Benjamin Greenberg, M.D.

Benjamin Greenberg, M.D.

Vice Chair of Clinical & Translational Research

  • Cain Denius Scholar in Mobility Disorders
  • Distinguished Teaching Professor
  • Neurology
  • Autoimmune Neurology

Biography

Benjamin M. Greenberg, M.D., M.H.S., is a Professor and the Cain Denius Scholar in Mobility Disorders in the Department of Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He also has an appointment in the Department of Pediatrics

Dr. Greenberg is an internationally recognized expert in treating rare autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system. 

He currently serves as the Vice Chair of Translational Research and Strategic Initiatives for the Department of Neurology. He is also the interim Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center and the Director of the Neurosciences Clinical Research Center. In addition, he serves as Director of the Transverse Myelitis and Neuromyelitis Optica Program and the Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Program at Children’s Medical Center – which he established as one of only two U.S. programs of its kind. 

Dr. Greenberg earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine before completing an internal medicine internship at Chicago’s Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. He performed his neurology residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, serving as Chief Resident his final year. 

He also holds an M.H.S. in molecular microbiology and immunology from the Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as a bachelor’s degree in the history of medicine – both from Johns Hopkins. 

Dr. Greenberg splits his clinical time between adult and pediatric patients, routinely consulting on the inpatient units of William P. Clements Jr. and Zale Lipshy University Hospitals, Parkland, and Children’s Medical Center.

His research focuses on better diagnosing, prognosticating, and treating demyelinating diseases and nervous system infections. He also coordinates clinical trials to evaluate new treatments to prevent neurologic damage and restore function to affected patients. 

In addition, Dr. Greenberg has led an effort to improve biorepository development and create uniform protocols for sample handling and analysis. As part of this initiative, his collaborative research has identified novel biomarkers that could be key to distinguishing between patients with various neurologic disorders. 

Prior to his recruitment to UT Southwestern in 2009, Dr. Greenberg was on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins Division of Neuroimmunology, serving as the Director of the Encephalitis Center and Co-director of the nation’s first dedicated Transverse Myelitis Center.

Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Greenberg is a three-time Texas Monthly Rising Star and was included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list for 2016-2022. He was also named a Super Doctor by Texas Monthly in 2018.

Meet Dr. Greenberg

Autoimmune Disorders Expert in Dallas

Neurologist Dr. Benjamin Greenberg is an internationally recognized expert in treating adults and children with autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system. He specializes in treating patients with transverse myelitis (TM), neuromyelitis optica (NMO, or Devic’s disease), and multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as children with TM, MS, and other conditions such as autoimmune encephalitis and acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM).

Because the diseases are rare, patients can have a hard time finding a medical “home” – a place where the clinicians specialize in treating and better understanding these complex, sometimes debilitating conditions. Dr. Greenberg and the team at UT Southwestern Medical Center offer that home, treating patients from around the world with these disorders.

“It’s been very rewarding to help create a team that has virtually no match in terms of the variety and depth of highly specialized skill sets we offer,” Dr. Greenberg says.

As an example, one common misconception people have about demyelinating diseases is that after an acute event, the recovery time is limited. Some nonspecialists tell patients with transverse myelitis that the function they will recover will be within six to 12 months of the event will be the limit of their recovery.

“Our work and experience has shown us that’s just not the case,” Dr. Greenberg says. “We see adults and children recover function years out from acute events. We often have to remind people that there’s not a time limit on their window for recovery.”

A three-time Texas Monthly Rising Star, Dr. Greenberg believes that UT Southwestern’s multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach is the key to delivering the best care available – both acute and long-term.

“We have a team of experts who are passionate about helping patients with these conditions, and taking an active presence on the national and international stage in understanding and defining treatment options.”

See More

Education & Training
  • Residency - Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2002-2005), Neurology
  • Internship - Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes Med Ctr - GME (2001-2002), Internal Medicine
  • Medical School - Baylor College of Medicine (1997-2001)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American Academy of Neurology
  • Transverse Myelitis Association (2004), http://myelitis.org
  • International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (2009)
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2016-2022
  • University of Texas Southwestern Academy of Teachers 2016
  • University of Texas Board of Regents Teaching Award 2015
  • Neurosciences Teaching Award, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Fred Baskin Investigator Award 2011, Research Award
  • Frank Ford 2008, Depart of Neurology Teaching Award
  • Guy McKhann 2005, Resident Teaching Award
  • Service Award From Maryland 2004, Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • Intern of the Year Award 2002, Rush Internal Medicine
  • 2009 Neurology Teaching Award
  • Neurosciences Teaching Award, 2010, 2011, 2012
Books & Publications
Research
  • Transverse Myelitis
  • Neuromyelitis Optica
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Clinical Treatment Trials
  • Biomarkers of Disease

Clinical Focus

  • Autoimmune Neurology

See More

Dr. Benjamin Greenberg on Transverse Myelitis