Dr. Sponsler

Solo private practice neurologist in Wasilla, Alaska. He started the Alaska Brain Center in 2004.

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About Dr. Sponsler

Dr. Sponsler currently is a solo private practice neurologist in Wasilla, Alaska. He sees patients with disorders such as epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, neuropathy, stroke, headaches and migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, myasthenia gravis, spinal cord disorders, dysequilibrium, balance, dizziness, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dr. Sponsler has admitting and consulting privileges at Matsu Regional Medical Center (MSRMC) in Palmer. He manages a two bed epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at MSRMC with full time EEG technician monitoring. The EMU has been operating since September 2007. The monitoring system includes continuous video monitoring with continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. 

Dr. Sponsler enjoys backpacking, running, exploring Alaska and Shotokan Karate. He also knows 10 computer programming languages and plays 5 musical instruments.  He plays piano and saxophone in the worship band of Wasilla Community Church and is an instructor of Shotokan Karate at Alaska Music and Arts.

Education

Dr. Sponsler has a diverse background that makes him a uniquely qualified neurologist.

Dr. Sponsler's Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology, West Virginia University, 1981
  • Master of Science in Computer Science, West Virginia University, 1986
  • Doctor of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1999
  • United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps 1,2,3 Passed Medical Internship, WVU Dept. of Medicine, 2000
  • Completed Chief Resident, Neurology, WVU Dept. of Neurology, 2002-2003.
  • Neurology Residency Program, WVU Dept. of Neurology, 2000-2003
  • Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University, 2003 – 2004
  • (Epilepsy, Neuromuscular Disorders) Neurology Board Part I Written (November 2003): Passed.
  • Neurology Board Part II Oral (June 2005): Passed
  • Neurophysiology Subspecialty Board Examination (May 2009): Passed
  • Recertification American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 2015: Passed

Honors:

  • Honors Program (1976-1978)
  • Vice-President of Beta Beta Beta Biology
  • Honorary (1980) Member of the American Association of Neurology
  • Diplomate American Association of Psychiatry and Neurology
  • Board of the Alaska Multiple Sclerosis Center
  • Board Certified in Clinical Neurophysiology (2009)

Work Experience

Dr. Sponsler began a career in software engineering, but in 1999 he pursued a medical career. By 2004 he opened the Alaska Brain Center and is passionate about helping people with neurological disorders.  

Dr. Sponsler's Work Experience

1984-1986 Smart Systems Technology (McClean VA) – Software Engineer specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) Lab instructor for course in AI, Manager of small computer support group, co-investigator on project called ACTT (automated scheduling of satellite surveillance of ground based objects); prototype that lead to $250,000 follow-up contract.

1986-1987 Lister Hill Center for Biomedical Communications (Bethesda MD) – Software Engineer – software development, natural language processing, instructed associates via lecture series in the language Lisp, designed and taught courses in language Lisp, software developer on a software development project to analyze scientific abstracts submitted to National Library of Medicine.

1987-1995 Space Telescope Science Institute (Baltimore MD) – Software Engineer SPIKE: Technical manager and software developer on SPIKE, an automated scheduling system for the Hubble Space Telescope. This system continues to be used at the Institute. Instructor for series of classes in language Lisp Principle, software developer for the graphical user interface for SPIKE system. Principle software developer of “orientation” telescope constraint, principle software developer of “stray light” telescope constraint, principle software developer of the Criterion Autoscheduler for Long Range Planning (CASL), an expert system to create long range schedules with immediate input by astronomers, software developer on large team that developed portable proposal editing software for the Hubble Space Telescope. Proposal Submission Version 2 (RPS2) is in daily use by astronomers world-wide and at the Institute.

Hubble Site (Gallery)

1996-1998 Concurrent Engineering Research Center (WVU) – Research Assistant.

1999-2000 PGY1 Resident in Internal Medicine.

2000-2003 Resident in WVU Department of Neurology.

2003-2004 Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship (Epilepsy and Neuromuscular Disorders) at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland Ohio).

2004 – present: Alaska Brain Center, located in Wasilla, Alaska. Dr. Sponsler is the Owner and Neurologist

Publications

Dr. Sponsler has written many articles on neurology. His expertise is widely recognized in the neurology field. 

Juvenile Absence Epilepsy (book)


Professional Publications


Musical Publications

ETHERIA: An original modern musical play composed and recorded in 1990-1993. Compact Disc release of ETHERIA released in 2009. www.Synthology.com 

Suite for Dolly Sods: A collection of original jazz-rock compositions. CD was released in 1999.

Stage performances of original musical play ETHERIA, Baltimore 1992 and 1993, Morgantown, WV 1996.