Eileen J. Harrigan, MD

In my general neurology clinic, I treat patients who have headaches, neuropathy, neck and back problems, and dizziness. In my neuropalliative care clinic, I see patients who have Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, dementia, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other serious neurologic conditions.

I am committed to holistic, patient-centered care that emphasizes not only the medical aspects of care but also how neurologic illness affects our daily life, experiences, and understanding of ourselves.

I chose a career in medicine when I was in high school. I was inspired by Dr. Paul Farmer, a Harvard Medical School global health physician and tireless advocate for his patients, both inside and outside of the hospital. Dr. Farmer not only committed himself to his patients’ medical care but also to their families’ wellbeing and dignity by advocating for improved social conditions and resources. His life’s work informed my sense of what a doctor ought to be, and I continue to strive toward that example.

I specialized in neurology because I found the brain and nervous system to be the most interesting parts of the body. It is how we perceive and interact with the world, and illnesses that affect our nervous system can fundamentally change this relationship.

In my training as a neurologist, I saw so many patients with unaddressed sources of pain—whether that be physical discomfort, issues with quality of life, or psychosocial or spiritual distress related to their illness. This inspired me to pursue special training in palliative care, so I could better provide patient-centered care to people who have neurologic conditions and offer guidance in moments of need.

I seek to empower patients to make decisions that best serve their goals, and I help communicate their preferences to the team. I am honored to have patients trust me with difficult conversations, so that the team can align their medical care with patients’ goals and values.

When not caring for patients, I am involved in graduate medical education research projects, including developing neuropalliative care education for doctors and social justice and advocacy curricula for palliative care fellows. I am interested in how our social and cultural lives shape our experience of medical care as patients and providers.