Advancing Stroke Recovery by Headway Neurology

Schedule a NEW PATIENT visit at the ASR Program now: click here to complete Intake Forms and schedule an appointment

Schedule a FOLLOWUP visit at the ASR Program here: click here to complete a Followup Form and schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment for your patient (if you are a clinician or work in a clinic): click this link

Recovery from stroke does not stop after the first three months.

Many stroke survivors continue to recover from their loss of neurological function (disability) for years following their strokes, in large part due to their perseverance and the support of their loved ones. I have found over years of experience and in close collaboration with colleagues that many stroke survivors have specific, identifiable barriers that impede their recovery. This sometimes produces a false impression of a "plateau" in their recovery trajectory, making it seem that there is no further hope in the possibility of getting better or regaining prior abilities and responsibilities that were important in one's life before stroke. As a clinical neurologist, a stroke specialist, and a researcher, I have found that there are many missed opportunities for Neurologists such as myself to leverage our knowledge of the brain and treatment of various neurological disorders to help stroke survivors in the chronic phase of stroke.

It is my mission to help stroke survivors as best as I can to:

1. Recover from neurological injury and disability as much as possible.

2. Regain prestroke abilities and responsibilities as quickly as possible whenever feasible.

In order for me to help you accomplish this, we need:

1. Time - Enough time in each meeting, and longitudinal (long term) followup to help guide you at each stage of your recovery.

2. Focus - Dedicated time and effort to focus specifically on improving your recovery from stroke, leveraging rehabilitation and adaptive strategies.

3. Freedom - The opportunity for me to see you frequently and effectively, unburdened by the demands and interference of insurance companies and administrative restrictions.

To achieve this aim and best serve you, I believe the best practice model and setting at this time is a micropractice. This involves:

1. Easy and direct access to me - All messages and correspondences would be directly with me. Messages generally would come at no additional cost, but some time consuming paperwork (e.g. FMLA/disability forms, accommodations letters) will require a small charge.

2. Direct care (self pay, but with possible private insurance reimbursement) - To minimize administrative costs and maximize transparency of the value of services, this is a cash only practice (cash, check, credit/debit). I will provide receipts and clinical documentation directly to you. Flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA) connected to credit/debit cards can be used to pay for these appointments (or for you to apply for reimbursement after the appointment). For major insurers in Massachusetts, I will provide partially prefilled Out of Network Reimbursement forms to aid you if you wish to submit these to your health insurer for reimbursement.

3. Personalized time tables - Some people would benefit from frequent visits over the first 1-3 years post-stroke, whereas others may prefer a "tune-up" every 6-12 months. Most appointments will be 60 minutes in duration, but there will be flexibility to have shorter appointments (30 minutes) with discrete goals. I am happy and willing to help you at the frequency that makes sense to you and is financially and logistically feasible.

4. Leveraging a network of clinicians, therapy modalities, and technologies - I have an established network of clinician colleagues who provide advanced recovery services (e.g. spasticity management, nerve-tendon surgeries, neurostimulator implantation, music therapy, etc.) and prescription/referral pathways for specific treatments and technologies that I can bring to your individualized recovery plan.

Important notice for patients enrolled in Medicare and MassHealth (Medicaid): Medicare and Medicaid do not allow clinicians to accept direct payments from patients. Since this is a direct care (self pay) clinic, I usually cannot see patients on Medicare or Masshealth (Medicaid) at this clinic, unless they have a sponsor who can cover the cost of the visit (or part of the cost, if the patient qualifies for a Headway Neurology scholarship). Patients with Medicare or Masshealth (Medicaid) are always eligible to see me at my hospital-based clinic.

Meet Dr. Lester Leung

Hi, I'm Lester. At Headway Neurology, I'm a Vascular Neurologist (stroke specialist), a stroke recovery specialist, and your guide on the road to a better recovery. At my day job, I'm an Academic Neurologist, a clinician-investigator, and a Director of a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

I started Headway Neurology to provide a more personal, direct health care experience in a relaxed, warm, home environment. Outside of work, I enjoy playing the guitar (electric and acoustic), singing, practicing martial arts, and introducing my kids to various franchises from my youth (e.g. Star Wars, Star Trek, Pokemon, etc.).

I look forward to working with you!

How do I get started?

To schedule an appointment:

Step 1: Review the ASR 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 (New Patient click this link, 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 Patient Referral Form: click this link

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

Schedule a free meet-and-greet video call now!

Not sure if Headway Neurology and direct care (self pay) is for you?

Let's talk! You are welcome to schedule a free 10 minute video conference with me to learn more about this practice and how I can help you. Click here to schedule your free introductory video conference.

Stroke Recovery Expertise

Deficits, symptoms, and late complications that I address with targeted and advanced treatments: