Who We Are
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 stroke patients 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 at UTHealth is a joint collaboration among the McGovern Medical School, School of Public Health, Cizik School of Nursing, and School of Biomedical Informatics and leverages the strong clinical partnership of UTHealth with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and other health systems in Houston.
— 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
1979 — Founding
×The stroke program was started by James Grotta upon his arrival in Houston.
All stroke patients at Memorial Hermann Hospital admitted to Neurology in-patient service.
Dr. Grotta also initiates AHA and NIH funded laboratory investigations of cerebral blood flow and metabolism.
1979 — Fellowship Program Begins
×The program admits the first stroke fellow (Dr. Creed Pettigrew). It eventually becomes the largest stroke fellowship program in the country.
1998-Present
The first NIH T32 funded stroke training program is started.
To learn more about our current fellowship programs, click here.
1984 — Clinical Stroke Trials
×1984-2007
A lead site in numerous NIH and industry funded translational studies of “neuroprotective” agents taken from bench to bedside.
1990-1995
A lead site in the successful NINDS tPA Stroke Trial establishing the first effective treatment for acute stroke.
2002-2014
SPOTRIAS P50 NINDS program grant to conduct specialized translational research to develop novel acute stroke therapies including Argatroban and Ultrasound for acute ischemic stroke, Pioglitazone for intracerebral hemorrhage.
2008
First translational regenerative medicine program in stroke conducting cell-based therapies in stroke (Dr. Savitz).
2013
The largest Regional Coordinating Center spanning Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana in the NINDS Stroke Network (StrokeNet) (Dr. Savitz).
2014
Launched the first Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) in the US in a prospective study funded by AHA and PCORI (Dr. Grotta).
Read more about our current fellowship programs.
1986 — Memorial Hermann Stroke Program
×Formation of a separate in-patient clinical stroke service at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
1989
Formation of “stroke team” concept; collaboration with Houston EMS with emphasis on early notification and treatment.
2001
Formation of a dedicated Stroke Unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital; the first in Texas, and possibly in the U.S.
2002
First telemedicine program in the region.
2006
First in patient neuro-rehabilitation service in region.
2006
First neuro ICU service in region.
2012
Dr. Wu joined the Memorial Hermann stroke network and created a large network that treats over 500 stroke patients with t-PA
2013
First Mobile Stroke Unit in U.S. (Dr. Grotta).
2019
First Integrated Stroke System of Comprehensive Stroke Centers in the U.S. (Drs. Savitz, Day, Kim).