Stroke Patient & Family Support Services

Stroke Warriors Group
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center

This is a forum for stroke survivors, caregivers, and families to share experiences and insights, and receive guidance from experts to navigate stroke risk and recovery challenges. The group is led by multidisciplinary clinicians and administrators committed to supporting all those affected by a stroke. Sessions are both in person and virtual and require registration. To attend in person, please email neuro-strokewarriors@cumc.columbia.edu or call Beatriz Nivasch at 646-697-9985. Please click here for more information and to register to attend virtually.

Language: bilingual, English and Spanish
Location: 177 Fort Washington Ave., New York, NY 10032
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM


Dates	Topic and Presenter	Room:
Friday, January 19	Navigating the health care system after stroke Dr. Angel Cadena	Heart Center Room 3
Friday, March 15	The Spirit of a Stroke Warrior: Coping and Conquering! A session about recalling and recovering what is important to you and using that information to help cope with stroke. Linda Golding, MA, BCC Chaplain Jasmine Gómez, MA, MHC	Heart Center Room 3
Friday, May 17	Cognitive Changes After Stroke A session about why and how thinking skills can be affected by a stroke and using that knowledge to navigate recovery after stroke. Marykathryn A. Pavol, PhD, ABPP	Heart Center Room 3
Friday, July 19	Caregiving After Stroke A session about navigating the caregiver role after stroke, including a brief overview of how to access services that you or your loved one may benefit from in life after stroke. Caitlin McCarthy, LMSW	Heart Center Room 3
Friday, September 20	Exercise After Stroke Learn about practical tips that can help improve mobility, strength, and overall well-being. Keri Fisher, PT, DPT, NCS	Heart Center Room 3
Friday, November 15	Common Medications Prescribed after Stroke and Side Effects Gain understanding on post stroke medications and medication management strategies Hanlin Li, PharmD, MBA, BCACP Yuliya Baratt, PharmD, MBA, BCPS	Heart Center Room 3

Stroke Warriors Team

Imama Naqvi, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the CUMC, Assistant Attending at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and Director of Outpatient Stroke Services

As a board-certified Stroke Neurologist, my clinical expertise in stroke care has guided my research to alleviate inequities in health care among our diverse stroke populations. Our team’s ethos is centered on community engagement to design supportive strategies for health behavior change among minor stroke patients. Our innovative interdisciplinary telehealth approaches aim to improve after-stroke care. I have been funded by the National Institutes of Health and serve on several NIH sponsored multi-centered clinical trials to advance secondary stroke prevention. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking with my family, and going on long walks in the neighborhood.

Cris Perdomo, MSN-Ed, RN, Manager, Stroke Center

My passion for stroke started as a Clinical Educator on staff at a community hospital. Assisting stroke survivors and caregivers navigate life after stroke inspired me to join our hospital’s stroke program. In my current role at NYP, I work with our clinical teams to deliver high quality stroke care, enhance workflow and most importantly, provide support in the journey to stroke recovery. Our goal is to help improve patient outcomes and quality of life for stroke survivors in our diverse population. I feel rewarded every day interacting with our hospital patients, survivors, caregivers, and community members. At my leisure, I enjoy dancing, crafting, and spending time with family.

Kyra Lizardo, MS, APRN, FNP-BC, Stroke Program Nurse Practitioner

With 15 years of nursing experience, including 8 as a nurse practitioner, I bring a wealth of expertise to patient care. My childhood experience of caring for my grandpa after his stroke ignited my passion for neurology. Beyond the medical field, I find comfort in reading books, cherishing time with family and friends, and thinking about life in general and its purpose. Committed to holistic well-being, I combine professional proficiency with personal empathy to deliver comprehensive care.

Beatriz Nivasch, Contractor, Stroke Center

As a dedicated team player, I am committed to cultivating a positive work environment. I excel in coordinating and achieving objectives by prioritizing attention to detail, team collaboration, persistence, and taking ownership of projects. Beyond work, I find joy in exploring the culinary world through homemade meals and expressing creativity through the art of origami.