Message From the Director
Stroke is a major global health problem as the second cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability worldwide. Healthcare for people with stroke spans a continuum from acute treatment to hospitalization to rehabilitation and then to prevention. To address the full continuum of stroke care, the Stroke Institute is a joint collaboration among the McGovern Medical School, School of Public Health, Cizik School of Nursing, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Behavioral Health Sciences, and the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics. We work with many health systems in the Greater Houston Area and partner with academic health institutions throughout the state of Texas.
— Sean Savitz
Mission
The mission of the UTHealth Stroke Institute, a home to over a hundred professionals working in cerebrovascular disease, is to advance and transform stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation in the dual contexts of community population health and a learning health-care system. We are committed to high quality rigorous research across the continuum of stroke care, to developing new treatments and innovative health care delivery models for stroke, and promoting stroke awareness and education to the general public.
We are a multi-disciplinary hub of cutting-edge research dedicated to the various fields of cerebrovascular, brain and mental health while providing a valuable resource for patients seeking to actively participate in groundbreaking research studies. Our commitment to improving the lives of those affected by stroke and cerebrovascular diseases through collaborative efforts with leading experts, state-of-the-art facilities, and a passion for discovery, is unwavering.
History
The stroke program at UTHealth was started by James Grotta in 1979 and was supported by the cerebrovascular disease related research interests of the first two Department of Neurology Chairmen (Bill Fields–management of extracranial carotid disease and Frank Yatsu –stroke risk factors). The program was initially shaped by important collaborations with faculty in stroke epidemiology, clinical trial design, and basic science, and the Houston Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It was the first Stroke Center established in Houston at the Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center hospital and was one of the first established in the world.
1976
First Clinical Trials for Stroke Prevention
Publication of first clinical trials of Carotid Endarterectomy and of Aspirin for stroke prevention (Dr. Fields).
1979
Founding
The stroke program was started by James Grotta upon his arrival in Houston.
Founding Details
1984
Clinical Stroke Trials
NIH and industry funded clinical stroke trials get under way.
Clinical Stroke Trials Details
1986
Memorial Hermann Stroke Program
Formation of a separate in-patient clinical stroke service at Memorial Hermann Hospital
Stroke Program Details
2013
Mobile Stroke Unit
Established the first Mobile Stroke Unit in the United States. MSU publication.
2017
Integrated System of Comprehensive Stroke Centers
Implemented the First Joint Commission Certified Integrated System of Comprehensive Stroke Centers
2017
Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease was founded
Merging the strength of five schools and multi-institutional collaborations, UTHealth Houston founded the Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease.
2023
American Heart Association’s ASA adopts Spanish-language R.A.P.I.D.O. acronym for stroke awareness
Andrea Ancer Leal DNP, RN; Alejandra Castro, BSN, RN; Jennifer Beauchamp, PhD, RN, and others, in a collaborative effort between the Stroke Institute and Cizik School of Nursing created RÁPIDO: A Spanish acronym aimed to raise stroke awareness within Latino communities. Read story here