Services

Stroke Care at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center

The Miami VAMC is recognized as a Primary Stroke Center under the National Directive for Acute Ischemic Stroke Response. Our stroke team provides rapid, evidence based, guideline directed care, including:

• Immediate access to advanced neuroimaging
• Timely administration of intravenous thrombolytic therapy
• Standardized protocols aligned with national stroke treatment guidelines

Veterans with suspected Large Vessel Occlusions (LVOs) are rapidly transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital for comprehensive stroke intervention.

We emphasize primary and secondary stroke prevention through:

• A dedicated outpatient Stroke Clinic
• Weekly virtual stroke support groups led by a psychologist and rotating specialists
• Pre discharge stroke education with the Stroke Coordinator and nursing teams
  Individualized care plans for Veterans and their caregivers

Our Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) program is comprehensive clinical training, and research service supporting Veterans within the Miami VA system and those referred from other VA facilities across the Southeast through the Interfacility Clinic Program.

Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in neurology, psychiatry, psychology/neuropsychology, ENT, internal medicine, and multiple rehabilitation disciplines. We evaluate and treat Veterans with seizure like episodes, motor and sensory symptoms, dizziness, cognitive difficulties, and other FND presentations.

Clinical services include:

• Diagnostic evaluations
• Inpatient assessment in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (when indicated)
• Evidence based psychotherapy (mindfulness-based psychotherapy or neurobehavioral therapy)
• FND informed physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation (for Miami based Veterans)

We provide training opportunities for learners interested in FND and are actively developing research projects focused on longitudinal outcomes and adjunctive therapies.

The Neuropsychiatry Clinic provides specialized care for cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms related to neurological illness. We evaluate and manage Veterans with dementia, neuroinflammatory disorders, cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, Functional Neurological Disorder, movement disorders, traumatic brain injury, and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

Advanced diagnostic tools support our evaluations, including:

• Structural and functional imaging
• Neurophysiological studies

Training rotations are available for students and trainees seeking experience in neuropsychiatry.

VA Epilepsy Center of Excellence (ECoE)

As an Advanced Epilepsy Center of Excellence site, the Miami VA provides state of the art care for Veterans with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Our services include:

• Outpatient epilepsy and functional neurological clinics
• Inpatient video EEG monitoring for diagnostic clarification and pre surgical evaluation
• Access to advanced neurodiagnostics (MRI, EEG, long term monitoring)

We also participate in the National Tele EEG and Epilepsy Program (NTEEP) to support Veterans nationwide.

Our research program includes:

• Validation of algorithms to identify drug resistant epilepsy
• Participation in studies evaluating seizure detection technologies
• Research on cognitive outcomes and pharmacologic interventions

We educate Veterans, caregivers, and learners at all levels to strengthen the future epilepsy workforce.

The Miami VA provides comprehensive care for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and other movement disorders. Services include:

• Diagnostic evaluations
• Medication management
• Botulinum toxin injections
• Coordination of advanced therapies, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

As part of the national Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (PADRECC) network, we connect Veterans with expert resources, advanced diagnostics, and specialized rehabilitation services.

The Miami VA offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for Veterans with multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunologic disorders. Services include:

• Advanced diagnostic testing
• Disease modifying therapy management
• Symptom management and rehabilitation referrals
• Patient education and long term care planning

As part of the VA Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence (MSCoE), we provide access to national expertise, resources, and emerging research.

The Bruce W. Carter VAMC provides specialized care for migraine, cluster headache, TBI related headache syndromes, and other headache conditions, with services available in Miami and Broward.

Evidence based treatment options include:

• PREEMPT protocol botulinum toxin injections for chronic migraine
• Occipital nerve blocks for status migrainosus and occipital neuralgia

As part of the VA Headache Centers of Excellence (HCoE), we provide Veterans with access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic resources for chronic and complex headache disorders.

The Miami VA offers comprehensive neuromuscular care, including diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, neuromuscular junction disorders, hereditary neuromuscular disease, and motor neuron disorders.

Clinical services include:

• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies
  
• Autoimmune, metabolic, and genetic evaluations
  
• Coordination of muscle or nerve biopsy
  
• Neuromuscular ultrasound (as available)
  
• Individualized treatment planning
  
• Immunomodulatory therapies and symptom targeted care
  
• Coordination with PT, OT, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, prosthetics, and social work

ALS Program

Our ALS clinic provides multidisciplinary care aligned with national VA standards, including:

• Respiratory monitoring and support
  
• Assistive technology and mobility device coordination
  
• Speech/swallowing and nutritional evaluation
  
• Caregiver support and advance care planning
  
• Neuropsychiatric care 

Access to disease modifying therapy and national ALS resources