Articles

A Strategic Shift in Neurosciences at Premier Health

Premier Pulse June 2026

By Keith Bricking, MD, chief clinical officer, Premier Health

At Premier Health, our approach to neurosciences is deliberate, coordinated and focused on advancing care for the patients and communities we serve. The continued development of our Neurosciences Institute, led by Bryan Ludwig, MD, chair, and Jason Merritt, system vice president, reflects a systemwide strategy to strengthen access, elevate clinical quality and drive innovation.

We are expanding neurologic care through targeted recruitment across the north, central and south markets. This intentional growth ensures patients have access to advanced neurologic services closer to home, supporting timely diagnosis and treatment. Recent recruitment success, including the addition of nationally recognized neurosurgical expertise, underscores our commitment to building a comprehensive, high-performing Institute.

Our focus extends beyond growth to advancing clinical excellence in a thoughtful and sustainable way. Investments in advanced technology, minimally invasive approaches and participation in clinical trials are enhancing patient outcomes and strengthening care delivery. At the same time, our neurology residency program plays an important role in developing future physicians, creating a strong pipeline that supports recruitment efforts and helps ensure continuity of care. This approach contributes to long-term workforce stability and supports the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

This work is further supported by Premier Health’s Academic Institute model, which brings together clinical care, education and research in a unified framework. Our collaboration with Wright State University continues to grow, including Premier Health physician contributions to the Neuroscience Resource Book, a nationally recognized reference that reflects the depth of expertise within our organization and our commitment to advancing the field.

Together, these efforts position Premier Health as a leader in neurosciences. By aligning leadership, investing in our capabilities and developing the next generation of physicians, we are building a connected, innovative Institute that supports our providers and delivers high-quality outcomes for the patients we serve.

Did You Know? Neurosciences Institute Clinical Snapshot:

Patient volume Year-over-Year Growth (2020–2025):
- Total Visits:
  - 2020: 36,506
  - 2025: 64,290
  - Growth: +76%
- New Patient Visits:
  - 2020: 9,762
  - 2025: 16,553
  - Growth: +69%
What new stroke and neuro-interventional treatments are available within the neuroscience program?The Neurosciences program continues to expand advanced, minimally invasive treatment options across a growing range of neurologic conditions.
- Expanded Treatment Technologies:
  - Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT): Now available to more patients, with extended treatment windows up to 24 hours using advanced imaging such as CT perfusion, including for wake-up strokes
  - Stroke intervention volume growth:
    - 2022: 119
    - 2023: 129
    - 2024: 140
    - 2025: 160
- New and Emerging Therapies
  - Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization (MMAE)
    - Minimally invasive treatment for subdural hematomas, reducing the need for open surgery
    - Volume growth: 7 (2022), 32 (2023), 31 (2024), 44 (2025)
  - Endovascular treatment for pulsatile tinnitus
    - Includes intracranial venous sinus stenting
  - Treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)
    - Venous stenting offers an alternative to traditional VP shunt procedures
  - Vivistim therapy for stroke recovery
    - Innovative approach supporting rehabilitation and functional recover
How many neuroscience providers on staff trained through Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine?  9
How quickly can stroke patients receive neurological evaluation and treatment upon hospital arrival?  Immediately
What neurology subspecialties are currently available locally through Premier Health?  Premier Health offers a comprehensive range of neurological subspecialties, providing patients with access to advanced, specialized care close to home:
- Core Neurology Services:
  - General Neurology
  - Neuro-Hospitalist Care
  - Advanced Subspecialty Care
  - Headache Medicine
  - Epilepsy
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Neuromuscular Disorders, including ALS
  - Cognitive Neurology
- Stroke and Neuro-Interventional Services
  - Stroke Care
  - Neuro-Interventional Surgery (NIS)
  - Neurocritical Care (NCC)
- Advanced Diagnostics and Support Services
  - Neuropsychology and Brain Mapping
- Collaborative Care
  - Pediatric Neurology Collaboration
How is the Neuro Institute expanding access to care in rural or underserved communities? Premier Health is expanding access to neurologic care through a coordinated mix of virtual care, regional partnerships and on-site coverage:
- Virtual and Digital Access
  - Telestroke: Provides rapid stroke evaluation and treatment support in community and rural hospitals
  - Tele-EEG: Enables remote monitoring and interpretation, improving access to specialty diagnostics
  - NEUROOne: Expands access to neurology expertise through integrated tele-neurology services
- Regional Hospital Coverage
  - Inpatient neurology coverage is extended to Wayne HealthCare, Wilson Health and Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, supporting consistent access to neurologic care closer to home
- Federal and Community Partnerships
  - Expanded stroke, neuro-interventional surgery (NIS) and neurosurgical services through partnerships with:
    - Veterans Affairs (VA)
    - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB)
How many residents, fellows, and medical students rotate through neuroscience programs each year?  142
How many trainees completed residency within our academic health system and later joined Premier Health?  9 (2 additional pending)
What is one neurology clinical trial or research initiative currently available through our academic partnership that you would like providers to know about? Premier Health, in collaboration with academic partners, is advancing neurologic care through participation in the below innovative clinical research and trials:
- Vivistim Therapy: A leading-edge approach supporting stroke recovery through neurostimulation paired with rehabilitation
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Headache Research: Ongoing studies focused on advancing treatment options and improving quality of life for patients
- TBI and Coma Research: Collaborative studies with academic partners, including the University of Dayton (UD), University of Cincinnati (UC), University of Louisville (UL) and Premier Health, focused on improving outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury and disorders of consciousness
What percentage of neurology and stroke patients remain within Premier Health for ongoing care and rehabilitation?  34%

Back to the June 2026 Premier Pulse