Comprehensive Stroke Clinics at RUSH: Stroke-Neurosurgery Referrals

Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building

The Stroke-Neurosurgery Subspecialty Clinic at Rush provides patients the opportunity to meet with stroke neurologists and neurosurgeons who offer a wide range of medical and surgical options to prevent and treat cerebrovascular disease.

This comprehensive approach to care is particularly important for patients with cerebrovascular disease, since vascular pathology can be in locations that increase the risk of stroke. Our Stroke-Neurosurgery Subspecialty Clinic allows patients to work with both neurologists to identify medical treatments and with neurosurgeons to discuss surgical approaches simultaneously.

About 85% of strokes are ischemic (clot-based) and 15% are hemorrhagic (bleeding). Since both types of strokes can be prevented, our approach to care includes an emphasis on identifying patients who are at higher risk for strokes. An ideal candidate for our clinic is any patient with narrowing of the arteries in the brain or with consideration of Moyamoya disease. We work to prevent their strokes before they happen in order to reduce mortality, as well as the physical impact stroke can have on patients and their families.

A hallmark of our clinic is giving patients a consolidated, unified approach to their treatment plan, helping them weigh the risks and benefits of all treatment options. Our providers with expertise in stroke and cerebrovascular disease work collaboratively to evaluate patients, create a comprehensive treatment plan and educate patients and their families

in one convenient clinic location. We also work in partnership with referring providers, communicating with them about their patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan, to provide seamless, end-to-end care.

Why refer your patients here?

The neurology and neurosurgery program at Rush is ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Nationally recognized stroke care: Rush University Medical Center, Rush Copley Medical Center and Rush Oak Park Hospital have been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association with the Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award. In addition, Rush University Medical Center and Rush Oak Park Hospital have received the Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll Award. These awards recognize that Rush hospitals provide timely and effective stroke care that is among the best in the country.

Comprehensive care: Rush is certified by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the most demanding stroke certification designed for those hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases.

Conditions Treated

  • Arteriovenous malformations 
  • Carotid disease
  • Intracranial atherosclerosis
  • Moyamoya disease

Tests

  • Brain CTA, MRA and MRI
  • Carotid ultrasound
  • Cerebral angiograms
  • Diamox perfusion studies
  • Transcranial doppler ultrasound

Treatments

  • Carotid angioplasty and stenting
  • Carotid endarterectomy
  • Referral for stereotactic radiosurgery
  • Revascularization of the blood supply
  • Stereotactic microsurgery for AVMs
  • Thrombectomy

Consult With a Stroke Neurologist or Neurosurgeon

Meet Our Team

Rima Dafer, MD

Rima Dafer, MD

Neurology, Vascular Neurology Request an Appointment
Michael Chen, MD

Michael Chen, MD

Neurology Request an Appointment
Richard Crowley, MD

R. Webster Crowley, MD

Neurological Surgery Request an Appointment
Stephan Munich, MD

Stephan Munich, MD

Neurological Surgery Request an Appointment
Laurel Cherian, MD, MS

Laurel Cherian, MD, MS

Neurology, Vascular Neurology Request an Appointment
James Conners, MD, MS

James Conners, MD, MS

Neurology, Vascular Neurology Request an Appointment
Sarah Song, MD, MPH

Sarah Song, MD, MPH

Neurology, Vascular Neurology Request an Appointment
Alejandro Vargas, MD

Alejandro Vargas, MD

Vascular Neurology, Neurology Request an Appointment
Deborah Lynch, CNS

Deborah Lynch, CNS

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Health Request an Appointment

Location

Rush University Medical Center

1725 W Harrison St., Suite 1118
Chicago, IL 60612