2026 Physician Lecture Series: Northwell VNS Stroke Recovery Program

Join us for an engaging session in the 2026 Physician Lecture Series, highlighting the Northwell VNS Stroke Recovery Program. This lecture will explore innovative strategies and therapies designed to improve recovery outcomes for stroke patients. Participants will acquire valuable insights into the integration of technology and personalized care in stroke rehabilitation.

Learning Objectives:

1. The participant will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Northwell Stroke Recovery Program and its multidisciplinary approach to chronic stroke rehabilitation, including the contributions of neurosurgery, neurology, and rehabilitation medicine.

2. The participant should be able to identify and recognize the characteristics of chronic stroke survivors with upper extremity impairments and the clinical factors that may influence candidacy for advanced rehabilitation interventions such as the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System.

3. The participant should be able to describe the mechanism of action, clinical evidence, treatment process, and rehabilitation protocols associated with the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System for improving arm and hand function after stroke.

4. The participant should be able to identify the benefits and considerations of incorporating vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation therapy into the continuum of care for chronic stroke survivors, including expected outcomes, patient engagement, and interdisciplinary management.

This lecture is intended for healthcare professionals involved in stroke care and rehabilitation, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance patient recovery paths. Don't miss this chance to deepen your understanding and skills in stroke recovery!

Speaker Bio: Christian Ferreira, MD

Christian Ferreira, MD, is a dual-trained cerebrovascular neurosurgeon at Northwell Health, providing comprehensive care at Phelps Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, and Northern Westchester Hospital. He specializes in treating brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), ischemic stroke, and other complex cerebrovascular conditions using both open surgical and minimally invasive endovascular techniques.

In addition to his expertise in vascular neurosurgery, Dr. Ferreira is also trained in:

• Brain tumor resection

• Skull base surgery

• Spine surgery

• Endoscopic spine procedures

Originally from Brazil, Dr. Ferreira earned his medical degree from Centro Universitário de Volta Redonda (UniFOA) and completed his neurosurgery residency at Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense. He then pursued an endovascular neurosurgery fellowship at Hospital Santa Teresa in Petrópolis, Brazil, focusing on catheter-based treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.

Following his move to the United States, Dr. Ferreira completed a CAST-accredited Cerebrovascular Fellowship at Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, with a focus on both open and hybrid techniques. He subsequently advanced his training with a second Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship at Northwell Health, working across Lenox Hill and Phelps hospitals. All of his U.S.-based postgraduate training was conducted under the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where he now serves as a faculty member and clinical mentor.

Dr. Ferreira is actively engaged in clinical research, serving as an investigator on multiple clinical trials exploring innovative approaches for stroke and glioblastoma, including intra-arterial chemotherapy and advanced device-based therapies. His work has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international meetings such as SLICE, LINNC, and CNS.

He is board-certified by the Sociedade Brasileira de Neurocirurgia and maintains active membership in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery. Dr. Ferreira brings a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to care and is committed to advancing the field of neurosurgery through research, education, and innovation.