes
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Emotional and Behavioral Changes After Stroke
Cognitive Changes After Stroke
Cognitive Deficit As Late Effect of Cerebral Aneurysm
Cognitive Deficit As Late Effect of Traumatic Brain Injury
Cognitive Deficit Due to Multiple Subcortical Infarcts
Cognitive Deficit Due to Old Cerebral Infarction
Cognitive Deficit Due to Old Embolic Stroke
Cognitive Deficit Due to Old Head Injury
Cognitive Deficit Due to Old Head Trauma
Cognitive Deficit Due to Old Lacunar Stroke
Cognitive Deficit Due to Old Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Cognitive Deficit Due to Parkinson's Disease
Cognitive Deficits
Cognitive Deficits, Late Effect of Cerebrovascular Disease
Cognitive Impairment
Stroke After Effects
Memory Problems
Cognitive Impairment, Mild, So Stated
MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)
Mild Cognitive Disorder
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive Impairment With Memory Loss
Cognitive Changes
Dementia
Dementia Due to Head Trauma
Dementia Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Dementia With Parkinsonism
Dementia Due to Head Trauma With Behavioral Disturbance
Dementia Due to Medical Condition With Behavioral Disturbance
Dementia Due to Multiple Sclerosis
Stroke Rehabilitation
Stroke Behavorial Changes
Cognitive Decline
Memory and Aging
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injury Screen
Concussion Syndrome
Languages
English
Education 
  • Ph.D.
    The Graduate Center, City University of New York
    2007
  • M.Phil.
    The Graduate Center, City University of New York
    2006
  • M.A.
    Queens College, City University of New York
    2003
  • M.A.
    New York University
    2001
  • B.A.
    New York University
    2000
Appointments 
  • Associate Attending Psychologist
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Associate Professor of Neuropsychology in Neurological Surgery
    Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University

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No External Relationships Reported