SUMMARY
Mayo Clinic neuroscientist Eelco F. Wijdicks, M.D., Ph.D., is an established leader in neurocritical care research and practice. Dr. Wijdicks established the specialty of neurocritical care at Mayo Clinic in 1992. He currently practices and conducts research as an attending neurointensivist in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at Mayo Clinic Hospital — Saint Marys Campus, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Among other major research accomplishments, Dr. Wijdicks originated the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score coma scale.
Additional areas of study include the history of medicine and, specifically, the history of neurosciences. Dr. Wijdicks has over 1,000 research papers, practice guidelines, topic reviews, book chapters and editorials to his credit. He has single-authored, co-authored and edited 25 books on neurocritical care, with multiple later editions. He also has authored three books on the history of medicine and the portrayal of medicine and neurology in cinema.
Focus areas
- Neuroscience.
- Neurocritical care.
- Coma assessment.
- History of medicine.
- Medicine in cinema.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Wijdicks has been driving improvements in neurocritical care, research and education for more than 30 years. His contributions have improved care and outcomes for patients with complex neurological conditions and complications, including patients needing emergency or trauma care and patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Professional highlights
- Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 2022.
- President, International Society for the History of Neurosciences, 2019-2021.
- Honorary member, Neurocritical Care Society, 2020.
- Founding editor, Neurocritical Care journal, 2004.
- Excellence in teaching recognition, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (now Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science).
- Karis Award, Mayo Clinic, 1997.
- Winkler Medal, Royal Netherlands Society of Neurology, 1990.