Academic and Career Accomplishments
Dr. Deanna (Cettomai) Saylor graduated from Ravenna High School in 2001 before earning a BS in Molecular Genetics and a BA in Chemistry from The Ohio State University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, with Honors and with Distinction in 2005. Dr. Saylor was inspired to become a neurologist by her mother’s battle with multiple sclerosis (MS). She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2011 after also earning a master’s in health sciences in Clinical Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2009. Dr. Saylor then completed her Internship, neurology residency and fellowship in neuroimmunology and neuro-infectious diseases at the Johns Hopkins Hospital before joining the neurology faculy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2016.
In 2018, after receiving a Fulbright Fellowship from the US State Department, she and her family relocated to Lusaka, Zambia where Dr. Saylor began Zambia’s first-ever neurology residency program and specialized neurology clinical care. The residency has now trained 18 neurologists and is beginning to train neurologists from across sub-Saharan African. Clinical care has markedly improved outcomes for patients with neurological disorders, including reducing in-hospital stroke mortality from ~50% to less than 10%. She also developed a successful clinical research program in Zambia which has impacted stroke care in Africa and increased recognition of MS in the region. Dr. Sayloris an internationally recognized expert, having worked closely with the World Health Organization, American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Neurological Association (ANA), World Neurology Federation, and MS International Federation, to help them develop and implement various international Initiatives and programs. Finally, Dr. Saylor is recognized Stateside as a leader of the global neurology field and a dedicated mentor and educator. Her awards include: 2017 Johns Hopkins Neurology Outstanding Educator In Clinical Faculty, 2018 AAN A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award, 2019 Johns Hopkins Institute for Excellence In Education Award for Junior Faculty Contribution in Education, 2021 AAN Neuro-lnfectious Disease Award, 2021 AAN Mridha Spirit of Neurology Award, 2022 Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Global Achievement Award, 2022 ANA Distinguished Neurology Teacher Award, and the 2023 AAN Ted Burns Humanism in Neurology Award.