Eight employees with the Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center now have several extra letters after their names.

The employees have been recognized as Certified Neuro-Interventional Clinicians, having recently passed the comprehensive examination. Three more employees are expected to earn their certifications next month.

The CNIC designation recognizes one’s “expertise in stroke competencies, including understanding and mastery of skills used to diagnose stroke, evidence-based management principles for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and knowledge of peri-procedural management of stroke or the at-risk stroke patient.”

Josh Picard, RN, a neuro-interventional clinical leader at Upstate, said the teaching for the CNIC examination, which was offered at Upstate for the first time last month, provided information on imaging, a review of test and trial results that helped to rationalize purpose for practice, medications used, stroke, stroke syndromes, brain and vascular anatomy.

“In gaining this certification, our team is helping to ensure that our patient population receives the best educated, most devoted staff who are committed to constant improvement in neuro-interventional care at Upstate,” Picard said.

Picard believes that with this latest round of certifications, Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center is likely one of the institutional leaders when it comes to CNIC-recognized employees on staff.

Josh Onyan, MSN, RN, SCRN, Upstate’s stroke program manager, applauded the efforts of his coworkers. “The certification shows that there is a high standard of care at Upstate that ultimately benefits our patients,” he said.

CNIC exams are offered multiple times a year at locations across the country.

Among those recently earning certification are registered nurses Marie Richard, Jake Sitterly, Bahar Zaker-Shahrak; radiology technologists Jessica Guido, Sara Lupino and Chris Nichols; manager Shantel Henry and nurse practitioner Sara Muth. Registered nurses Janell Gage, Tina Pascarella and Josh Picard are expected to receive their certification next month.

The certification is offered through the Association of Neurovascular Clinicians.

Caption: Some of Upstate's newly certified neuro-interventional clinicians are, from left, Jessica Guido, RT(R) VI, CNIC; Josh Picard; Marie Richard, RN, CNIC; Sara Lupino, RT(R) VI, CNIC; Janell Gage, RN; Sarah Muth, NP, CNIC; Chris Nichols, RT (R), VI CNIC; and Shantel Henry, RT(R), VI, CNIC. Not pictured: Jake Sitterly, RN, CNIC; Bahar Zaker-Shahrak, RN, CNIC.