Co-Medical Directors Appointed for Carilion’s Advanced Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center

Carilion Clinic has named Biraj Patel, M.D., and Thomas Kodankandath, M.D., co-medical directors of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center. Carilion is a leading stroke care provider, offering life-saving procedures for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, neuro-intensive care, and the full gamut of post-stroke rehabilitation.

Carilion’s Stroke program, founded in 2009, was previously led by James Schmidley, M.D., and Sidney Mallenbaum, M.D. Their direction and leadership were integral in establishing the world-class Stroke Center that continues under the new co-medical directors.

In their roles, Dr. Patel and Dr. Kodankandath will use best practice guidelines to continue advancing Carilion’s high-quality stroke care for patients.

In addition, Drs. Patel and Kodankandath will serve as local Primary Investigators for StrokeNet trials. The National Institutes of Health StrokeNet conducts small and large clinical trials and research studies to advance acute stroke treatment, stroke prevention, recovery and rehabilitation following a stroke across the lifespan. This network of 27 regional centers across the U.S. is designed to serve as the infrastructure and pipeline for new potential treatments for patients with stroke and those at risk for stroke. Through StrokeNet, Drs. Patel and Kodankandath will collaborate with sites across the U.S. and in other countries to conduct trials. Close involvement with NIH StrokeNet provides additional opportunities for Carilion’s stroke physicians, clinical trial coordinators and stroke researchers to collaborate, educate and develop policies and procedures that ensure evidence-based stroke care.

Dr. Patel joined Carilion in August 2014 and serves as Section Chief of Neurointerventional Radiology and associate professor at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Vascular neurologist Dr. Kodankandath joined Carilion in August 2021 with expertise in stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and post-stroke care and serves as the program director of the Neurology residency program. 

Learn more about the stroke team at CarilionClinic.org.