Stroke and Young Adults (SAYA) U.S. Consortium
Clinician Members Supporting Young Stroke Survivors
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Lester Y. Leung, MD, MSc
Founder of the SAYA Consortium
Founder of the SAYA Program at Tufts Medical Center

Practices
Clinical Expertise:
  • Advancing stroke recovery
  • Late complications after stroke (LCAS)
  • Late presenter thrombolysis
  • Migraine-stroke connection
Research Focus:
  • Late complications after stroke (LCAS)
  • Disparities in stroke care (pre-hospital, post-acute care)
Key Contributions:
Christina Mijalski Sells, MD, MPH

Practices:
Clinical Expertise:
  • Telestroke and teleneurology
  • Stroke in pregnancy and peripartum
  • Gender-specific care for women with neurovascular disorders
Research Focus:
  • Stroke in pregnancy and peripartum
  • Stroke systems of care
  • Improving endovascular therapy selection
  • Telestroke education
Key Contributions:
  • Amy K. Guzik , MD; Amanda L. Jagolino-Cole , MD; Christina Mijalski Sells , MD et al. “Telestroke Training: Considerations for Expansion of Vascular Neurology Program Requirements”. Stroke. 2025 Jan;56(1):209-218. Epub 2024 Oct 2. PMID: 39355905
  • Margy McCullough-Hicks, MD*; Prateek Thatikunta, MD*; Michael Mlynash MD, MS; Gregory W Albers, MD; Christina Mijalski-Sells MD, MPH. “Visual Review of Acute Stroke Neuroimaging Prior to Transfer Acceptance Increases Likelihood of Endovascular Therapy”. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2023 Jul;32(7):107157. PMID 37126905.
  • Christina Mijalski Sells and Steven Feske. “Stroke in Pregnancy.” Seminars in Neurology. 2017 dec;37(6):669-678. PMID 29270940
  • Benesch C, Glance LG, Derdeyn CP, Fleisher LA, Holloway RG, Messé SR, Mijalski C, Nelson MT, Power M, Welch BG; American Heart Association Stroke Council; Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Clinical Cardiology; and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. “Perioperative Neurological Evaluation and Management to Lower the Risk of Acute Stroke in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac, Nonneurological Surgery: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Circulation”. 2021 Apr 8: CIR0000000000000968. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000968. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33827230
Aneesh Singhal, MD

Practices:
Clinical Expertise:
  • Ischemic stroke in young adults
  • Cerebral arteriopathies, including the Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome
  • Stroke imaging
Research Focus:
  • Stroke clinical trials
  • Quality of care in stroke
  • Acute stroke neuroprotection
Key Contributions:
  • Singhal AB, Biller J, Elkind MS, Fullerton HJ, Jauch EC, Kittner SJ, Levine DA, Levine SR. Recognition and management of stroke in young adults and adolescents. Neurology. 2013 Sep 17;81(12):1089-97. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a4a451. Epub 2013 Aug 14. PMID: 23946297; PMCID: PMC3795593.
  • Ekker MS, Boot EM, Singhal AB, Tan KS, Debette S, Tuladhar AM, de Leeuw FE. Epidemiology, aetiology, and management of ischaemic stroke in young adults. Lancet Neurol. 2018 Sep;17(9):790-801. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30233-3. PMID: 30129475.
  • Singhal AB. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome as Syndromes of Cerebrovascular Dysregulation. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2021 Oct 1;27(5):1301-1320. doi: 10.1212/CON.0000000000001037. PMID: 34618761.
  • Saposnik G, Bushnell C, Coutinho JM, Field TS, Furie KL, Galadanci N, Kam W, Kirkham FC, McNair ND, Singhal AB, Thijs V, Yang VXD; American Heart Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Hypertension. Diagnosis and Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Stroke. 2024 Mar;55(3):e77-e90. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000456. Epub 2024 Jan 29. PMID: 38284265.