Cerebrovascular Diseases and Stroke
Leadership
Mark Johnson, M.D.
Section Head
Clinical and Education
Ying Xian, M.D., Ph.D.
Section Head
Research
Contact
Brenda Thomas
Section Administrator | brenda.thomas@utsouthwestern.edu
Taylor Norman
Operations Manager | Taylor.Norman@utsouthwestern.edu
Recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as a high-performing center for stroke, our section is one of the academic leaders in the nation. Our core mission includes excellence in patient care, promoting education, and advancing our understanding and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases and stroke through research.
Our faculty are recognized nationally for their academic contributions to paving the way for the wide adoption of alteplase, the only FDA-approved medical therapy, in acute ischemic stroke. They also lead in comparative effectiveness (CER) and patient-centered outcomes studies in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease.
Faculty
The faculty comprises seven individuals, who form a highly collaborative unit dedicated to advancing research, education, and clinical care. Two faculty lead extramurally funded research. The section's research encompasses randomized clinical trials, observational studies, patient-centered outcomes research, health disparities, and global health in cerebrovascular diseases and stroke. Six of our faculty care for patients with cerebrovascular diseases, interfacing with our trainees in a variety of clinical settings including two large acute care hospitals.
View all faculty View APPs Join Our Team
Neurocritical Care Lecture Series (CME)
Cerebrovascular Diseases and Stroke Highlights
7
Faculty
8
Advance Practice Providers
2
Faculty with extramural funding
2
Comprehensive Stroke Centers
50+
Beds across 2 Neurovascular Units
2
Fellowship Tracks
Subspecialty Care
Our Clements University Hospital comprehensive stroke center is certified by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association. Parkland Hospital is certified as a comprehensive stroke center by the Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Beyond providing care for patients with a full range of cerebrovascular diseases, our faculty offers subspecialty care in rare genetic cerebrovascular disorders, moyamoya disease, pediatric stroke, and the use of neurosonology to assess cerebrovascular anatomy.
Research
Physicians and scientists within the section center their discoveries on a range of clinical topics relevant to the field of cerebrovascular diseases. Research activities span clinical trials, patient-centered outcomes research, disparities in stroke care, quality improvement, and global health research. Our team is building a real-world data platform to advance research in vascular contributions to cognitive impairment & dementia and developing patient-centered prediction tools to empower stroke patients regarding stroke care and prevention.
Education & Training
Our vascular fellowship training program is designed to provide intensive clinical exposure in a broad range of settings, with trainees working alongside faculty with extensive knowledge of these disorders. Members of the cerebrovascular group are thought leaders in the field, providing the trainees with perspectives that are both profound and nuanced. For trainees, weekly conferences provide a forum for the recognition of subtle clinical nuance, the exchange of clinical and scholarly ideas, and exposure to faculty whose training background is diverse. The program, in general, is designed to provide our trainees with time to reflect, engage in scholarly projects, and network with future colleagues. The training can be curated to the needs of trainees as future clinicians, clinician-educators, and physician-scientists.
Stroke Education for Providers and Nurses
Physicians, Faculty, and APPs from several sections have created a self-study lecture series. Through these, participants learn about best practices in stroke care and earn CME Credits. These lecture series are open to everyone, both within and outside of UT Southwestern.
Topics include:
- Acute Stroke Care
- Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis
- Cognitive Function & Communication
- Pain Management & Palliative Care
- Prehospital Care
- and more
Our Reach Within the Community
Rachel Aubert, D.O, is the chair of the stroke committee of the North Central Texas Regional Advisory Council (NCTRAC); an administrative body responsible for the development of an Acute Stroke System Plan and regional guidelines for Trauma Service Area (TSA) E, including the development of guidelines for acute stroke care in Level I, II, and III Stroke Centers. The committee also guides the development of pre-hospital assessment tools and treatment guidelines. Dr. Aubert leads the research task force while Robin Novakovic, M.D. leads the Stroke System of Care & Quality Improvement task force.
Stroke Consultation Process
- Call 214-645-FAST (3278)
- Discussion of the case with hospital staff Timely review of findings and treatment recommendations to the requesting physician If the patient is to be transferred to UT Southwestern, the telestroke consultant will assist with the coordination of the transfer and also arrange telephone consultation with other specialists to include neurosurgery, neurocritical care, and radiology, as needed. We offer timely follow-up to hospital staff about the outcome of the transferred patient.
Neurosurgery Hotline
- (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
- Phone: 214-648-0360 | Fax: 214-648-2204
Hospital-to-Hospital Stroke Transfers
- Call 214-645-FAST (3278)
- UT Southwestern’s transfer service provides a seamless transition of care, including emergency and complex cases