Center for Stroke and Neuro-Endovascular Surgery

Lenox Hill Hospital is a New York State Designated Stroke Center since 2006. The Department of Health designates Stroke Centers statewide to improve the standard of quality and access to care for patients with a presumptive diagnosis of stroke. The Lenox Hill Hospital Stroke Center offers the following:

• Acute Stroke Team available 24/7
  • Fully integrated team of Stroke specialists, Emergency physicians, Neurosurgeons, Neuroradiologists and Nurses
• Expanded Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Department
• Expedited workup of patients presenting with stroke symptoms
  • Facilitated diagnosis and treatment decisions
• Neuroimaging Services available 24/7 with CT / MRI
• Stroke Unit run in conjunction with Critical Care Medicine
  • Closely monitored for neurological changes
  • Strictly maintained blood pressure control
• Coordination with Speech Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Interdisciplinary Team rounds including physicians, physical therapists, speech therapists, Case managers and external rehabilitation Nurse screeners
• Quality Improvement program and participation with Get With The Guidelines 
• Advanced capabilities including endovascular revascularization procedures for stroke, treatment of cerebral aneurysms, cerebral and spinal arteriovenous malformations, as well as treatment of craniofacial vascular lesions
• Access to Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute of New Yorks expertise

Lets Talk About Stroke, TIA and Warning Signs 1999-2003, American Heart Association.
Reprinted with permission

About Dr. Ortiz

In 2012 Rafael Alexander Ortiz MD accepted the appointment to serve Lenox Hill Hospital as Director of the newly created Division of Neuro-Endovascular Surgery and Stroke. Dr. Ortiz completed his Residency in Neurology and Fellowship in Stoke/Neuro-Critical Care at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. In 2006 he moved to New York City to complete Fellowship training in Interventional Neuro-Radiology and Endovascular Surgery at the Hyman-Newman Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Roosevelt Hospital, were he served as attending physician until June of 2012.

Among his numerous honors and accolades, Dr. Ortiz received The American Heart Associations Young Heart Award for achievements in Cardiovascular Science and Medicine in 2010 and the American Heart Associations Tu Corazn Latino Award for dedication to patient education and community health the same year. Dr. Ortiz is Co-Chair of Tu Corazn Latino, an innovative health movement that brings physicians, executives, public servants and community leaders together to explore health issues and solutions for at risk populations. Dr. Ortiz has been the primary investigator of major trials of acute stroke and has lectured in major national and international meetings and conferences in his specialty.

Dr. Ortiz specializes in endovascular revascularization procedures for stroke, treatment of cerebral aneurysms, cerebral and spinal arteriovenous malformations, as well as treatment of craniofacial vascular lesions. He is known for his dedication to community education, patient satisfaction and outstanding patient care.

Aviva Lubin, MD, Associate Director of Stroke Service

Dr. Lubin is a board certified neurologist specializing in advanced care for the complex stroke patient. She graduated from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed her Residency and Chief Residency at North Shore and Long Island Jewish Hospital. She then pursued a Vascular Neurology / Stroke Fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Lubin has joined Lenox Hill Hospital as Associate Director of the Stroke Service. Her full time presence at the hospital assures a rapid and effective response to the needs of the growing number of stroke patients being seen at Lenox Hill Hospital. She is also available for outpatient consultations, particularly for management of patients with stroke related problems.

Dr. Lubin, who is also an actuary, plans to apply her years of experience as an actuarial consultant and manager to the ongoing process of expansion and growth of stroke treatment at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Mary Ellen Samis, MBA, RN, CNRN, Stroke Nurse Coordinator