Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Post-stroke Motor Recovery

Guest Speaker:

  Gerard E. Francisco, MD

Chairman and Professor,  Department of PM&R at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston McGovern Medical School

Director, NeuroRecovery Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital

About our Speaker:

• Gerard Francisco, M.D., is one of the nation’s leading physicians in the field of brain injury and stroke rehabilitation and spasticity management. A frequent lecturer nationally and internationally, he is currently conducting research on the use of botulinum toxins and intrathecal baclofen for the treatment of spasticity, along with the use of robots to facilitate recovery after stroke or spinal cord injury. He is one of three principal investigators of a four-year National Institutes of Health R01 grant to create and validate a noninvasive brain-robot interface to help stroke patients recover use of their upper limbs to the fullest extent possible.

  Dr. Francisco received his medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, where he was chief resident. He was inducted as a member of the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth’s Academy of Master Educators in 2012, and upon election to the University of Texas System Academy of Health Science Educators in 2013 was awarded the title Distinguished Teaching Professor. He was named among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Doctors in America in 2011, among Texas Monthly Magazine’s Texas Super Doctors in 2012, and has been on the Best Doctors in America® list several times since 2000. He was former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ brain injury rehabilitation physician during her stay at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

  During his tenure as chief medical officer at TIRR Memorial Hermann, Dr. Francisco has recruited accomplished clinicians and researchers, fortified existing programs and developed new programs to meet patient needs, including the creation and expansion of the Outpatient Medical Clinic, which includes a medical home for individuals with disabilities age 13 and older who require care by a physician. He is also director of the UTHealth Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Motor Recovery Lab at TIRR Memorial Hermann, which conducts research in robot-assisted rehabilitation, noninvasive brain stimulation and spasticity management.

• This blog has been prepared for informational purposes only by the presenter.
• It does not, and is not intended to, constitute specific advice.
• There is no affiliation between the presenter and NYSPMR.
• The statements, views, and opinions expressed in the videos/ text are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily represent the views of the NYSPMR.