The Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU) at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, located on the sixth floor, is a 20-bed unit dedicated to providing specialized care for critically ill and injured neurological patients.

Our team works collaboratively to deliver expert, patient-centered care, combining the skills of physicians, nurses, and specialists across disciplines.

As part of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, a Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, we are equipped to handle the most complex stroke cases, ensuring patients receive the highest level of care through innovation, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence.

What We Do

Our Neurocritical Care team consists of neurology intensivists, all board-certified in critical care. This team treats patients suffering from severe brain injuries, stroke, or brain tumors, while many are recovering after an invasive neurosurgical procedure. Patients recovering after minimally-invasive endovascular procedures to repair aneurysms or other cerebral vascular diseases will also typically be monitored in the NCCU.

The NCCU is staffed by attending physicians who provide continuous coverage with assistance from residents (doctors in training), critical care nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with support from our neurological specialists. Our team of NCCU nurses has received advanced training in critical care nursing related to neurological patient conditions, and many have received additional degrees and certifications.

What to Expect

The NCCU is patient centered. Patients (to the extent they are able) and families participate in all discussions and decisions about care. A patient’s length of stay in the NCCU can range from hours to months depending upon the extent of the illness or injury. Communication is a top priority on the unit, with nursing staff providing regular updates on patients’ conditions to family members.

Visitation policy hours and guidelines can be found here.