Samer D. Tabbal, M.D. Installed as Endowed Chair at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute
CORAL GABLES, FL – November 24, 2025 – Samer D. Tabbal, M.D., FAAN, director of the movement disorders program at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, was installed as the Endowed Chair in Movement Disorders at the Institute in a ceremony and reception on November 19, 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami. The program included speakers Jack Ziffer, M.D., executive vice president and chief clinical officer, chief physician executive of Baptist Health; Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation; Michael McDermott, M.D., chief medical executive and Irma & Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Clinical Neuroscience at Miami Neuroscience Institute; and Diego Torres-Russotto, M.D., chair of neurology and Distinguished Endowed Chair in Neurology at Miami Neuroscience Institute. The program was followed by a presentation by Dr. Tabbal.
The endowment was created to provide comprehensive support to expand the understanding of movement disorders and improve the treatment of patients with these disorders. It will support Dr. Tabbal’s novel research initiatives in brain imaging and neurodegenerative diseases.
“We are honored and grateful to be a part of this important occasion supporting Dr. Tabbal’s work,” said Ms. Villoch. “This endowed chair will have an enormous impact on advancing care and treatments for movement disorders that affect so many in South Florida and beyond.”
A board-certified neurologist, Dr. Tabbal specializes in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and deep brain stimulation programming for Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia.
Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Tabbal was professor of neurology and attending neurologist at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania. During his career, he held the position of director of the Deep Brain Stimulation Program for Parkinson’s Disease and Other Movement Disorders at Washington University in St. Louis for 10 years and developed a movement disorder center at his alma mater, the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.
Dr. Tabbal earned his medical degree at American University of Beirut. He completed his neurology residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and a two-year fellowship in movement disorders at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City. Widely published in peer-reviewed publications, Dr.Tabbal’s research focuses on the mechanisms of action of deep brain stimulation and its effects on brain imaging, movement control, cognition and mood.
Dr. Tabbal is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and a member of several other professional organizations.
“I am deeply honored to accept this endowed chair,” said Dr. Tabbal. “We are making tremendous advances in the treatment of movement disorders. This endowment will be instrumental in supporting research studies that will result in improved outcomes and better quality of life for patients with neurological diseases.”
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 29,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate ofFlorida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
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