Atlantic Health hosts inaugural symposium on advances in neurological emergency and critical care
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Neuroscience experts from across the region gathered in Morristown earlier this month for Atlantic Health’s inaugural Neurological and Neurosurgical Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, highlighting advances in treating life-threatening brain injuries and neurological emergencies.
The event, held Oct. 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency Morristown, brought together specialists in neurocritical care, medical technology developers and health care professionals for a continuing medical education conference focused on improving outcomes for patients experiencing severe neurological conditions.
The one-and-a-half-day symposium featured lectures, interactive workshops, clinical presentations and discussions about treating patients with life-threatening neurological and neurosurgical emergencies.
The conference was developed by Dr. Kiwon Lee, chair of neurology at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center and director of stroke and neurocritical care programs at Atlantic Health, to promote education, collaboration and advances in neurological emergency care.
“Neurological and neurosurgical emergencies are life-threatening, time-sensitive illnesses that require clinicians to think and act quickly and use some of the most specialized, complex and advanced techniques and technology available,” said Dr. Lee. “This event was designed to bring together the foremost experts in this field to discuss, collaborate and celebrate these advances and the lives we save beyond expectation.”
Presentations covered advances in neurovascular care, including updates from clinical trials, as well as specialized lectures by national leaders in neurosurgery, stroke treatment and neurocritical care.
The symposium also included training on using critical care ultrasound to guide medical decisions, a hands-on workshop involving brain oxygen monitoring catheter placement, and refresher courses on neurological emergencies and critical care procedures. Lee moderated a panel discussion and debate on clinical cases and emerging issues in the field.
Beyond the medical presentations, the conference featured personal stories from two families whose lives were affected by neurological emergencies.
Kevin and Jen Morra shared the recovery journey of their son, Jack Morra, who experienced sudden stroke-like symptoms in March 2025 at age 18.
Jack was initially taken to Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center before being transferred to Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center in Summit, where doctors diagnosed a massive brain hemorrhage caused by an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, an abnormal connection between blood vessels.
He spent more than three weeks in the neurological intensive care unit, requiring lifesaving treatment for severe brain swelling and injury.
Following his hospitalization, Jack underwent inpatient rehabilitation, gradually regaining abilities such as sitting upright, standing and speaking. His recovery also included additional medical procedures, including a cranioplasty and the placement of a shunt.
According to Atlantic Health, Jack has since made significant progress, regaining aspects of his personality, sense of humor and independence. He has begun taking community college courses, learning to drive with adaptive modifications and exploring career opportunities inspired by the therapists who assisted in his recovery.
Standing alongside his parents at the symposium, Jack thanked the medical professionals who helped save his life.
“I don’t really remember any of it, but I’m here because of all of you,” Morra said. “I want to thank all of you.”
The event also featured Brian Friedman, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the New York Jets, who spoke about the importance of neurological research and early detection of brain aneurysms.
Friedman is president and co-founder of the Matthew Friedman Memorial Foundation, established in memory of his son, Matthew, who died after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm while attending college as a pre-medical student.
“If this could happen to Matthew, it could happen to anyone. The diagnosis gave our loss a name. It also gave our family a responsibility,” Friedman told the audience. “No parent should ever get that phone call.”
Friedman discussed ongoing challenges in detecting and treating brain aneurysms, including limited awareness of warning signs, gaps in emergency responder training and insufficient research funding.
According to information presented at the symposium, approximately one in 50 people has an unruptured brain aneurysm, many of which are discovered incidentally during medical imaging performed for other reasons.
Friedman urged medical professionals to continue working toward earlier detection, improved education and greater awareness of the condition.
“With your expertise and partnership, we can help more people recognize the warning signs, find aneurysms earlier and avoid the phone call that changed our lives forever,” Friedman told the audience.
Atlantic Health said the symposium was designed to encourage collaboration among medical professionals while highlighting emerging technologies and treatments that can improve survival and recovery for patients experiencing neurological emergencies.
Atlantic Health is accredited by the Medical Society of New Jersey to provide continuing medical education credits for physicians.
