CLINICAL DIVISIONS

Stroke Division

Developed in the mid-1990s by Roger Kelley, M.D., the Stroke Division is currently headed by Alejandro Forteza, M.D., assistant professor, and is comprised of three attending physicians who treat patients with stroke or stroke-prone conditions in addition to providing stroke prevention activities.

Inpatient activities are conducted at the stroke unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital where doctors care for patients within minutes of their arrival, offering stroke victims the greatest chance of survival.

The stroke division operates one stroke prevention clinics. The stroke prevention clinic at Jackson Memorial Hospital provides specialty services to stroke patients and individuals who are prone to developing a stroke. Physicians at the clinic see about 500 patients a year, the majority of whom have already experienced a stroke. As a result, doctors care for these individuals with the goal of preventing a second stroke. In fact, the incidence of a second stroke among this group of patients is much lower than what is typically reported in the medical literature, thanks, in part, to the prevention efforts of the division.

Outpatient activities are conducted at the Professional Arts Center Building located at 1150 NW 14^th Street, Suite 609, Miami, FL 33136.  Follow up patients from Jackson Memorial Hospital as well as others referred by outside physicians are seen in this facility.  A detailed office visit is provided by the attending physicians in addition to several ultrasound tests.

Researchers at the division’s neurovascular laboratory perform ultrasound studies in cerebral hemodynamics using ultrasound techniques. This laboratory technique examines the vessels in the neck that transport blood to the brain and the vessels inside the brain using transcranial Doppler. These techniques allow doctors within the division to spot the presence of blockages inside the brain, to catch a potential stroke before it strikes, and to take action even in patients who are symptom free.

An eight-bed stroke/neurointensive care unit currently is being developed. This unit will be dedicated to stroke and hemmoragic complications as well as critical care management.