Meet the provider: Evanthia Bernitsas, M.D.

Evanthia Bernitsas, M.D., Department of Neurology, joined Wayne Health in 2011. Her special interests include multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and CNS autoimmune disease, such as lupus and sarcoidosis.

Dr. Bernitsas graduated from the Aristotelian Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece in 1990. The environment was supportive, academic, nurturing and open- minded. She learned that there are no limits on what one can achieve. After completion of medical school, she came to the USA to pursue a residency at Case Western School of Medicine. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor for three years, she learned about clinical research, including clinical trials as well as translational research. In addition, she was trained at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX for one year, where she was exposed to all types of autoimmune disorders and various clinical research opportunities. When Dr. Bernitsas started her medical training, brain function and neurological disorders were not well studied. The treatment options were limited for the majority of neurological disorders. Although, there is still much to learn about the brain, huge advances have been made over the last two decades that have made her job rewarding and fulfilling.

Dr. Bernitsas chose Wayne Health because it’s an extensive health care network of different providers. It offers her support, collegiality and opportunities for advancement.

Dr. Bernitsas greatly enjoys the diverse population in Detroit. She takes care of patients from all social, ethnic and racial backgrounds. She feels privileged to help a portion of her patients who are underserved.

Dr. Bernitsas has a unique approach to patient care. She is on a team with MS/Neuroimmunology specialists, including three MS experts, one nurse practitioner, one infusion nurse and 2 MA who put our patients as their first priority. In addition, they have a very active clinical research team that offers unique opportunities to their patients. Patients who are eligible for their research studies can start new treatments several years before FDA approval. Research studies can also accommodate people with insurance issues. She is very proud of the Neuroimmunology center and her and her team work hard to maintain its high standards.

Dr. Bernitsas patients have taught her to trust and believe them. She cherishes every moment with them and learned a lot about collaboration and mutual respect. Her most impactful experience with a patient was when a young man came to her clinic after seeing different providers and given different diagnosis. She diagnosed him correctly, started him on the appropriate treatment that made a big difference for him and received his enormous gratitude. She still has his “thank you” card!

As a fellow at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Bernitsas was granted a NMS Society fellowship to complete her post-residency fellowship training. In her career, she has received numerous awards, including the Chairman’s Award in 2016, the Yoga Moves MS Award and the prestigious AAN Fellowship award. Over the years, she has been included in the “Best Doctors in Michigan and the US”, “Top Doctors” and “Marquis Who’s Who”. Dr. Bernitsas has been published extensively. She has also been a member in steering committees and Editor-in Chief in the Neuroimaging section of “Brain Sciences”. So far in her career, Dr. Bernitsas is most proud of her tremendous effort to arrive in this country as a foreign Medical Graduate (FMG), overcoming numerous obstacles, getting accustomed to a new system, culture and language, and making every day a small step towards success and accomplishment.

In her free time, Dr. Bernitsas enjoys swimming, cooking, travelling and spending time with her family.

To request an appointment with Dr. Bernitsas, visit our appointment page.