MDNews - Mid Hudson

combined with embolectomy produces positive outcomes in more patients than tPA alone." Dr. Noha ra adds that treatment approaches are tailored to each patient, so not every stroke is treated with the combined approach. "Patient selection is how we make the impact at this point," she says. "We're making enormous strides in stroke treat- ment, and I am very encouraged by the progress in the field." Partnering for Better Patient Care The bottom line for Mid-Hudson Valley physicians and their patients is that there is no longer a need to travel outside the region to receive the most advanced stroke and neurointerventional care possible. This can save lives in the case of a time-sensitive acute stroke, but it also can mean a better overall care experience for patients with non-acute conditions, such as intracranial stenosis or unruptured aneurysms, who can now remain within the region, among their network of physicians. "I am happy to consult any physicians looking to improve the care of their patients, whether they have had a stroke or are at risk for one," Dr. Nohara says. "We can arrange transfers from other hos- pitals to our lab and craft treatment plans tailored specifically to their patients. When patients are geographically close to their service providers, they are far more likely to seek and receive the long-term monitoring their conditions require, and referring physicians are better able to stay in the loop." Health Quest is constructing an easily navigable referral system that will begin with Northern Dutchess Hospital and Putnam Hospital Center, and will gradu- ally roll out to other facilities. "We are going to have one phone num- ber for referrals to expedite the process," Dr. Nohara says. "If a patient needs care, we will make it happen. We are here for that purpose — to best serve the medi- cal needs of patients in the region. We are growing our services beyond our immediate geographic area in order to expand the number of people we can potentially help." For more information about neuro- inter vent ional surg ical ser vices and the stroke center at Health Quest, visit health-quest.org. ■ COV ER FE AT UR E Alison Nohara, MD, is the Director of NeuroInterventional Surgery for Health Quest. PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: ALISON J. NOHARA, MD AS DIRECTOR OF NeuroInterventional Surgery at Health Quest's Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Alison J. Nohara, MD, has traversed the country obtaining education and experience. After earning her medical degree from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Nohara completed her internship in general surgery at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She served one year in the residency program in neurosurgery at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami and fulfilled a residency in diagnostic radiology at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta. Dr. Nohara served diagnostic neuroradiology and interventional neuroradiology fellowships at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. At Johns Hopkins University Hospital, she served as the Fellowship Co-Director of Neurointerventional Radiology. She then returned to her home state of California, where she entered private practice. She practiced neurointerventional radiology in Castro Valley, California; Tacoma, Washington; and Kalamazoo, Michigan, before returning to New York and leading Health Quest's Division of NeuroInterventional Surgery. Building upon her neurointerventional program-shaping skills, Dr. Nohara is establish - ing a firm foundation for Health Quest to serve patients in need of advanced vascular care in the greater Mid-Hudson region. "I see this as a wonderful opportunity with an administration that is wholeheartedly behind this effort, which is a special initiative to bring a very high level of care to the community," she says. PHYSICIAN LEGACY When facing the daily challenges of her profession, Dr. Nohara remembers advice given by her father, also a physician, for inspiration. "When I was in college, my father said to me, 'There are things we are good at, and there are things we like to do. If we are truly blessed, these are one and the same,' " Dr. Nohara recalls. "I do feel truly blessed. From a professional stand - point, I couldn't be happier. Even with all the changes in medicine, doing what I do, treating one patient at a time, it is such a blessing." 1 0 | Mid Hudson MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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