About Us

4th Annual Central Coast Neuroscience Symposium

The Clot Thickens: Advances in Stroke Care

Join us for our 4th Annual Central Coast Neuroscience Symposium led by distinguished experts. This interactive conference will deliver evidence-based updates to enhance stroke clinical knowledge — from triage, to surgery, endovascular therapy, bedside care, and more. This year’s course curriculum covers evidence-based review of the complexity of stroke care. Neurologists, neurointerventionalists, surgeons and nursing professionals will share their specialized expertise in lecture format with Q&A discussions.

Friday, October 30, 2026 from 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Register now

  • Physician/PA/NP: $110
  • General/Healthcare employee: $55
  • Adventist Health employee (non-Physician): $44
    Adventist Health employees, please use your AH email to register.

Embassy Suites
333 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
For hotel reservations, call 805-549-0800 or book online

Target audience

  • Specialties – Ambulatory Care, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Acute Inpatient, Primary Care
  • Audience – Physician, Advanced Practice Provider (APP), Nurse, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapist, Physician Assistant, Paramedic/EMT, professionals who care for patients with cerebrovascular disease 

By the end of the symposium, learners will have increased knowledge in the assessment, management, and care of stroke patients and apply these concepts to their clinical practice.

Schedule of events

8:45 a.m. - Registration and Exhibitors Open 

9:45 a.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks 
Maria Irthum, Neuroscience Coordinator, Adventist Health Sierra Vista and Adventist Health Twin Cities

10 a.m. - Current Evidence and New Trials in Endovascular Therapy 
Mikayel Grigoryan, MD, Interventional Neurology, Adventist Health Sierra Vista and Adventist Health Glendale 

10:40 a.m. - Can’t We Be Friends? Where Neurointervention meets Neurosurgery 
Maxim Mokin, MD, Interventional Neurology, University of South Florida 

11:20 a.m. - Networking Break and Exhibitor Experience 

11:35 a.m. - Neurosurgical Stroke Care: Indications, Techniques & Outcomes 
Ben Hendricks, MD, Neurosurgery, Adventist Health Sierra Vista 

12:15 p.m. - Neuro Sleuths: Finding Trouble Before it Finds the Patient 
Michelle Jocson, DNP, MS/Ed, CNRN, Adventist Health Glendale 

12:55 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. - Buffet Lunch Provided and Exhibitor Experience 

1:55 p.m. - Stroke Prevention: Contemporary Evidence & Management of Carotid Disease 
Jason Turner, MD, Vascular Surgeon, Adventist Health Sierra Vista and Private Practice

2:35 p.m. - From the Field to ED: Prehospital Stroke Care, Code Stroke Pearls, and Extended Window Thrombolysis 
Kasra Sarhadi, MD, Neurologist, Neurointensivist, John Muir: Walnut Creek Medical Center

3:15 p.m. - Keynote Speaker: “Untangling Vascular Chaos: Management of AVMs, Fistulas, and Other Malformations” 
Ethan Winkler, MD, Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, Clinical Professor 

4 - 4:30 p.m. - Closing Remarks. CEU/CME Certificates

Your attendance will provide you with:
  • Educational credits (CEU/CME) 
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Networking opportunities
  • Buffet lunch 
  • Professional resources
  • Vendor/Technology exhibits

Learning objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will:

  1. Describe the difference between LVO and small vessel stroke, and how in-field LVO screening can assist with pre-notification and destination decisions.
  2. Understand the use of thrombolytics, extended time windows, and endovascular treatments for ischemic stroke patients
  3. Identify stroke patients who likely would benefit from neurosurgical interventions 
  4. Understand the interdisciplinary relationship between neurology, neurosurgery and neurointervention 
  5. Implement nursing/rehab neuro assessments for complex stroke patients

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs & CMEs)

  • Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Adventist Health Sierra Vista Provider CEP# 18040 and #40-0011 for EMTs/Paramedics for 4.75 contact hours.
  • Provider approved by the California PT Association, Provider CPTA # pending, for 0.475 CEUs for physical therapists.
  • Occupational therapists licensed in CA may also claim CEUs through CBOT (California Board of Occupational Therapy) with proof of attendance.
  • SLP & Audiology & Hearing Board of California: PDP #464 for 4.75 contact hours.

Please contact the Neuroscience Coordinator for additional information.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the California Medical Association (CMA) through the joint providership of Adventist Health Ukiah Valley and Adventist Health Sierra Vista. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley is accredited by the CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 

Exhibitor opportunities

We are seeking exhibitors to partner with us for the event. By participating, you’ll be able to showcase your products and services, contribute valuable educational resources for attendees, and enjoy excellent networking opportunities. 

Become a sponsor

Guest speakers

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Keynote speaker 

Ethan Winkler, MD, Neurosurgeon, Researcher, Assistant Professor 
University of California San Francisco 

Dr. Ethan Winkler is a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon who specializes in aneurysms, AVMs, AV fistulas, cavernous malformations, stroke and carotid disease. Dr. Winkler’s research focuses on understanding the biological basis of vascular diseases. He directors the UCSF Vascular Anomalies and Stroke Computation Laboratory, which works to understand the genetic mechanisms of vasculature and disease. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at UCSF and his endovascular and skull base neurosurgical fellowships at Barrow Neurological Institute. 

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Mikayel Grigoryan, MD, Neurointerventionalist/Neurologist 
Adventist Health Sierra Vista/Adventist Health Glendale 

Dr. Mikayel Grigoyan is an accomplished vascular and interventional neurologist, with extensive clinical and research experience in neurointervention, stroke, neurocritical care, teleneurology, and neuroimaging. He currently serves as the Medical Director of AH Glendals’s CSC and AH Sierra Vista’s Primary Stroke Center. He has also authored and co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts. 

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Maxim Mokin, MD, PhD, Neuro Endovascular Physician/ Neurologist
University of South Florida 

Dr. Maxim Mokin is a triple board-certified (neurology, vascular neurology, and neuroendovascular surgery) physician-scientist with dual appointments as a Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and the Departments of Neurology and Radiology at the University of South Florida. He serves as Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Mokin also holds a PhD in Neuroscience, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory using in vitro models. 

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Ben Hendricks, MD, Neurosurgeon 
Adventist Health Sierra Vista 

Dr. Ben Hendricks completed his residency at Barrow Neurological Institute, a busy level trauma-one center in Phoenix, specializing in complex cranial and spinal surgery. He enjoys pioneering the integration of technology and surgery to enhance outcomes. He serves as the Medical Director of Neurosurgery at Adventist Health Sierra Vista, at Adventist Health’s Brain and Spine Center, and is a UCSF Clinical Affiliate. 

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Michelle Jocson, DNP, CNRN, MS/Ed 
Adventist Health Glendale 

Michelle serves as the Stroke Program Manager for the Neuroscience Institute at Adventist Health Glendale’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. With more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice, healthcare administration, leadership, and academia, Dr. Jocson has dedicated her career to advancing excellence in patient care, education, and stroke program development.

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Jason Turner, MD, Vascular Surgeon
Adventist Health Sierra Vista and Private Practice

Dr. Jason Turner is a general vascular surgeon with a strong focus on cerebral vascular disease prevention and management. He maintains a private practice on the Central Coast of California. Dr. Turner earned his medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, and completed a Vascular Integrated Residency at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. He remains active in clinical trial research, society speaking and teaching engagements, and direct industry collaboration aimed at advancing medical technologies.

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Kasra Sarhadi, MD, Neurologist, Neurointensivist 
John Muir: Walnut Creek Medical Center

Dr. Kasra Sarhadi is a board-certified neurologist currently working in the Neuro ICU at John Muir: Walnut Creek Medical Center. Dr. Sarhadi received his Medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, followed by Neurology residency at the University of Washington, and completed his Neurocritical Care training at the University of California, San Francisco. His scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications in Neurocritical Care, Neurology, and World Neurosurgery.

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Contact us

Please contact Maria Irthum, Neuroscience Coordinator, for any questions or cancellations.
Refunds are not available.

irthummc@ah.org
805-546-7788