Jeffrey Cohen, MD, Delivers Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture at ACTRIMS 2026

The Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) has honored Jeffrey Cohen, MD, with the 2026 Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture, recognizing his longstanding contributions to multiple sclerosis (MS) research, clinical care, and leadership. The annual memorial lecture is named for Kenneth P. Johnson, MD, a founding figure of ACTRIMS, and is awarded to a clinician or scientist whose work has meaningfully advanced the understanding and treatment of MS.

Dr. Cohen is a Professor of Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, where he holds the position of Hazel Prior Hostetler Endowed Chair. He has been based at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Cleveland Clinic since 1994, where he previously served as Director and currently leads the Neuroimmunology Fellowship Program. Over the course of his career, Dr. Cohen has authored extensive research spanning clinical trials, neuroimmunology, imaging, and outcome-measure development in MS.

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Cohen has played a central role in shaping international MS standards. He chaired the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS from 2012 to 2018 and co-chaired the International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, which produced the 2017 revision of the McDonald diagnostic criteria. He also served as President of ACTRIMS from 2019 to 2022.

Dr. Cohen has also shared his expertise with Practical Neurology by participating in multiple podcast episodes for The Neurology Hub, discussing topics including the 2024 McDonald diagnostic criteria for MS.

Source: ACTRIMS. Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture. ACTRIMS Forum 2026. Accessed February 6, 2026. https://www.forum.actrims.org/kpj