NCS Leadership
2016-2017
Officers
Michel Torbey, MD, President
Gretchen Brophy, PharmD,
Vice President
Jose Suarez, MD, Treasurer
Mary Kay Bader, MSN, CNS, Secretary
Ed Manno, MD,
Immediate Past President
Board of Directors
Neeraj Badjatia, MD
Jordan Bonomo, MD
Julian Bösel, MD
Marion Buckwalter, MD, Ph.D.
Guadalupe Castillo-Abrego, MD
Sherry Chou, MD
W. David Freeman, MD
Jennifer Frontera, MD
David Greer, MD
Theresa Human, PharmD
John Lewin, PharmD
Chad Miller, MD
Susanne Muehlschlegel, MD
Paul Nyquist, MD
Kristine O’Phelan, MD
Fred Rincon, MD
David Seder, MD
Kevin Sheth, MD
Lori Shutter, MD
Panos Varelas, MD, Ph.D.
Susan Yeager, NP, RN
Executive Director
JoAnn Taie
Editor-in-Chief,
Neurocritical Care
Eelco Wijdicks, MD, Ph.D.
Neurocritical Care Society
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 321-5159
Fax: (312) 673-6759
Website: www.neurocriticalcare.org
Email: info@neurocriticalcare.org
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
A New Era for Stroke Patients
By Michel Torbey
No doubt May has been an exciting Stroke Month. The results of the DAWN
trial were announced at the European Stroke Organization conference in
Prague. The investigators found that thrombectomy was associated with
improvement in clinical outcomes based on perfusion-diffusion mismatch
imaging criteria. These findings will change the landscape of stroke care.
If the results were confirmed in the interim analysis of DEFUSE 3, we are
looking at potential therapeutic window for stroke up to 24 hours from last known well.
In addition, The Joint Commission is in the process of developing a new optional certification for
hospitals that have the capability of providing thrombectomy for patients with ischemic stroke:
Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Advanced Certification. As part of the development of this
new certification program, The Joint Commission is seeking input from the field. Please review
the proposed requirements at this link, and provide comments.
As neurointensivists, it is not enough to take care of these patients in the ICU, but we should be
heavily engaged in the delivery care process at all levels. It is key that we continue to advocate
for the highest level of quality ICU care at our hospitals and with The Joint Commission. As the
therapeutic window will be wider, it is expected that more patients will need neurocritical care.
Now may be a good time to revisit your staffing and bed triage protocols.
As we all are getting ready for the summer, our fellowship applicants are getting ready to submit
their match rank list on June 15, 2017. It is important for fellowship directors to adhere to
the match rules and regulations and allow the fellows to make their decisions without any
interference.
See you all in Hawaii for what seems like a very exciting annual meeting!
3
