Adam de Havenon, MD, is a neurohospitalist and vascular neurologist who cares for patients with a broad range of acute neurologic diseases in the hospital and emergency department. His clinical practice includes evaluating and treating patients with stroke, seizure, encephalitis, intracranial hemorrhage, vascular malformations, aneurysms, and other neurologic emergencies. He has particular clinical interests in acute neurologic care, vascular cognitive impairment, and cerebrovascular disease.

“I was always interested in the brain, and I knew in medical school that I wanted to be a neurologist,” Dr. de Havenon says. “During residency, I was drawn to hospital-based neurology because neurologic emergencies are often complex, fast-moving, and highly meaningful for patients and families. Rapid diagnosis and treatment can make an enormous difference in recovery and long-term outcomes.”

Dr. de Havenon says one of the most rewarding aspects of neurohospitalist care is the breadth of neurologic disease encountered in the hospital setting. “Every day is different,” he says. “You may be caring for a patient with stroke, status epilepticus, encephalitis, severe headache, or another acute neurologic condition. Advances in neuroimaging, monitoring, and acute treatments have dramatically improved our ability to diagnose and treat these diseases quickly and effectively.”

He emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for sudden neurologic symptoms, including weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, seizure, severe headache, vision changes, or difficulty walking. Dr. de Havenon’s clinical work and research are closely connected. His research focuses on vascular cognitive impairment, stroke prevention, intracranial atherosclerosis, and advanced neuroimaging. “My goal is to improve both acute neurologic care and long-term brain health,” he says. “Whether treating a neurologic emergency in the hospital or studying ways to prevent cognitive decline and future neurologic injury, the focus is always on improving patients’ quality of life.”