
The Ochsner Neuroscience Institute’s Comprehensive Stroke Center is the leading center for stroke care in the Gulf South.
Ours was the first center in the region to be named a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
This certification confirms what our patients and their loved ones already know: When stroke symptoms appear, Ochsner is where you turn for quality care that leads to quality outcomes
Why Ochsner for Stroke Care?
- At Ochsner’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, a stroke neurologist works closely with neurocritical care and interventional neuroradiology to provide expert stroke care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
- Our highly experienced team manages cases from the most basic to the most complex.
- We pride ourselves on providing seamless transitions through all stages of care
- Stroke care at Ochsner goes above and beyond your hospital stay. We offer comprehensive, integrated rehabilitation through inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy.
- Our specialists help you identify the causes of your stroke and work with you to create a personalized plan to minimize future risks.
- We offer a nationally recognized, 38-bed neuro-intensive care unit. Patients in the neuro-critical care unit at Ochsner receive 24/7, high-intensity, collaborative care by an award-winning team.
Award-winning quality
- Nationally ranked by U.S News & World Report Top 50 in Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s for achieving the "Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus Target Stroke Elite Honor Roll Quality Achievement Award" in 2018 - 2020
- Ranked by Healthgrades as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care (TM) for nine years in a row (2012-2020)
- Recipient of the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award (TM) for ten years in a row (2011 – 2020)
- Named among the Top 5% in the nation for Treatment of a Stroke for ten years in a row (2011-2020) by Healthgrades


Ochsner’s TeleStroke Program
It’s a fact that patients who receive medical intervention within 60 minutes of experiencing stroke symptoms have the greatest chance of survival. It’s also true that having immediate access to Ochsner's TeleStroke program greatly enhances the ability of emergency room physicians in rural and urban settings to deliver lifesaving care. Using advanced telemedicine equipment, ER docs in more than 50 hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi can consult with Ochsner vascular neurologists 24-hours a day.
Ochsner Medical Center was the first hospital in Louisiana to use telemedicine to treat stroke. Learn more about TeleStroke, part of the Ochsner CareConnect 360 Program.
Stroke Mobile Program
Stroke Mobile is a completely free program focused on getting you well and back to being as independent as possible. It’s a flexible and convenient program that offers support for 12 months after you leave the hospital. We provide support, education and peace of mind. The Stroke Mobile Team is made up of a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Lay Health Educator who is specially trained in stroke care and prevention.
The Stroke Mobile Team will help:
- Lower your chances of having another stroke
- Lower your family’s risk of having a stroke
- Keep you from going back to the Emergency Room
- Offer support to your loved ones
- Give information to both you and your family
- Reduce the number of times you need to come back to see a doctor
Meet the Team
Ochsner is home to expert team of board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians specialized in vascular neurology (stroke), along with Advanced Practice Providers. Our Vascular Neurology team, in collaboration with our Neurosurgical, Neurocritical Care, Interventional Neuroradiology, and Vascular Surgical teams, work together to provide the highest level of care in acute, post-acute and rehabilitation settings. For cutting-edge, compassionate care, this is the team you want in your corner.
Vascular Neurology Team
Gabriel Vidal, MD
Richard Zweifler, MD
Harold McGrade, MD
Ifeanyi O. Iwuchukwu, MD
Osvaldo Camilo, MD
Jacqueline Carter, MD
Daniel Chehebar, DO
Joseph Tarsia, MD
Lauren Dunn, MD
Bethany Jennings, NP
Barbara Liscum, NP
Melissa Hammerli, PA
Dionne Rachel, NP
Amanda Daigle, PA
Mallory Easter, PA
Olivia Ford, NP
Kyrean Bowens, NP
Angell Luter, NP
Interventional Neuroradiology Team
James Milburn, MD
Gabriel Vidal, MD
Paul Gulotta, MD
Stephanie Faciane
Click here to learn more about Neurocritical Care team.
Click here to learn more about the Neurosurgery team.
Click here to learn more about the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery team.
Locations
In addition to the Ochsner Comprehensive Stroke Center at Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway, expert stroke care is available at the following Ochsner locations:
Ochsner Baptist – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center
Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner
Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus
Ochsner Hospital for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Ochsner Neurosciences Institute – Covington
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge
Conditions We Treat
- Stroke:
- Ischemic stroke: damage caused when brain tissue is unable to receive oxygen and nutrients through the blood
- Hemorrhagic stroke: rupture of a weakened blood vessel
- Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): bleeding within the brain tissue
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH): bleeding into the subarachnoid space (the space between the skull and brain tissue)
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Stroke prevention
- Hemorrhagic stroke: rupture of a weakened blood vessel
- Ischemic stroke: damage caused when brain tissue is unable to receive oxygen and nutrients through the blood
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
- Aneurysms
- Carotid artery disease
- Ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms
- Cerebral vascular malformations
- Chronic cerebral ischemia
- Atherosclerosis
Stroke Quality Metrics
Stroke Central encompasses the inpatient Comprehensive Stroke Care Program. The program provides a real-time, proactive approach to ensure the patient receives the best care with the best opportunity for recovery. All patients who present to Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans are eligible for this program. Stroke Mobile continues the program into the home. This portion of the program focuses on education, behavior and lifestyle modification to reduce the likelihood of another stroke. Patients who reside in Jefferson, St. Tammany or Orleans Parish are eligible for this program.

More than half of Ochsner’s stroke patients are discharged home to their families allowing them to enjoy life in their most comfortable environment.

Ischemic stroke occurs as a result of an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. It accounts for 87 percent of all stroke cases. Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 13 percent of stroke cases. It results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue. The two types of hemorrhagic stroke are intracerebral (within the brain) hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage.




Recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Ochsner’s stroke treatment team has seen positive outcomes, with an improved rate of complications.

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is a minimally invasive procedure in which the clot responsible for the stroke is removed from the artery of the brain. This procedure is performed by highly specialized physicians and can be safely performed only on patients who meet certain criteria. A thrombectomy allows for reestablishment of blood flow to brain tissue in order to minimize the damage of the stroke.

There are several other procedures that a stroke patient may have to undergo during their hospitalization. These procedures are performed by highly specialized physicians including vascular surgeons, neuroradiologists, and neurosurgeons.

Stroke Symptoms
What are the signs of a stroke?
- Trouble speaking/slurred speech
- Confusion/trouble understanding
- Sudden weakness, numbness, paralysis of the face, arm or leg (on one side of the body)
- Blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes or double vision
- Headache which may be accompanied with vomiting or dizziness
- Sudden dizziness/loss of balance or coordination
What do you do if someone is having a stroke?
It is extremely important that someone who is showing signs of stroke remembers the acronym FAST to lower the risk of death or disability:
- F is for face – Is your face drooping?
- A is for arms – Can you lift both arms?
- S is for speech – Are you slurring your words?
- T is for time – Call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you or someone you love is experience these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait to see if they stop. The faster you act, the better the chances for preventing brain damage and disability.
Stoke Support Group
Our Stroke Support Group is a program formed to assist individuals and family as they adjust to new daily life. The group is open and free to all in the area. We will provide activities for socialization and education that are designed for each individual’s needs.
Each meeting features discussions on various topics, socialization activities, and refreshments. Feedback is absolutely welcomed after each meeting.
When: Every fourth Wednesday of the month
Where: Ochsner Therapy & Wellness – Belle Meade, 605 Lapalco Blvd. Ste. A, Gretna, LA 70056
For more information, please call 504-371-9314.
When: The first Monday of every month at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ochsner Therapy & Wellness – Driftwood, 3700 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70065
For more information, please call 504-464-8173.
Referring Physicians
To refer a patient, call the Clinic Concierge at: 504-842-7436 or 1-855-312-4190.
- The Clinic Concierge assists with getting copies of patient records and scheduling clinic appointments.
- American Stroke Association
- National Stroke Association
- Ochsner Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Ochsner Neurological Rehab
- Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital
- Ochsner Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Ochsner Fitness Center
- Ochsner Rehab Stroke Survivor Network
- Ochsner Therapy And Wellness Driftwood Stroke Support Group