AdventHealth launches first minimally invasive stroke surgery program in Northwest Georgia

AdventHealth Redmond announced a new interventional neurology program to treat complex stroke cases and brain aneurysms. Jose Marino, MD, has joined AdventHealth Medical Group Interventional Neurology at Rome and provides emergency care for stroke patients at AdventHealth Redmond. This is the first and only program of its kind in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama.

“The goal of this new, advanced stroke program is to enable patients to receive time-critical stroke treatment close to home,” said Karen Steely, chief operating officer of service line development for AdventHealth Medical Group for AdventHealth Georgia. “Many people from our area who experience a stroke are transferred to larger cities for interventional procedures. Every second counts in halting a stroke’s damage to the brain and now, we can save more lives and prevent long-term adverse effects in these complex cases.”

When performed quickly after a stroke begins, removing the clot in the AdventHealth Redmond interventional neurology operating room can restore blood flow, saving precious brain cells, reducing the risk of disability and death.

“The most important thing for people to know, is that if you feel any of the B.E. F.A.S.T. symptoms of a stroke, waste no time, call 911 and head to AdventHealth Redmond’s emergency department,” Dr. Marino said. “Our team provides the only stroke surgery treatment in this area, no matter your type of stroke, so you can focus on healing and getting back to your regular life.”

The B.E.F.A.S.T acronym refers to symptoms that include:

• Balance (sudden loss)
• Eyesight/vision changes
• Face (drooped or uneven)
• Arm (sudden weakness or numbness)
• Speech (sudden slurring or difficulty speaking)
• Time to call 911

When a patient is experiencing those stroke-symptoms and arrives at the emergency department, AdventHealth Redmond’s stroke response team has the goal to perform all necessary tests and offer treatment under 30 minutes. This treatment may include administration of a clot busting medication to break down the blood clot in the brain. However, in up to 30% of cases, a minimally invasive procedure called a thrombectomy might be required to restore blood flow to the part of the brain blocked by a blood clot.

Fellowship-trained in vascular and interventional neurology, Dr. Marino uses live X-ray guidance to navigate special catheters and devices from the groin or wrist to the brain to treat blocked arteries causing strokes. In addition, he can also treat brain bleeds and aneurysms that pose a risk to patients.

AdventHealth Redmond has led the way for decades by exceeding national stroke treatment time averages and now significantly surpasses national statistics for successful stroke intervention outcomes for cases treated since August of 2024.

“Our initial numbers show that we have better outcomes than national averages and this is likely because our patients do not have to wait to be transferred to another city to receive this time-sensitive procedure,” Dr. Marino said.

Dr. Marino has recently witnessed firsthand the difference that AdventHealth Redmond’s stroke interventions have made in patients’ lives and overall well-being.

Cedartown resident, Joseph Powers, presented to the AdventHealth Redmond emergency room (ER) last August with stroke symptoms. Dr. Marino and his team were prepped and ready for the program’s first patient after being alerted by the ambulance driver. They immediately took action to evaluate Powers as soon as he arrived, quickly concluding that he had experienced a stroke and needed surgery. Just three days later, Powers was already up and walking, first, 40 steps. Then 80 the next day and then 260 the day after that.

“I give Dr. Marino and his neurological team the credit for where I’m at and where I can go,” Powers said. “And without them, I have no doubt in my mind it wouldn’t have happened. I don’t think I would have had the quality of life.”

Dr. Marino said. “Prior to this year, it would not have been possible for the patients to have this treatment in Rome. They would have had to travel an hour or more for a neurointervention. Furthermore, family members are able to visit and be an active part of their loved one’s treatment and recovery as they recover close to their own home.”

In addition to emergency stroke treatment, Dr. Marino and his care team see patients with a personal or family history of head bleeds or aneurysms as well as patients suffering from pulsatile ringing in the ear, subdural hematoma and persistent nose bleeds.

Dr. Marino said, “I feel called to this field of medicine because of my fascination with the complexity of the brain and the incredible possibility of preventing life-altering neurologic damage.”

For more information about the AdventHealth interventional neurology program and Dr. Marino, please call Call706-413-8834.