Zaka Ahmed, MD
Zaka Ahmed, MD, chose the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for his vascular neurology fellowship due in part to UB’s reputation in vascular neurology and endovascular care.
When looking at vascular neurology fellowships, what qualities were most important to you?
High clinical volume across the stroke continuum, strong mentorship, rigorous neuroimaging exposure, a culture of multidisciplinary teamwork (ED, neurocritical care, neurointerventional), and opportunities to lead quality improvement (QI) and clinical research.
I also looked for programs that serve diverse patient populations and emphasize systems-of-care thinking, including telestroke.
What attributes about UB’s program appealed to you the most?
UB offers day‑to‑day immersion in complex, time‑critical stroke care with mentors who are invested in fellows’ growth. The program’s integration with Gates Vascular Institute, consistent exposure to advanced imaging and endovascular workflows, and clear pathways to contribute to trials and QI made it stand out.
Did UB’s reputation in neurology factor into your decision?
Yes, UB is widely recognized for its strengths in vascular neurology and endovascular care, and for contributing to advances that have shaped modern acute stroke practice. Training in a place known for thoughtful, practice‑changing work was a key factor.
How do you feel about getting to train at world‑class facilities such as the Gates Vascular Institute?
I feel grateful and energized. GVI’s environment — where imaging, neurocritical care, and endovascular teams collaborate in real time — compresses the learning curve. The pace, volume, and team culture sharpen decision‑making and reinforce what matters most: delivering timely, equitable stroke care.
What are your ultimate career goals?
To become an academic vascular neurologist who improves stroke systems of care, leads pragmatic QI and clinical trials, and mentors' trainees.
I’m especially interested in using advanced imaging and thoughtfully deployed artificial intelligence (AI) to speed accurate decisions, reduce disparities, and make excellent care scalable.