Personal Statement
I am an academic neurointensivist with over a decade of experience in the clinical care and research of patients with severe neurological injuries. My work focuses on advancing multimodality neuromonitoring to mitigate secondary brain injury and improve outcomes in patients with acute brain injury. I currently serve as the local principal investigator for the NIH-funded BOOST-3 trial, a Phase III multicenter randomized controlled study evaluating the role of brain tissue oxygenation monitoring in severe traumatic brain injury.
Beyond research, I am deeply committed to education, serving as a mentor and lecturer for neurology, neurosurgery, and critical care trainees. My teaching philosophy emphasizes critical inquiry, empathy, and evidence-based practice. I have also played a key leadership role in improving stroke care systems in New Mexico, contributing to significant reductions in door-to-needle times and earning national recognition through the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll–Elite Plus award.
Areas of Specialty
1. Neurology
2. Neurosurgery
3. Neurocritical Care
4. Stroke
Education
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, University of California, Los Angeles: Biocybernetics with Specialization in Computer Studies, 1998
Graduate: Master of Science, University of California, Los Angeles: Biomedical Engineering, 2003
Medical School: Medical Doctorate, Case Western Reserve University, 2007
Internship: Medical Internship, UC Davis Medical Center, 2007-2008
Residency: Neurology Residency, UCLA School of Medicine, 2008-2011
Fellowship: Neurocritical Care Fellowship, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 2011-
2013
Certifications
1. Neurosonology from American Society of Neuroimaging
2. United Council of Neurologic Subspecialities, Board Certified in Neurocritcal Care
3. American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Board Certified in Neurology
Achievements & Awards
1. 2018 Presidential Citation Award, Neurocritical Care Society
2. 2018 Ad Hoc Reviewer, PLOS One
3. 2016-2018 Chair for the Neurocritical Care Society Communications Committee
4. 2016 Presidential Citation Award, Neurocritical Care Society
Languages
- English
Research and Scholarship
1. Noninvasive Neuromonitoring and Brain Injury Outcomes
My research explores the application of advanced monitoring technologies to improve neurocritical care. I have studied optic nerve sheath diameter and transcranial Doppler ultrasound as noninvasive surrogates for intracranial pressure and led a pilot study evaluating occludins as biomarkers of blood–brain barrier injury in stroke.
Key Publications:
Whetten J, Tran H, et al. J Med Econ. 2018.
Tran H, Krasberg M, Yonas H. Neurotrauma and Critical Care of the Brain, 2e, 2018.
2. Systems of Care and Stroke Quality Improvement
As interim stroke director, I implemented a Lean quality improvement project that reduced average stroke door-to-needle times from over 60 to 40 minutes, resulting in AHA national recognition. I also helped expand statewide EMS triage protocols to improve stroke access across New Mexico.
3. Telemedicine and Access to Care
Through the ACCESS Telemedicine Program, I contributed to developing cost-effective neuro-emergent teleconsultation services for rural hospitals, enhancing stroke and neurocritical care delivery in underserved regions.
Key Publication: Whetten J, Tran H, et al. J Med Econ. 2018.
4. Neurocritical Care Education and Mentorship
I have developed numerous resident and fellow lecture series in neurocritical care, ICP management, and multimodality monitoring. My educational research includes the use of augmented and virtual reality technologies for neurosurgical training and neuroanatomy teaching.