Verna R. Porter, MD
Director of Programs for Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders, Brain Health Center; Adult Neurology
Awards and Accomplishments
Overview | Location and Contact | Accepted Insurance | Frequently Asked Questions
About Dr. Verna Porter
Verna R. Porter MD, FAAN, FANA, is an adult and geriatric neurologist with board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and subspecialty certification from the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry. She is also distinguished as a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN) and a Fellow of the American Neurological Association (FANA).
Dr. Porter is the Director of Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Neurocognitive Disorders at the Pacific Brain Health Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) located at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. In addition, she is a Professor of Neurosciences, Department of Translational Neurosciences and Neurotherapeutics at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Dr. Verna R. Porter graduated Phi Beta Kappa, College Honors, Departmental Honors and Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She then went on to earn her MD degree from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine (1994). Dr. Porter completed her Internship at UCLA in the Department of Medicine, followed by her residency training in the UCLA Department of Neurology. She continued with a combined research/clinical fellowship in Dementia, Behavioral Neuroscience and Geriatric Medicine, between the UCLA Department of Neurology and the UCLA Division of Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Porter subsequently joined the UCLA faculty in 2002, and was elected to Chief of the Division of Neurology of UCLA/Santa Monica Medical Center that same year. She was the founder and lead physician of UCLA Santa Monica Neurological Associates, a faculty group practice in general neurology with additional subspecialty expertise and care, which opened its doors in 2002. She served as a lead physician and UCLA Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Neurology in this group until 2015 when she was named Director of Clinical Programs for the Mary S. Easton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. She served in this capacity until joining Pacific Neuroscience Institute in 2018 as Director of Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Neurocognitive Disorders. In her previous role as Director of Clinical Programs for the Mary S. Easton Alzheimer’s Disease Center at UCLA, Dr. Porter collaborated with several human clinical trials targeting various stages of Alzheimer’s disease, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through probable Alzheimer’s disease by NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Dr. Porter has over 25 years of experience in diagnosing and treating patients with memory disorders and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and many other neurodegenerative processes.
To deepen her practice, in 2024 Dr. Porter completed a 1-year certificate program at Duke University in Theology and Healthcare adding to her list of academic accomplishments.
Dr. Porter has numerous peer-reviewed publications and extensive teaching and clinical experience. Her expertise is recognized by her selection for inclusion in The Leading Physicians of the World, a subsidiary of the International Association of HealthCare Professionals (IAHCP) which is made up of over 100 different medical societies. She has also received recognition in Southern California Super Doctors, and has been named a “Top Doctor” in Los Angeles Magazine. She has also been selected for inclusion in the National Association of Professional Women, Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, and Marquis Who’s Who in the World among other awards and professional honors. Dr. Porter was selected for the 2018 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, Marquis Who’s Who.
Dr. Porter’s clinical and research interests focus on the intersection between immunological, genetic, and biomarker characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases and the impact of health lifestyle and dietary practices on optimizing brain health and cognitive vitality in the context of aging.
Dr. Porter is a Santa Monica native with three boys, and is active in the community with her family. She is pleased to being able to give back to the community where she grew up and where her family continues to thrive.
Medical Specialties
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cognitive Changes
- General Neurology
- Memory Loss
- Neurodegenerative Conditions
Accepted Insurance
Most insurance plans are accepted. Please contact us to confirm coverage.
Clinic Location
1301 20th St, Suite 150
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, she is accepting new patients at this time.
Dr. Porter’s clinical focus is adult and geriatric neurology.
Dr. Porter speaks English.
Yes, Dr. Porter is taking telehealth appointments.
Dr. Porter’s office is located at 1301 20th St, Suite 150, Santa Monica, CA 90404.
Useful Links
Videos featuring Dr. Porter
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Medical Degree
MD - UCLA School of Medicine -
Residency
Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine -
Fellowship
Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine -
Certifications
Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology