Medical Director, Stroke Programs, Memorial Hospital Miramar and Memorial Hospital Pembroke

I am a neurointerventional surgeon at Memorial Healthcare System. I completed a cerebrovascular fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and an advanced fellowship in neuro-endovascular surgery at the Texas Stroke Institute. I received board certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) for Recognition of Focused Practice in CNS Endovascular Surgery.

I am dually trained in the medical and neuroendovascular surgical care of stroke patients. My clinical interests include the utilization of neuro-endovascular surgical techniques for the management of complex brain and spinal cord vascular diseases such as aneurysms, complex vascular tumors, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas. I participate in intracranial and cervical carotid angioplasty and stenting for atherosclerotic stenosis. I am also involved in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, endovascular tumor embolization, refractory epistaxis, and intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.

I have published several peer-reviewed articles, some of which have included the management of carotid aneurysms with endovascular flow diversion devices. I have written several textbook chapters in the management of subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute ischemic stroke in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. 

I am a member of several scientific societies such as the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery (SNIS), and I have presented at numerous national conferences. I am a clinical reviewer for the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery. I am at the forefront of developing and utilizing new neuro-endovascular techniques to alleviate the burden of cerebrovascular disease and I currently participate as principal investigator for several clinical research projects.

I am passionate about providing outstanding and comprehensive clinical care to all patients. I use a combination of compassionate care and cutting-edge, neuro-endovascular surgical techniques to provide the best quality care to my patients. I am dedicated to eliminating healthcare disparities and building sustainable, healthy communities. My clinical acumen and community work have been recognized with several awards from different organizations. Recently, I received the 40 under 40 leader in health awards from the NMQF organization, an American Health Services System based in Washington, DC. 

I have a long tradition of educating future physicians. Before coming to Memorial Healthcare System, I was the co-medical director of the neuro-endovascular surgery fellowship program at Texas Stroke Institute and assistant professor of neuro-endovascular surgery at TCU-UNTHSC School of Medicine. Currently, I am the Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Charles E Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. I am also a member of the medical faculty at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University.  I am the recipient of the "Faculty Physicians Excellence Award for Teaching" from the Memorial Healthcare System Graduate Medical Education.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Male

Education

Rush University Medical Center Program, 2005

Internships

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 2013, Internal Medicine
Wake Forest University, 2006, Surgery

Residency

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 2016, Neurology
Wake Forest University, 2009, Neurosurgery

Fellowships

Texas Stroke Institute, 2019
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 2017, Vascular Neurology

Certifications

Publications

Research

In addition to providing patient care, I enjoy participating in research to improve our understanding of the brain and nervous system, and advance treatment options for my patients.

My research interests include the management of chronic intracranial subdural hematoma and large anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Recent research projects include:

• Memorial Healthcare System; Department of Neurosurgery; 2022 - Present
  Principal Investigator for:
   
  
• Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Artery With ONYX Liquid Embolic System for Subacute and Chronic Subdural Hematoma (EMBOLISE Study) - A prospective, randomized, study to assess the functional outcome in the management of subacute and chronic intracranial subdural hematoma with surgical evacuation versus middle meningeal artery embolization”
   
  
• Memorial Healthcare System; Department of Neurosurgery; 2022 - Present
  Principal Investigator for:
   
  
• SOFIA Aspiration System as First Line Technique (SOFAST Study)- A prospective, multi-center single arm, observational study with two cohorts to assess successful revascularization with the SOFIA Flow 6F Aspiration Catheter when used in conjunction with direct aspiration as first line treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation.
  
  
• Texas Stroke Institute; Department of Neuro-Endovascular Surgery
  Present Principal Investigator for: 
  
  
  “EMBOLISE Study- A Prospective, Randomized, study to assess the functional outcome in the management of chronic intracranial subdural hematoma with surgical evacuation versus middle meningeal artery embolization” 
  
  
• Texas Stroke Institute; Department of Neuro-Endovascular Surgery
  Co-Principal Investigator for: 
  
  
  “SMART – A prospective, multicenter registry assessing the embolization of neurovascular lesions using the Penumbra SMART COIL® System” 
  
  
  “TRUST - A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study of the Aureva Transcranial Ultrasound Device with Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke” 
  
  
  “STRIP - Stroke Thromboembolism Registry of Imaging and Pathology for the evaluation and analysis of cerebral intravascular clots” 
  
  
  “STERLING - A Prospective, Multi-Center, Single Arm Study to obtain “real world” clinical data and characterize the and long term performance of the MICRUSFRAME and GALAXY coils for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.” 
  
  
  “EXCELLENT - Embotrap Extraction and Clot Evaluation and Lesion Evaluation for Neuro Thrombectomy” 
  
  
  “TIMELESS - A Phase III, Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Thrombolysis in Imaging-Eligible, Late-window patients to assess the Efficacy and Safety of Tenecteplase with the use of the iSchemaView’s RAPID software” 
  
  
  “The TESLA Trial - Thrombectomy for Emergent Salvage of Large Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke with ASPECTS of 3 to 6 within 16 hours of last known normal.” 
  
  
  “VIZ.AI Study - Evaluation of the utility of artificial intelligence for the early prediction of intracranial large vessel occlusion”. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Professional Organizations

• Member, Examination Committee for Neurointerventional Surgery Certification from the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS)
• Senior Member, Society of Neuro- Interventional Surgery
• American Heart Association 
• America Stroke Association 
• Society for Vascular and Interventional Neurology 
• American Academy of Neurology 
• Pennsylvania Neurologic Society 
• American College of Physicians 
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons 
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons 
• North American Spine Society 
• American Medical Association

Presentations

• Invited Speaker, Novel Techniques: Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Sub-acute and Chronic Subdural Hematoma at Medical City Plano. January 29, 2020.
  
• Invited Speaker, Neurosurgical & Neuro-Critical Care Conference at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: The Role of Intravenous Thrombolysis in the Prediction of Functional Outcome in Patients who undergo Endovascular Thrombectomy with Newer Generation Stent Retrievers. May 18, 2017 
• Invited Speaker, Neurosurgical & Neuro-Critical Care Conference at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: Evaluation and Management of Cervical Arterial Dissections. January 5, 2017 
• Invited Speaker at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Cerebrovascular Weekly Conference (attendees may receive CME Credits). 2016- 2017 
• Invited Speaker at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Seminar for Neurologic Emergencies: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification Lecture. July 7, 2016 
• Invited Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: Flow Diversion Versus Conventional Treatment for Carotid Cavernous Aneurysms. May 27, 2016 
• Invited Speaker at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: Neurology Board Review. November 30, 2015 
• Invited Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: An Unusual Case of Generalized Weakness. November 20, 2015 
• Invited Speaker at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Seminar for Neurologic Emergencies: Encephalitis. July 21, 2014 
• Invited Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: A Case of Ambulatory Dysfunction. September 27, 2013 
• Invited Speaker at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Medical Seminar: Neurologic Manifestations of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. December 11, 2012.

Awards

• Recipient of the “Award of Excellence” for dedication, hard work, and leadership to stroke care at the South Broward Hospital District presented by Memorial Healthcare System, 2023
• Recipient of the “Physician Teacher of the Year” for innovative teaching, dedicated service and ongoing commitment to student education from the Honors Medical Professions at American Heritage School, 2023
• Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA), 2023
• Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN), 2022
• Recipient of the “Excellence in Leadership Award” from Memorial Healthcare System, 2022
• Recipient of the “Faculty Physicians Excellence Award for Teaching” from Memorial Healthcare System Graduate Medical Education, 2022
• Recipient of “The 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health” Award presented by the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) at the Annual NMQF Leadership Summit on Health Disparities and Spring Health Braintrust at the Watergate Hotel, Washington DC. April 2020. Postponed due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. 
• Recipient of the Clinical Researchers in Neurology and Neuroscience Award presented by the American Academy of Neurology at the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia PA. May 2019 
• Recipient of the prestigious Diversity Leadership Program (DLP) Award presented by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) at the Annual Meeting in Los Angeles CA. January 2018 
• The DLP is designed to identify and develop talent among experienced members for future leadership roles in the AAN and beyond. I received personalized coaching by an executive consultant, individual mentoring by a member of the AAN board of directors, and personal and professional development. I participated in an AAN board assigned project with presentation to the AAN Board of Directors in September 2018. 
• Second Place Finish at the American Academy of Neurology National Neurobowl Competition in Boston MA (Captain of the team). April 2017 
• Recipient of the Clinical Researchers in Neurology and Neuroscience Award presented by the American Academy of Neurology at the Annual Meeting in Boston MA. April 2017 
• Recipient of the Stroke Grant Award from the American Heart Association for the International Stroke Conference in Houston TX. February 2017 
• The Neuroscience Research Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical and Basic Neuroscience Research; presented by Christopher T. Skidmore M.D. Department of Neurological Sciences; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 
• The Leon Peris Medical Award presented by Dean David Nash M.D. M.B.A. 
• The Resident “Just Do It Award” presented by Christopher T. Skidmore M.D. Department of Neurological Sciences; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 2016 The Journal Club Excellence Award presented by William B. Young M.D. Department of Neurological Sciences; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 
• Recipient of the Enhanced Leadership Program Award Presented by the American Academy of Neurology at the Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada. April 16th, 2016 
• Recipient of the Travel Grant Award from the American Academy of Neurology, 2016
• 2016 Recipient of the Travel Grant Award from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, 2016