Georgy Cherkassky

Neurophysiology Fellowship

A Career in Neurophysiology

A steady increase in the diagnostic tools available for investigating disorders of the nervous system has led more hospitals to establish clinical neurophysiology departments, attracting physicians such as Georgy Cherkassky, MD, a graduate of Saba University School of Medicine.

Neurophysiology is a branch of physiology and neuroscience that is concerned with the study of the functioning of the nervous system—or as Georgy Cherkassky tells it: he is involved in “all issues relating to the nerves,” from spinal cord disease to evaluating Electromyography (EMG) tests. These tests are extremely important in detecting the abnormal muscle electrical activity in everything from carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves and herniated discs, to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

An undergraduate major in Psychology at New York’s Hunter College, Georgy was initially discouraged from pursuing medicine, advised that a 3.4 GPA would prevent him from getting a seat in a medical school in the US. Set on getting his MD, and knowing that he had the determination and the drive to be successful, he enrolled at Saba.

It was during his clinical neurobiology rotation that he became interested in neurophysiology. After graduation from Saba he went on to do an Internal Medicine Preliminary/Neurology Residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. When the residency ended, he stayed on at the hospital and is currently halfway through a year-long Neurophysiology fellowship.

Upon completion of this Fellowship Georgy will join the practice of 4 other neurologists in New Jersey. He has also published papers, is proficient in spoken Russian, and finds time to enjoy creating music and travel.

“Determination and consistency” are the keys to being successful he says.