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Department Mellen Center
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Both Adults and Children & Adolescents
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.444.8631
Desk:
216.444.8600
Fax:
216.445.7013

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Consultation and Long-term Care
  • Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
View all 2 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
  • Devic's Disease (Neuromyelitis Optica)
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis
  • Transverse Myelitis
View all 7 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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View All Plans
Biography

About Mary Rensel, MD

Mary Rensel, MD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Director of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Wellness at the Mellen Center of the Cleveland Clinic. She has graduated from the Medical College of Ohio and completed her Neurology and Neuro-immunology fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic. She is boarded in Neurology and Integrative Medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Rensel’s work has focused on Adult and Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis, Brain health and Integrative Medicine. Her work in academic medicine often intersects with wellness, advocacy, innovation and strategic initiatives. She serves on the steering committee of the National Network of Pediatric MS Centers. She is a “Best Doctor” of Cleveland since 2010 per the Cleveland Magazine. She has served as President of the Women’s Professional Staff Association of the Cleveland Clinic and sits on multiple boards including the Ohio National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She is active as a coach, mentor, scientific reviewer, clinical researcher, activity director, entrepreneur and national speaker. She has also appeared on numerous media outlets, including a spot on Good Morning America.

Dr. Rensel has had articles and abstracts published in peer-reviewed medical journals and has written chapters: "Differential Diagnosis of MS and Clues to Misdiagnosis," in the book entitled Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Medical Management and Rehabilitation as well as "General Health and Wellness in MS" in the book entitled Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
1998

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic
Neuroimmunology
Cleveland, OH USA
1998

Residency - Cleveland Clinic
Neurology
Cleveland, OH USA
1996

Internship - Cleveland Clinic
Internal Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
1993

Medical Education - Medical College of Ohio at Toledo
Toledo, OH USA
1992

Undergraduate - Gannon University
Biology
Erie, PA USA
1988

Additional Training

  • Quality as Value in Healthcare: What do current changes mean? 11/1/12
  • Resonant Leadership: Creating Sustainable Leaders Through Mindfulness, Hope & Compassion, 9/11/12
  • Middle East Cultural Competence: Culture, Patient Care and Working Relationships
  • The Business of Healthcare, 10/12/11
  • Foundations of Healthcare Communication for Physicians, 9/13/11
  • Investigator Human Subject Research Education track 2/17/10
  • Cleveland Clinic Staff Mentorship training 1/ 2010
  • Palatucci Patient Advocacy training 1/2011
  • Engaging Women Leaders: Setting Your Goals , 3/3/09
  • The Science and Clinical Application of Integrative Holistic Medicine , San Diego, CA 11/16-21/08
  • Using Sharepoint CCA 7/24/08
  • Situational Leadership CCA 7/1/08
  • Tools and Tips for Information Management , 10/21/08
  • Patient Experience Within the Revenue Cycle, 11/25/08
  • Writing Educational Objectives, Cleveland Clinic, 2006
  • What the CEO Wants you to Know: Building Business Acumen, Physician Leadership University, Cleveland Clinic, 2006
  • Process Improvement, Physician Leadership University, Cleveland Clinic, 2006
  • Essentials of Clinical Teaching and Assessment Retreat, Cleveland Clinic, 2006
  • Biostatics and Statistical Computing, Cleveland Clinic, 2002
  • Research Methods Module I, Clinical Epidemiology, Cleveland Clinic, 2002
  • Human Research Subjects Protection Training, Cleveland Clinic, 2002

Professional Highlights

  • Network of Pediatric MS Centers Steering Committee
  • Director of Pediatric MS,  Mellen Center
  • Director of Wellness, Mellen Center
  • Principal Investigator of Clinical trials
  • President of Women's Professional Staff Association 2017-2019
  • International Pediatric MS Study Group 2011- Present

Certifications

  • Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

Specialty Interests

Adult Multiple Sclerosis, Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis, Pediatric NMO Wellness for MS patients, Integrative Medicine , NMO, Devics disease Clinical trials , Complementary Alternative Medicine

Awards & Honors

  • Clinical Neurology Award, Medical College of Ohio, 1992
  • Alumni of the Year, St. Francis of Assisi, 2003
  • Distinguished Educator Level I Certificate, ClevelandClinic, 2007
  • Best Doctors of Cleveland, Cleveland Magazine, 2010-present
  • Caregiver Celebration Award, Cleveland Clinic, 2013,2014
  • Mentor Recognition Award, Cleveland Clinic, 2015
  • Service award for Career Development and Coaching, Cleveland Clinic, 2016
  • Outstanding preceptor for Medical students, Cleveland Clinic, 2019

Innovations & Patents

  • BrainMAX

Memberships

  • American Academy of Neurology, Fellow
  • Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
  • Board Certification of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Mary Rensel, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 7/6/2022, Dr. Rensel has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Fiduciary Role. Dr. Rensel serves in a fiduciary capacity, such as an elected officer, director or chief medical officer, for the following companies or other entities:

  • Brain Fresh, LLC
  • Brain Ops Group, LLC

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

113 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.8 out of 5
Explains 4.8
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.8

22 Patient Comments

Reviewed on May 9, 2023

Dr. Mary Rensel is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, caring and very approachable. Just a delight!

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2023

The video appointment was excellent and very helpful. Dr Rensel is a terrific neurologist.

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023

Iv'e had multiple sclerosis for 30 yrs and she's the most thorough, kind and informative of all previous physicians.

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023

Dr. Rensel is extremely empathetic, humble and approachable

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

Dr.Rensel has been my doctor for 25 years,she is caring,compassionate,very intelligent! I just admire her and am so happy she is my MS doctor. Thank you Dr.Rensel!!

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

Dr. Rensel is an outstanding doctor. Answered any concern I had. Very compassionate. Felt calmer when left her office. Thank you Dr. Rensel

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2023

Dr. Rensel was patient and compassionate in dealing with my diagnosis and personal issues. Her bedside manner is second to none.

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2023

Dr. Rensel took a great deal of time to answer all of my questions. She is very knowledgeable and compassionate. I appreciate the extra time she spent with me.

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2023

Dr. Rensel is the Best.

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2023

Dr Rensel is so knowledgeable and caring. I never feel rushed when visiting . She patiently listens to all questions and comments and is genuinely interested in me doing well. Her recommendations are sound and backed by science and years of experience. She is a witty and a wonderful conversationalist , doctor , and human being, and I am blessed to know her! She is a 10 +

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2023

*Dr. Rensel is a very thorough caring person and obviously cares about the overall health of her patients. I have never had a doctor spend so much time with me, and I never felt rushed.

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2023

Dr.Rensel is so caring & her concern for my Problems went above & beyond. She takes her time & really listens.

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2023

Very impressed with Dr. Rensel.

Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Dr. Rensel is incredible, my favorite doctor I have ever had by far!

Reviewed on Feb 15, 2023

Dr Rensel was very helpful and eased my anxiety concerning my daughter.

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2022

Dr. Rensel is amazing! We are blessed to have her as our doctor.

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2022

Dr. Rensel is the best! She is very caring and concerned and helps me out so much. I look up to her and respect her and her expertise.

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2022

Dr. Rensel is wonderful! She takes her time and really listens. She provided mw with information and options. I've learned so much about my disease by talking with her. She was caring and compassionate. She goes above and beyond.

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2022

Dr. Rensel and I have a 20 year relationship. She has guided me through the many stages of MS from beginning to now. I depend on Dr. Rensel tremendously.

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2022

Dr. Rensel has bee my doctor for over 20 years and she has always been there for me. She excellent.

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2022

Dr. Goldschmidt left the clinic and set me up with Dr. Rensel. I was very impressed with the interest Dr. Rensel had in my case. It was a good visit.

Reviewed on May 18, 2022

This is the first time I have spent an hour with a doctor in the examination room and truly felt heard. She was so thorough and helpful.

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