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When I was growing up, my mother was a social worker who specialized in counseling and managed a crisis unit for people who have schizophrenia. I was fascinated by her work and wanted to understand how the brain works and why certain brains work differently. I chose to pursue a career in neurocritical care with the goal of understanding and helping people who have conditions that affect their brain.

As chief of neurology at �ٺ���Ƶ Hospital—Brooklyn, I treat people who have severe brain injuries from stroke, brain bleeds, trauma, or seizures. As one of the few hospitals in the country with dual certification from The Joint Commission as both a Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Stroke Rehabilitation Center, we have become the destination for neurocritical care in Brooklyn. We are also a National Institutes of Health StrokeNet research site, and we participate in advanced clinical trials in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Patients are regularly transferred to our hospital for care, reflecting the confidence that other providers have in our advanced capabilities. We have the ability to perform invasive brain monitoring, a process that involves taking measurements of brain tissue oxygenation and brain pressure, as well as noninvasive cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring and continuous electroencephalogram.

In addition to providing advanced treatment, we are committed to maintaining the highest quality of care. Our “zero harm” philosophy has led us to create a culture of safety that prioritizes helping patients minimize the risk of developing complications during their hospital stay. As a team, we discuss possible complications, investigate their causes, and identify ways to prevent them.

We understand that when we meet with patients and their families, it’s often one of the worst days of their lives. We’re sensitive to their concerns and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes. One of my greatest joys in life is when former patients from the intensive care unit return and thank me for sticking with them, even when things were hard.