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A national leader in stroke care and research, and a hub for expert emergency cerebrovascular care at hospitals throughout Ohio

Ohio State’s Comprehensive Stroke Center treats the most complex strokes and cerebrovascular diseases, with physicians, scientists, nurses and therapists from across Ohio State’s Neurological Institute collaborating to advance the science and success of stroke treatments, both at Ohio State and at our partner hospitals across Ohio.

Ohio State was one of the first hospitals in the country and one of only nine Ohio hospitals to be designated a comprehensive stroke center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. This means Ohio State can deliver emergent surgical and endovascular treatment for ischemic (clot) and hemorrhagic (rupture) strokes any hour of the day, any day of the year.

Until recently, clot-dissolving drugs were the only treatment for ischemic stroke. Our endovascular neurosurgeons can remove clots with a stent retriever in a procedure called a thrombectomy that leads to better patient outcomes. Our surgeons are also trained in a specialized procedure to ensure that hemorrhagic strokes caused by ruptured brain aneurysms do not re-rupture and cause further damage. This advanced approach to stroke treatment carries over to our facilities. We have a hybrid operating room outfitted with an interventional radiology suite and an operating table that is transparent to X-rays. This unique setup allows us to provide all emergency stroke care, both surgical and endovascular procedures, in the same room. Our “one patient, one physician, one room” model accelerates treatment and limits patient exposure to a single round of anesthesia.

For questions regarding the Comprehensive Stroke Center, call 614-685-6932.

If you think you may be having a stroke, call 911.

Conditions

Neurology Fellowships

Research and Clinical Trials

Our Leaders

Lee Vivien

Vivien Lee, MD, FAAN

Medical Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center

My clinical research interests include thrombolysis related complications in acute ischemic stroke and predictors of outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

 

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Shahid Nimjee, MD, PhD

Surgical Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center

I am a neurological surgeon specializing in open and endovascular neurosurgery. My research focuses on exploiting the properties of RNA biology to better diagnose and treat thromboembolic disease as it pertains to cerebrovascular neurosurgery.

 

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Deepak Gulati, MD

Director, Ohio State Telestroke Collaborative

I serve as the director of the Telestroke Collborative, a program which delivers Ohio State’s critical stroke expertise into 25+ hospitals in rural areas of Ohio.

 

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HannawiYousef

Yousef Hannawi, MD

Division of Stroke and Neurocritical Care

Our Providers

Advanced Practice Providers

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Susan Yeager, MS, RN, CCRN

Clinical Instructor, Neurocritical Care Lead Nurse Practitioner

I serve as the Lead Nurse Practitioner for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Neurocritical Care Unit. In addition to the privilege of providing leadership in that role, I serve on the Board of Directors for both the Neurocritical Care Society and the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. My clinical interests include traumatic brain and spine injury, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, advanced practice provider issues and other Neurocritical care diagnosis.

GroseNoah

Noah Grose, RN, CNP, ACNP

Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases & Neurocritical Care

I received my BSN at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. Following graduation, I worked as an intensive care nurse at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and received my Master of Science degree in Nursing and Acute Care Nursing Practice. I have been a member of the Stroke and Neurocritical Care team since 2011. My clinical interests include acute management of hemorrhagic strokes, hydrocephalus, acute hypertensive management and neurocritical care.

ElkingNicole

Nicole Elking, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

In 2008, I began working at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical center as a staff nurse in the Neuroscience/Trauma Progressive Care Unit. In 2013, I transitioned to the Neurocritical Care Unit while attending The Ohio State University for my Masters in Science in Nursing. In 2015, I joined the Neurocritical Care team as a board certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. My interests include neuroscience and management of the critically ill.

LawsonThomas

Thomas Lawson, MS, RN, ACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed my BS in Nursing at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH and my MS degree: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Wright State University in Dayton. I joined OSU Wexner Medical Center in 2006 and have been a NP in the Neurocritical Care Unit since 2011. My clinical interests include the critical care management of patients with neurologic diseases. I conduct research to improve the quality and safety in neurocritical care, currently studying emergency vascular access.

DeJesus

Marissa DeJesus, MS, RN, FNP-BC

Certified Nurse Practitioner

I received both my BSN and MS in Community Health Nursing from Ohio State. I later completed my Family Nurse Practitioner certification in 2005 from Ohio State. I joined the Department of Neurological Surgery in 2008. My clinical interests include recovery and transitions in care of stroke and neurosurgical patients. I currently facilitate the Aneurysm and AVM support group. I am on the executive board of the Philippine Nurses Association of Central Ohio.

Lozano_Michelle

Michelle Lozano, MS, RN, AG-ACNP

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed my bachelor's degree in Nursing at Capital University and my master's degree in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care at Wright State University. I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2012 and have been working as a nurse practitioner in the Neurocritical Care Unit since 2014. My clinical interests include the management of patients with neurological diseases and those with critical illnesses requiring intensive care.
ConstableMark

Mark Constable, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC

Certified Nurse Practitioner

As a CNP, I focus on diagnosing and treating patients with neurologic diseases requiring neurological surgery. I provide leadership on a multidisciplinary team to help drive quality outcomes and continuity of care. I'm involved in every aspect of care including inpatient and outpatient, pre- and post-operative follow-up and consultation. I completed my BSN at the University of Akron and my MS in Nursing at Duke University.

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Randy Yadav, APRN-CNP

I received my BSN in 2002 from the University of Rajasthan (Jaipur), India. I received my MSN from the OSU College of Nursing in 2016. I received my certification as an Acute Adult and Gerontology NP and started working with at the Ohio State Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2016. In addition to management of patients with acute stroke, I participate in research related to stroke. 
Rayvn Cash

Ravyn Cash, APRN-CNP

Ravyn Cash is a certified nurse practitioner for the Comprehensive Stroke Center.
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Elizabeth Bright, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

I joined the NCCU team in 2017 as a nurse practitioner after completing my MS in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track at The Ohio State University. Previously, I obtained my BSN at The University of Toledo and worked in medical/surgical, intensive care, and emergency nursing for a total of 8 years. My clinical interests include critical care management of neurological patients as well as quality and process improvement in health care.
KellerKelly

Kelly Keller, MS, CCRN, AGACNP-BC

Neurointensive Care Unit

I completed my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from The University of Akron and my Master’s from The Ohio State University.  I started working in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit in 2016. I work with patients who need neuro intensive care, such as acute neuro surgery, treatment of brain and spine cancers, acute strokes, spine surgeries, and other various neurologic illnesses. As a nurse practitioner, I have the opportunity to collaborate with other leaders to make sure our patients receive the best care possible. 
IchristKimberly

Kimberly Ichrist, MS, AG-ACNP, CCRN

Neurocritical Care Unit

My career started as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy. During my enlistment, I was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Sailor of the Year. In 2002, I started as a registered nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. In 2017, I transitioned to the Neurocritical Care Unit as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. As a member of the neurological critical care team, I provide safe patient care and provide comfort to both patients and families during hospitalization.
RentzMeliisa

Melissa Rentz, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed a BA in psychology from Bowling Green State University. I completed my RN and MSN/Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at The Ohio State University. I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2013 as a staff nurse in the Neuroscience Progressive Care Unit. In 2017, I joined the Neurocritical Care Unit with the goal of providing the best care possible for a variety of complex neurological diseases.  
GlennJessica

Jessica Glenn, MS, AGACNP-BC, SCRN

Neurocritical Care Unit

I completed by BSN at Capital University in 2006. I began my nursing career in the Medical ICU at Ohio State University East Hospital. I later obtained my Master's in Nursing in 2015 from The Ohio State University and became certified as an AGACNP. I have been a member of the Neurovascular and Neurocritical Care team since 2015. My clinical interests include the acute management of hemorrhagic strokes and ischemic strokes and critically ill patients.

Our Staff

Sharon Heaton, MA, BSN, RN
Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center
Sharon.Heaton@osumc.edu

Karen Wiles, BSN, RN, CCM
Telestroke Program Manager, Comprehensive Stroke Center
Karen.Wiles@osumc.edu

Cassie Forrest, BSN, RN
Nursing Program Manager, Comprehensive Stroke Program
Cassandra.Forrest@osumc.edu

Deb Tillis, MSN, RN
Nursing Program Manager, Comprehensive Stroke Center
Deborah.Tillis@osumc.edu

Amy Minnema, MS
Clinical Research Manager, Neurological Surgery
Amy.Minnema@osumc.edu

Luke Herren, BA, CCRP
Clinical Research Manager, Neurovascular
Luke.Herren@osumc.edu

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