Aarti Sarwal, MD, FNCS, FAAN, NVS, RPNI - Secretary

Dr. Aarti Sarwal is a neurologist at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. She specializes in emergency and trauma care.

Dr. Sarwal is a neurocritical care physician that takes care of critically ill patients with neurological injuries or those that have undergone complex neurosurgical procedures. She is board certified in Neurology, Neurocritical Care and Neurosonology. Her clinical interests include non-invasive monitoring, critical care ultrasound, neuro-ultrasound, ventilator related complications and intracranial hemorrhage. She participates in clinical research focused on improving patient outcomes.  

Dr. Sarwal received her medical training from Government Medical College, Patiala (India), Neurology Residency at University of Missouri, Columbia, MO  followed by Neurocrtocal Care fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, OH. She is currently the Medical Director of Neurocritical Care Unit at Wake Forest Baptist Health Center, Winston Salem, USA. Aarti is a passionate educator and the Co-Director of the Ultrasound Curriculum at Wake Forest School of Medicine. Aarti’s research and clinical interests focus on point of care applications of ultrasound in Neurocritical care and non invasive imaging modalities for monitoring of Neurocritical care patients. She is a faculty for several national and international Ultrasound workshops as well as Course director for ultrasound workshops. She is listed by US News and World Report among Best Doctors. She is also a champion for use of social media platforms in medical education. 

Getting to know Dr. Sarwal...

Q: Who had the greatest influence on you during your childhood?
A: My parents and teachers.

Q: If you could be or do anything else for a career – what would it be?  
A: I would have been a robotics engineer for NASA 

Q: If you could live in any other time, what would that be?  
A: 1820s and meet Jane Austen

Q: If they made a movie of your life story what would it be called?  
A: Here we go again!

Q: Best advice anyone has given you?
A: Be you, Bravely! 

Q: What is the first thing you do when you wake up/start your day?
A: Take a breath!

Q: What is one important skill every person should have?  
A: Self awareness

Q: Share a personal fact no one would ever guess about you.  
A: I participate in ballroom dancing competitions 

Q: What is your favorite thing about your career?
A: Making a difference 

Q: What's your favorite holiday?
A: One I get to spend at home