Remembering Barrow Neurology Resident Evan Dishion, MD

Evan Dishion, MD, a PGY-2 neurology resident at Barrow Neurological Institute, passed away on Monday, Sept. 5.

Although Dr. Dishion had just begun the neurology portion of his residency, he’d already made an impact on Barrow residents and attending neurologists during his neurology rotations in medical school.

“Many of us got to know Evan as a medical student, when it was already obvious how excited he was about neurology,” said Courtney Schusse, MD, director of the Neurology Residency Program at Barrow.

Dr. Dishion had moved to Phoenix from Salem, Oregon, with his wife, Amy, to pursue his medical education at Creighton University. He held a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oregon State University.

Committed to Neurological Care

Dr. Dishion’s colleagues were not only struck by his passion for neurology but also by his caring and compassionate nature.

Both Dr. Schusse and Barrow neurologist Justin Hoskin, MD, saw firsthand the comfort Dr. Dishion provided to patients and families on the inpatient service.

“He was faced not only with some very challenging cases from a medical standpoint but from a social and family dynamic as well, all of which he handled with kindness and sensitivity,” Dr. Schusse said.

Dr. Hoskin also remembers that even with the rigors of working in the hospital setting, Dr. Dishion made it an enjoyable experience.

“As his attending physician, I saw our inpatient team mesh together and work in unity, and I know it was because of his contagious optimism and kindness,” he said. “The hole left by his absence cannot be filled; he will be deeply missed.”

Barrow chief neurology resident Olivia Kingsford, DO, described Dr. Dishion as a hard worker who was deeply committed to improving his knowledge.

She remembers his first call shifts, which were extremely busy with multiple simultaneous stroke codes, and working with him on buddy call. Dr. Dishion often asked what he could have done better or how he could be more efficient after each patient he saw. He also looked up each patient’s diagnosis in his “Pocket Neurology” book, which he was working to memorize.

“He never complained about the amount of work he had to do, even when he had to stay late to finish up,” she said. “He strove to become the best neurologist possible and to learn from each experience.”

A Supportive Teammate

Dr. Dishion was also committed to supporting his co-residents. He welcomed his class to Phoenix, as they had all just moved from out of town. He showed them around the city, helped them find places to live, and always took the time to check in and see how each of them were doing.

He shared with his fellow trainees his love for the outdoors and his family.

“Dr. Dishion was one of the people you just enjoyed being around,” said Osborne Hall, director of academic affairs at Barrow. “The love of his family, friends, and co-workers was genuine in nature.”

He and his wife had recently celebrated the birth of their first child, Chloe. A GoFundMe has been set up for them.

“We at BNI profoundly mourn the loss of neurology resident, friend, and colleague Dr. Dishion,” said Terry Fife, MD, designated institutional official of neuroscience residency and fellowship programs at Barrow. “We pay tribute to him and his family and the happy memories we have of him.”

We at BNI profoundly mourn the loss of neurology resident, friend, and colleague Dr. Dishion. We pay tribute to him and his family and the happy memories we have of him.

Terry Fife, MD, Designated Institutional Official