Dr. Lauren Patrick, an assistant clinical professor in Neurology at UCSF’s Weill Institute for Neurosciences, is making waves in the medical community.
She is fast becoming the go-to person for health, wellness and prevention for her research and her personal commitment to stroke prevention and overall wellness.
As a stroke doctor and woman of color, Dr. Patrick is deeply aware of the health disparities that disproportionately affect Black Americans, who are 50% more likely to experience strokes and 45% more likely to die from them compared to their white counterparts.
Her dedication to understanding stroke risks and improving patient outcomes stems from her extensive expertise in brain vessel blockage, stroke triage, and diagnostic devices that can save lives. This includes her involvement in improving outcomes for those suffering from large vessel occlusion (LVO), a severe and less common type of stroke.
A Personal Commitment to Wellness

Dr. Patrick’s own experience with health risks has shaped her approach to preventing stroke in herself and her patients. Raised in a food desert where processed foods dominated the diet, she now focuses on meal prepping and eating a nutritious, balanced diet. Despite the challenges of growing up in an environment with limited access to fresh produce, she found inspiration in her time at Columbia University, where she learned the importance of proper nutrition.
Today, Dr. Patrick carefully prepares her meals each week, incorporating nutrient-dense foods like eggs, broccoli, and tofu. Her commitment to healthy eating goes hand-in-hand with her belief in exercise, a key element of her daily routine. She begins her day at 5 a.m. with weightlifting, indoor cycling, and Pilates, enjoying the mental and physical challenges of her workouts. “It’s not the physical limits that hold you back, it’s the mental block,” Dr. Patrick says. “When I break through those thoughts and reach a new goal, it feels amazing.”
Mental Wellness and Stress Management
Managing stress is another integral part of Dr. Patrick’s life. As a stroke specialist, she frequently encounters patients on their worst days—after they’ve had a stroke. To handle the emotional weight of her work, Dr. Patrick practices meditation, gratitude, and talk therapy. She also encourages her patients to seek similar outlets for stress management, including therapy or support groups, to assist in the difficult recovery process.
An Empathetic Approach to Patient Care
Dr. Patrick’s lived experiences give her a unique ability to connect with her patients. As someone who understands firsthand the challenges of managing health risks, she takes an empathetic and patient-centered approach to care. Instead of dictating changes, she works with her patients to make realistic, manageable adjustments. “I ask them what changes they can realistically make,” Dr. Patrick explains. “I help them form habits that become automatic, so they don’t have to think about it.”
She’s seen countless patients make significant health improvements, such as reducing their cholesterol through dietary changes or transforming from sedentary to regular exercise. Dr. Patrick is particularly inspired by patients, some of whom are young, who have faced strokes and are determined to prevent another one. Their resilience is a testament to the power of habit formation and personalized care.
A Legacy of Prevention and Empowerment
Dr. Lauren Patrick’s multifaceted approach to stroke prevention—combining expert research, personal health practices, and compassionate care—is helping to change the way stroke risk is understood and managed, especially among women of color.
Her advocacy for the adoption of new guidelines by the American Stroke Association, which address hormone-related conditions and social determinants of health, is paving the way for a future where women, especially those from underserved communities, are better equipped to reduce their stroke risk.