Stroke
The Stroke Committee is responsible for developing an acute stroke care system for TSA-E, including developing guidelines for acute stroke care at Level I, II, III and IV Stroke Centers as specified in the Regional Stroke Plan (RSP). The committee will guide the development and review of hospital and pre-hospital assessment tools, regional plans and treatment guidelines, and the committee SOP. Additionally, the committee will interface with other RAC committees, professional associations appropriate to the service line, and the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC).
Committee Responsibilities & Representation
The purpose of the Stroke Committee shall be to facilitate the collaboration and advancement of a regional system of stroke care for TSA-E based on accepted standards of care. The Stroke Committee will solicit participation from health care facilities, organizations, entities, and professional societies involved in health care. The NCTTRAC Stroke Committee will encourage regional participation in providing and outlining quality stroke care that is patient-focused, complies with state and national guidelines, and seeks to expeditiously triage stroke patients to the most appropriate level of care. The Stroke Committee shall develop a plan for a regional system of stroke care (SSOC).
- Organize a multidisciplinary QI Work Group to review and monitor stroke care quality benchmarks, indicators, evidence-based practices, and outcomes within the region. Integrating prehospital records, including National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) data elements, into the stroke registries should enhance the total system performance. It is recognized that continuous QI processes, implemented by each component of a SSOC and the NCTTRAC system, can help improve patient care and outcomes.
- Promote collaboration and commitment among EMS providers, hospitals, and members of the NCTTRAC committees.
- Develop uniform stroke system standards that address patients’ needs, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
- Promote stroke algorithms and guidelines that facilitate early triage of stroke patients to the most appropriate level of care.
- Annual review and updating of the Stroke Regional Plan for the North Central Texas Trauma Service Area.
- Create a broad stakeholder representation working to provide an opportunity to share resources leading to the development, operation, and evaluation of public education and Stroke prevention efforts within the 19 counties we serve.
- Organize, support and/or coordinate community evidence-based education and Stroke prevention programs.
Please use the Stroke Committee Document Library below to view the previous and current Committee Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Please use the button below to view the Participation & Performance webpage detailing the current committee projects and assignments via the Accountability Scorecard (scroll to the bottom of the page):
Committee Voting Representatives
In accordance with the NCTTRAC Bylaws Article IX, no voting core group is identified within the Stroke Committee. The absence of an identified core group opens voting rights at the committee level to all NCTTRAC Members in good standing.
Please use the Member Hub Login button in the column on the right-hand side to view your organization’s current listed staff.
Stroke Committee Document Library
Workgroups & Taskforces
RESEARCH
Leads: Dr. Rachel Aubert – Rachel.Aubert@UTSouthwestern.edu
EDUCATION
Leads: Jody Bauer – JodyBauer@texashealth.org
TRIAGE AND TRANSPORT
Leads: OPEN
STROKE SYSTEM OF CARE
Leads: Dr. Robin Novakovic-White – robin.novakovic@utsouthwestern.edu
QUALITY IMPROVMENT
Leads: Dr. Robin Novakovic-White – robin.novakovic@utsouthwestern.edu
Candace McAlpine – Candace.mcalpine@bswhealth.org
Map of Stroke Facilities
Current Map of Stroke Facilities
Texas RAC Data Collaborative
To request an account for the Data Collaborative, click here
National Stroke Association
National Stroke Association Webpage
Designation Survey Report
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) designations in Maternal, Neonatal, Stroke, and Trauma require that the hospital applicant show they are “active participants” in the local RAC’s system of care in which they seek designation. The NCTTRAC General Membership has set this standard to include requirements that these hospitals must be approved members of the RAC, must participate in any performance improvement initiative requested, and submit data as requested for various Committee and Regional assessments.
To request a RAC Letter of Participation for your upcoming Designation Survey, please utilize the Support Ticket System:
NCTTRAC Support Ticket System – RAC Participation Letter Request
For further information regarding Designation Support, please visit the Designation Support Webpage:
Designation Support Webpage
Stroke Committee Leadership
Committee Chair
Martin Weiss, MD
Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC)
martin.weiss@bswhealth.org
September 2024 – August 2025
Committee Chair Elect
Bappaditya Ray, MD
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Bappaditya.ray@UTSouthwestern.edu
September 2024 – August 2025
Committee Co-Medical Directors
Sam Laali, MD
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine
Sam.Laali@bswhealth.org
Robin Novakovic-White, MD, FSVIN, FAHA, FAAN
UT Southwestern Medical Center
robin.novakovic@utsouthwestern.edu
Primary Committee Staff Support:
Brenna McLain
EHS Program Manager
BMclain@NCTTRAC.org
EHS2@ncttrac.org
Direct: 817.607.7007
NCTTRAC Main: 817.608.0390