neurology
James Russell Couch, Jr., MD, PhD, FAAN, FANA, FACP, has been recognized for his outstanding leadership and commitment to Neurology and Headache Medicine.
Born and raised in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 1939, Dr. Couch was inspired by his father, professor of biochemistry and Nutrition at Texas A&M University while growing up. With his father having an interest in Biology, it was no surprise that Dr. Couch had his family’s support when choosing his profession.
In 1961, Dr. Couch achieved a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University. He then went on to gain his Doctor of Medicine in 1965, and Ph.D. in Physiology in 1966 at Baylor University College of Medicine, and his Ph.D. in physiology in 1966. He continued his training interning at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (1966/1967) and subsequently became a Fellow in the Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of the National Institute of Mental Health (1967-1969). In 1969, he entered the Neurology Residency Program at Washington University in St. Louis completing his training in 1972. Dr. Couch received a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke during his training there.
In 1972, Dr. Couch became an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1976. He subsequently moved to Southern Illinois University Medical School as Professor and Chief of Neurology in 1979 until 1992. There he built a thriving unit specializing in patient care and research and initiated a Neurology residency Program. During his time there, between 1988 and 1989, Dr. Couch also served as Interim Chair of Medicine.
His next career move was to Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center where he was Chair of Neurology from 1992-2006. For a second time, Dr. Couch spent time building a department and started a new Neurology Residency program. Subsequently, from 2006 to 2018, Dr Couch continued on the Neurology Faculty as Professor of Neurology retiring from full time status in 2018, During that period, he dedicated his time and efforts to practicing, teaching, and research at the Oklahoma City Veterans Hospital. His research dealt with analysis and study of the effects of traumatic brain injury in veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In 2018, Dr. Couch retired from patient care and teaching, but now continues his traumatic brain injury research as Professor of Neurology Emeritus at OUHSC.
During the last five decades Dr. Couch has been awarded many Grants for Neurology Research, he has sat on many committees and boards. He has been a member of the American Academy of Neurology since 1970 and served as Secretary Treasurer from 1984-1986. Additionally, Dr. Couch was Chair of the Consortium of Neurology Program Directors and Chair of the Headache Section for the American Academy of Neurology. 2002-2004.
He served on the Board of the American Headache Society from 1984-2002 and was President of the organization 1998-2000. He was a founding Board Member for the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (1988-1996) and was also Chair of its Education Committee (1989-1995). He was a member of the Association of University Professors of Neurology (1988-2006), and served as Secretary treasurer from 1992-1996. He also chaired the Veterans Affairs committee of this organization(1996-2000).
Dr. Couch is highly regarded by his peers as one of the nation’s best physicians in Neurology of our time. He has been a Visiting Professor at multiple Medical Schools throughout the United States and has been an Examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the American Board of Neurosurgery.
Dr. Couch has been a licensed physician in many states, including Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Maryland, Illinois, and is currently licensed in Oklahoma. Dr. Couch is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Neurology) with subspecialty certification in Clinical Neurophysiology. In addition, he is certified in Headache Medicine through the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialities, an affiliate of the American Academy of Neurology.
Over the years Dr. Couch has received numerous awards and accolades, as well as appearing in many publications – gracing the front cover of Top Industry Professionals Magazine in 2019 to name but one example. In 2018, he was selected as Top Professor of the Year in Neurology by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for his outstanding leadership and commitment in medical education and research. Dr Couch received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Headache Cooperative of New England in 2018. In 2020, Dr. Couch was awarded the Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by the Marquis Who’s Who Organization and was additionally selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in the World.
Dr. Couch has also been affiliated with the American Medical Association, Oklahoma County Medical Society, American Geriatrics Society, OK State Medical Association, Alumni Association for Baylor College of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha, and the Scientific Research Honor Society Sigma X.
The esteemed doctor is also a sought-after lecturer, published author, speaker, editor, reviewer, and contributor to more than 100 scientific articles to professional journals. He was previously on the Editorial Boards of “Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Disease”, and for “Headache” and was the Section Editor for Headache for “Current Treatment Options Neurology”. He is currently an Associate Editor for Headache for “Frontiers in Pain Research”.
Aside from working, Dr. Couch enjoys sports including tennis, cycling and racquetball, as well as collecting old medicine bottles. He also enjoys singing in the choir at his Church and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He attributes his success to his passion, as well as his experiences, education, and peers he has had along his journey. Looking to the future, Dr Couch hopes to continue work with war veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic headaches.
Overall Dr Couch is very grateful to his wife of 60 years, Pamela Couch, who has helped and supported him through most phases of his career.