October 8, 2025

In My Life: Lealani Mae Acosta, MD

As a behavioral neurology attending physician, Acosta routinely performs lumbar punctures and trains medical students, residents and fellows on the important diagnostic procedure. She also helped develop the Lumbar Puncture Clinic and the Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Protocol at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Photo by Susan Urmy

By: Jill Clendening

Lealani Mae (Leah) Acosta, MD, MPH’16 

  • Associate professor in the Department of Neurology 
  • Mentor for Chapman College of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine  
  • Member of the VUSM Academy for Excellence in Education 
  • Co-editor of the Humanities in Neurology section of the journal Neurology, one of the most highly cited, peer-reviewed neurology journals 

Education includes Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from The George Washington University; Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in psychology, philosophy and physiology from Oxford University; Doctor of Medicine degree and residency in neurology at University of Virginia; fellowship in cognitive and behavioral neurology at the University of Florida; and a Master of Public Health degree at Vanderbilt University.  

“Something I try to actively model for our learners is being a ‘whole’ person. Certainly, I want to teach them the basics of neurology, to be good listeners, and to care for their patients. I have a special love for teaching the art of medicine, which I get the privilege of doing as a Chapman College mentor. We discuss topics like medical ethics, humanities and metacognition. At the same time, I want them to find what else gives them balance in life. Beyond our work, we need to have other outlets (e.g., hobbies) and care for our physical and mental health to be the best doctor and person possible.”  

Photos by Donn Jones, Anne Rayner and Susan Urmy