Co-founder of Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology

By Frederick T. Strobl, M.D.

Dr. Joseph A. Resch was one of the co-founders of Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology and a pioneer in the University of Minnesota's neurology department.  After co-founding the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry in 1955, he joined the University of Minnesota fulltime as a neurology professor in 1962, later going on to become the department's second head in 1976.  He also served as Assistant Vice President of Health Sciences for over a decade until his retirement in 1982.

According to the University’s neurology department, Dr. Resch also played a prominent role in the foundation of vital contemporary neurological institutions.  When he first came to the University in 1946, where he served a two-year neurological residency, he pointed out to then-chair of the neurology department, Dr. A.B. Baker, that neurology students didn't have an external resource for continuing their education.  This complaint led to the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology in 1948, which saluted Dr. Resch during its 60th anniversary celebration in March 2008.  Dr. Resch served as a board member for the Academy in the 1970’s and helped keep its national headquarters in St. Paul.  The AAN is now an international professional association with 21,000 members, 127 staff members and a $30 million operating budget.