Neurology Residency Faculty

Diego Torres-Russotto, M.D., is the chair of neurology at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute and is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian. Dr. Torres-Russotto specializes in neurology and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, tremors, spasticity, gait disturbance, tics and other neurological illnesses. He also performs botulinum toxin (botox) injections, deep brain stimulation and DUOPA pump administration. Prior to joining Miami Neuroscience Institute in 2023, Dr. Torres-Russotto served as professor and vice-chair for education and chief of movement disorders at the Department of Neurological Sciences at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has published more than 50 scientific papers and established one of the largest international studies of orthostatic tremor. He is a member of multiple national and international research consortia: the Huntington Study Group, the Parkinson Study Group, the Tremor Research Group and Tremor Study Group. His research interests include tremor, orthostatic tremor, evidence-based physical examination, chemodenervation, Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and provider burnout, wellness and resilience. He has received numerous recognitions as an educator, such as the Distinguished Mentor Award and a campus-wide Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Gold Humanism Honor Society.When he is not researching, educating or treating patients, Dr. Torres-Russotto enjoys spending time with family, reading and exploring two of his passions — food and music.

Education & Training

• Barnes Jewish Hospital Washington University Fellowship Program, Movement Disorders, 2009
• Barnes Jewish Hospital (Missouri) Residency Program, Internal Medicine/Neurology, 2007
• Mayo Clinic Foundation Residency Program, Surgery, General, 2003
• Universidad Central de Venezuela Medical School, 1999

Board Certifications

• Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2008

Luis Felipe Tornes, M.D., is a neurologist and the director of epilepsy at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Dr. Tornes earned his medical degree from Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He then completed a neurology residency followed by a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital System. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

As a neurologist, Dr. Tornes is deeply passionate about the profound impact his specialty can have on his patients’ lives. He is committed to holistic care for his patients, including their emotional and mental well-being and is dedicated to helping them be active participants in their treatment plans.

In his free time, Dr. Tornes enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

Education & Training

• University of Miami/Jackson Health System
  Fellowship Program, Clinical Neurophysiology, 2023
• University of Miami/Jackson Health System
  Residency Program, Neurology, 2022
• FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (Florida)
  Medical School, 2018

Board Certifications

• Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2023

Zhijian Chen, M.D., is a board-certified neuro-oncologist with Miami Cancer Institute of Baptist Health. He specializes in therapeutic approaches to primary brain tumors, especially glioma, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and the research study of convection-enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. He is fluent in English and Mandarin. Prior to joining Baptist Health in 2022, Dr. Chen served as an associate professor for the Massey Cancer Center’s Department of Neurology/Neuro-Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Chen completed his neuro-oncology fellowship through the Brain Tumor & Neuro-Oncology Center at Cleveland Clinic. He also fulfilled his adult neurology residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and interned at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System’s Department of Medicine. Dr. Chen’s extensive contributions to research reflect his commitment to excellence. His work appears in more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and he holds a patent for an innovative coaxial catheter system. As a neuro-oncologist, Dr. Chen builds rapport with his patients through trust and a comprehensive knowledge of advanced therapies. In his free time, Dr. Chen enjoys hiking, traveling and cooking.

Education & Training

• Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Ohio) Fellowship Program, Neuro-Oncology, 2015
• Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Residency Program, Neurology, 2014
• Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Internship Program, Internal Medicine, 2011
• The Second Military Medical University Medical School, 1990

Board Certifications

• Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2015

Felipe De Los Rios La Rosa, M.D., is a cerebrovascular neurologist, the Irma Bass Endowed Chair in Stroke Neurology and the director of stroke care at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa specializes in adult neurology, stroke treatment and vascular neurology. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Prior to joining Miami Neuroscience Institute in 2016, Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa served as the director of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases at SANNA Healthcare Network in Lima, Peru. Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa has been director of the stroke program at Baptist Health Baptist Hospital since 2016. Under his leadership, the program has undergone three Joint Commission re-certifications as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. It has also consistently received the top American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines National Stroke Program Awards. Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa is involved in leading-edge research through NIH StrokeNet and regional partners. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in publications, including the Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, Stroke, Neurosurgery, and the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. He has presented at numerous national and international industry events and conferences. He has also helped start stroke programs in Latin American and the Caribbean. Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa is a fellow of the American Heart Association and has served in academic appointments at the University of Cincinnati and Florida International University. Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa bases his approach to patient care on the principles of autonomy and respect. He strives to provide individualized, patient-specific recommendations. When he is not treating patients, Dr. De Los Rios La Rosa enjoys playing tennis, reading, running and trekking.

Education & Training

• University of Cincinnati Medical Center Fellowship Program, Vascular Neurology, 2012
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center Residency Program, Neurology, 2011
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center Internship Program, Internal Medicine, 2008
• Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado (Peru) Medical School, 2005

Board Certifications

• Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2011
• Vascular Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2014

Italo Linfante, M.D, is the director of interventional neuroradiology at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Linfante specializes in endovascular procedures and interventional neuroradiology. He is fluent in English and Italian. Dr. Linfante joined Miami Neuroscience Institute from Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, where he served as medical director of interventional neuroradiology. He is currently a clinical professor of radiology and neuroscience at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. He previously served as an associate professor of neurology and radiology in the University of Massachusetts’ Section of Neuroendovascular Surgery/Interventional Neuroradiology and was attending physician in Neuro Endovascular Surgery at Boston Medical Center.Dr. Linfante has performed more than 10,000 endovascular neurosurgical procedures and treated more than 1,000 cerebral aneurysms. He has participated in major clinical trials in medications and device-related technology to treat stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases. He has lectured nationally and internationally on related topics. Dr. Linfante has been a member of the Editorial Board of the scientific journal Stroke since 2002 and an associate editor for the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. He has also been an editor for several other major peer-reviewed medical journals in neurosurgery and neuroradiology.He is the author of more than 170 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals such as Stroke, Neurology, Neurosurgery and the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. He has published numerous book chapters and books on stroke and cerebrovascular diseases. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Specialties in Neurology and Vascular Neurology and Diplomate in NeuroEndovascular Surgery from the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).Dr. Linfante holds several leadership positions in neuroendovascular surgery. He is a founding member and was president of the Society for Interventional Neurology (SVIN). He was president of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN). He also served on the Executive Committee of the Society for Neuro Interventional Surgery (SNIS). He has been the chairman of several sessions and scientific symposiums of the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA). In addition, he served as chairman and faculty of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, and the International Symposium of Endovascular Therapy (ISET). He has received numerous awards, including the Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) and Stroke Council, Cum Laude Award of the American Society of Neuroradiology, Cor Vitae Award from the American Heart Association and others. When he is not treating patients, Dr. Linfante enjoys running, tennis, swimming, music, playing the guitar and traveling.

Education & Training

• Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami Fellowship Program, Interventional Neuroradiology, 2004
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship Program, Interventional Neuroradiology, 2003
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship Program, Cerebrovascular Diseases, 2000
• Baylor College of Medicine Residency Program, Neurology, 1998
• George Washington University Residency Program, Internal Medicine, 1995
• National Institutes of Health Fellowship Program, Neuroradiology, 1994
• Universita degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza Facolta di Farmacia e Medicina (Italy) Medical School, 1987

Board Certifications

• Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1999

Michael McDermott, M.D., is a neurosurgeon and the chief medical executive of Miami Neuroscience Institute. He is a world-renowned leader in neurosciences and has clinical expertise in the field of meningioma research and Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Dr. McDermott is widely known for advancing neurosurgical techniques and pioneered the surgical management of meningioma, a slow-growing tumor that affects the brain. He is an expert in the treatment of a wide variety of neurological disorders.

Dr. McDermott joined Baptist Health South Florida from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center, where he served as co-director of the Gamma Knife radiosurgery program and Skull Base Surgery programs, vice chairman of clinical programs and Wolfe Family Endowed Professor in Meningioma Research.

Throughout his career, Dr. McDermott’s research has generated more than 400 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his clinical and research leadership, he is an accomplished educator. As residency program director at the UCSF Medical Center, he trained young surgeons from around the world.

Dr. McDermott has been recognized with several professional awards, and numerous visiting professor invitations.

When he is not treating patients, Dr. McDermott enjoys being with his family and watching his sons play lacrosse. He also has his own wine label and is a vintage Formula Ford race car enthusiast.

Education & Training

• University of Toronto School of Medicine
• University of British Columbia Hospital (Residency)
• UCSF Medical Center (Fellowship)

Board Certifications

• Neurological Surgery

Dr. Wilson Heredia Nunez is a pediatric neurologist and serves as the Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists (NCPS) medical director of the Headache Program within the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Brain Institute. In this role, Dr. Heredia is responsible for setting the strategy of the Headache Program, as well as overseeing all clinical care, quality metrics, teaching, research and fiscal planning. He earned his medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Dr. Heredia completed a residency in pediatric medicine at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York City. He then pursued a fellowship in child neurology at University of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital in Pennsylvania. His clinical interests include headaches, traumatic brain injury, concussion and sports neurology.

Dr. Heredia is board certified in neurology with a special qualification in pediatric neurology. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Neurology, American Headache Society, National Headache foundation, American Interventional Headache Society and The National Federation of State High School Associations. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and he has presented at medical conferences.

Education & Training

• UPMC Medical Education Fellowship Program, Child Neurology, 2019
• BronxCare Health System Residency Program, Pediatrics, 2016
• Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Medical School, 1999

Board Certifications

• Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2020

Yazmin Odia, MD, MS, FAAN is the Chief of Neuro-Oncology at Miami Cancer Institute (MCI) at Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF), where she also serves on the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and Neuroscience Research Fund (NRF) Review Committee. A Chicago Honor Scholar, she received her bachelor’s of arts and medical degree from the University of Chicago. She received a Master of Science degree in clinical research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She completed a residency in neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and a clinical and research fellowship in the Neuro-Oncology Branch of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Prior to joining MCI, she was assistant professor of Neurology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons and an assistant attending neurologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York, NY. Dr. Odia is an UCNS board-certified Neuro-Oncologist recognized as Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN) in 2019 and serves as Chair of the Diversity Leadership Subcommittee and member of the Leadership Development Committee, Health Care Disparities Taskforce, Spanish Language Work Group, and Undergraduate Education Subcommittee. She served as Editor of the AAN Leadership Alumni Newsletter. Her honors include Columbia University/New York Presbyterian Hospital’s Stephen Q. Shafer Award for Humanism in Neurology and John Hopkins’ Guy M. McKhann Award for Teaching and Communication Excellence. She also received the Top Doctor Awards in New York City (2015-16) and Miami (2018-19) and named a US Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2019).

Education & Training

• National Cancer Institute Fellowship Program, Neuro-Oncology, 2013
• Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland) Residency Program, Neurology, 2010
• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Internship Program, Internal Medicine, 2007
• University of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine Medical School, 2006

Board Certifications

• Neurology — American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2010