Stroke Program History
The stroke program at UTHealth was started by James C. Grotta, M.D. 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.
Sean Savitz, M.D. directs the stroke program which has substantially expanded over the years to encompass the full spectrum of stroke care and stroke research. The stroke program has divisions in pre-hospital care, acute stroke, brain hemorrhage, stroke recovery/rehabilitation, stroke prevention, telemedicine, neuroimaging, and basic science.
Important Milestones
1976
First Clinical Trials for Stroke Prevention. Publication of first clinical trials of Carotid Endarterectomy and of
Aspirin for stroke prevention (Dr. Fields).
1979
Stroke program founded by James C. Grotta, M.D. upon his arrival in Houston. All stroke patients at
Memorial Herman n Hospital admitted to Neurology in-patient service. Dr. Grotta also initiates AHA and
NIH funded laboratory investigations of cerebral blood flow and metabolism.
1979
Vascular Neurology (Stroke) Fellowship program begins.
1984
ClinicalStrokeTrials. NIH and Industry funded clinical stroke trials get under way
1986
Formation of a separate in-patient clinical stroke service at Memorial Hermann Hospital
1990-1995
Participation as one of the lead sites in the pivital NINDS tPA stroke studies
2002-2014
2013
Established the first Mobile Stroke Unit in the United States. MSU publication.
2017
Implemented the first Joint Commission Certified Integrated System of Comprehensive Stroke Centers
The stroke program at UTHealth was started by James C. Grotta, M.D. 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.
Sean Savitz, M.D. directs the stroke program which has substantially expanded over the years to encompass the full spectrum of stroke care and stroke research. The stroke program has divisions in pre-hospital care, acute stroke, brain hemorrhage, stroke recovery/rehabilitation, stroke prevention, telemedicine, neuroimaging, and basic science.
Important Milestones
1976
First Clinical Trials for Stroke Prevention. Publication of first clinical trials of Carotid Endarterectomy and of
Aspirin for stroke prevention (Dr. Fields).
1979
Stroke program founded by James C. Grotta, M.D. upon his arrival in Houston. All stroke patients at
Memorial Herman n Hospital admitted to Neurology in-patient service. Dr. Grotta also initiates AHA and
NIH funded laboratory investigations of cerebral blood flow and metabolism.
1979
Vascular Neurology (Stroke) Fellowship program begins.
1984
ClinicalStrokeTrials. NIH and Industry funded clinical stroke trials get under way
1986
Formation of a separate in-patient clinical stroke service at Memorial Hermann Hospital
1990-1995
Participation as one of the lead sites in the pivital NINDS tPA stroke studies
2002-2014
- A P50 program grant to serve as one of 8 centers in the US to conduct specialized translational research to develop novel acute stroke therapies (SPOTRIAS)
- Recipient of a T32 stroke fellowship training grant to train the next generation of academic leaders in stroke.
- Participation as a regional coordinating center in the new NINDS Stroke Network (StrokeNet)
- First joint commission certified comprehensive stroke center in the state
2013
Established the first Mobile Stroke Unit in the United States. MSU publication.
2017
Implemented the first Joint Commission Certified Integrated System of Comprehensive Stroke Centers
- Since 1989, the UTHealth Stroke Team with Memorial Hermann has had a rapid response stroke team, which works closely with HFD-EMS to recognize and deliver acute stroke patients to the Emergency Department at MHH-TMC.
- At our Stroke Center, over 30% of ischemic stroke patients are treated with tPA—roughly 10 times the national average.