SUMMARY
Sherri A. Braksick, M.D., studies how the complications of systemic conditions cause dysfunction of the nervous system. She also has a special interest in brain death by neurological criteria. Dr. Braksick identifies physician practice patterns, medical training and ways to improve clinical practice competence regarding the topic of brain death.
While Dr. Braksick pursues clinically based projects, she also studies aspects of medical education. She evaluates gaps in training and effectiveness of educational interventions, including medical simulation. Through these projects, she strives to improve physician competence and confidence in medical practice.
Focus areas
- Understanding neurological outcomes. Dr. Braksick is interested in how systemic diseases affect the neurological system, particularly outcomes after severe illnesses. Electronic health records at Mayo Clinic allow for extensive reviews of specific disorders to help characterize how people recover in the months to years after severe medical illnesses. Some of these severe illnesses are cardiac arrest, cerebral embolism and intracerebral hemorrhage.
- Medical education. Dr. Braksick oversees neurological simulation programs for neurology residents and critical care fellows. She evaluates the effectiveness of simulation-based interventions in regard to trainee confidence and medical knowledge. Dr. Braksick evaluates the use of medical simulation as a tool to improve clinical competence and medical practice.
- Brain death and death by neurological criteria. Dr. Braksick has a special interest in understanding how healthcare professionals are trained in the topic of brain death and death by neurological criteria. She identifies gaps in the knowledge and clinical practice related to brain death and death by neurological criteria to develop effective educational tools for healthcare professionals.
Significance to patient care
Through her work, Dr. Braksick strives to improve understanding of how people will do after severe medical events. She guides individuals and their families with difficult decisions regarding long-term care and medical support in the event of new or severe disabilities.
Dr. Braksick seeks to improve healthcare teams' understanding of brain death, which is severe, irreversible loss of function of the entire brain. Being aware of the process of brain death will improve overall knowledge and competence in the diagnosis of this condition.
The long-term goal of Dr. Braksick's research is to improve bedside care of people and their families, while also improving healthcare professionals' understanding of complex illnesses and brain death.
Professional highlights
- Section editor in neurology, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic, 2024-present.
- Associate program director, Residency, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 2022-present.
- Assistant editor, Neurocritical Care, 2021-present.
- Program director, Neurocritical Care Fellowship, Neurocritical Care Society, 2021-present.
- Associate member, Mayo Clinic Academy of Educational Excellence, Mayo Clinic, 2020-present.
- Member, question writing workgroup, NeuroSAE, American Academy of Neurology, 2020-present.
- Member, Critical Care Independent Multidisciplinary Program, Education Subcommittee, Mayo Clinic, 2019-present.
- Member, Knowledge Content Board for Critical Care, Ask Mayo Expert, Mayo Clinic, 2019-present.