Some of the brightest minds in neuroscience are right here at Holy Cross Health
The highly specialized team of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses at Holy Cross Hospital is dedicated to caring for patients with disorders of the brain and spine. Collaboration is central to the care we provide. Our patients benefit from our truly multidisciplinary approach to treatment, as well as our dedication to coordination with physicians and other partners in our community.
Holy Cross Health offers the most current technologies and a full range of neuroscience capabilities. Our neuroscience experts perform advanced procedures, such as deep brain stimulation, endovascular coiling and stenting of brain aneurysms, microsurgery of the brain and spine, stereotactic radiosurgery, MRI-guided laser ablation (Visualase™), acute stroke interventions, middle meningeal embolization for subdural hematoma management, and more. Holy Cross Hospital has a dedicated Neuro Critical Care Unit and a bi-plane neuro-interventional suite.
Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital–Germantown are both designated as Primary Stroke Centers by the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). Holy Cross Hospital was the first hospital in Montgomery County to be certified in spine surgery. Holy Cross Hospital is also designated as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.
In 2026, Holy Cross Hospital received the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), as well as the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award.
This is a free in-person and virtual event
Health care professionals can earn continuing education credits (5 IPCE) for this event.
For more information about Holy Cross Health’s Neuroscience Program, contact Sharon Harriston, CRNP, MS, CCNS, ACNP-BC, stroke nurse practitioner and coordinator for Holy Cross Hospital’s Stroke Program, at 301-754-7529 or neuroscience@holycrosshealth.org.
All providers who care for patients with neuroscience disorders, including primary care providers, will benefit from this program. It is designed to enhance provider performance and to supply participants with relevant and up-to-date knowledge and skills for managing neuroscience patients.
This year, we are pleased to feature a variety of topics on our agenda, including Pediatric Stroke, Maternal Stroke, Stroke and Epilepsy, 2026 Emergency Acute Ischemic Stroke Guidelines Highlights, Maternity and Neurosurgery, and Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Very Minimally Invasive Approach.
Educational Objectives
Treatment Options
Identify available treatments for each neurological and neurosurgical topic covered in this symposium.
Expert Collaboration
Bring together experts in a range of neuroscience-related specialties to provide brain care for different brain conditions.
Evidence-Based Strategies
Explore and understand latest evidence-based interventions and assessment strategies incorporated within the neurological-based plan of care.
IPCE Accreditation
IPCE Accreditation Joint Accreditation Direct Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Trinity Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team.
Designation of Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 4.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Shahid Rafiq, MD
Chief of Neurology & Director of Stroke Programs, Holy Cross Health
Alex Tai, MD
Neurosurgeon, Neuroscience and Neurosurgery Director, Holy Cross Health
Alexander Ramos, MD
Director, Inpatient Epilepsy Service, Holy Cross Health
Sharon Harriston
Nurse Practitioner and Stroke Coordinator, Holy Cross Hospital Stroke Program
Abby Butler, RNC-OB
Perinatal and Neonatal Director of Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, MIEMSS
Dana Harrar, MD, PhD, FACNS, FAES
Critical Care Neurologist & Neurophysiologist, Director, Critical Care
Neurology, Director of Pediatric Stroke, Associate Professor of Neurology & Pediatrics, Children’s National Hospital
David Gwinn, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
Register online to attend in person or virtually.
Neurosciences Symposium 2026
Sat, October 10, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
First floor, Auditoriums A&C
Register
Virtual Neurosciences Symposium 2026
Sat, October 10, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Register
