Vikas Rao, MD

05/31/2023

With normal blood pressure and low cholesterol, Lori Bickel didn’t seem to be at risk of . However, when a sudden and severe headache came on last March, Lori was taken to Providence ’s emergency room. An aneurysm had ruptured, causing bleeding in her brain.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Vikas Rao performed a minimally invasive procedure called an aneurysm coiling to stop the bleeding. And under the compassionate care of our Comprehensive Stroke Center led by Dr. Basit Rahim, Lori recovered and healed.

“Dr. Rao and my care team were wonderful,” Lori says about her stay. “Even the food was fantastic!”

As she reflects on the past year of her health journey and thinks about what advice she would share with other during , Lori has a resounding message: “Give yourself grace and be patient as you heal. It can take time, and that’s okay.”

Stroke survivors and their loved ones are invited to join our support group at the Mission Conference Center (26726 Crown Valley Parkway). The next session will be held on Wednesday, June 21 from 1-3 p.m. Call (949) 364-1400 ext. 6245 with questions.

05/27/2023

We're so grateful to partner with to provide the best care to our community. Please join us in honoring these heroes, not only during , but every single day. Thank you, !

04/15/2023

03/29/2023

The Providence Mission Hospital and vascular team recently celebrated the opening of our brand new angiography (angio) suite. An incredible enhancement to our , interventional radiology and neuroscience programs, the new room allows our caregivers and providers to deliver superior outcomes to our patients.

The angio suite will "advance the exceptional care we provide using the most sophisticated image-guided interventions in our community,” says interventional radiologist Dr. Kevin Burns.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Vikas Rao adds, “Mission Hospital now has the most advanced interventional suite in Orange County.”

Thank you to the generous support of our Foundation for enabling us to bolster our and patient care.

10/29/2022

Rachel Brannon had a 7% chance of surviving her hemorrhagic from an aneurysm rupture in September 2021. A few months later, Rachel was elated when she returned to Providence Mission Hospital to thank the people who saved her life: neurosurgeon Dr. Vikas Rao and all the who care for our vulnerable stroke patients.

Rachel spent much of her time at Mission in a coma so when she reunited with her care team, it felt like the first time she’d ever met them. Rachel’s family filled in the blanks, describing the exceptional care she received from Dr. Rao – and the compassion they experienced every day from our caregivers. Even her mom, dad and brother’s brief interactions with our security team at the front entrance became , as they were grateful for the kindness and warmth they felt each time they entered the hospital.

Although recovery for Rachel has been challenging, she is steadfast in regaining her strength. “My dad always reminds me that I’m stubborn. I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.”

In honor of , we want to remind our community that minutes count when someone you love has a stroke. Our , certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, is ready to care for yours.

08/03/2022

Hospital recognized by American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for ensuring stroke patients access to the highest life-saving care in South Orange County

05/31/2022

Mary Galloway didn’t realize she was having a . Fortunately, her husband and sister-in-law – who are also her coworkers at the family construction business – could tell something was wrong. Mary was having trouble navigating on her computer and dialing numbers on her phone. Her words didn’t seem to make much sense and they suspected she was having a stroke.

Mary’s husband knew they had to . He immediately drove Mary to Providence Mission Hospital. Thanks to the incredible care of a dream team of physicians and caregivers, Mary made an incredible recovery. to Dr. Vikas Rao, Dr. Basit Rahim, Dr. Jay Tiongson, Dr. Ronak Vora, Dr. Melanie Wolf, Dr. George Schiffman and nurse practitioner Diana Tai.

when someone you love is having a stroke. Remember to B.E. F.A.S.T. and pay attention to the signs: Balance, Eyes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty. If you notice any of these signs, it’s Time to call 911.

Pictured: Mary with her daughter Carrah, a member of our in the labor and delivery unit!

09/10/2021

If you bend the spine as far as it can go it would form two-thirds of a complete circle! Wow! Let us help you keep your spine in optimal condition!

09/08/2021

Making time for activities that require some “mental dexterity” can help support your brain health as you get older. This can include doing things like drawing, painting, crocheting, knitting, or any other kind of activity that gets your hands moving.

09/06/2021

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the weekend, from us to you.

09/03/2021

We are committed to staying current on the latest developments in neurosurgery and brain health. If you ever have any questions, please, do not hesitate to ask!