Mary Washington Healthcare Advances Stroke Care Close to Home

New thrombectomy services offer lifesaving stroke care for the Fredericksburg region.

FREDERICKSBURG, VA (December 8, 2025) — Mary Washington Healthcare proudly announces the advancement of neurological care at Mary Washington Hospital, with the Primary Stroke Center adding thrombectomy capabilities to treat strokes. This expansion of advanced and comprehensive stroke services positions Mary Washington Healthcare as a regional leader in stroke care and brings lifesaving treatment to the Fredericksburg community.

A thrombectomy is an emergency procedure performed by a neurosurgeon who uses a catheter and advanced imaging to remove blood clots from the brain to restore blood flow. When performed quickly after stroke symptoms occur, often within a few hours, the procedure can reduce the severity of a stroke as well as the risk of long-term disability or death.

“With a stroke, seconds count. At Mary Washington Healthcare, we are delivering on our commitment to provide immediate and high-quality stroke care,” said John C. Muse, MD, MBA, cerebrovascular neurosurgeon at MWHC. “Having the tools and the talent for thrombectomy procedures means even the most critical stroke patients can be treated quickly and safely right here in Fredericksburg.”

An expert team of specialists led by Dr. Muse will perform both surgical and minimally invasive thrombectomy procedures, which require a specialized facility with advanced 3D imaging equipment, allowing surgeons to see intricate blood vessels and accurately place stents and catheters.

In addition to a new neurointerventional suite and expanded neuroscience facilities, MWHC is actively recruiting more specialists to serve the community, including neurosurgeons for brain and spine procedures and neurologists for conditions like epilepsy. Dr. Muse emphasizes that this is just the beginning: “Mary Washington Healthcare is investing deeply in the future of stroke care. Our mission is to achieve Comprehensive Stroke Center status within three years and establish a center of excellence focused on community neurologic health by addressing often neglected populations such as high-risk women and advanced neurologic rehabilitation. This is how we build the next generation of neuroscience care for our region.”

“From diagnosis and treatment to rehab and recovery, now stroke patients and their families can be treated and heal in their community,” said Dr. Muse. “The ability to perform thrombectomy procedures at Mary Washington Healthcare underscores our dedication to being a leader in stroke care and improving outcomes for all our patients.”

According to the CDC, approximately 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year. Warning signs of stroke include loss of balance, loss of vision, speech difficulty, arm, or leg drifting downward, or drooping on one side of the face. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 right away.

Learn more about MWHC’s advanced stroke care at stroke.mwhc.com.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at over 80 facilities, including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital; Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital; four emergency departments; and a multispecialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a nonprofit health system with a longstanding commitment to provide care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.