Riverside Health System (RHS) has received a significant gift from a now retired 30-year team member. This generous gift commitment was made in honor of Frank Sanderson, M.D., retired Riverside neurointerventionalist, and will be used to power the future of Riverside’s stroke and neurovascular program, which will now be known as the Frank Sanderson, M.D., Comprehensive Stroke and Neurovascular Center.
Dr. Sanderson embodies the concept of a lifelong learner and patient advocate. After his first 35 years of active, trendsetting clinical practice as an interventional radiologist, he “retired the first time” but soon undertook a three-year fellowship in interventional neuroradiology at the University of Virginia. After that, he became the Peninsula’s first neurointerventional radiologist, providing local patients with rapidly evolving approaches to stroke and neurologic care. With his additional training and return to Riverside in 2008, Dr. Sanderson became the clinical lead of the team that built our neurointerventional program and established Riverside Regional Medical Center as the first Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Eastern Virginia.
“We are grateful for this transformational support and it is pivotal as we work to continue strengthening stroke care in our community,” says Dr. William McAllister Service Line Chief for Riverside Neuroscience and Spine Services. “On average, Riverside cares for more than 1,600 patients experiencing a stroke every year. In those moments, every second counts, and with this gift, we will be able to enhance our comprehensive stroke program to support timely interventions and improve the broader landscape of stroke awareness and response.”
The Frank Sanderson, M.D., Comprehensive Stroke and Neurovascular Center reaches across Riverside Health System to include Riverside Medical Group (RMG), all four acute care facilities and Riverside’s inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative facilities to provide comprehensive stroke prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services. Additionally, Riverside works closely with community partners to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke encouraging patients to call 911 and get treatment as soon as possible.
“Finding the right cause is something that's very personal, and when it comes to taking care of those we love right here at home, it was neurosciences that really registered with this donor,” says Kristen Beam Witt, Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Riverside Foundation. “This transformational support will continue to add strength to strength and be a multiplier that provides the leadership of Riverside the opportunity to leverage this gift to take the neurosciences program to the next level.”
To support the Frank Sanderson, M.D., Comprehensive Stroke and Neurovascular Center, visit riversideonline.com/give or contact the Riverside Foundation at (757) 234-8740 or [email protected].
To learn more about Riverside’s stroke and neurovascular program, visit riversideonline.com/stroke.