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Neuroendocrine carcinoma patient balances work and treatment
Comprehensive Stroke Center
MUSC Health Named High Performing in Stroke Care
The 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings named MUSC Health Florence Medical Center High Performing in Stroke care. This recognition reflects the hospital’s skilled team, advanced technology, and commitment to rapid, effective treatment for patients in the Pee Dee region.
Internationally recognized stroke specialists.
The Comprehensive Stroke Center at MUSC Health is one of the nation’s leading stroke-certified hospitals. Our specialists are internationally recognized as being among the best in the field. Here, you will find more diagnostic tools and treatment options than at any other center in South Carolina.
We’re proud to take part in the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Program, which demonstrates our commitment to improving patient care. View our publicly reported stroke measures at Get With The Guidelines® Public Reporting Achievement Measures.
Comprehensive stroke center honors.
MUSC Health has been recognized again by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. This certification identifies that MUSC Health has the capabilities to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes, including advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and staff with the unique education and competencies to provide the most advanced level of stroke care achievable.
Find stroke care.
MUSC Health Neurology at Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion
Address
Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion122 Okatie Center Boulevard North
Suite 230
Okatie, SC 29909
Specialties
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Stroke Neurology
Remember, BE FAST if you suspect a stroke.
B - Balance (Is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination?)E - Eyes (Is the person experiencing suddenly blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes?)
F - Face Drooping (Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.)
A- Arm Weakness (Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?)
S - Speech Difficulty (Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?)
T - Time to call 911 (If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.)
One of the nation’s leading stroke-certified hospitals.
Trust is strong medicine.
Stroke survivor, Stephanie, discusses her experience trusting MUSC during her care after a stroke.
Processes are in place.
Stroke is a medical emergency. MUSC Health is here for you.
National stroke benchmarking: How are we doing?
✓ Exceed American Heart/Stroke Associations Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement Measures overall compliance rate of 85%✓ Serious complication rates for Carotid Endarterectomy are lower than the national benchmark
✓ Serious complication rates for Diagnostic Angiogram are lower than the national benchmark
Comprehensive stroke care.
Our doctors diagnose and treat a variety of problems that affect the brain and surrounding blood vessels (cerebrovascular problems). Health conditions we treat include:
- Strokes
- Aneurysms
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Tumors
Treating Strokes & Cerebrovascular Disorders
Our doctors use advanced imaging to develop treatment and rehabilitation plans targeted to your specific needs. Our treatment options include:
- Stroke Thrombectomy: The use of a small device to break up or remove a blood clot in the brain. ADAPT, a suctioning technique pioneered at MUSC Health, removes large blood clots quickly with less risk of the clot breaking up and traveling throughout the brain.
- Endovascular Coiling (embolization): Surgery to insert a coil device that keeps blood from flowing into an aneurysm, a bulging weak area in an artery.
- Cerebral Aneurysm Clipping: Placing a clip device onto the opening of a brain aneurysm, a bulging weak area in an artery, to stop blood from flowing into it.
- Apollo™ System: Minimally invasive technique for removing difficult-to-reach blood clots once considered inoperable.
- Carotid Endarterectomy: Surgery to remove plaque from inside the carotid artery.
- Carotid Artery Stenting: Surgery to insert a metal mesh to hold open an artery.
- Medications: Clot-busting drugs, called thrombolytics, to dissolve blood clots and blood thinners to reduce the risk of clots forming.
You will receive top-level care in our Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit (NSICU), the only one in the state staffed by neurointensivists. These doctors have specialized training in nervous system diseases.
Our doctors use the latest imaging technology to determine whether you are a good candidate for a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove blood clots. These findings help us create a treatment plan specific to your unique health needs. Our advanced imaging technology includes:
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: An X-ray of the skull and brain reveals brain abnormalities, such as insufficient blood flow or a ruptured blood vessel.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Angiogram: Your doctor takes pictures with a CT scan as an injection of iodine-rich contrast material flows through your blood vessels to the brain, highlighting any abnormalities.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Perfusion: This test shows the areas of the brain that are adequately receiving blood and provides information about blood flow to the brain.
Specialists in our occupational therapy neurological rehabilitation services program work with you to help you regain function and return to daily activities more quickly.
We also offer inpatient rehabilitation at the MUSC Health Medical University of South Carolina Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health.
Doctors from across South Carolina tap the expertise of MUSC Health stroke experts via our Neuroscience Telehealth Programs. This partnership allows patients to receive quality care closer to home. Since 2008, our doctors have used advanced technologies to help more than 30,000 stroke patients statewide.
Our stroke experts see patients on the main campus of MUSC Health in Charleston, as well as at our regional clinic locations in Mount Pleasant and Murrell’s Inlet.
It takes a wide array of medical and surgical specialists to solve the complex issues associated with stroke and other cerebrovascular problems. In addition to providing the highest level of stroke care for our patients, our team is also committed to training the next generation of leaders in stroke and advancing the prevention and care of stroke patients through cutting edge research. You can learn more about our education and research activities at the Stroke Research and Education Center website.
The following specialists work together to ensure each patient receives optimal care and outcomes.
Stroke Program Administration, Charleston
Christina Blake, BSN, RN, SCRN
Nurse Program Manager
MUSC Comprehensive Stroke Program
Office: 843-792-6084
Email: Cloxton@musc.edu
Morgan Bryson, BSN, RN
CNRN, CSRN, SCRN
Nurse Coordinator
NeuroEndovascular Surgery
Phone: 843-792-1950
Fax: 843-792-1705
Nikki Cobiella, BSN, RN, CHPN, SCRN
Nurse Program Coordinator
MUSC Comprehensive Stroke Program
Office: 843-792-5280
Email: cobiellm@musc.edu
Nurse Program Coordinator
MUSC Comprehensive Stroke Program
Office: 843-792-7713
Email: claco@musc.edu
Rachael Tipton, BSN, RN
Nurse Coordinator
NeuroEndovascular Surgery
Phone: 843-792-3751
Fax: 843-792-1705
We're advancing stroke care every day.
Patient education and support.
There will be a lot of people involved in your care while at MUSC Health and multiple tests will be performed. The care team’s goals are to help you get better and understand why the stroke happened so we can decrease the chance of another stroke.Our stroke support group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month, 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
MUSC Health Rehabilitation Hospital
an affiliate of Encompass Health
9181 Medcom Street
N.Charleston, SC 29406
Contact
Christy Yatagan843-820-7679
Christy.yatagan@encompasshealth.com
Kalynne Ballares
843-876-5310
ballares@musc.edu
