Neurosurgical Specialist Dr. Feroze Afzal Joining St. Mary's
July 13, 2021
Athens, Ga. – Dr. Feroze Afzal, a fellowship-trained neuroendovascular surgeon specializing in stroke treatment, will be joining St. Mary’s Medical Group on Aug. 1. His addition to the growing St. Mary's family of providers will allow St. Mary's to expand its neurosurgical offerings, including the emergency removal of certain blood clots in patients with major strokes.
Dr. Afzal comes to St. Mary’s from Augusta University, where he served as stroke director for University Hospital from 2016-2019 before entering his fellowship in neuroendovascular medicine. This is a stroke specialty that focuses on restoring blood flow in the brain. Strokes happen when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot or torn blood vessel.
“My calling as a physician is to serve and provide the most comprehensive care to patients in need,” Dr. Afzal said. “In addition, I am working to integrate my growing interest in various neurological disorders into my practice, specifically vascular neurology.”
Dr. Afzal will be joining Dr. Neil Woodall of Georgia Neurological Surgery and Comprehensive Spine to provide 24/7 coverage of St. Mary’s mechanical thrombectomy program. Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses miniaturized equipment to capture and remove the large-vessel blood clots that cause major strokes. It relies on a small opening into a blood vessel; thin, flexible tubes called catheters that the physician guides through blood vessels inside the body to reach the blood clot, and tiny, highly advanced tools to remove the clot. Used in addition to clot-busting medication, mechanical thrombectomy has been shown to be effective in saving lives and reducing disability.
St. Mary's has the only hospital in the region capable of performing mechanical thrombectomy. Previously, mechanical thrombectomy has been available only when Dr. Woodall is available. Now, Dr. Woodall and Dr. Afzal can provide 24/7 coverage, ensuring that the vast majority of stroke patients from our region are able to receive the care they need at St. Mary’s, rather than in Atlanta or Augusta.
In addition to providing emergency mechanical thrombectomy services, Dr. Afzal also provides surgical and non-surgical care for patients with a wide range of neurovascular conditions, including aneurysm, brain tumor embolization, carotid stenting and other head and neck stenting needs.
A native of India, Dr. Afzal received his bachelor’s degrees in medicine and surgery in 2008 from Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India, where he continued to practice and serve as a medical officer until coming to the United States in 2009. He completed his American internal medicine internship in 2012 at the Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York. He then came to Augusta University where he completed his neurology residency in 2015, neurovascular (stroke) fellowship in 2016, and neuroendovascular fellowship in July 2021.
Dr. Afzal’s office is located at Georgia Neurological Surgery and Comprehensive Spine, 2142 W. Broad St., Building 100, Suite 200, Athens. He is fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi. He enjoys tennis, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with his wife and family.
Dr. Afzal is now accepting new patients. As part of St. Mary's Medical Group, he accepts most major insurance plans and Medicare and offers virtual visits for certain appointments. Please contact your insurance provider for more information about your specific plan requirements before visiting a specialist. You can make a new patient appointment with Dr. Afzal by calling (706) 548-6881.
Remember that stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you are with experiences the sudden symptoms of stroke – weakness in one or both arms or legs, trouble speaking, confusion, or terrible headache – call 911 immediately.
St. Mary’s is certified as an advanced primary stroke center by The Joint Commission, and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan and Sacred Heart Hospitals are designated as Remote Treatment Stroke Centers by the State of Georgia.