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Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD

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Specializes in: Neurology (Brain & Spinal Cord Disease)

Medical College of Wisconsin (1995)

Professional interests include: stroke, clinical trials

Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157

(336) 716-2255

Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD is a neurologist in Winston-Salem, NC specializing in neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). She graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 1995 and has 30 years of experience. Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD is affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES.

Office Locations

Address:

Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157

Some issues Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD can help you with:

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“Getting up and walking around for at least 10 minutes a day can ''drastically'' reduce your risk, said Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, a neurologist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine who was part...”—"Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke, the nation's 4th biggest killer", Star Tribune, November 2024

“"GLP-1 [drugs] can actually decrease clumping of blood platelets, and that, in itself, could decrease the risk of clotting and lead to a lower risk of stroke," said Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, professor...”—"Drugs like Ozempic may lower risk of early death by 74% following a stroke: study", New York Post, November 2024

“Getting up and walking around for at least 10 minutes a day can "drastically" reduce your risk, said Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, a neurologist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine who was part of...”—"3 tips to reduce your risk of stroke", Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 2024

doctor visit	213
hospital care	416
inpatient care	416
ultrasound (sonogram)	285
vascular procedures	285

**Gender**
Male	206
Female	245

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	376
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	160
From 75 to 84	123
85 and over	55
Less than 65	113

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	71
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	47
Dementia	23
Cancer	10

doctor visit	173
hospital care	282
inpatient care	282
ultrasound (sonogram)	294
vascular procedures	294

**Gender**
Male	179
Female	214

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	334
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	139
From 75 to 84	106
85 and over	52
Less than 65	96

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	67
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	47
Dementia	20
Cancer	11

doctor visit	193
hospital care	237
inpatient care	237
ultrasound (sonogram)	292
vascular procedures	292

**Gender**
Male	330
Female	434

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	632
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	270
From 75 to 84	220
85 and over	98
Less than 65	176

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	64
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	41
Dementia	22
Cancer	11

doctor visit	103
hospital care	267
inpatient care	267
ultrasound (sonogram)	288
vascular procedures	288

**Gender**
Male	169
Female	196

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	303
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	132
From 75 to 84	103
85 and over	52
Less than 65	78

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	61
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	25
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	50
Dementia	24
Cancer	13

doctor visit	106
hospital care	236
inpatient care	236
ultrasound (sonogram)	302
vascular procedures	302

**Gender**
Male	179
Female	187

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	288
Black	64
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	105
85 and over	63
Less than 65	72

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	70
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	45
Dementia	25
Cancer	13

doctor visit	90
hospital care	255
inpatient care	255
ultrasound (sonogram)	205
vascular procedures	205

**Gender**
Male	159
Female	158

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	264
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	88
85 and over	49
Less than 65	54

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	63
Ischemic Heart Disease	49
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	39
Dementia	24
Cancer	16

doctor visit	74
hospital care	269
inpatient care	269
ultrasound (sonogram)	166
vascular procedures	166

**Gender**
Male	134
Female	142

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	223
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	104
From 75 to 84	84
85 and over	38
Less than 65	50

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	71
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	46
Chronic Kidney Disease	54
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	42
Dementia	25
Cancer	13

doctor visit	49
hospital care	84
inpatient care	84
ultrasound (sonogram)	96
vascular procedures	96

**Gender**
Male	79
Female	103

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	141
Black	29
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	75
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	31
Less than 65	25

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	65
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	47
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	38
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	41
Dementia	26
Cancer	13

doctor visit	74
hospital care	190
inpatient care	190
ultrasound (sonogram)	147
vascular procedures	147

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD treated as a neurologist in Winston-Salem, NC were hospital care, inpatient care, ultrasound (sonogram) and vascular procedures.

doctor visit	120
hospital care	248
inpatient care	248
ultrasound (sonogram)	230
vascular procedures	230

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD.

**Gender**
Male	143
Female	167

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	9
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	256
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	43
75 to 84	88
Less than 65	66
65 to 74	113

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	53
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	7
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	35
Atrial Fibrillation	18
Dementia	18
Cancer	10

Education & Training

Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 1995. She completed residency at Duke University Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Vascular Neurology American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology and has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin (1995)

Residency: Duke University Hospital (1999)

Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Vascular Neurology American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Genentech USA, Inc.	$76 Activase $76

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$76

Research Payments

Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD has received 1 research payments totaling $3,175.

Biography

Dr. Cheryl Bushnell specializes in neurology (brain & spinal cord disease) and practices in Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Bushnell has indicated that her clinical interests include stroke and clinical trials. She is affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. She graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin and then she performed her residency at Duke University Hospital.

Select Year:

Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD can help you with:

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Research Payments

Biography

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