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Benzi M. Kluger, M.D., M.S.

Benzi M. Kluger, M.D., M.S.

Neurology

4.8 out of 5 stars
133 Ratings
16 Comments
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) 341-7500
Fax (585) 756-5189

Locations

Neurology - Brighton

Clinton Crossings, Building C
919 Westfall Road, Suite 220
Rochester, NY 14618

(585) 341-7500 Get Directions
Neuropalliative Care Clinic - Brighton

Clinton Crossings, Building C
919 Westfall Road, Suite 220
Rochester, NY 14618

(585) 341-7500 Get Directions

About Me

Certified Specialties

Neurology - American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Neurology, Central Admin - Research (SMD)

Julius, Helen, and Robert Fine Distinguished Professor in Neurology - Department of Neurology (SMD)

Division Chief - Department of Neurology, Neuropalliative Care (SMD)

Professor - Center for Health and Technology - Joint

Professor - Department of Medicine, Palliative Care (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Movement Disorders, University of Florida College of Medicine. 2007 - 2008

Fellowship, Psychiatry & Neurology, Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine. 2005 - 2007

Residency, Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine. 2002 - 2005

Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine. 2001 - 2002

Education

MD | University of Colorado Health Science Center-Denver. 2001

Publications

Journal Articles

Curriculum Innovation: Combining Didactic and Clinic-Based Methods to Improve Palliative Care Education for Neurology Residents and Advance Practice Providers.

Huang AP, Gibson C, Seshadri S, Kluger BM

Neurology. Education.. 2025 December 4 (4):e200249. Epub 09/23/2025.

Neuropalliative Care in Movement Disorders.

Kluger BM

Continuum : lifelong learning in neurology.. 2025 December 31 (6):1637-1656. Epub 12/02/2025.

Does Cognitive Function Influence the Benefits of Multicomponent Team Interventions?

Lange AV, Glickman A, Wells K, Mee TC, Carey EP, Kavalieratos D, Bettcher BM, Kluger B, Bekelman DB

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.. 2025 November 5 :105976. Epub 11/05/2025.

Strengths and Opportunities: Clinicians' Perspectives on Palliative Care for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the United States.

Bischoff KE, Kojimoto G, O'Riordan DL, Leavell YL, Maiser S, Grouls A, Smith AK, Pantilat SZ, Kluger BM, Mehta AK

Muscle & nerve.. 2025 September 72 (3):455-463. Epub 06/12/2025.

Proceedings of the First Neuropalliative Care Research Summit (NeuroCARES).

Creutzfeldt CJ, Bogetz J, Candrian C, Colborn KL, Crooms RC, Fehnel CR, Fleisher JE, Hasnain-Wynia R, Hopfgarten M, Hwang DY, Kluger BM, Leeper HE, Lemmon ME, Muehlschlegel S, Ritchie CS, Saadi A, Sumrall M, Treat L, Vranceanu AM, Zahuranec DB

Journal of pain and symptom management.. 2025 August 26 Epub 08/26/2025.

Patients' and Caregivers' Perceptions of Specialty Palliative Care for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Multicenter Evaluation.

Mehta AK, Kojimoto G, O'Riordan DL, Leavell YL, Maiser S, Grouls A, Smith AK, Pantilat SZ, Kluger BM, Bischoff KE

Muscle & nerve.. 2025 August 19 Epub 08/19/2025.

Spirituality, Spiritual Distress and Experiences of Joy, Meaning and Growth Among Parkinson's Disease Caregivers in the United States.

Seshadri S, Contento A, Ouellette SE, Suguira K, Kluger BM

Journal of religion and health.. 2025 June 64 (3):2364-2384. Epub 11/15/2024.

Correction to: Spirituality, Spiritual Distress and Experiences of Joy, Meaning and Growth Among Parkinson's Disease Caregivers in the United States.

Seshadri S, Contento A, Ouellette SE, Sugiura K, Kluger BM

Journal of religion and health.. 2025 June 64 (3):2385. Epub 1900 01 01.

Spiritual Well-Being and Phenoconversion in Huntington's Disease: Analysis from the Prospective Huntington at Risk Observational Study.

Sokol LL, Ashner MC, Bega D, Kluger BM, Smith AK, Marder KS, Garcia TP

Journal of palliative medicine.. 2025 June 28 (6):803-807. Epub 03/05/2025.

Exploring Place of Death among Individuals with Huntington's Disease in the United States.

Ogilvie AC, Cole CS, Kluger BM, Lum HD

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.. 2025 January 26 (1):105304. Epub 10/11/2024.

Harmonizing Cognitive and Psychosocial Needs in Cognitive Training: Lessons Learned from Piano Training in Persons Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Lin R, Robinson LM, Su JJ, Freer E, Norton S, Kluger BM, Heffner KL

Clinical gerontologist.. 2025 48 (4):729-742. Epub 01/09/2025.

Lessons Learned from a Parkinson's Research Patient Advisory Board Model with Academic Centers.

Dini M, Schroeder K, Fleisher JE, Carnie M, Kluger BM, Seshadri S, Wilson L, Armstrong MJ, Evers C, Gallagher C, Davies P, Feeney M

Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action.. 2025 19 (2):201-212. Epub 1900 01 01.

Parkinson's Disease Carepartners' Perceptions of the Challenges and Rewards of Caregiving.

Seshadri S, Contento A, Sugiura K, Abendroth M, Macchi Z, Kluger BM

The American journal of hospice & palliative care.. 2024 December 41 (12):1442-1450. Epub 01/24/2024.

Holding back in communications with clinicians: Patient and care partner perspectives in Parkinson's disease.

Ayele R, Macchi ZA, Jordan S, Jones J, Kluger B, Maley P, Hall K, Sumrall M, Lum HD

PEC innovation.. 2024 December 4 :100255. Epub 01/22/2024.

Sustaining Joy in Serious Neurologic Illnesses.

Seshadri S, Hauser J, Kluger BM

Seminars in neurology.. 2024 October 44 (5):551-558. Epub 08/02/2024.

Parrots at the Bedside: Making Surrogate Decisions with Stochastic Strangers.

Herington J, Kluger B

The American journal of bioethics : AJOB.. 2024 July 24 (7):32-34. Epub 06/24/2024.

Clinicians' Perspectives on the Telehealth Serious Illness Care Program for Older Adults With Myeloid Malignancies: Single-Arm Pilot Study.

LoCastro M, Wang Y, Yu T, Mortaz-Hedjri S, Mendler J, Norton S, Bernacki R, Carroll T, Klepin H, Wedow L, Goonan S, Erdos H, Bagnato B, Liesveld J, Huselton E, Kluger B, Loh KP

JMIR formative research.. 2024 June 278 :e58503. Epub 06/27/2024.

Current Status of Integrated Palliative Care Among Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence in the United States.

Akbar U, Seshadri S, Dini M, Auinger P, Norton SA, Holtrop JS, Kluger BM

Neurology. Clinical practice.. 2024 April 14 (2):e200278. Epub 03/01/2024.

National plans and awareness campaigns as priorities for achieving global brain health.

Winter SF, Walsh D, Catsman-Berrevoets C, Feigin V, Destrebecq F, Dickson SL, Leonardi M, Hoemberg V, Tassorelli C, Ferretti MT, Dé A, Chadha AS, Lynch C, Bakhtadze S, Saylor D, Hwang S, Rostasy K, Kluger BM, Wright C, Zee PC, Dodick DW, Jaarsma J, Owolabi MO, Zaletel J, Albreht T, Dhamija RK, Helme A, Laurson-Doube J, Amos A, Baingana FK, Baker GA, Sofia F, Galvin O, Hawrot T

The Lancet. Global health.. 2024 April 12 (4):e697-e706. Epub 1900 01 01.

Advance Care Planning Among Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Patient Perspectives on Goals of Care Conversations.

Phillips J, Dixon S, Koehler T, Kluger B

The American journal of hospice & palliative care.. 2024 March 41 (3):295-301. Epub 04/27/2023.

Caregiver Burden in Parkinson Disease: A Scoping Review of the Literature from 2017-2022.

Aamodt WW, Kluger BM, Mirham M, Job A, Lettenberger SE, Mosley PE, Seshadri S

Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology.. 2024 March 37 (2):96-113. Epub 08/08/2023.

Parkinson disease patients' and carepartners' perceptions of palliative care.

Seshadri S, Dini M, Corcoran J, Job A, Contento A, Norton SA, Holtrop JS, Kluger BM

Parkinsonism & related disorders.. 2024 February 119 :105982. Epub 12/28/2023.

A multipronged approach to advancing palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities - Author's reply.

Kluger BM

The Lancet. Neurology.. 2024 February 23 (2):138-139. Epub 1900 01 01.

Does a novel community-based outpatient palliative care intervention for Parkinson's disease and related disorders improve care? Qualitative results from patients and care partners.

Bock MA, Macchi ZA, Harrison KL, Katz M, Dini M, Jones J, Ayele R, Kutner JS, Pantilat SZ, Martin C, Sillau S, Kluger B

Palliative medicine.. 2024 February 38 (2):240-250. Epub 01/24/2024.

Patient and Family Outcomes of Community Neurologist Palliative Education and Telehealth Support in Parkinson Disease.

Kluger BM, Katz M, Galifianakis NB, Pantilat SZ, Hauser JM, Khan R, Friedman C, Vaughan CL, Goto Y, Long SJ, Martin CS, Dini M, McQueen RB, Palmer L, Fairclough D, Seeberger LC, Sillau SH, Kutner JS

JAMA neurology.. 2024 January 181 (1):39-49. Epub 1900 01 01.

The "Surprise Question" for Prognostication in People With Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders.

Mahes A, Macchi ZA, Martin CS, Katz M, Galifianakis NB, Pantilat SZ, Kutner JS, Sillau S, Kluger BM

Journal of pain and symptom management.. 2024 January 67 (1):e1-e7. Epub 10/13/2023.

Telehealth serious illness care program for older adults with hematologic malignancies: a single-arm pilot study.

Locastro M, Mortaz Hedjri S, Wang Y, Mendler JH, Norton SA, Bernacki R, Carroll T, Klepin HD, Liesveld JL, Huselton EJ, Kluger B, Loh KP

Blood advances.. 2023 December 267 (24):7597-7607. Epub 1900 01 01.

Spirituality and Spiritual Distress in Parkinson's Disease Caregivers: A Scoping Review.

Seshadri S, Sugiura K, Mirham M, Aamodt WW, Kluger BM

Journal of religion and health.. 2023 December 62 (6):4222-4243. Epub 09/13/2023.

Reach of Palliative Care for Parkinson Disease: Results From a Large National Survey of Patients and Care Partners.

Seshadri S, Dini M, Macchi Z, Auinger P, Norton SA, Holtrop JS, Kluger BM

Neurology. Clinical practice.. 2023 December 13 (6):e200214. Epub 10/16/2023.

The elephant in the room: critical reflections on mortality rates among individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Dommershuijsen LJ, Darweesh SKL, Ben-Shlomo Y, Kluger BM, Bloem BR

NPJ Parkinson's disease.. 2023 October 199 (1):145. Epub 10/19/2023.

The Total Enjoyment of Life: A Framework for Exploring and Supporting the Positive in Palliative Care.

Kluger BM, Arnold RM

Journal of palliative medicine.. 2023 October 26 (10):1322-1326. Epub 07/20/2023.

Neurologic Diseases and Medical Aid in Dying: Aid-in-Dying Laws Create an Underclass of Patients Based on Disability.

Shavelson L, Pope TM, Battin MP, Ouellette A, Kluger B

The American journal of bioethics : AJOB.. 2023 September 23 (9):5-15. Epub 08/16/2022.

Prognosis in chronic progressive neurologic disease: a narrative review.

Corcoran J, Kluger BM

Annals of palliative medicine.. 2023 September 12 (5):952-962. Epub 08/24/2023.

Permit Assisted Self-Administration: A Response to Open Peer Commentaries on Neurologic Diseases and Medical Aid in Dying: Aid-in-Dying Laws Create an Underclass of Patients Based on Disability.

Pope TM, Shavelson L, Battin MP, Ouellette A, Kluger B

The American journal of bioethics : AJOB.. 2023 September 23 (9):W9-W14. Epub 08/30/2023.

Palliative Care of End Stage Parkinsonism: An Overview Including the Five Pillars Framework.

Hvisdak V, Huang AP, Kluger BM

Movement disorders clinical practice.. 2023 August 10 (Suppl 2):S63-S67. Epub 11/30/2022.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Challenges of Caregiving During a Pandemic for Parkinson's Family Care Partners.

Seshadri S, Norton SA, Stahl T, Shah M, Dini M, Yarab N, Holtrop JS, Kluger BM

The American journal of hospice & palliative care.. 2023 July 40 (7):784-792. Epub 08/09/2022.

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

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.7 stars

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.8 stars

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.7 stars

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.8 stars

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.8 stars

Patient Comments

5.0 stars

I AM pleased that Dr. Kluger made a good first impression. He seems knowledgeable and I like him.

Sep 15, 2025

4.7 stars

He was easy to talk to and very knowledgeable

Jun 30, 2025

5.0 stars

DR. KLUGER IS UNDERSTANDING KIND HELPFUL AND INSIGHTFUL.HE SEES THINGS FOR ME TO DO TO KEEP MY STATUS FROM PROGRESSING. VERY HELPFUL. EXPERIENCED WITH MY TYPE OF CONDITION...

Sep 05, 2024

5.0 stars

Dr. Kluger was very thorough, kind caring attitude

Aug 09, 2024

5.0 stars

The University of Rochester should be proud to have Dr. Kluger as provider

May 10, 2024

5.0 stars

Dr. Kluger and everyone at neuro palliative care are truly the best of the best.

Apr 22, 2024

Dr. Kluger is caring and thorough

Oct 03, 2023

3.4 stars

A very good MD and I will be back but I was only with the care provider about 15 minutes and his assistant (intern??) for + 45 minutes.

Aug 23, 2023

5.0 stars

So happy to have found him!

Aug 07, 2023

5.0 stars

I see him because of my condition which is progressive supra nuclear palsy he and he is great and I was lucky when he took me on as a patient.

Jun 21, 2023

5.0

Dr. Kluger is wonderful. He listened to all my questions and answered them all. He really wants to get to the bottom of my problem.

Apr 27, 2023

Dr. Kluger "gets it" and speaks to me as a patient as a partner. He considers my questions and input and I feel he truly BELIEVES me

Apr 02, 2023

Dr. Kluger is one of the most comforting doctors I've worked with.

Feb 20, 2023

The information, care and time spent with me to help me understand and make plans for the end of life issues I'm facing with my neurological condition was very very good.

Jan 08, 2023

5.0

Dr. Kluger was kind, gentle. And thorough....

Jun 02, 2022

The conversation was productive,professioal,and very compassionate. I am encouraged and look forward to continue with the doctor

Apr 16, 2022