The Vascular and Inpatient Neurology Section is a vital part of the University of Oklahoma Department of Neurology, dedicated to the care of patients with complex and acute neurological conditions, with particular focus on ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. We adhere to the highest national standards of care, ensure efficient hospital stays, and conduct cutting-edge research to advance the field.

Our multidisciplinary approach integrates neurology, neurosurgery, rehabilitation, and social services to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to outpatient settings. The Neuro-Rehabilitation Clinic supports long-term recovery, utilizing therapies such as botulinum toxin injections and advanced electrostimulation technologies. This breadth of clinical and research activity also provides an outstanding training environment for medical students, residents, and fellows.

Faculty and Staff
Section is led by Professor Evgeny Sidorov, MD, PhD, a distinguished vascular neurologist. The team includes six board certified vascular neurologists—Drs. Jorge Ortiz-Garcia, Michel Torbey, Faddi Saleh Velez, Leila Gachechiladze, Kevin-Kiem Le—and a dedicated neurohospitalist, Dr. Danny Samkutty. Two advanced practice providers, Elizabeth Goodrow and Maria Retunski, along with a team of five stroke coordinators led by a program coordinator, ensure excellence in patient care, clinical research, and program development.

Comprehensive Stroke Center
The University of Oklahoma Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) provides advanced stroke care for more than 800 patients annually from Oklahoma and neighboring states. Our center offers state-of-the-art treatments, including intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, in close collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery. Initially certified in 2012 and most recently recertified in 2025, the CSC has earned the Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke GOLD PLUS award, as well as multiple national recognitions, including Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy Honor Roll, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

Telestroke Services
Through our expanding telestroke network, we provide timely, high-quality stroke care to communities across Oklahoma, including underserved rural areas. Our team is committed to broadening access through teleneurology services, ensuring that more patients benefit from expert care regardless of location.

Research and Innovation
As an NIH StrokeNet hub, our faculty participate in leading multicenter clinical trials, including ASPIRE, SATURN, CAPTIVA, SELECT LATE, and others. We are also a top-3 national recruiter for the STROKE AF study. In addition, our investigator-initiated projects explore innovative rehabilitation strategies such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), supported by NIH and industry funding. These efforts have resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and contributions to the development of novel biomarkers and predictive models of recovery.

Education
Education is central to our mission. Since its establishment in 2011, our Vascular Neurology Fellowship has trained physicians who now practice worldwide. Collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery provides additional opportunities for endovascular training. Under the leadership of Department Chair Dr. Michel Torbey, we have launched the StrokeNet Fellowship, offering unique research experiences in multicenter clinical trials to physicians and allied health professionals, while fostering mentorship with internationally recognized experts.