OhioHealth Vice President of Neurosciences, B.J. Hicks, Named National Physician of the Year by AHA

For the first time, OhioHealth has a national physician of the year from the American Heart Association. In June, OhioHealth Vice President of Neurosciences, B.J. Hicks, MD, was honored in Dallas, Texas with the prestigious national award.

“It was a shock and still is”, Dr. Hicks said. “Those of us that are intentional about the work in stroke care, around brain health, neuroscience care, advocacy and community based healthcare, we don’t do it for the accolades, you do it because you feel in your soul that it’s the right thing for the people you take care of.”

Dr. Hicks has lobbied for a flavored tobacco ban — among other public health policies — appealed to the city council to prioritize equitable health and transformed local systems of stroke care. Most notably, he is the creator and OhioHealth physician lead of the city’s first mobile stroke treatment unit, a concept that took more than three years to develop. Now, when 911 is called for someone with apparent stroke symptoms, one of two mobile stroke treatment units is dispatched, along with the usual emergency medical services. The specialized unit delivers lifesaving therapies directly to acute stroke patients within the critical, first 60 minutes after symptoms begin — called the golden hour.

Once the patient arrives at the hospital, an expert team already informed about the case is lined up to provide further treatment.

“To be recognized that a dream was fulfilled and not deferred, that was special,” Dr. Hicks said. “We said look, this is good for the community, let’s make this happen. Patient’s lives are at risk, and that is something I will carry forward with me. And when things get tough whenever you are haggling over small stuff, center the patient.” In collaboration with the American Heart Association, Hicks also developed and led the Franklin County Hypertension Network to provide resources and funding in support of evidence-based strategies for improving blood pressure control rates. He's been a member of the American Stroke Association Advisory Committee for three years and currently chairs its acute treatment subcommittee. He is immediate past president and a current member of the 2024-25 AHA Midwest Region board of directors.

In 2023, Dr. Hicks was named vice president of the OhioHealth Neuroscience service line. In his role, Dr. Hicks will oversees the clinical strategy for OhioHealth’s Neuroscience program.

Dr. Hicks joined OhioHealth as a practicing neurologist specializing in vascular neurology in 2012. He has served as the co-director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program since 2017. He has also served as the president of the OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital medical staff since 2022.

“I am passionate about serving our neuroscience patients and delivering quality care to central Ohio and its surrounding communities,” Dr. Hicks said. “Our amazing team of neuroscience leaders, front-line associates, and everyone who works with our patients and families are the best in the area.”

To learn more about neuroscience at OhioHealth, click here.