Stroke and Neurovascular Program

Exceptional Staff

The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Stroke and Neurovascular Program is staffed by nationally recognized experts providing leading edge medical care for our patients. Team members include:

Neurologists
Interventional neurologists
Neurosurgeons
Neuro-intensivists
Emergency medicine specialists
Vascular surgeons
Physiatrists (physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation)
Rehabilitation specialists with training in stroke

Neurologists

Neurologists in the Stroke and Neurovascular Program include many physicians certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology who offer a unique combination of medical expertise and technical knowledge. These specialists participate in national studies of neuroprotective agents, thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute stroke and stroke prevention therapies, make the program a leading referral resource for physicians throughout the Midwest. The program acts as a referral center for emergency stroke management and offers sub-specialty stroke clinic services. The stroke management team includes neurologists and neuro-intensivists, as well as dedicated stroke nurses and a program coordinator.

Neuro-intensivists

The Stroke and Neurovascular program is the only one in the state with a Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit (NICU), staff by a neuro-intensivist. A neuro-intensivist assumes the primary care role for patients in the NICU, coordinating both the neurological and medical management of the patient. Neurological intensive care is concerned with the interface between the brain and other organ systems in the critical care setting. The neuro-intensivist works closely with other team members to support the acute needs of stroke patients and minimize further neurological injury and medical complications.

Interventional Neurologists

Interventional neurologists use non-invasive techniques to treat brain aneurysms, open blocked arteries in the brain and remove clots in brain arteries. These procedures are aimed at limiting and possibly reversing stroke injury. Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin are the only site in the state with three board-certified interventional neurologists performing non-invasive procedures to treat stroke. In some cases, these treatments can extend the treatment time for stroke from three hours to 12 hours. Some interventional procedures are part of clinical studies.

Neurosurgeons

One of the most experienced neurosurgery teams in the Midwest offers stroke patients the latest advances in surgical technique and intervention. It is a regional referral center for brain hemorrhage, occlusive (blockages) disease, aneurysms and artery/vein malformations. In all, the department treats more than 100 aneurysm cases each year, and is highly proficient in angiography and aneurysm repair, and Transcranial Doppler and SPECT monitoring for cerebral vasospasm.

Vascular Surgeons

The Heart and Vascular Program at Froedtert & The Medical College diagnoses and treats disease of the carotid artery, a condition that may be a risk factor for stroke. The program offers ultrasound duplex scanning to diagnose blockages in the carotid artery, and carotid endarterectomy surgery to reduce the risk of stroke in selected patients.

These physicians, along with many other dedicated staff members, work together to provide a comprehensive approach to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Stroke and Neurovascular Program Physicians

Jeffrey R. Binder, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist

Diane S. Book, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist
Medical Director, Stroke Program

Brian-Fred M. Fitzsimmons, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist/Neuo-interventionalist

Ann K. Helms, MD, MS
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist

John R. Lynch, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist/Neuro-intensivist

John R. McGuire, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Stroke Rehabilitation

Conrad C. Nievera Jr., MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist

Oksana Sayko, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Gary R. Seabrook, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Vascular Surgeon

Sanjay Sharma, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Grant P. Sinson, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurosurgeon

Guennady V. Tchekanov, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Michel T. Torbey, MD, MPH
Medical College of Wisconsin Neuro-intensivist;
Director, Stroke Critical Care Program;
Director, Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Daniel J. Worman, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Emergency Medicine Physician

Sam Zaidat, MD, MS
Medical College of Wisconsin Neurologist/Neuo-interventionalist/Neuro-intensivist;
Director, Interventional Neurology