Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience Jefferson Health

02/16/2026

🧠 Clinical Research Update from Jefferson Neurosurgery

On December 12, 2025, Dr. Chengyuan Wu, in collaboration with Dr. Mijail Serruya, treated the first patient at Jefferson Neurosurgery as part of the Enspire RESTORE DBS Clinical Trial. This investigational research study is evaluating whether Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) combined with rehabilitation may serve as a possible new treatment approach to improve upper-extremity function in individuals living with chronic stroke-related impairment.

The trial builds on encouraging findings from a Phase I study conducted at Cleveland Clinic, which demonstrated that DBS paired with rehabilitation in 12 patients was feasible and showed promising signals of motor improvement in patients with chronic stroke deficits. RESTORE now aims to further evaluate safety and explore potential effectiveness in a broader cohort. The RESTORE trial is designed to further assess the safety and potential effectiveness of this approach. Participation contributes to ongoing research exploring additional options for stroke recovery.

Learn more about the innovative work behind this effort at enspiredbs.com Enspire DBS Therapy and the RESTORE stroke study.

📩 Interested in more info or joining the study?
Email: neurosurgeryresearch@jefferson.edu
📞 Call: Danna at 610-425-0746

https://neurorestoration.jefferson.edu/programs-clinical-trials/restore.html

02/06/2026

Powered by partnership. 🧠🚑

What an incredible day of collaboration at our Mobile Stroke Unit 2.0 EMS & Public Safety Outreach Symposium!

Built on the partnership between Jefferson Health and Upper Merion Township, this program brings innovative stroke care directly to the field.

From hands-on simulations to meaningful conversations, this event showcased what’s possible when we come together to advance prehospital stroke care. The symposium featured program and clinical insights from Dr. Robert Rosenwasser, President & CEO of the Farber Institute for Neuroscience; Dr. Alvin Wang, Medical Director of the Jefferson Mobile Stroke Units, who presented on MSU operations, workflow, and system integration; and Dr. Nikolaos Mouchtouris and Dr. Elias Atallah, who shared case studies and highlighted Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital’s stroke and neurosurgical capabilities.

Thank you to the EMS and public safety professionals who joined us for a day of learning, engagement, and strengthening regional stroke care.

02/04/2026

So proud to share this incredible milestone!

Dr. Stav Tjoumakaris (Interim Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery; Professor of Neurological Surgery and Radiology; and Vice Chair of Operations at the Farber Neuroscience Institute) has served as a coauthor of the 2026 Acute Ischemic Stroke Guidelines from the American Heart Association.

This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to her leadership, expertise, and commitment to advancing stroke care with meaningful, lasting impact for patients and clinicians alike. Jefferson Health is proud to be represented among an outstanding, multidisciplinary group of global neuroscience leaders. We are grateful for the collaboration, mentorship, and teamwork within Jefferson Neurosurgery and the Farber Neuroscience Institute that make accomplishments like this possible.

AIM: The “2026 Guideline for the Early Management of Patients With AIS” replaces the “2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With AIS” and the 2019 update to reflect recent advances in evidence. This updated guideline is intended to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence...

01/30/2026

Well Within Reach Podcast: Episode Four - Telemedicine in Neurology: Stroke and General Neurology

Well Within Reach Podcast: Episode Four – Telehealth, Neurology, and Expanding Access to CareIn this episode of Well Within Reach – Powered by Frazier Family...

01/21/2026

Su***de prevention is a year-round effort. The Jefferson Health David Farber ASPIRE Center, part of the Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience (VJFIN), is helping lead this work. Amanda Blue, education director at the ASPIRE Center, is helping dispel myths about su***de risk and empowering communities to recognize warning signs and support one another.

Research shows that rates of su***de are actually higher during the warmer months of the year, not during the winter holidays, a common misconception.

01/14/2026

More than 40 members of the Stratford Senior Center joined Mary Ledwith, Corporate Director of Neuroscience, for an engaging discussion on stroke signs, symptoms and prevention. Mary emphasized the importance of early recognition and quick action in saving lives, empowering seniors with the knowledge to protect themselves and those they love. One attendee shared, "The speaker was phenomenal; I learned so much."

01/05/2026

Neuroscience researchers from three world-class institutions — Thomas Jefferson University’s Farber Institute, Policlinico Gemelli Hospital (Italy), and Sheba Medical Center (Israel) — came together at Jefferson in November for a two-day research retreat. The gathering sparked in-depth discussions and fresh ideas for future collaborations.

This partnership, now three years strong, brings together diverse expertise across preclinical and clinical studies, several already published. As Farber Institute leader Dr. Robert Rosenwasser said, each lab brings unique strengths, and the science produced at the meeting “was beyond expectations.”

12/12/2025

We’re celebrating a major milestone at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital!

Ritam Ghosh, MD, and our neurosurgical team have successfully completed the hospital’s first Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy procedure for stroke rehabilitation and recovery — an accomplishment more than a year in the making.

This advanced neurorehabilitation therapy is now available for the very first time at our South Jersey campus, expanding access to innovative treatment options for stroke survivors in our community.

Proud of our team and the impact this will have for patients across the region. 💙🧠

Learn more about neurological care at Jefferson Health: https://bit.ly/4aaZ5rm

12/12/2025

Fleming Neuroscience Institute Physician in Chief, Steven Lewis, MD, shared his expertise on the importance and role of general neurology in academic medicine in conversation with Amy Pruitt, MD (University of Pennsylvania), in a recent Association of Academic Leaders of Neurology (Formerly Assoc. of University Professors of Neurology)(AALN) Leading Edge podcast.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Jh58Wx8QKb28r5azXXLEs?si=vdWm2gt-Rca6gyeSCKKsqA

12/08/2025

Bob and his wife Linda’s lives were forever changed when he suffered a stroke in October 2023. After undergoing a successful thrombectomy at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, Bob began a rehabilitation journey that exemplifies resilience and the impact of leading-edge therapy. Today, he has regained independence in daily activities, improved his speech fluency and restored strength.

His journey underscores the power of collaboration and implantable vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with intensive rehabilitation therapy in transforming lives.

After a sudden ischemic stroke, Bob Craven lost the ability to speak and move his right arm. With support from his wife and advanced treatment at Jefferson Health, he’s reclaiming his strength and his voice.

11/22/2025

Neurosurgeon Ritam Ghosh, MD, and Mary Ledwith, Corporate Director of Neuroscience, recently spoke with members of the Garden State Rotary Club of Cherry Hill about stroke prevention and the importance of fast treatment. They highlighted conditions like carotid stenosis and the critical role of Comprehensive Stroke Centers in saving lives when every second counts. Jefferson Washington Township Hospital’s Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience is proud to be recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association.

Learn more at JeffersonHealth.org/stroke.

11/18/2025

🚨 Brain Saver Award – October Champions! 🧠✨
We’re excited to recognize the outstanding team behind October’s fastest door-to-drug time for TNK treatment in acute stroke care!

This award honors the Jefferson Health - Abington Emergency Department RN, ED physician, CT Tech, and Neurovascular APP who worked together to deliver lifesaving care at record speed. October’s top-performing team achieved an incredible 19-minute door-to-drug time!

Please join us in celebrating:
• Elizabeth Gerhard, RN
• James Rowley, MD
• Kristin Ploshay, CT Tech
• Amanda Betteridge, NV APP

Each team member received a Brain Saver award and a “Time is Brain, I Saved One” pin in recognition of their rapid, coordinated care.

💥 And here’s the truly amazing part: on the same day this case occurred, the Jefferson Health - Abington Hospital Emergency Department treated three stroke patients. All three received TNK within the 30-minute goal window, and two also went on to receive mechanical thrombectomy—hitting every goal time for thrombectomy treatment.

We are incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and their commitment to giving patients the best possible chance for recovery. ❤️👏