From the OR to the Community: Dr. Cargill Alleyne on the Urgency of Stroke Awareness in Black Communities
An Interview for Stroke Awareness Month
Each May, during Stroke Awareness Month, we pause to spotlight the critical need for education and prevention—especially in Black communities that disproportionately bear the burden of cerebrovascular disease. We sat down with Dr. Cargill H. Alleyne, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with Piedmont Augusta Neurosciences and member of the Neuroscience Clinical Governance Council, to gain insight into his personal journey and the powerful role education and early intervention play in saving lives.
"I was inspired by the intricate anatomy of the brain’s vasculature and the challenge of the technical skills needed to treat it." – Dr. Alleyne
For Dr. Alleyne, the fight against stroke is personal and urgent. Practicing in what’s known as the “stroke belt” of the United States, he sees firsthand how strokes devastate lives—but also how many could be prevented through better education and awareness.
"Members of the Black community are particularly prone to certain types of stroke. We must recognize modifiable risk factors—like hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, and sedentary lifestyle—and take action."
When treating ischemic strokes, Dr. Alleyne uses a mix of modern techniques: clot-busting medications for early arrivals and mechanical thrombectomy for patients who arrive later. For hemorrhagic strokes, interventions range from aneurysm clipping and coiling to minimally invasive clot evacuations.
Still, his core message is simple: know the signs.
He recommends remembering the acronym BE FAST:
Balance issues
Eye changes (blurred vision, blindness)
Facial drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulty
Time—call 911 immediately
"Surgery plays a powerful role in stroke care, but nothing replaces prevention. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
For aspiring cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, he shares this advice: “Be ready for the highs of reversing deficits—and the lows of loss. Always treat patients as if they’re your own family.”
Dr. Alleyne reminds us that stroke awareness isn’t just about science—it’s about humanity, equity, and care.