Skip to content
Lawrence M. Samkoff, M.D.

Lawrence M. Samkoff, M.D.

Neurology

4.9 out of 5 stars
UR Medicine Faculty The University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19 departments. URMFG is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Accountable Health Partner Accountable Health Partners (AHP) is a network of over 2,000 community and UR medical faculty and a dozen leading hospitals throughout the region. AHP offers a full range of care.
Accepting New Patients

Contact

Appointment (585) 275-7854

Locations

Comprehensive Stroke Center - Rochester

Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14642

Neurology - Rochester

Ambulatory Care Center at Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue, 1st Floor
Rochester, NY 14642

About Me

Certified Specialties

Neurology - American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Faculty Appointments

Professor of Clinical Neurology - Department of Neurology, Neuroimmunology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Clinical Researcher, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 1989 - 1991

Fellowship, Neuro Rehabilitation, University of Maryland School of Medicine. 1988 - 1989

Residency, Neurology, New York University Langone Medical Center. 1985 - 1988

Internship, Internal Medicine, Miriam Hospital. 1984 - 1985

Education

MD | New York Medical College. 1984

Awards

AB Baker Teaching Award. 2022

Senior Faculty Award. 2021

Faculty Teaching Award. 2020

Fellow. 1999

New York Medical College Teaching Award. 1997

New York Medical College Teaching Award. 1996

Intern-of-the-Year Award. 1985

Alpha Omega Alpha Society. 1984

Board of Trustees Award. 1984

Obed Finch Slingerland Prize. 1980

Publications

Journal Articles

Management of Paraneoplastic Syndromes in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Jean MJ, Samkoff L, Mohile N

Current treatment options in oncology.. 2024 January 25 (1):42-65. Epub 01/10/2024.

GFAP astrocytopathy presenting with profound intracranial hypertension and vision loss.

Canissario R, Samkoff L, Jean MJ, Williams Z, Diep J

Journal of neuroimmunology.. 2022 December 15373 :577976. Epub 10/03/2022.

Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis arising in a patient with atopic dermatitis on dupilumab.

Laageide L, Verhave B, Samkoff L, Looney R, Beck L

JAAD case reports.. 2021 September 15 :33-35. Epub 07/15/2021.

Safety and efficacy of MD1003 (high-dose biotin) in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (SPI2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Cree BAC, Cutter G, Wolinsky JS, Freedman MS, Comi G, Giovannoni G, Hartung HP, Arnold D, Kuhle J, Block V, Munschauer FE, Sedel F, Lublin FD,

The Lancet. Neurology.. 2020 December 19 (12):988-997. Epub 10/23/2020.

Difficult Discharges to Skilled Nursing Facilities Attributed to Multiple Sclerosis Medications: An Observational Study.

Munger KC, George BP, Samkoff LM, Robb JF

The Neurohospitalist.. 2020 April 10 (2):82-87. Epub 06/13/2019.

Initiation of rituximab therapy for new onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder during pregnancy.

Munger KC, Samkoff LM

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders.. 2020 January 37 :101442. Epub 10/13/2019.

The Irony of Humanization: Alemtuzumab, the First, But One of the Most Immunogenic, Humanized Monoclonal Antibodies.

Baker D, Ali L, Saxena G, Pryce G, Jones M, Schmierer K, Giovannoni G, Gnanapavan S, Munger KC, Samkoff L, Goodman A, Kang AS

Frontiers in immunology.. 2020 11 :124. Epub 02/14/2020.

Clopidogrel and Aspirin in Acute Ischemic Stroke and High-Risk TIA.

Johnston SC, Easton JD, Farrant M, Barsan W, Conwit RA, Elm JJ, Kim AS, Lindblad AS, Palesch YY,

The New England journal of medicine.. 2018 July 19379 (3):215-225. Epub 05/16/2018.

Safety/tolerability of the anti-semaphorin 4D Antibody VX15/2503 in a randomized phase 1 trial.

LaGanke C, Samkoff L, Edwards K, Jung Henson L, Repovic P, Lynch S, Stone L, Mattson D, Galluzzi A, Fisher TL, Reilly C, Winter LA, Leonard JE, Zauderer M

Neurology® neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation.. 2017 July 4 (4):e367. Epub 06/16/2017.

Author response: Teaching NeuroImages: Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis.

Wasilewski A, Samkoff L

Neurology.. 2017 June 688 (23):2239. Epub 1900 01 01.

Teaching NeuroImages: Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis.

Wasilewski A, Samkoff L

Neurology.. 2016 November 2987 (22):e270-e271. Epub 1900 01 01.

Fingolimod-associated PML in a patient with prior immunosuppression.

Gyang TV, Hamel J, Goodman AD, Gross RA, Samkoff L

Neurology.. 2016 May 1086 (19):1843-5. Epub 04/13/2016.

Non-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antibody Encephalitis With Cerebellitis With Associated Ovarian Teratoma.

Smith AD, Samkoff L

JAMA neurology.. 2015 November 72 (11):1375-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis.

Samkoff LM, Goodman AD

Neurologic clinics.. 2011 May 29 (2):449-63. Epub 1900 01 01.

Teaching NeuroImage: nocardial intramedullary spinal cord abscess.

Samkoff LM, Monajati A, Shapiro JL

Neurology.. 2008 July 1571 (3):e5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Leukoencephalopathy from "chasing the dragon".

Halloran O, Ifthikharuddin S, Samkoff L

Neurology.. 2005 May 2464 (10):1755. Epub 1900 01 01.

Acute Brown-Sequard syndrome.

Gill D, Ifthikharuddin S, Samkoff LM

Archives of neurology.. 2004 January 61 (1):131. Epub 1900 01 01.

Multiple sclerosis: update on treatment.

Samkoff, LM.

Hospital Physician. 2002; 38: 21-27.

Bilateral symmetrical basal ganglia infarction after intravenous use of cocaine and heroin.

Daras MD, Orrego JJ, Akfirat GL, Samkoff LM, Koppel BS

Clinical imaging.. 2001 25 (1):12-4. Epub 1900 01 01.

A lesion of the anterior thalamus producing dystonic tremor of the hand.

Cho C, Samkoff LM

Archives of neurology.. 2000 September 57 (9):1353-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Spurious familial dystonia.

Koppel BS, Kleiman A, Daras M, Samkoff LM

Neurology.. 1998 May 50 (5):1508-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Amelioration of refractory dysesthetic limb pain in multiple sclerosis by gabapentin.

Samkoff LM, Daras M, Tuchman AJ, Koppel BS

Neurology.. 1997 July 49 (1):304-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Relation of cocaine use to seizures and epilepsy.

Koppel BS, Samkoff L, Daras M

Epilepsia.. 1996 September 37 (9):875-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Another neurologic complication of cocaine?

Samkoff LM, Daras M, Kleiman AR, Koppel BS

Archives of neurology.. 1996 August 53 (8):819-21. Epub 1900 01 01.

Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis associated with cocaine use.

Daras M, Samkoff LM, Koppel BS

Neurology.. 1996 January 46 (1):271-2. Epub 1900 01 01.

Toxoplasma gondii myelitis in AIDS.

Samkoff, LM.; Daras, M.; Koppel, BS.; Hirschfeld; A.; Donnenfeld, H.

European Journal of Neurology. 1996; 3: 50-54.

A quantitative study of olfaction in multiple sclerosis.

Samkoff, LM.; Tuchman, AJ.; Daras, M.; Koppel, BS.

J Neuro Rehab. 1996; 10: 97-99.

Phenytoin neurotoxicity from illicit use.

Koppel BS, Daras M, Samkoff L

Neurology.. 1995 January 45 (1):198. Epub 1900 01 01.

Neurovascular complications of cocaine.

Daras M, Tuchman AJ, Koppel BS, Samkoff LM, Weitzner I, Marc J

Acta neurologica Scandinavica.. 1994 August 90 (2):124-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Brainstem toxoplasmosis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Daras M, Koppel BS, Samkoff L, Marc J

Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging.. 1994 April 4 (2):85-90. Epub 1900 01 01.

See-saw nystagmus in a patient with clinically definite multiple sclerosis.

Samkoff, LM.; Smith, CR.

Eur Neur. 1994; 34: 228-229.

See-saw nystagmus in a patient with clinically definite MS.

Samkoff LM, Smith CR

European neurology.. 1994 34 (4):228-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Leukoencephalopathy from "chasing the dragon."

Halloran, O.; Ifthikharuddin, S.; Samkoff, L.

Neurology. .

Books

Rothman-Simeone and Herkowitz's The Spine (2017)

Chapter: Medical Myelopathies

Authors: Raudenbush BL, Selioutski O, Samkoff L, et al

Publisher: Elsevier, Philadelphia 2017

Multiple Sclerosis and CNS Inflammatory Disorders (2014)

Authors: Samkoff, LM. and Goodman, AD (eds

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd,, West Sussex, England 2014

Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics, Second Edition. (2003)

Chapter: Disease-modifying drug therapy for multiple sclerosis in clinical practice.

Authors: Samkoff, LM.; Goodman, AD.

Publisher: Martin-Dunitz, London 2003

Epilepsy and developmental disabilities. (2002)

Chapter: Management of adults with cerebral palsy.

Authors: Samkoff LM.

Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston 2002

Multiple sclerosis: A neuropsychiatric disorder. (1993)

Chapter: Clinical features, assessment, and differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Authors: Smith, CR.; Samkoff, LM.; Scheinberg, LC.

Publisher: American Psychiatric Press, Washington DC 1993

Orthotics in neurologic rehabilitation. (1992)

Chapter: Multiple sclerosis.

Authors: Samkoff, L.

Publisher: Demos Publications, New York 1992

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.9 stars

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.9 stars

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.8 stars

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.9 stars

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.8 stars

Patient Comments

Everyone very professional. [...] Great Team I have!

Aug 28, 2024

Dr. Samkoff Explained my diagnosis very well and discussed treatment options to come up with a plan we were both comfortable with. He answered any questions I had with great detail.

Aug 03, 2024

Great experience Dr Samkoff is so compassionate

Jun 21, 2024

5.0 stars

I have already referred friends and family to this facility. In fact, I have several times amd one of them followed through and saw Dr Samkoff. I wouldn't recommend anyone to anywhere else.

Apr 30, 2024

Dr Samkoff answered all questions thoroughly. He is AMAZING and the reason I'm going through U of R instead of my local hospital.

Mar 10, 2024

4.5 stars

He was very good. [...]

Jan 29, 2024

Dr. Samkoff is very empathetic, knowledgeable and professional.

Dec 23, 2023

5.0 stars

Dr. Samkoff provided a very thorough neuro exam, full review of medications, explanation of MRI results and insight into any research & possible advances in medications for SPMS.

Dec 15, 2023

5.0 stars

Dr. Samkoff is excellent!

Nov 20, 2023

5.0 stars

Wonderful doctor.

Aug 18, 2023

5.0

I have a very Rare disease called [...] I know many people who have my disease and Im doing well right now so he must be the most fantastic , intelligent doctor Neurologist in the whole East Coat.

Jun 25, 2023

5.0

Dr. Samkoff is amazing!

Jun 18, 2023

Dr. Samkoff is a very caring Dr. That put my Neurosarcoid in Remission this is a complete miracle from the hell I was in for over 14 years. Why is he not been reconized for this.?

Apr 29, 2023

5.0

Referred to Dr. Samkoff by [...] doctor because of his expertise.

Apr 25, 2023

5.0

Dr. Samkoff always listens with interest and respect.

Mar 20, 2023

5.0

Dr. Samkoff is an excellent dr. Very caring & listens to my questions & takes time for me.

Dec 29, 2022

4.6

Answered my questions and helped me understand.

Nov 30, 2022

I feel comfortable discussing anything with the doctor and know his recommendations are always helpful towards my care.

Nov 11, 2022

5.0

My mother and I have the same illness and she has just recently switched providers to the NI Group here too!

Oct 31, 2022

Dr. Samkoff is wonderful. Knowledeable and patient with questions

Oct 07, 2022

5.0

He was excellent.

Oct 04, 2022

5.0

I have never met a more caring and compassionate doctor. He called me on a Saturday morning as he was reviewing my records and and had some questions. I was very touched by this and have every confidence that I am seeing the right doctor for my care.

Jun 27, 2022

5.0

Never feel rushed always very thorough

Jun 26, 2022

5.0

Dr. Samkoff is excellent.

Apr 08, 2022

5.0

I have recommended this provider and office since my very first visit. Nothing but good things to say about this provider and office!

Mar 24, 2022

I feel very fortunate to have these doctors care for my [...]. It was rare disease week and I feel these doctors do important work for my survival for this disease.

Mar 05, 2022

5.0

Always share what a great experience I have had with Dr. Samkoff

Feb 26, 2022

5.0

Dr. Samkoff is absolutely wonderful!!!!

Feb 16, 2022