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Annual Ziegler lectureship featured international stroke expert

International stroke expert Jose Biller, MD, was the 13th annual Ziegler lecturer

Jose Biller, MD, (third from left), the 13th annual Ziegler lecturer, is joined by Arthur Dick, MD, Gary Gronseth, MD, Sara Prince, Richard Barohn, MD, and Laura Ziegler.
Jose Biller, MD, (third from left), the 13th annual Ziegler lecturer, is joined by Arthur Dick, MD, Gary Gronseth, MD, Sara Prince, Richard Barohn, MD, and Laura Ziegler.

International stroke expert Jose Biller, M.D., FAAN, FACP, FAHA, spoke in-depth about the latest recommendations for the emergency evaluation and treatment of acute ischemic stroke with intravenous alteplase during the 13th annual Gertrude and Dewey Ziegler Professorship Lecture presented by the University of Kansas Medical Center's Department of Neurology.

Biller, professor of neurology and neurological surgery and chair of the Department of Neurology at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, addressed residents, students and faculty as well as interested guests, including Ziegler's daughters, Laura Ziegler and Sara Prince, June 14 in the Clendening Auditorium on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City.

"Sara and I have always been moved and gratified that the medical center has continued this tradition," Laura Ziegler said. "My father was so committed and dedicated to the medical center, neurology and the history of neurology. He was always about encouraging and learning, and teaching was his passion so this is always really important to us."

During the hour-long lecture, "Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Questions You Always Wanted to Ask but Never Dared," Biller identified indications and contraindications for using alteplase, a drug therapy designed to dissolve clots and allow for restored blood flow to viable tissue, and discussed appropriate management of complications related to administering the therapy.

"This is very relevant to the practice of neurology. Stroke is preventable, it's highly treatable," he said. "We still know the public needs further education and we want to convey the importance of timely intervention to improve the outcomes of these patients."

The annual lectureship honors Dewey Ziegler, M.D., who led the Section of Neurology at KU Medical Center from 1966 until 1974, when it became the Department of Neurology. Ziegler went on to serve as chair of the department until 1985. During his tenure, he established the neurology residency program.

Nationally and internationally known, Ziegler helped establish neurology as an independent field and was one of the first headache specialists in neurology. Becoming a professor emeritus in 1990, he remained on the faculty through his death in 2012 at age 92.

"Dr. Ziegler was a national and international authority in neurology," Biller said. "I recall as a young resident reading his articles. He was an inspiring figure and certainly one of the outstanding leaders in the field."


KU School of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center
Department of Neurology
Mailstop 2012
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: 913-588-6970
Fax: 913-588-6965