Neurocritical Care

Our Program

The Neurocritical Care Program at Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles treats patients who have had acute brain or spinal cord diseases such as stroke, aneurysms, hemorrhages or are recovering from surgery of the central nervous system or spine, or of the ear, nose and throat. Our team is composed of subspecialists in neurocritical care who are experts in managing the unique level of care required by patients with life-threatening neurologic illnesses.

Our Approach

The Neurocritical Care team, utilizing a dedicated neurointensive care unit, is led by neurointensivists who are trained in intensive care practices for patients with nervous system disorders or injuries. The team closely coordinates its efforts, working with neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and intensive care specialists who are working concurrently to manage neurological injury and speed up the patient’s recovery.

 

Conditions

Patients in the neurocritical care program at Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles are often referred to the program from other physicians who determined the need for more advanced care. Many patients in the program are recovering from stroke, but the program team also treats other disorders requiring intensive care. Keck Medical Center of USC offers a highly specialized level of care and treatment for stroke and other cerebrovascular disorders, such as:

  • Aneurysm
  • Brain Tumors
  • Infections of the brain and spinal cord
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage
  • Ischemic stroke
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Spinal cord trauma
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Symptomatic carotid occlusions
  • Symptomatic vasospasm
  • Traumatic brain injury

Treatments and Services

The multi-disciplinary team making up the Neurocritical Care Program at Keck Medical Center of USC can meet the needs of patients with acute stroke and other serious neurological and neurosurgical conditions by providing immediate, advanced treatment and neurocritical care.
Frequently, community hospitals will offer immediate, brain-saving treatment in their emergency departments and then transfer the patient to Keck Medical Center of USC for a higher level of care. Neurointensivists provide medical management for patients, while working alongside neurosurgeons and neurologist. Our patients have access to advanced treatments provided in other critical care locations at Keck Medical Center, if necessary, including:

  • Endovascular procedures with or without intravenous tissue plasminogen (tPA) – can reopen blocked arteries
  • Endovascular treatment of cerebral venous occlusion – can reopen blocked veins
  • Endovascular angioplasty and stenting – may be inserted to maintain blood flow
  • Surgical decompression for large cerebellar infarcts – can reduce swelling in the area of a blocked vessel, easing pressure on brain tissue
  • Surgical decompression for large hemispheric strokes – an operation that can reduce swelling caused by large-scale strokes
  • Extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery for symptomatic carotid occlusions – a surgical method that moves blood to an area affected by carotid artery blockage, by bypassing blood supply from outside to inside the cranium
  • Treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage / aneurysm – treats bleeding and swollen blood vessels in the brain
  • Endovascular coiling of cerebral aneurysms – insertion of a catheter containing coils to the vessels of the brain and into the aneurysm. These coils are packed into the aneurysm, preventing blood flow from entering the aneurysm
  • Surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms – an operation in which the surgeon clips off the base of an aneurysm, preventing blood from entering the aneurysm
  • Medical and endovascular treatment for symptomatic vasospasm
  • Treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage
  • Minimally invasive surgical hematoma evacuation – a number of techniques can drain bleeding on the brain’s surface, reducing pressure on brain tissue with minimal disruption of healthy tissue
  • Carotid endarterectomy – surgical removal of plaque from the inner walls of the carotid (and other) arteries, reducing the risk of ischemic stroke

Patient Information

Patients admitted to the Neurocritical Care Program at Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles will be treated by a coordinated team of neurologists, neuroradiologists, medical intensive care specialists and surgeons.
Patients who have recently suffered a stroke or are in need of critical care can be transferred to Keck Hospital of USC by our Rapid Transport Program. Upon arrival at our hospital, the patient is rapidly admitted to our neurocritical care unit dedicated to patients with severe brain or spine injuries where they can receive cutting edge multi-disciplinary care and have access to specialized procedures and surgeries as needed.

Clinical Trials

Patients have the option of taking part in clinical trials being conducted at Keck Medical Center of USC. Participation in clinical trials helps provide invaluable information for future treatments and possibly a cure in the future. Learn about neurocritical care clinical trials at Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles here:

Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of Intraventricular Hemorrhage Phase III (CLEAR III)

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Neurology
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Neurology
Associate Professor
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Neurosurgery, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Intracranial Pressure
Assistant Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Neurology , Multiple Sclerosis
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Neurology
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Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor  View more
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Clinical Psychology, Psychology , Headache Neurology  View more
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, MS
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Licensed Social Worker, Social Worker , Neurology
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brain Injury and Stroke Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine  View more
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Epilepsy Neurology, Neurology
Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Medicine  View more
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Neurology, Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care  View more
Assistant Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, MS
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Neurology, Headache Neurology
Professor of Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Brain Tumor  View more
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Neurology, Memory and Cognitive Disorders Neurology
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Otolaryngology, Neurotology, Otology
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Neurology, Brain Tumor
Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Brain Tumor
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Brain Tumor, Neurosurgery, Neurotology  View more
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Physician Assistant, Otology, Neurotology
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Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychology  View more
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Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Medicine
Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Neurotology, Otolaryngology, Intracranial Pressure  View more
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Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Neurology, Brain Injury Medicine, Vascular Neurology  View more
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology
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Movement Disorders Neurology, Neurology
Chair, Neurological Surgery Professor of Neurological Surger ...
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Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery
Instructor Of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Headache Neurology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
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Neuro-Ophthalmology, Intracranial Pressure, Eye Thyroid Disease  View more
Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
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Neuro-Ophthalmology, Strabismus, Intracranial Pressure  View more
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Neurology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology
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Neurology, Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Neurology, Headache Neurology
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
Associate Professor
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Neurosurgery
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology, Salivary Gland
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Social Worker, Neurology
Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery
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Neurology
Assistant Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology
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Nurse Practitioner, Neurology
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Neurology
Assistant Professor of Neurology
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Clinical Neurophysiology, Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
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Neurology
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Neurology, Neurosurgery
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Pediatrics, Neurology
Medical Director, Neuro Intensive Care Unit
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Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Telestroke  View more
Professor, Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery Chief of Staff of ...
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Neurosurgery
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Neurology, Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
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Neurology
Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
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Neurosurgery, Movement Disorders Neurology, Functional Neurosurgery  View more
Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology
Assistant Clinical Professor
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Neurosurgery
Professor of Neurosurgery
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Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery
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Neurology, Neurology
Professor of Neurological Surgery and Neurology
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Neurosurgery
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Neurology
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Neurology
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Neurology
Professor of Neurosurgery
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Neurosurgery, Interventional Radiology, Endovascular Neurosurgery  View more
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Neurology, MS, Multiple Sclerosis
Instructor Of Clinical Neurology
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Headache Neurology, Neurology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Behavioral Medicine
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology, Performance Arts Medicine
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neuropsychology, Neurology
Professor of Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
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Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Psychology  View more
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Neurology
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Neurocritical Care, Neurology, Telestroke  View more
Chair and Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surger ...
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Neurotology, Otolaryngology, Otology
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Neurology
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Neurology
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Clinical Psychology, Psychology , Neurology
Assistant Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology
Instructor of Clinical Neurology
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Multiple Sclerosis, Headache Neurology, Neurology  View more
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Neurology
Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Headache Neurology, Intracranial Pressure, Neurology
Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Memory and Cognitive Disorders Neurology
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Neurology, Neuromuscular Medicine
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Neurology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery, Endovascular Neurosurgery
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery
Clinical Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Neuromuscular Medicine, Headache Neurology  View more
Associate Professor of Neurology
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Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Neuroimaging  View more
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Neurology
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Neurology, Memory and Cognitive Disorders Neurology
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Otolaryngology, Neurotology, Otology
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Neurology, Headache Neurology
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology
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Speech-Language Pathology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
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Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, MS
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Neurology, Vascular Neurology
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Neurology, Vascular Neurology, Endovascular Neurosurgery  View more
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Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Speech-Language Pathology, Head and Neck Surgery
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Neuropsychology, Neurology
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Neurology, Movement Disorders Neurology
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Neurology
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology
Director, USC Brain Tumor Center
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Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor
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Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor  View more
Professor of Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Brain Tumor  View more
Chair, Neurological Surgery Professor of Neurological Surger ...
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Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery
Director, USC Brain Tumor Center
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Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor
Associate Professor
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Neurosurgery, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Intracranial Pressure
Professor of Neurosurgery
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Neurosurgery, Interventional Radiology, Endovascular Neurosurgery  View more
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
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Neurosurgery, Endovascular Neurosurgery
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Neurology, Vascular Neurology, Endovascular Neurosurgery  View more
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Epilepsy Neurology, Neurology
Professor of Clinical Neurology
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
Assistant Professor of Neurology
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Clinical Neurophysiology, Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
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Neurology, Epilepsy Neurology
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology, Salivary Gland
Professor, Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
Specialties
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Head and Neck Surgery, Salivary Gland
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Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
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Speech-Language Pathology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology
Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck ...
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Speech-Language Pathology, Head and Neck Surgery
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Clinical Psychology, Psychology , Headache Neurology  View more
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Neurology, Headache Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Neurology, Headache Neurology
Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
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Headache Neurology, Intracranial Pressure, Neurology
Clinical Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Neuromuscular Medicine, Headache Neurology  View more
Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
Specialties
Neurology, Headache Neurology
Instructor Of Clinical Neurology
Specialties
Neurology, Headache Neurology
Instructor Of Clinical Neurology
Specialties
Headache Neurology, Neurology
Instructor of Clinical Neurology
Specialties
Multiple Sclerosis, Headache Neurology, Neurology  View more
Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Specialties
Neuro-Ophthalmology, Intracranial Pressure, Eye Thyroid Disease  View more
Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Specialties
Neuro-Ophthalmology, Strabismus, Intracranial Pressure  View more
Specialties
Neurology
Specialties
Neurology
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Specialties
Neurology, Neurology , Multiple Sclerosis
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Neurology
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
Specialties
Clinical Psychology, Psychology , Headache Neurology  View more
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology
Specialties
Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, MS
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brain Injury and Stroke Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine  View more
Specialties
Epilepsy Neurology, Neurology
Professor of Clinical Neurology
Specialties
Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Medicine  View more
Specialties
Neurology, Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care  View more
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Specialties
Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, MS
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
Specialties
Neurology, Headache Neurology
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Neurology, Brain Tumor
Professor of Neurology
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Neurology, Brain Tumor
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Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychology  View more
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Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Medicine
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology (Clinician Educato ...
Specialties
Neurology, Brain Injury Medicine, Vascular Neurology  View more
Specialties
Movement Disorders Neurology, Neurology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology