Roderick Spears MD FAHS, FAAN

Headache

Endowed Chair of Migraine/Chief of the Headache Division Brown Neurology Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Providence, RI

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900 Douglas PikeSmithfield, RI 02917
Phone+1 401-444-3032

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Summary

Dr. Roderick Spears is a neurologist based in Smithfield, RI, specializing in headache medicine. He completed his medical education at Wayne State University School of Medicine and pursued further training in neurology through residency at Montefiore Medical Center and a fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital. His professional experience includes serving as Endowed Chair of Migraine at Brown University and holding leadership roles at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and University of Penn Medical Group. Dr. Spears has published extensively on topics related to neurology and headache medicine, been invited to present at national meetings on headache medicine, ethics, and leadership. He has been recognized with several awards, including the Dean's Excellence in Teaching Award from Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Top Doctor in Neurology accolades from Philadelphia Magazine and Castle Connolly.

Education & Training

New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus)Fellowship, Neurology, 2003 - 2004
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of MedicineResidency, Neurology, 2000 - 2003
Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Akron GeneralInternship, Internal Medicine, 1999 - 2000
Wayne State University School of MedicineClass of 1999
Michigan State UniversityBS, Physiology, 1989 - 1993

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Certifications & Licensure

RI State Medical License 2021 - 2028
PA State Medical License 2011 - 2026
OH State Medical License 1999 - 2012
NY State Medical License 2004 - 2008
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Neurology
UCNSHeadache Medicine

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Dean's Excellence in Teaching Award Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 2025
Alpha Omega Alpha Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 2024
Top Doctor in Neurology Philadelphia Magazine, 2017-2022

Clinical Trials

Comparative Effectiveness of Migraine Preventive Medications: The APT Comparison Study Start of enrollment: 2025 Jul 09
RECRUITING
PHASE4

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

11 citations
Effects of Fragmentation and the Case for Greater Cohesion in Neurologic Care Delivery.
Mary Angela O’Neal, Nassim Zecavati, Melissa Yu, Rebecca Spain, Scott M. Friedenberg
Neurology. 2021-11-18
10 citations
Equity of African American Men in Headache in the United States: A Perspective From African American Headache Medicine Specialists (Part 2).
Larry Charleston, Roderick C. Spears
Headache. 2020-11-01
12 citations
Equity of African American Men in Headache in the United States: A Perspective From African American Headache Medicine Specialists (Part 1).
Larry Charleston, Roderick C. Spears, Charles Flippen
Headache. 2020-11-01

Journal Articles

Ten Action Items to Combat Peer-to-Peer and Institutional Racial Bias in Medicine. Practical Neurology. March 2024: 58-59.
Lisk J, Mathew PG, Ali N, Charleston IV L, Spears RC, Armand CE, Farheen A, Moon JS, Burrus TM, Practical Neurology. March 2024: 58-59., 3/8/2024

Press Mentions

Deja VuApril 28th, 2023
New Dedicated Headache and Migraine Center to open in Rhode IslandSeptember 7th, 2022
7 Tips to Ease Migraine PainSeptember 2nd, 2021

Committees

Member, AOA Selection Committee at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University 2024 - Present
Member, Ethics, Law, and Humanities Committee of the American Academy of Neurology 2021 - Present
Member, Leadership Development Committee, American Headache Society 2022 - 2026
Member, Advocacy Committee, American Headache Society 2022 - 2024
Member, Practice Committee of American Academy of Neurology 2015 - 2019