Director of Community Engagement, James C. Grotta, MD Chair in Neurological Recovery and Stroke at the McGovern Medical School. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992, completed her medical school, neurology residency and a combined vascular neurology and neurorecovery fellowship at the McGovern Medical School. Dr. Noser established the Stomp Out Stroke festival which is in its 7th year and one of the largest stroke community outreach and educational events in Texas. She Co-Chairs the Community Advisory Board to bring the voice of the community into our research efforts. Dr. Noser is dedicated to developing community partnerships to advance education, training and research to ultimately improve stroke awareness and prevention in the community.

Patricia attended the University of Oklahoma on a golf scholarship, was a four-year letterman and earned a degree in journalism. She accepted her first television job in Houston as an assistant assignment editor. Nine months later, Patricia got her big on-air break as a reporter in Wichita Falls, Texas. Following reporting stints in Tucson and Tulsa, Patricia made the climb to the Rocky Mountain State and reported in Denver, Colorado, then a stint in Washington, D.C. before landing a job in New York City. Moving around the country has given Patricia a unique insight into many different cultures, and its this amazing perspective that is the basis for her style in covering women's issues and consumer stories. Patricia spends her free time with her husband Dean and their three children. She enjoys running, volunteering, and her Mom and Dad's home cooked Mexican food.

Holly is a stroke survivor, a mentor, the founder of two Houston non-profit organizations, a dear friend and a loving mother. Holly suffered two strokes in April 2012 which left her and those around her feeling paralyzed. She has been recovering every day due to God’s timing, her faith in prayer and hard work. Since her stroke, she has been driven to educate others on stroke warning signs and stroke prevention. Her ability to overcome challenges has been an inspiration to many and she has often put the needs of others above her own. Holly’s stroke experience and passion to help others, led her to create Step Up 2 Stroke, a non-profit organization to help educate others by raising stroke awareness and encouraging people to Step Up 2 a healthier lifestyle. Step Up 2 Stroke is a journey of many miles, but it started with one single step.

Tom is a stroke survivor from a stroke suffered at the age 42 in October, 2006. Tom grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Houston with his wife and three children for 25 years. He currently works as Founder and President of Silver Ridge Energy, an oil brokering company. Since his stroke, Tom has spent most of his time away from the office working with boys and girls coaching soccer and softball. Tom is excited to have the opportunity to give back to the stroke survivor community by becoming a member of the Stroke Institute Community Advisory Board.

Wanda’s mother passed away at the age of 54 from a massive stroke. Devastated and inspired by this life changing ordeal, she pursued a career in helping others while being a wife and mother of three. In 1988 after relocating to Linden, New Jersey, she received her training as a Physical Therapy Aide and subsequently received an associate degree as a Certified Medical Assistant. While working and being a mother and wife, she received her second associate’s degree as a Certified Drug Counselor.

In 1990, she returned to Texas to work for HCA, when she transferred to West Houston Hospital she was still focused and insistent on helping stroke survivors. She joined forces with the West Houston Medical Center Rehabilitation social Worker in 2005 and began a community stroke support group starting with 8-10 stroke survivors. In 2012, the social worker moved on and then began Wanda’s journey as the group facilitator who helped fill a great need in her community. Fast forward to 2017, Wanda continues to spear head this movement and her small stroke support group has grown into 120 stroke survivors and caregivers- overcoming their personal obstacles one day at a time.

Darrell earned his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University in 1982 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from James Madison University in 1979. He has led a progressive career path over the past thirty-six years as a hospital administrator, a CEO of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council in Houston and as a community leader. Darrell has led an array of hospitals including acute care, long term acute care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities in rural, suburban and urban settings. He is well versed in various ownership models that have included the for-profit hospital industry, hospital districts, joint ventures, and a healthcare system where he was responsible for over forty facilities in Texas.

For the past seven years, Darrell has served as CEO of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council which has united hospitals, EMS agencies, and community leaders across nine counties to embrace best practices. The population served rivals the size of the nation’s 21st largest state. The results have been commended and published and include improved stroke outcomes and millions of dollars saved by the timely delivery of the clot busting drug tPA across the region. Likewise, the organization was contracted by the Texas Department of State Health Services to lead the Healthcare Preparedness Program across twenty five counties. The coalition was recently commended for the preparedness, response and resilience of the Houston area healthcare industry following the epic storm, Harvey.

Darrell has also served in a variety of community leadership positions including Chairman of the Northwest Houston Chamber of Commerce, founder of an emergency services district, and board member with a local EMS agency and with a local school district foundation. He serves on the Governor’s Emergency Care Advisory Council’s stroke committee, he has served on the board of the Texas Emergency Trauma and Acute Care Foundation, and was recently appointed to the board of the Houston Better Business Bureau Foundation and as a consultant to the Harris County Medical Society’s Emergency Care Committee.