About
Personal Statement
Dr. Safdieh's practice focuses on evaluating and treating patients with a variety of neurological disorders, with a focus on headache medicine. Dr. Safdieh provides expert consultation for patients with neurological symptoms. These symptoms include headache, weakness, gait difficulty, tremor, memory problems, numbness, tingling, dizziness and visual loss. Utilizing the most advanced diagnostic tests available at the Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Safdieh works with the patient and referring physician to make an appropriate diagnosis and initiate an effective treatment plan. Many advances have been made in the field of neurology over the past number of years, and Dr. Safdieh's treatment plans reflect these advances. Dr. Safdieh's philosophy is to work with the patient to develop a treatment plan that is most effective at treating not only the symptoms, but also the patient's overall sense of well-being. Dr. Safdieh is also experienced in the injection of onabotulinum toxin A (Botox) for selected cases of chronic migraine. Dr. Safdieh is experienced in administering Botox therapy for chronic migraine, having been an injector since 2007.
Specialties and Expertise
Specialties
- Neurology
- General Neurology
Expertise
- Headache
- Botox
- Seizure Disorder
- Stroke
- Tremor
- Central Nervous System Infection
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Neurosarcoidosis
- Abnormality of Gait
- Neck and Back Pain
Biography
Dr. Safdieh is the Gertrude Feil Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs, Vice Chairman for Education and Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine. He received his bachelors degree in neuroscience, summa cum laude, from the College of Arts and Science of New York University. He received his medical degree (MD) from the New York University School of Medicine, where he received the Alpha Omega Alpha Award for graduating first in his class. He completed his neurology residency training at the Weill Cornell Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he also served as Chief Resident in the Department of Neurology. Dr. Safdieh is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honors society.
Dr. Safdieh was the director of the medical student Neurology Clerkship for the Weill Cornell Medical College, the medical director of the Neurology Clinic at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and also served as Director of Outpatient Training for the Neurology Residency Program As associate dean, he is responsible for overseeing the curriculum at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is well respected as an innovative medical educator, and has developed numerous curricula for the teaching of neurology to both medical students and other physicians. He has been recognized for his excellence in medical student education locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Safdieh has served in various committe roles with the American Academy of Neurology, where he is currently vice chair of the publications committee. He served as chair of the Consortium of Neurology Clerkship Directors. He is currently editor-in-chief of Neurology Today, the official news source of the American Academy of Neurology.
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
2021 Visiting Faculty Excellence in Teaching- Clinical Curriculum Award, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar
2021 Honorary Fellowship Award, Weill Cornell Medicine Alumni Association
2020 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2020 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2020 NY Magazine "Best Doctors" List
2019 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2019 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2019 NY Magazine "Best Doctors" List
2018 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2018 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2018 NY Magazine "Best Doctors" List
2017 Siegel Family Faculty Award, Weill Cornell Medical College
2017 Second Year Teaching Award, Weill Cornell Medical College
2017 Herrmann Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Third Year, Weill Cornell Medical College
2017 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2017 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2016 Second Year Teaching Award, Weill Cornell Medical College
2016 Herrmann Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Third Year, Weill Cornell Medical College
2016 2010 Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award, Weill Cornell Medical College
2016 Burton A. Sandok Visiting Professorship in Neurologic Education, Mayo Clinic
2016 Clerkship Director Teaching Award, American Academy of Neurology
2015 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2015 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2015 Faculty Teaching Award, Weill Cornell Neurology Department
2014 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2013 NYPH Patient Centered Care Physician Champion Award, New York Presbyterian Hospital
2013 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2013 US News and World Report "Top Doctors" List
2013 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2013 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
2012 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2011 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2010 Elliot Hochstein Teaching Award, Weill Cornell Medical College
2010 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
2010 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Excellence in Teaching Award for the Brain and Mind Course, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2009
Excellence in Teaching Award for the Basic Science Curriculum, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2009
2009 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
Innovation in Medical Education Award, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2008
The Chares L. Bardes Teaching Prize, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2008
2008 Senior List, Weill Cornell Medical College
Physician Community Service Award, Sephardic Bikur Holim Community Action Network 2008
Excellence in Teaching Award for the Neurology Clerkship, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2007
Teacher Recognition Certificate, American Academy of Neurology, 2007.
The Dr. Fred Plum Resident Teaching Award for Outstanding Instruction of Residents, Interns and Medical Students. Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 2006.
American Neurological Association Academic Neurology Teaching Award, University of Rochester Program, 2005.
Alpha Omega Alpha Award for the Student who attained the Highest Scholastic Rating for the four years of Medical School. New York University School of Medicine, 2002.
Andrew Alan Friedman Memorial Fund for Excellence by a Male Student in Internal Medicine. New York University School of Medicine, 2002.
New York University Hossein Jafari Award for excellence in premedical studies, 1998.
New York University Founders Day Award for excellence in academic performance, 1998.
Credentials
Board Certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
- United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Headache Medicine)
Clinical and Academic Positions
- Attending Neurologist - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Professor of Neurology - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
- Gertrude Feil Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
Education and Training
- M.D., New York University School of Medicine, 2002
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted
The following represents most of the managed care plans accepted by this doctor. If your insurance carrier does not appear here please contact the doctor’s office as they may have individual contracts not included on this site.
* indicates this doctor is no longer accepting new patients with this insurance plan.
- AETNA - HMO
- AETNA - Medicare
- AETNA - PPO
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee Managed Care Plan
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee PPO Plan
- Aetna-NYP - EPO/POS
- Affinity Access
- Affinity Health Plan
- Amida Care
- CIGNA
- Emblem Select Care
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Access
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Connection
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - EPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - HMO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Mediblue (Senior)
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - PPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus - CHP
- Fidelis Care
- Health First
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicaid
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicare
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP)
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Oxford Health Plans - Medicare Advantage
- Oxford Health Plans - Metro/Core/Charter
- Oxford Health Plans - Liberty
- Oxford Health Plans - Freedom
- Rockefeller University - Trustmark
- United Empire
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare - Community Plan
- United Healthcare - Medicare
- United Healthcare Compass
- VNSNY CHOICE - HMO
- VNSNY CHOICE - Medicare
- WorldWide Medical
Locations and Appointments
External Relationships
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.