Neurocritical Care Society Podcast

Latest Episodes:

PERSPECTIVES: Theresa Human, PharmD and the Pharmacist's Role in the Neuro ICU Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast Perspectives series, Nicholas Morris, MD, speaks with Theresa Human, PharmD, a critical care pharmacist whose career spans clinical practice at the University of Virginia and Washington University in St. Louis, followed by a transition into the pharmaceutical industry with Cumberland Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Human shares the winding path that led her to neurocritical care pharmacy and explains why the field's limited evidence base can create both autonomy and urgency to collaborate on better research.

She discusses the role pharmacists play on neuro ICU teams — from providing therapeutics expertise and bedside teaching to ensuring continuity amid rotating physician teams — and reflects on burnout, moral injury and the realities of being "always on." Dr. Human also offers candid insights into industry partnerships, explaining how medical science liaisons can support research and education, and connects these efforts back to the goals and momentum of the Curing Coma® Campaign, framing it as a unifying "moonshot" for data collection, collaboration and progress.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

INSIGHTS: Acute Ischemic Stroke Part 2 [From the Archives] Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

This INSIGHTS episode revisits a core topic from Neurocritical Care ON CALL®, originally released in August 2023.

Listen to the fourth episode of the NCS INSIGHTS series on acute ischemic stroke (part 2 of 2).

The INSIGHTS series is hosted by Casey Albin, MD, and Salia Farrokh, PharmD, and covers topics from Neurocritical Care ON CALL®, the only up-to-date, comprehensive resource dedicated exclusively to the practice of neurocritical care. Learn more about ON CALL®.

This episode is sponsored by Biogen.

Science that transforms patient lives. Science that seeks to solve societal problems. Science that acts with purpose. Science that is inspired by the diversity and passion of our people. Discover where science meets humanity at Biogen.

The NCS Podcast is the official podcast of the Neurocritical Care Society.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

INSIGHTS: Acute Ischemic Stroke Part 1 [From the Archives] Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

This INSIGHTS episode revisits a core topic from Neurocritical Care ON CALL®, originally released in August 2023.

Listen to the third episode of the NCS INSIGHTS series on acute ischemic stroke (part 1 of 2).

This episode is sponsored by Biogen.

The NCS Podcast is the official podcast of the Neurocritical Care Society.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

INSIGHTS: Status Epilepticus Part 2 [From the Archives] Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

This INSIGHTS episode revisits a core topic from Neurocritical Care ON CALL®, originally released in July 2023.

Listen to the second episode of the NCS INSIGHTS series on status epilepticus (part 2 of 2).

This episode is sponsored by Ceribell. Time is brain when it comes to seizures. Ceribell point-of-care EEG empowers the bedside team to detect or rule out seizure activity in minutes. To learn more, visit ceribell.com.

The NCS Podcast is the official podcast of the Neurocritical Care Society.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

INSIGHTS: Status Epilepticus Part 1 [From the Archives] Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This INSIGHTS episode revisits a core topic from Neurocritical Care ON CALL®, originally released in July 2023.

Listen to the first episode of the NCS INSIGHTS series on status epilepticus (part 1 of 2). The INSIGHTS series is hosted by Casey Albin, MD, and Salia Farrokh, PharmD, and covers topics from Neurocritical Care ON CALL®, the only up-to-date, comprehensive resource dedicated exclusively to the practice of neurocritical care. Learn more about ON CALL®.

The NCS Podcast is the official podcast of the Neurocritical Care Society. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

CURRENTS: Understanding Billing Models in Neurocritical Care Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, MS, speaks with Ryan Hakimi, DO, MS, NVS, RPNI, CPB, FNCS, FCCM, FAAN, a neurointensivist at Prisma Health, about his Currents article on billing in neurocritical care.

Their conversation explores why billing and documentation education is often absent from medical training, how staffing models and split/shared billing affect physician productivity and key considerations when working with advanced practice providers. Dr. Hakimi also shares practical insights on aligning documentation and billing practices with institutional metrics to support sustainable neurocritical care programs.

To read the full article, visit Business of Neurocritical Care: Billing Under the Attending Physician or APP—Which One is Right For You?

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

CURRENTS: Virtual Reality for Neurorehabilitation Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, MS, speaks with Nilufer Yalcin, MD, a neurointensivist at Boston Medical Center, about her Currents article on the use of virtual reality in neurorehabilitation.

Together, they explore the neuroscience behind virtual reality–based therapies, including multisensory engagement, cortical reorganization and the role of motivation and reward pathways in recovery. Their conversation also examines different VR modalities, the current evidence supporting motor and cognitive rehabilitation and emerging applications in the ICU setting. Dr. Yalcin further highlights practical considerations such as feasibility and standardization, as well as future directions for the field, including brain-computer interfaces and tele-rehabilitation.

To read the full article, visit Currents: Virtual Reality for Neurorehabilitation: Mechanisms, Modalities, and Clinical Applications.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

PERSPECTIVES: Cherylee Chang, MD, on Building Neurocritical Care Training Pathways Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast Perspectives series, host Nicholas Morris, MD, speaks with Cherylee Chang, MD, division chief of neurocritical care and professor of neurology, neurosurgery and medicine at Duke University. Dr. Chang reflects on her journey from an early interest in cardiothoracic surgery to neurology, and ultimately, to the "intersectional" work that drew her to neurocritical care.

She discusses her early training in the field, efforts to establish certification and fellowship accreditation pathways and the challenges of defining the essential components of what constitutes neurocritical care. Dr. Chang also shares insights from Duke's advanced practice provider model, her work to broaden multidisciplinary inclusion within NCS and her current focus on leadership development, workforce shortages and strategies to better attract the next generation to the field.

Dr. Chang recommends the following books for those interested in developing their leadership potential:Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila HeenExtreme Ownership by Jocko Williams Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger InstituteThe Fearless Organization by Amy EdmonsonThe Leader's Guide to Mastering Feedback by Joan HibdonThe Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

HOT TOPICS: Transfusion Strategies in Acute Brain Injury Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast Hot Topics series, host Richard Choi, DO, FNCS, speaks with Katharina Busl, MD, MS, FNCS, division chief of neurocritical care at the University of Florida and assistant editor for Neurocritical Care journal, about transfusion strategies in patients with acute brain injury.

They discuss recent randomized trials and a new systematic review examining restrictive versus liberal red blood cell transfusion thresholds across traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Their conversation highlights the physiologic rationale behind transfusion, challenges in interpreting trial and meta-analysis data, and how overlapping hemoglobin ranges complicate bedside decision-making. Dr. Busl also shares how this evolving evidence is influencing clinical practice and the importance of individualized transfusion decisions.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

HOT TOPICS: Cerebrospinal Fluid Filtration After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast Hot Topics series, host Richard Choi, DO, FNCS, speaks with Katharina Busl, MD, MS, FNCS, division chief of neurocritical care at the University of Florida and assistant editor for Neurocritical Care journal. They explore new research on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clearance after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

They also discuss the study Prospective Trial of Cerebrospinal Fluid Filtration After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Lumbar Catheter Extension (PILLAR XT) Trial, which evaluates a dual-lumen intrathecal catheter designed to filter CSF and accelerate removal of red blood cells and inflammatory byproducts. Their conversation highlights the rationale behind CSF drainage, how prior work like the Early Drain trial shaped the field, and what this early-phase device trial reveals about feasibility, safety, and reductions in CSF RBC and protein levels. Dr. Bussel and Dr. Choi also touch on implementation challenges and the need for larger trials before this approach can move into broader clinical use.

The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.

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