UCI Health neurology, neurosurgery services ranked No. 50 in nation
U.S. News & World Report recognizes county’s only neurosciences program within an academic health system
Orange, Calif. — Neurology and neurosurgery services at UCI Health are among the nation’s best, ranking No. 50 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The nationally renowned specialists who lead the leading program — the only one in Orange County that’s part of an academic health system — provide comprehensive care for patients facing the most complex neurological conditions, including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and memory disorders.
Trailblazing research
As part of the University of California, Irvine, a world-class research institution, UCI Health neurologists and neurosurgeons also lead trailblazing research and clinical trials that are advancing the understanding of conditions affecting the brain and developing the most innovative ways to treat them.
The UC Irvine Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC) has also launched a Neuroscience Program in the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, where basic scientists are charting a new course in the fight against neurological diseases and injury.
Groundbreaking Huntington’s disease clinical trial
In June, UCI Health opened the world’s first in-human embryonic stem cell-derived clinical trial for Huntington’s disease. The phase 1b/2a clinical trial, called REGEN4HD, will evaluate the safety of hNSC-01 neural stem cells that have been derived from embryonic stem cells. They are precisely delivered to the brain by a neurosurgeon using a specialized stereotactic mapping and targeting system and performed in an MRI suite.
The trial is the result of many years of basic and translational science at SCRC with funding by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
State-of-the-art epilepsy monitoring unit
The UCI Health Comprehensive Epilepsy Program’s highly skilled neurologists and neurosurgeons work in concert to diagnose and treat the most complicated types of epilepsy and deliver the highest quality care, a requirement for its Level 4 designation by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.
The highly skilled, multidisciplinary team at UCI Health — Irvine performs the most complex electroencephalogram (EEG) studies, advanced surgical procedures and neuromodulation device implants, as well as offering medications to treat the most difficult-to-control seizures.
Stroke diagnosis and treatment leader
UCI Health — Orange is home to Orange County’s first Joint Commission-certified comprehensive stroke center, which means it is equipped to provide rapid treatment for patients with acute stroke and complex cerebrovascular diseases — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
UCI Health continues to lead the region in stroke care. In 2026, four UCI Health hospitals received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award as well as its Stroke and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Awards: Orange, UCI Health — Fountain Valley and UCI Health — Lakewood and UCI Health — Los Alamitos. These honors recognize hospitals that demonstrate the highest capabilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases. Fountain Valley and Lakewood were also rated as high-performing by U.S. News for stroke and heart failure.
Patients recovering from severe stroke receive state-of-the-art intensive neurological, medical and surgical management in the Orange Neuro-ICU. It’s fully staffed by board-certified neuro-intensivists who are proficient in both neurological and medical intensive care.
About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, its newest facility, UCI Health — Irvine Rehabilitation Hospital, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.