Training in one of the nation’s premier stroke care centers, you will become an integral part of the stroke service team as you develop your ability to diagnose, treat and prevent ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in the brain and spinal cord.
Our key vascular neurology training takes place at the Gates Vascular Institute and the adjacent Buffalo General Medical Center in a region that provides broad exposure to vascular disease. Erie County residents (including Buffalonians) experience 33 percent more heart disease death than the average American, and the rate of stroke death in Western New York exceeds the national rate by 23 percent.
With frequent dialogue and feedback from our nationally recognized stroke experts, you will develop your ability to comprehensively care for patients — from diagnosis to follow-up care. You will learn to:
- obtain a detailed history, with emphasis on vascular risk factors
- perform a thorough neurologic examination
- interpret neuroimaging studies (including brain, arterial and cardiac), neuroradiographic studies and neurosonology tests, such as vascular ultrasound, carotid duplex and transcranial Doppler
- quickly identify patients who need acute interventions, such as intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis
- localize the lesion
- provide a comprehensive differential diagnosis and differentiate stroke from conditions that mimic stroke
- counsel patients and family members about the patient’s prognosis and inform them of community support
You will gain state-of-the-art knowledge and skills related to:
- stroke mechanisms, including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, brain ischemia and hemorrhage
- acute stroke, including thrombolytic treatment, antithrombotic therapies, experimental therapies, subarachnoid hemorrhage and vasospasm
- stroke and stroke prevention treatment and therapies, both medical and surgical, including management of risk factors, such as hypertension and lipid disorders
- neuroradiology interventions, including an understanding of endovascular therapy as well as radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations
- clinical syndromes of ischemic stroke, including carotid artery occlusion and neurobehavioral syndromes of the right and left hemispheres
- stroke rehabilitation, both acute and long-term, including neurobehavioral issues and various outcome measurement scales, such as the National Institutes of Health stroke scale
During our in-depth vascular neurology rotation, you will actively participate in and discuss cases during daily rounds. You will continue to gain essential knowledge through our strong didactic training.
Your team will be guided by an attending stroke neurologist and includes:
- 1 senior neurology resident (PGY 4 or later PGY 3)
- 2 junior neurology residents (PGY 2 or early PGY 3)
- rotating residents from non-neurology specialties
- 2-4 medical students
Your team will typically care for about 20 patients at a time; as a junior resident, you will have direct responsibility for four to seven patients.