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Elizabeth Ferluga

Director of Movement Disorders

Dr. Ferluga, a neurology specialist, developed and directed movement disorder programs at prestigious medical centers before pivoting to teleneurology with Synapticure, focusing on holistic care for Parkinson’s and Huntington’s patients.

‹ Back to Physician Directory

Elizabeth Ferluga

MD

Director of Movement Disorders

Dr. Ferluga, a neurology specialist, developed and directed movement disorder programs at prestigious medical centers before pivoting to teleneurology with Synapticure, focusing on holistic care for Parkinson’s and Huntington’s patients.

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Credentials

Residency

Vanderbilt Medical Center (Neurology)

Fellowship

Vanderbilt Medical Center (Movement Disorder Neurology)

Education

Carver College of Medicine (MD)

Washington State University (Neuroscience)

Washington State University (Psychology)

Affiliations

Alpha Omega Alpha

Movement Disorder Society

American Academy of Neurology

About the doctor

Biography

Dr. Ferluga was born in Kennewick, WA.  She completed her undergraduate degrees in psychology and neuroscience in 2003 at Washington State University.  She went on to University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.  She graduated with AOA honors in 2007.  She completed her residency in Neurology at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN. She served as neurology chief resident in 2011.  She subsequently went on to be a general neurology attending and movement disorder fellow, graduating in 2013.  She then joined faculty at Vanderbilt as an assistant professor practicing both general neurology and movement disorders.  She further participated development of a pediatric movement disorder clinic.

In 2015, she moved to Chattanooga, TN.  She was hired at Erlanger medical center to develop a movement disorder program.  While working at Erlanger, she served as Clinic Director and Medical Director of the neurology service line.  She also served as the director of Erlanger’s HD center of excellence (partner with Vanderbilt since 2016).

She left Erlanger medical center in 2023.  She is now practicing teleneurology with synapticure focusing on total care for patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.

Publications

Ferluga ED, Sathe NA, Krishnaswam S, Mcpheeters ML. Surgical intervention for feeding and nutrition difficulties in cerebral palsy: a systematic review.  Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. June 5 2013.

Ferluga ED, Archer KR, Sathe NA, Krishnaswami S, Klint A, Lindegren ML, McPheeters ML. Interventions for Feeding and Nutrition in Cerebral Palsy. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 94. (Prepared by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2007-10065-I) AHRQ Publication No. 13-EHC015-EFxx-EHCxxx. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. <in press>. Available at: www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/final.cfm.

Poe, G.R., Thompson, C.M., Riley, B.T., Tysor, M.K., Bjorness, T.E., Steinhoff, B.P, and Ferluga, E.D.  A spatial memory task appropriate for electrophysiological recordings.  Journal of Neuroscience Methods.  2002.  Vol 121.  pp 64-74.

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Affiliations

Alpha Omega Alpha

Movement Disorder Society

American Academy of Neurology

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states licensed in

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia

Reviews

4.9
Overall Experience

I was very impressed with the amount of time and quality questions.

Dr. Verluga clearly explains things and answers any questions I have. She listens carefully to my issues and concerns. I appreciate her guidance.

Dr. Ferluga is just amazing. She takes the time to listen and really dig deep to help with current issues. Such a blessing to have her on my care team.

The relaxed setting was conducive to discussion and for me to be an active participant in my care plan

I am very pleased with her. It’s nice to have a Doctor Who actually listens to you and is open minded about your treatment rather than telling you what you should do. I am so glad that I signed up with synapticure.

Dr. Ferluga was very easy to talk to and very understanding with our technical difficulties

Very thorough, personable and I appreciate the time spent listening to me, Dr. Ferluga was very interested and concerned about me.

I felt like I was thoroughly evaluated by Dr Ferluga. I have never felt so "listened to".

My mother’s Synapticure team is fantastic. They make us feel like she is their most important patient. They are experts in their field and provide excellent care, but they also are kind and attentive and efficient. Also, being remote allows us, her daughters, to easily participate even though we live in different states, plus it allows my mom to have her appointments without ever leaving the house. Given that she has a movement disorder and we are so far away, this allows her to continue to age in place as long as possible without sacrificing quality care. Synapticure has been a blessing to our family.

She is thoughtful, open to ideas, thorough, and compassionate. It is very easy to talk to .

She’s wonderful. And she took her time and listened as always. I really appreciate that. And that she obviously tries to think of solutions that will help me. Not just cookie-cutter stuff. I’m very glad for her. I didn’t have any place to really talk about what you were asking about using a Quote from me as below. You’re welcome to Use it if you can give me some time or something. And I will be glad to supply you with other quotes if that’s helpful. You could use my middle initial L Smith if that would help.

Caring, personal and very informative.

Dr. Ferluga really asked the right questions and listened to my responses. I was pleased with the depth of knowledge displayed during the visit, as well as in her report/notes/ summary.

I appreciated Dr Ferluga’s attention to detail and her thoroughness in investigating the issues that l am facing right now. With what she’s going to be checking out on me I believe we can find out what has been bothering me. I don’t think my current doctor and I were on the same page. And the symptoms were not being controlled well and I was feeling very bad at times Every one here thinks I am a hypochondriac but I’m not! Ğ

Just hopeful we'll find a diagnosis soon.

Liz really listens to us and makes everything very easy to understand

So much better that our regular neurologist who can only talk with us 1-2 times a year for 20-30 minutes. Appointments with Dr. Ferluga are in-depth and she is really getting to know her new patient. She's willing to listen and gives great advice.

I have never had a hour and a half visit with any doctor. It was wonderful.

it was better than i had anticipated

Not at this time. Too soon.

I am very pleased to be able to see Dr. Ferluga!!

Dr. Ferluga is relaxed, openly inviting participation in the decisions that will determine my treatment plan. She has at the ready the information, questions and suggestions so that we can make a decision and then what needs to be done to see that we can move forward with our decisions. She establishes a time frame for review of the plan. She included a referral that will bring an additional support for my success.

Dr Ferluga is new to me and she is doing a very good job of getting to know me.

it took longer than usual to setup the zoom meeting. problems on my side

I have never had a doctor appointment that has been so NOT rushed, answered all my questions and concerns thoroughly, offered suggestions and LISTENED. She was just awesome!!!

Thank you for this company! Thank you for this blessing!

Dr Liz has shown genuine concern for finding what will make my life more manageable and I feel so grateful to have her on my side.

Excellent first encounter with Dr. Ferluga, she was very thorough, patient, and gave me many insightful recommendations to follow up on.

Dr. Ferluga is a pleasure to speak with. She was patient with me and answered all of my questions or let me know that she would get back to me if she didn’t have the information. I appreciate that she is open-minded about other alternatives and treatment.

Such a compassionate patient doctor.

I've lived in 4 different states and seen several neurologists. No one has ever taken the time to go over so many issues. Most I've met don't know half of what she knows.

As always she was caring and listened to all our concerns. She helps us brainstorm the best ways to help our current situations. I do not know where we would be without her.

Filled with gratitude, I'm grateful for Dr. Ferluga's knowledge, understanding, and compassion. She was She was intuitive and asked about how my symptoms were affecting me emotionally, mentally, and physically. She saw me as a whole person, not a brain disease. Dr Ferluga feel like a friend I've known all my life.

As always great info

Dr. Ferluga listened closely to my concerns. At the same time, she asked probing questions that helped me think through things. While it was my first visit with her, I felt I have an ally with her, going forward.

The hour long visits are perfect and should never be reduced.

She explained to me what she thought and why she thought this. It was very helpful to me. I believe she is right in her diagnosis.

I still am not comfortable with the teli-visit thing. Dr. Ferluga was so sweet and thoughtful. Her attitude helped me relax.

I truly appreciate being able to talk to her and feel listened to. She’s one of a kind!

This was the best, comprehensive, open, promising, ... discussion with a provider for my care for Parkinson's. Bravo to Synapticure and Dr. Ferluga.

I came away with very positive feelings and information I that I didn’t have before.

Liz was super thorough and listened really well

We really enjoyed our visit, she was patient and very knowledgable. Kind and attentive to my needs with great information in regards to my diagnosis.

I felt that Dr. Ferluga was willing to take the necessary time with me.

Dr Ferluga was lovely, attentive and kind. I realize Multiple Systems Atrophy isn’t one of your focuses. Was hoping to learn about upcoming trials, research, etc. If you hire a specialist who has deep MSA experience in the future, please let me know.

Dr Ferluga gives 100 per cent

I found the visit very educational and satisfying. I appreciated Dr. Ferluga's integrative approach using not only medicine, but also the disciplines of biology and chemistry to treat the whole person rather than just treating the disease.

We see this Zoom-meeting as very successful

Liz takes extra time to Listen, process, and respond. This is a very welcome change in my healthcare!

Dr. Ferluga, after a full patient assessment, took time to carefully explain her proposed care plan and answer all our questions. Within hours, she sent us a written summary of her care plan followed by very detailed chart notes. We continue to be so impressed by the quality of care through Synapticure.

Dr. Ferluga made minor changes to my medication, and it made such a difference. Before the change in my medication I had severe dyskinesia most all day. It is so nice to have a good doctor that knows me and knows what to do for me. I personally feel Telemed appointments are more thorough than going into your doctor’s office. You have more one on one interaction. All this from the comfort of my home. I’m sold! Thank you, Synapticure, for reuniting me with my neurologist, Dr. Ferluga. Also, I want to thank my care team for being knowledgeable, timely, professional and helpful. My care team made this transition easy. , polite, and helpful. ,

I am continually impressed by how much the doctor really pays attention to what I have to saw and how much she takes my opinions into account.. She spends the entire time asking questions and making suggestions to try and help me get what I need to make my life more livable.

Our first visit with Dr. Ferluga was a pleasure. We felt heard and understood in a way that has not happened in a very long time. Our Parkinson's journey began 14 years ago, and it was refreshing to have her full attention and reassuring to know we have not yet run out of options. We are hopeful and glad to partner with Dr. Ferluga in the quest to ease my husband's suffering. Also, we thank the Synapticure team members who led us to Dr. Ferluga.

She was very knowledgable and well prepared for our session. She explained many things about the medication which I appreciated.

Very informative. Several new ideas about my health. Very professional

Extremely thorough visit. We were very pleased with her wanting Scott to maintain a good sleep pattern. Covered all of our concerns, very professional.

Dr Ferluga listens carefully to both of us. She remembers details and can remind us of where we have been since meeting her. Her knowledge and sensitivity in adjusting medications has changed our lives for the better. We never feel rushed and always feel heard. She recently helped me navigate an ER/hospital/surgical/skilled nursing rehab episode by giving me (care partner/wife) portal support. As a result, I was able to be a successful PD advocate and improve my husband’s nursing care significantly. I honestly don’t know what we would do without her and Synapticure.

This program is above and beyond any expectation I could ever have for how my PD care is managed. The Doctors and staff really go above and beyond to make you feel validated.

So helpful and open.

Dr Liz was wonderful! She was very approachable, and I felt like she really listened to my medical concerns and was careful to address all of them. The entire process, from the new patient intake with Linda who is overseeing my care, right up to the present has been excellent.

I actually feel I am getting more quality one on one time with my neurologist using Synapticure's telemed appointments. I have a followup with my care team after every appointment; and my care team is always available through messenging. Responses are sent promptly. I am very happy with my level of care.

Glad to see you and help with my care!

Dr Ferluga continues to exceed expectations

Dr. Ferluga is very responsive and willing to go the extra mile for her clients.