Interview with Lester Leung,MD,MSc Director Comprehensive Stroke Center Tufts Medical Center

Chime In, Send Us a Text or Voice Message!Season 2 Episode 7 -Lester Y. Leung, MD, MSc Tufts MCQuick Bio:Board certified vascular & general neurologistAssistant Professor of NeurologyDirector, Comprehensive Stroke Center at Tufts Medical CenterDirector and Founder, Stroke and Young Adults (SAYA) ProgramPrincipal Investigator, Tufts Vascular Neurology Research GroupDirector, Stroke Service at MetroWest Medical CenterCo-Chair, American Heart Association-American Stroke Association Massachusetts Stroke Systems of CareThis was a real impactful episode for my co-host Mike and I as we convened late this past Sunday evening to interview board certified vascular and general neurologist, Lester Leung, MD, MSc of Tufts MC.   For myself (co-host David Dansereau), this episode was also very personal as I was able to thank Lester for the critical role he played in my own stroke recovery both as my neurologist and as a friend and coach.  Lester grew up in New Orleans,  LA and after coming to Boston to attend college he returned home to New Orleans for medical school and found himself on a mission to help rebuild New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. From this early advocacy, rebuilding homes and riding with EMS to help Katrina victims “where they were” he was moved and impacted by the fractured healthcare system and all the challenges it presented for victims during an emergency like Katrina.  Lester credits these early lessons learned as well as having really dynamic mentors along the way, in particular New Orleans based stroke neurologist Sheryl Martin-Schild, MD,PhD for enlightening him on how people with stroke are suffering and have multifaceted unmet needs.  This early career experience solidified Dr. Leung’s dedication to neurology and when he later moved back to Boston to begin his career you’ll learn how these early lessons sparked his passion to do more for the stroke community, with a special interest in the needs of young stroke. This was a moving and enlightening discussion and together, Lester, Mike and I unpacked many stroke topics including: Exploring and studying screening of late complications after stroke among stroke survivors, esp. young stroke survivorsDr Leung’s advocacy to spearhead a statewide/regional/(global)* PSA on the need to seek emergency care for stroke despite the pandemic surge. * Mike revealed he even viewed and heard Lester’s PSA used across the Atlantic as a model to use as a stroke awareness call to action while in Dublin!Treating patients at Tufts in later time windows after stroke (late presenter thrombolysis)Understanding disparities and stroke recovery outcome, including novel factors like neighborhood income inequality, and community investment in stroke rehab resources.  Use of high technology and investment in stroke recovery vs high touch longitudinal coaching and education models and how both involve following the reimbursement dollars for care delivery and addressing recovery plateausThe Comprehensive Stroke Center at Tufts, including its first in the nation SAYA Program (Stroke And Young Adult)  an outpatient longitudinal care model founded by Dr. Leung.  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YEp0i78HtyIhttp://lesterleung.comhttp://youngadultstroke.orghttps://www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/physiciandirectory/lester-leungPSA from Tufts : https://youtu.be/UdHSYjKzG-gFor more information about joining our show or advertising with us visit: https://enable4us.comSupport the show (https://paypal.me/SmartMovesPT) Support Our Show! Thank you for helping us to continue to make great content. We appreciate your generosity! Support the showShow credits:Music intro credit to Jake Dansereau. Our intro welcome is the voice of Caroline Goggin, a stroke survivor and our first podcast guest! Please listen to her inspiring story on Episode 2 of the podcast.Connect with Us and Share our Show on Social:Website | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | SubstackKnow Stroke Podcast Disclaimer: Our podcast and media advertising services are for informational purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Get Our Podcast News Updates on Substack