Abdullah M. Nassief, MD

Abdullah M. Nassief, MD, is assistant professor of neurology, director of the neurology residency program and director of the Clinical Stroke Center at Washington University School of Medicine. He is praised as a dedicated teacher, an inspirational mentor to residents and a compassionate physician.

Nassief earned his medical and surgical degrees from King Saud University School of Medicine in 1990. He completed his medical training with a neurology residency at the University of Vermont in 1998 and a fellowship in stroke at Washington University in 2000. He joined the Washington University faculty in 2000.

A highly admired teacher, Nassief has served as a role model to many medical students and residents pursuing careers in neurology. He is known for his encyclopedic knowledge of medicine, infectious energy and enthusiasm, and attentive mentoring of residents and students. Residents cite Nassief’s genuine interest in their training and admire his balance between bedside clinical demonstrations and evidence-based teaching. He has been a three-time recipient of the Sven Eliasson Award for Teaching Excellence from Washington University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology and a four-time recipient of the Washington University School of Medicine Distinguished Clinical Teacher of the Year Award. With patients, Nassief is described as a compassionate, caring physician skilled at communicating their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Nassief’s clinical duties include evaluation of cerebrovascular disease patients at the Comprehensive Outpatient Stroke Clinic. His research focuses on cerebrovascular disease. More specifically, his work involves exploration of mechanisms of early atherosclerosis. He also studies cognitive function in women after cardiac surgery and is principal investigator on several studies related to stroke treatment and prevention.