Welcome to Headway Neurology

Looking for an approachable, holistic, and individualized approach to your neurological care?

Tired of difficulty reaching your clinician? Fighting with big city traffic? Trouble finding a parking spot? Waiting in a busy waiting room?

My name is Dr. Lester Leung. At Headway Neurology, I am dedicated to helping you live your life as free as possible from the bonds of neurological disability. Neurological disorders can be difficult to navigate and understand; I make it a priority to empower you with the knowledge and tools to keep moving forward.

Headway Neurology LLC is a neurology micropractice based in Newton, MA. Dr. Leung has been serving Eastern Massachusetts and surrounding states since 2015. Headway Neurology operates as a direct care (self pay) practice in order to improve access and scheduling flexibility and minimize overhead (providing a more personal experience, unfettered by corporate healthcare). 

How do I get started?

To schedule an appointment (as a patient):

Step 1: Review the ASR Page, SAYA-C Page, or Stroke Clinic Page and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) first.

Step 2: If you're comfortable doing so, pre-pay for your visit at the link in the navigation bar above (preferred).

Step 3: Fill out your Patient Intake Forms (ASR New Patient click this link, ASR Follow-up/Established Patient click this link) (SAYA-C New Patient click this link, SAYA-C Follow-up/Established Patient click this link) (Stroke Clinic New Patient click this link, Stroke Clinic Follow-up/Established Patient click this link).

Step 4: Schedule an appointment (matching the duration you pre-paid or the amount you plan to pay for at the start of the visit) using Google Calendar. You will be given a link to the Booking Page when you complete the Patient Intake Form.

Step 5: Obtain any relevant medical records and imaging studies (brain and blood vessel imaging studies, aka CT, MRI, CTA, CTV, MRA, MRV). Mail them to Headway Neurology at the address below or bring them to your visit. If you provide me with the hospital name/practice and dates you received care there, I will also place a request to receive those records (at no cost to you).

To schedule an appointment (as a clinician or from a clinic):

Step 1: Fill out the ASR Patient Referral Form (click this link), SAYA-C Patient Referral Form (click this link), or Stroke Clinic Patient Referral Form (click this link).

Step 2: Fax your clinic notes and hospitalization records to Fax: (888) 374-8786, ATTN: Dr. Leung

Directions to Headway Neurology:

1. From I-90 going west: Take exit 127 toward Newton. Drive along Washington Street going west. Turn right on Crafts Street. Turn right on California Street. Turn right on Nevada Street, and then immediately take a left turn into the driveway under a large oak tree. Park in one of the available parking spots (in the gravel portion of the driveway) on the right. If you have very limited mobility, you can park directly facing one of the garage doors at the end of the driveway.

2. From I-90 going east: Take exit 127. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Centre Street. Turn right on Church Street (second street). Continue on Church Street and cross over I-90. At the traffic light, turn left onto Washington Street going west. Turn right on Crafts Street. Turn right on California Street. Turn right on Nevada Street, and then immediately take a left turn into the driveway under a large oak tree. Park in one of the available parking spots (in the gravel portion of the driveway) on the right. If you have very limited mobility, you can park directly facing one of the garage doors at the end of the driveway.

3. Using any navigation program: Type in "206 Nevada Street, Newton, MA" into your navigation app. This will bring you directly to the driveway entrance to Headway Neurology. Park in one of the available parking spots (in the gravel portion of the driveway) on the right. If you have very limited mobility, you can park directly facing one of the garage doors at the end of the driveway.

4. Public Transit: Take the Framingham/Worcester Line (from South Station) to the Newtonville stop. Follow signs for Newtonville - Walnut Street. Take the stairs. Exit via Newtonville - Walnut Street. Head north on Walnut Street toward Washington Street. Turn right on Linwood Avenue. Turn left on Nevada Street. Approaching the corner of Nevada Street and California Street, walk into the driveway to the right passing under a large oak tree. Head to the end of the driveway towards the garage. When you reach the garage, turn left and walk up the five steps to the deck at the entrance of Headway Neurology. The walk is approximately 1 mile in length.

Chat with the Headway Neurology team on:

More about Lester Y. Leung, MD, MSC

• Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center at Tufts Medical Center

• Founder, Stroke and Young Adults (SAYA) Program | Stroke and Young Adults (SAYA) U.S. National Consortium

• Associate Professor of Neurology, Tufts University School of Medicine

• Principal Investigator, Tufts Vascular Neurology Research (TVNR) Group

Training

• B.A. in Honors Biological Sciences, Harvard College

• M.D., Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA

• Internship, Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center

• Residency, Neurology, Harvard Program in Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

• Fellowship, Vascular Neurology, Harvard Program in Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

• Masters in Clinical and Translational Science, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Relevant scientific contributions for stroke survivors

• Leung LY, Melkumova E, Thaler DE. Longitudinal Care for Young Adults With Stroke. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Oct 1;74(10):1163-1164. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.1874. PMID: 28828467. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28828467/

• Gans SD, Michaels E, Thaler DE, Leung LY. Detection of symptoms of late complications after stroke in young survivors with active surveillance versus usual care. Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Jul;44(15):4023-4028. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1883749. Epub 2021 Feb 19. PMID: 33605166. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33605166/

• Koh MH, Yen SC, Leung LY, Gans S, Sullivan K, Adibnia Y, Pavel M, Hasson CJ. Exploiting telerobotics for sensorimotor rehabilitation: a locomotor embodiment. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2021 Apr 21;18(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s12984-021-00856-w. PMID: 33882949; PMCID: PMC8059234. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33882949/

• Pudlo ME, Cote KE, Jost-Price E, Leung LY. Hypertension associated with functional status early after hospitalization for ischemic stroke: a cohort study. Research Square. [Preprint] August 25, 2023. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3246809/v1

• Cote KE, Pudlo ME, Jost-Price E, Leung LY. Neighborhood income inequality associated with functional independence after ischemic stroke: a cohort study. Research Square. [Preprint] August 29, 2023. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3299153/v1

• Jijakli A, Skeels K, Swanson K, Dwyer B, Savitz A, Melkumova E, Leung LY. Quality Improvement Initiative Using Predictive Swallowing Score to Guide Nutritional Support for Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia. Accepted by Neurology Clinical Practice in May 2023, in press.

• Yu W, Shnawa A, Swarz J, Zaidi A, Leung LY. Incidence and characterization of late onset movement disorders following thrombolysis or thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective cohort study. Undergoing peer review.

• Siegel M, Corlin L, Miller JP, Leung LY. Social determinants of post stroke complications: effects of neighborhood income inequality and deprivation on acute care treatment and late complications after stroke. Manuscript in preparation.

Testimonials

"Dr Leung is one of the best stroke neurologists out there. He was instrumental in pinpointing what could have caused, or contributed to my strokes. From all aspects of my life like diet, sleep hygiene, exercise, hereditary/genetics, social/relationships, etc he listens and cares.  He explains the details of what’s going on inside the brain/vascular system, and how stroke location relates to recovery outcomes. He is in tune with emerging technologies/studies and offers those treatment options. His attention to detail and curiosity in all aspects of your recovery is like none other. He is extremely empathetic and genuinely wants the best outcomes for his patients, knowing recovery lasts for years, even well after the acute treatment and recovery phase. He is very sensitive to the mental health aspects of recovery and is extremely responsive when you experience PTSD. It took me 4 strokes in a rural mountain town with care in 4 different states to find this level of care. He’s one of the best out there and I don’t know what I would do without him on my care team. "

Stroke survivor, 2024

"I am forever grateful to have met Dr. Leung following my stroke at 21-years-old before my senior year of college. Though I am 9 years post-stroke and have made a full recovery, I continue to work with Dr. Leung because he provides me with exceptional care. I highly recommend working with him and he is totally worth the travel! Dr. Leung will genuinely listen to all of your questions and make you feel heard, which is so important when you are vulnerable as a stroke survivor."

Stroke survivor, 2024

"Lester Leung, you have opened my eyes. I thought I was just the unfortunate one to keep having brain aneurysms and strokes. You diagnosed me with FMD (fibromuscular dysplasia). None of my doctors before you even thought of this. You are very intelligent and caring."

Stroke survivor, 2024

"Dr. Leung's care and compassion were invaluable during my stroke recovery journey. Not only was his expertise evident, but his genuine warmth and attentiveness made all the difference. From guiding me through the initial stages to providing unwavering support post-recovery, Dr. Leung's personalized approach truly enhanced my healing process. I am immensely grateful for his dedication and kindness throughout my most challenging days."

Stroke survivor, 2024

"I don’t think I’d be as much improved as I am without Dr Leung’s expertise and experience. Under Dr Leung’s care, I am also well on my way to replacing fear and uncertainty with clarity and confidence. This has a positive effect on me day to day."

Stroke survivor, 2023

"Thank you for the time you spend with me, Dr. Leung! I feel fortunate to be a patient of yours. It gives me a sense of security to see that you take your practice and patients seriously. I also appreciate the opportunity to have community through SAYA."

Stroke survivor, 2022

"I feel so lucky to have Dr. Leung on my team. He is so conscientious, thoughtful, and smart. He takes each of my concerns seriously and explains things in a way that is easy to understand. Today he even told me that he went back through my old scans to see what may have caused my stroke 8 years ago. That level of care and time spent is truly unmatched in healthcare."

Stroke survivor, 2020

"Dr. Leung is amazing. He is an incredible listener and takes time to really understand his patients’ struggles and goals. With the SAYA Program, your care doesn’t end after the initial therapy and rehab – the specialists follow up long term and make you feel unique and special."

Stroke survivor, age 29, 2019

"Dr. Leung assured me that my baby and I would be OK. He was calm and kind and explained everything to me in a way I could understand. I felt secure knowing he was my neurologist."

Stroke survivor, age 33, 2018

"He was great: Dr. Leung has been amazing. He spent so much more time with me than any other doctor, but also much more time than I would have assumed he could spend with me. No one else had ever shown me the scans from the MRI or CT scans. He took me through each one of the scans and showed me where the previous stroke was. He explained every single thing from treatment options to making sure I understood why the stroke could have possibly could have happened."

Stroke survivor, age 26, 2017