Emory Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology Center

The Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology Center at Emory Brain Health was founded in 2008 by our esteemed clinical director, Neil Lava, MD, with the launch of the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Since then, the center has evolved in step with advances in the field, expanding its scope and expertise. Today, it stands as the Emory Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology Center, home to distinguished faculty within the Division of Neuroimmunology in the Department of Neurology.

Our center welcomes anyone diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, suspected multiple sclerosis or related conditions such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Recognizing the complexity and challenges posed by these diseases, our mission is to provide accessible, comprehensive and compassionate neurological care to all who need it.

The addition of Diana Vargas, MD, in 2014, along with several fellowship-trained neuroimmunologists, has enabled us to further expand our services and reach more patients with these intricate conditions. We now offer specialized clinics for Neurosarcoidosis and Encephalitis, supported by a dedicated team that includes three full-time clinicians, one part-time clinician, two nurse practitioners and Neuroimmunology Fellow at Emory Brain Health at Executive Park, as well as a full-time clinician at Grady Memorial Hospital.

The growth and development of the Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology Center have made it a cornerstone of the Emory Brain Health initiative, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, research and education..

The Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic was established in 2008 by Clinical Director Neil Lava, MD. Since then, the Neuroimmunology Division has evolved and birthed the Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology Center at Emory Brain Health with the growing complexity and recognition of the field. What began as a specialized MS clinic as part of the Division of General Neurology has expanded into a full-fledged MS and Autoimmune Neurology Center run by faculty in the Division of Neuroimmunology, reflecting the increasing demand for advanced care in neuroimmune disorders.

Our clinic provides care for individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, possible MS and related conditions such as Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). We are committed to making neurological care accessible, empathetic and comprehensive, recognizing autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system can be both complex and overwhelming for patients and their families.

The addition of Diana Vargas, MD in 2014, along with the recent recruitment of several fellowship-trained neuroimmunologists, has significantly expanded our reach and capacity. Today, our program includes:

• A dedicated Neurosarcoidosis and Autoimmune Encephalitis Clinic
• A multidisciplinary team comprising three full-time clinicians, one part-time clinician and two nurse practitioners at Emory Brain Health at Executive Park
• An additional full-time clinician at Grady Memorial Hospital
• The continued development of our division has cemented Neuroimmunology and Autoimmune Neurology as a cornerstone of the Emory Brain Health Center's mission, ensuring patients receive the most advanced, compassionate care for these challenging and often rare conditions.

Our division offers specialized expertise in the diagnosis and management of Multiple Sclerosis and a broad range of immune-mediated neurological conditions, including:

• Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD)
• Neurosarcoidosis
• Transverse Myelitis
• Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
• Autoimmune Encephalitis
• MOG Associated Disease (MOGAD)
• Central Nervous System Infections

We provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluations and tailor treatment plans using a full spectrum of advanced therapies. Our approach emphasizes integrative care, with seamless coordination across multiple specialties including:

• Physical Therapy
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Cognitive assessment and treatment
• Urological evaluation and management
• Psychological counseling

These services are available through our extensive Emory Health network to support every aspect of a patient’s journey.

Additionally, patients have the opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical trials, offering access to innovative therapies and advancing the field of neuroimmunology.

The Emory Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology is led by faculty in the Neuroimmunology Division. This is a distinguished team of clinicians and researchers with deep expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and study of multiple sclerosis and related neuroinflammatory disorders. Co-directors Neil Lava, MD and William Tyor, MD, bring over 60 years of combined experience in MS care. Lava previously served as the founder and director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Albany Medical College in New York, while Tyor began his MS training at Johns Hopkins and later co-directed their MS clinic. He went on to establish and lead the MUSC MS Center for 16 years before joining Emory. Though Tyor retired from clinical practice in 2025, he remains actively engaged in research and clinical trials as a faculty member of the Neurology Department. Diana Vargas, MD, has since taken over as a co-director after Tyor’s retirement.

Vargas joined the Emory faculty in 2014 and currently serves as Director of the Emory Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program and Co-director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology Center. She completed her medical degree at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, followed by a four-year post-doctoral research fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Disease. She later completed her neurology residency and clinical MS fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center, where she remained on faculty. At Emory, Vargas has focused her career on clinical neuroimmunology, is involved in multiple MS clinical trials and serves as a consultant for the CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). She is a member of several professional societies including the AAN, ACLM, CMSC, and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders.

Julien Cavanagh, MD, originally from France, completed his neurology residency at SUNY Downstate and a neuroimmunology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital–Harvard University. He currently practices as a Neurohospitalist at Emory and leads the Autoimmune Encephalitis Clinic, held monthly.

Spencer Hutto, MD, an Emory-trained neurologist and fellowship graduate in both clinical neurophysiology and neuroimmunology (Mass General–Harvard), has established Emory’s dedicated Neurosarcoidosis Clinic. He also serves as Associate Program Director for the Neurology Residency Program, with clinical and research interests centered on neuro-rheumatology and Neurosarcoidosis.

Lucas Horta, MD, originally from Brazil, completed medical school at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and neurology residency at Boston Medical Center. He went on to complete a fellowship in Autoimmune Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Now an Assistant Professor at Grady Memorial Hospital, Horta’s clinical and research interests include Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-related Inflammation (CAAri) and inflammatory myelopathies such as MS, NMOSD, MOGAD and Neurosarcoidosis.

Gabriela Bou, MD, a Tampa native of Puerto Rican heritage, completed her neurology residency at Emory in 2024 and is currently a Neuroimmunology Fellow. She has authored publications on Neurosarcoidosis and actively engaged in research across both MS and sarcoidosis. Bou will join our faculty in the summer of 2025.

Conor Kelly, MD, a graduate of Emory University and Medical College of Georgia, completed his neurology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and is finishing his Neuroimmunology Fellowship at the University of Alabama–Birmingham. He will be joining the Emory faculty in the summer of 2025.

Together, this multidisciplinary team brings world-class clinical care, cutting-edge research and shared commitment to advancing the field of neuroimmunology while providing compassionate care for patients with complex autoimmune neurological conditions.

We are also supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team that includes three experienced nurse practitioners, a specialized neuroimmunology pharmacist, highly skilled nurses with extensive expertise in multiple sclerosis care, licensed practical nurses, and a compassionate social worker. Together, they play a vital role in ensuring seamless patient care and delivering the highest standard of professional medical support.

Neil Lava, MD
Diana Vargas, MD

Emory

• Neil Lava, MD, Neurologist
• Diana L. Vargas Vives, MD, Neurologist
• Julien Cavanagh, MD, Neurologist
• Spencer Hutto, MD, Neurologist
• Gabriella Bou, MD, Neurologist
• Conor Kelly, MD, Neurologist
• Kiran Sayani, NP-C
• Calli Cook, NP-C
• Erin Bobek NP-C

Call 404-778-3444 for an appointment at the Emory Clinic.

Grady Memorial Hospital

• Lucas Felipe Horta, MD
• Sara Rumin RN
• Romina Warwick RN

Call 404-616-9390 for an appointment at Grady outpatient Neurology

The Emory Neuroimmunology/Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship offers a comprehensive one- to two-year training experience designed to develop clinical and research expertise in managing complex Neuroimmunological disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, Neurosarcoidosis and Autoimmune Encephalitis. Fellows work closely with expert faculty, gaining hands-on experience with advanced immunotherapies and participating in multidisciplinary clinics and academic activities. They also lead educational conferences, teach residents and students and engage in scholarly research tailored to their interests, culminating in presentations at national meetings and peer-reviewed publications. Professional development is supported through weekly grand rounds, annual conference participation and leadership in academic forums

Learn more about the fellowship and application process.

For additional information about this fellowship, please contact our Fellowship program coordinator Pamela Mitchell. 

Diana Vargas Vives, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Program Director, Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program
Email

Emory Neuroimmunology Fellowship participates in the SFmatch application process.