Mara Lugassy, M.D., is the Palliative Medicine Section Chief at Westchester Medical Center. Prior she served as hospice medical director and vice president of medical affairs at MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care in New York City and as a faculty member at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

As one of a small number of physicians who are double board certified in both neurology and palliative medicine, Dr. Lugassy has particular expertise in the emerging field of neuropalliative care. She is actively involved in the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the American Academy of Neurology, and the International Neuropalliative Care Society. 

A committed educator, Dr. Lugassy oversees the Westchester Medical Center clinical palliative care rotations for medical students, residents, and fellows, and is involved in a wide range of palliative care-related educational, quality improvement, and research initiatives throughout the academic medical center.

Education

• M.D., Mount Sinai School of Medicine                              
• Internship, Internal Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center
• Residency, Neurology, Neurologic Institute of Columbia University
• Fellowship, Palliative Medicine, Hertzberg Palliative Care Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center

Publications

• Isath A, Ohira S, Marcotte K, et. al. "Ethical and Technical Challenges in the Removal of Temporary Left Ventricular Assist Device in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure: A Multidisciplinary Approach." Journal of cardiac failure, 30(10), (2024) 1387-1390. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2024.07.017
• Bublitz SK, Lugassy M, Gursahani R, et. al. ""It's not a one-person show" E-learning course in neuropalliative care: A qualitative analysis of participants' educational gains and self-reported outcomes." Palliative & supportive care, (), (2024) 1-6. doi: 10.1017/S147895152400124X
• Bu J, DeSanto-Madeya S, Lugassy M, et. al. ""So we brought these players together": a qualitative study of educators' experiences to analyze the challenges of creating an e-learning program for neuropalliative care." BMC medical education, 24(1), (2024) 524. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05437-8
• Oakley CI, Chou CZ, Wiste R, et. al. "Communicating About Death by Neurologic Criteria #479." Journal of palliative medicine, 27(5), (2024) 702-703. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2024.0060
• Rotundo E, Braunreuther E, Dale M, et. al. "Retrospective Review of Trauma ICU Patients With and Without Palliative Care Intervention." Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 235(2), (2022) 278-284. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000220
• Gracies JM, Lugassy M, Weisz DJ, et. al. "Botulinum toxin dilution and endplate targeting in spasticity: a double-blind controlled study." Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 90(1), (2009) 9-16.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.04.030
• Gracies JM, Tse W, Lugassy M, et. al. "Physical therapy in Parkinson's disease." Handbook of clinical neurology, 84(), (2007) 1-16. doi: 10.1016/S0072-9752(07)84030-9

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