Biographical summary
After completing a B.A.S at Stanford University, Dr. Pless was a Woodruff Scholar at Emory University School of Medicine, where he received his MD. Dr. Pless completed a medical internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a neurology residency at the Harvard-Longwood Neurology Training Program of Boston. He subsequently joined Dr. Simmons Lessell in specialty training in neuro-ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston. Before joining the University of Pittsburgh, he served as full-time faculty at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Dr. Pless was the director of the neuro-ophthalmology division; he led a busy neuro-ophthalmology unit and took part in multicenter trials studying neuroprotection, optic nerve inflammation and ischemia. He was formally an Associate Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh. Subsequently Dr. Pless returned to Boston and at Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Pless served as a neuro-ophthalmologist working on optic nerve function, and for a decade led 3 divisions, Neuro-ophthalmology, Multiple Sclerosis and General Neurology. In addition Dr. Pless was an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. During the last 8 years he relocated to Switzerland where he served as neuro-ophthalmologist and neuro-immunologist, specializing in multiple sclerosis and uncommon autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system at the Hospital of the Canton of Lucerne, in Lucerne, Switzerland. Dr. Pless is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and is a board-certified member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and has published works on subjects relating to multiple sclerosis and neuro-ophthalmology.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Optic neuritis and demyelinating diseases
- inflammation of the optic pathways
- optic nerve tumors
- optic nerve lesions and ischemia of the optic nerve
- nystagmus and abnormal eye movements
- pituitary tumors affecting vision
- brain lesions affecting vision
- neuromyelitis optica
- paraneoplastic diseases affecting vision
- retinal diseases which mascaraed as optic nerve diseases and vice-versa
- brain and muscle diseases which cause double vision
- rare diseases of the optic nerve and brain
- interdisciplinary work along neurosurgery, endocrinology, rheumatology
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 1995
Fellowship - Neuro-OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
- 1994
Residency - NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital
- 1991
Internship - Internal MedicineMassachusetts General Hospital
- 1990
MDEmory University
- 1985
BAS - Chemistry and HistoryStanford University
Activities and honors
Awards and honors
- 2012
Best Clinical Teacher of the YearMassachusetts General Hospital
- 2010
Elected as Best Doctor 2010-2012Best Doctors in America
- 2009
Partners in Excellence AwardMassachusetts General Hospital
- 2009
Best Doctors in AmericaMassachusetts General Hospital
- 1999
Excellence in Teaching Award of the YearUniversity of Pittsburgh
- 1996
James Carl Clinical Teacher of the Year AwardUniversity of Pittsburgh
- 1989
Young Investigator AwardEmory School of Medicine
- 1988
International Health ScholarshipEmory University School of Medicine
- 1988
Short Term Enrichment Program AwardEmory University School of Medicine
- 1985
Woodruff ScholarEmory University School of Medicine
- 1985
Robert W. Woodruff Memorial ScholarshipEmory University School of Medicine
Professional memberships
- 2016 - present
Oral Neurology Boards
- 2015 - present
Swiss Academy of Neurology
- 2009
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 2009 - 2012
Massachusetts General Hospital
- 2009 - 2012
Massachusetts General Hospital
- 2009 - 2010
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- 2007 - present
North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2006
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 2006 - 2012
Massachusetts General Hospital
- 2005
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 2004
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 2003
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 2001 - 2010
North American Skull Base Society
- 1999 - 2003
American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 1998 - 2003
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- 1998 - present
American Academy of Neurology
- 1997 - 1998
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- 1996 - present
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 1996 - present
North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 1991 - 1996
Massachusetts Society of Neurology and Psychiatry
- 1990 - 1996
Massachusetts Medical Society
- 1987 - present
National Prevention of Chagas' Disease Program
- 1985 - 2003
American Medical Association
Publications