Danison Emmerson, MD, assistant professor

Danison Emmerson, MD, assistant professor of neurology, and associate program director of the neurology residency program, focuses on bridging gaps to create a fuller experience in both clinical service and education. Dr. Emmerson joined the neurology team in 2023. His family fled Sri Lanka due to the civil war. They bounced around Europe before ultimately settling down in the greater Toronto area where he grew up. Dr. Emmerson completed his medical school program as class speaker from the Medical University of the Americas and Nevis in 2018. He completed his neurology residency program at the University of Connecticut aswell as his fellowship in vascular neurology at  UConn Ayer Neuroscience Institute. 

Dr. Emmerson's special interests include the headache program, developed from his training at the Hartford Headache Center in Connecticut, and in patent formen ovale (PFO) closures, in collaboration with stroke physicians and cardiologists to support young stroke patients with a hole in their heart. 

He is completing a master’s in business administration with a concentration in healthcare management. 

With his focus on leadership, he is developing his clinical practice to provide the best care to patients in an empathetic and relatable way. Dr. Emmerson supports patients in the UMass Comprehensive Stroke Center, collaborates with the structural cardiology team to perform PFO closures, provides consults while conducting on ward service, treats patients in the headache clinic for migraine and facial pain syndrome using Botulinum toxin for chemodenervation; and performs EMG guided botulinum toxin in the spasticity clinic for post-stroke recovery. He is heavily involved in the general neurology clinic where he treats patients with all aspects of neurology concerns in collaboration with the neurology residents. 

In 2023, the neurology residency class awarded Dr. Emmerson with the David A. Chad Training Award. Dr. Emmerson shares, “I have been fortunate to work with several dedicated and passionate neurologists that inspired my interest in neurology. I hope my excitement and enthusiasm encourages other future physicians to pursue neurology and current neurology residents to pursue vascular neurology as a sub-specialty.” 

Dr. Emmerson works with residency director, Kate Daniello, MD, and shares, “I have a particular interest in the improvement of residency education and a focus on board review.  When mentoring residents or students, I try to always make myself available both clinical and otherwise. I work with Dr’s Wissam Deeb, Rakhee Lalla, Tom Ford, Elizabeth Cozart, Pegah Afra and several dedicated educators who are participating in improving neurology clerkship with several innovations in the Vista curriculum. This includes simulations, case discussion, morning reports, and individual mentorship for the medical students who rotate through the program.”  

When Dr. Emmerson is not in the clinic or supporting medical students and residents, you may find him competing in Jujitsu. In 2024, he completed a competition circuit at the jujitsu world league, achieving a gold and bronze medal. He and his wife also enjoy rock climbing and exploring the food in nature that New England has to offer.  

Congratulations on your achievements and thank you for your many collaborations and contributions within our department!