The agreement expands a decades-long partnership between Mayfield and The Christ Hospital where Mayfield neurosurgeons are performing the most advanced surgeries for spine and brain tumor patients. The new development should ultimately result in Mayfield neurosurgeons performing endovascular thrombectomies for stroke patients at the health system’s flagship Mount Auburn location.

A thrombectomy is a specialized surgical procedure to remove a blood clot from the brain during an acute ischemic stroke. With the initial agreement, Mayfield and The Christ Hospital will collaborate on the training and technology to make those procedures possible. Both organizations will work to elevate the Stroke Center designation at Christ Hospital to a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center as recognized by The Joint Commission.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership between Mayfield Brain & Spine and The Christ Hospital Health Network,” said Brian Colley, Executive Director of the Musculoskeletal Service Line at The Christ Hospital Health Network. “By combining our expertise and resources together, we are committing to providing innovative, compassionate and comprehensive treatments ensuring a brighter future for our patients and the communities we serve.”

One of the nation’s leading independent neurosurgery practices, Mayfield Brain & Spine has reached similar agreements with most of the leading health systems in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Neurosurgeon and stroke specialist Dr. Andrew Ringer said Mayfield is expanding a network of thrombectomy-capable stroke centers around the region.

“We look forward to working with the stroke and critical care teams at The Christ Hospital to bring these important procedures to more patients,” Dr. Ringer said. “Joining the expertise of Mayfield’s neurovascular team and the talented team members at The Christ Hospital will create a comprehensive platform for stroke patients with the ability to perform the most advanced diagnostic procedures and surgical interventions.”

The Mayfield stroke team also includes neurosurgeons Dr. Robert James, Dr. Michael Robinson and Dr. Ryan Tackla.

Earlier this year, Mayfield neurosurgeons started collaborating with staff at The Christ Hospital on how to perform diagnostic angiograms, a test that helps neurosurgeons find blockages and other abnormalities in the blood vessels of the head and neck. Once a specified number of these angiograms are completed, The Christ Hospital will be eligible to apply for Thrombectomy-Capable designation from The Joint Commission, allowing emergency endovascular stroke interventions. Studies have shown endovascular thrombectomy to be the most effective treatment for saving lives and minimizing the risk of disability for patients suffering an ischemic stroke.

“A successful endovascular thrombectomy can save patients’ lives and also preserve speech and function,” Mayfield’s Dr. Robinson said. “Immediate access to these advanced diagnostics and the most advanced surgical techniques can make a dramatic difference in their quality of life.”

Mayfield neurosurgeons will work with The Christ Hospital team of emergency department nurses and physicians, ICU nurses and physicians, Hospitalists and acute care nurses.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network

The Christ Hospital Health Network consists of an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, eight ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of medical offices throughout the region. For 135 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves. Made up for more than 1,300 physicians and more than 7,200 team members, our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional outcomes in an affordable way. The Network was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 hospital in the Cincinnati Region and named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2025.

About Mayfield Brain & Spine

Founded in 1937, Mayfield Brain & Spine is a nationally known independent neurosurgery practice, with 20 neurosurgeons, one orthopedic spine surgeon and six interventional pain or physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians. Neurosurgeons see patients at six offices and perform surgeries at the region's leading health systems, treating brain tumors, spinal deformity, strokes and a variety of other disorders of the brain and spine. With about 290 total associates, Mayfield served more than 32,700 patients in 2024. Mayfield also was named one of the region's "Best Places to Work" in 2022 and 2024 in a competition sponsored by the Cincinnati Business Courier.