Victor Sung, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, has been named the next director of the Division of Movement Disorders. Anthony Nicholas, M.D., Ph.D., who left UAB in May 2025, previously served as director of the Division since 2017.
“Dr. Sung has not only risen through the ranks of the Department of Neurology since he came on as faculty, but he has established himself as an internationally known leader in the field of movement disorders, with a recognized track record of excellence in patient care and clinical research,” said David Standaert, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair, John N. Whitaker Endowed Chair, in the UAB Department of Neurology. “I look forward to working with Dr. Sung to continue the growth of the UAB Division of Movement Disorders.”
A native of Houston, Texas, Sung completed his undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University and then returned to Texas for his medical training at the University of Texas–Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Sung completed his neurology residency at UAB in 2009 and stayed at UAB for a fellowship in movement disorders as well as a VA National Quality Scholars fellowship through UAB and the Birmingham VA Medical Center. Sung then joined the UAB Department of Neurology as an assistant professor in 2011.
Sung serves as director of the UAB Huntington’s Disease Clinic, one of only five Level 1 Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) Centers of Excellence in the country. He also boasts several awards recognizing his outstanding teaching efforts, such as the UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the American Academy of Neurology A.B. Baker Teacher of the Year Award, the UAB Caduceus Club Award, and numerous Argus Awards for excellence in teaching. He has also received the UAB Patient Experience Excellence Award each year since its inception in 2019.
In his role as the director of the Division of Movement Disorders, Sung said he hopes to build upon the foundation of excellence that has already been established in the division.
“Our division is incredibly strong in all of the key mission areas of clinical, research, and teaching, and I plan to lean into these strengths to grow even further,” Sung said. “We will be building new multidisciplinary clinical programs, expanding our clinical trial portfolio, and strengthening our training program for residents and fellows. I am so incredibly honored to be chosen to lead this amazing division, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
The Division of Movement Disorders treats patients with Parkinson disease, dystonia, and other disorders of movement. Currently, there are 12 physicians, three fellows, and four nurse practitioners in the division, which sees more than 8,000 patient visits per year in The Kirklin Clinic and is conducting more than 20 clinical trials of new therapies for Parkinson disease and other disorders.