Conversations
Dr. Souvik Sen, CoEE Endowed Chair in Stroke Neurology at the University of South Carolina
Dr. Souvik Sen, one of the world’s leading stroke experts, was recently recruited as the South Carolina CoEE Endowed Chair in Stroke Neurology at the University of South Carolina. In that role, he joins prominent CoEE Endowed Chairs Dr. Robert Adams and Dr. Marc Chimowitz of the Medical University of South Carolina to lead the Center of Economic Excellence in Stroke, which is a collaboration between USC and MUSC.
Before arriving in South Carolina, Sen was the founding director of the nationally recognized University of North Carolina Stroke Center in Chapel Hill.
Below, Sen discusses his research and why he chose to move his work to South Carolina.
MidlandsBiz:
What type of work will you be doing in South Carolina as a CoEE Endowed Chair?
Dr. Souvik Sen:
I will be working to set up a clinical and research team to provide advanced stroke care for the people in the Midlands. Specifically I will be working to set up a much needed Joint Commission–certified stroke center in the region. [The Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification is widely recognized as the gold standard in the stroke care community.] In addition, I will be establishing a system to include the stroke center in national and international stroke research. By doing so, the latest stroke treatment and prevention strategies will be made available to the population in the region, and the state.
MidlandsBiz:
Why did you choose to come to South Carolina? How did the state's CoEE Program influence your decision?
Dr. Souvik Sen:
South Carolina has one of the highest stroke death rates in the country. The University of South Carolina has the infrastructure to build a premier stroke center in the Midlands area. Building such a stroke center would impact the stroke-related morbidity and mortality in this region and the state in general. The CoEE Program will allow me to build such a center of excellence. It will help me assemble a team of experts required to provide advanced stroke care.
MidlandsBiz:
How do you think your work will have an economic impact in the state or potentially create jobs?
Dr. Souvik Sen:
Building the stroke center will create new jobs in clinical and research areas involved with stroke care. Also, reducing stroke disability would mean that fewer stroke victims would be left with disability that would prevent them from returning to active work.
MidlandsBiz:
You will be working with a pair of world-class stroke researchers, Dr. Adams and Dr. Chimowitz, in your new position; how do you feel about joining them in leading the Stroke CoEE?
Dr. Souvik Sen:
I will be working with them to collaborate on stroke care (REACH network) and clinical stroke research. I am enthusiastic in collaborating on both a clinical and research front.
The Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) Program uses State Lottery and non-state funds (from corporations, foundations and federal agencies) to create advanced research centers at MUSC along with Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. The goal of the CoEE Program is to develop the state’s knowledge-based economy and create high-skill, high-paying jobs for citizens.
For more information on South Carolina’s CoEE Program and how your company can benefit from the advanced research taking place at the state’s Centers of Economic Excellence, visit www.sccoee.org.
