Known to learners as Dr. Sam, Dr. Sampathkumar Shanmugham has been involved in teaching College of Medicine students since 2009, first as a volunteer/affiliated faculty member and now as an adjunct faculty. In 2022 he became site director for Florida Neurology, PA, where third-year UCF medical students complete their Neurology Clerkship training.
Dr. Shanmugham received his medical degree in India at the Colmbatore Medical College/Madras University and did his Neurology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago and the University of Illinois. He did a fellowship in Electromyography and Neuromuscular Disease at the University of Miami. Dr. Shanmugham is a diplomate of multiple certifying Boards, including the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, American Board of Electroencephalography & Clinical Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the American Board of Sleep Medicine.
Here is what UCF medical students say about Dr. Shanmugham:
- Dr. Sam is an amazing teacher. He explained very clearly, pushed my clinical and presentation skills, and let me do a lot of hands-on practice. One of the best preceptors I’ve worked with!
- Dr. Sam was an excellent teacher. He is very knowledgeable and it is very clear he has a lot of wisdom and experience in the field of neurology. He gave me a great deal of independence to see patients on my own and this allowed me to learn a lot and practice my history-taking skills and physical exam. He provided me with insightful feedback when I asked and even followed up on topic the next day to provide further insight, showing that he had been reflecting on it and that he cared about helping me improve. It was a pleasure to learn from him!
- His greatest teaching strength was the fact that he encouraged independence. I saw the patient myself, did the physical exam, and presented to him. He would provide constructive criticism and encouraged me to work through any questions and confusion I had.
- Dr. Sam is a great role model in patient-centered care and indirectly taught me the value of asking patients about their perception of their illness and how it affects them individually.