Shashank Shekhar, MD, MSc, FAHA
Neurologist, Vascular Neurologist
My Locations
About Me
As a dedicated neurologist with a specialization in general and vascular neurology, I primarily treat patients suffering from stroke. Due to the preventable nature of stroke, I strive to focus on the stroke etiology. My work includes participation in innovative clinical trials primarily on stroke identification and later rehabilitation, allowing me to bring the latest treatments to my patients. My decision to pursue neurology was driven by a fascination with the intricacies of the human brain and a desire to provide tangible relief to those affected by neurological disorders. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy people and nature photography.
- Assistant Professor of Neurology, Neurology, Stroke and Vascular Neurology 2023
Call for an Appointment
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
My research concentrates on the development of imaging biomarkers for post-stroke vision restoration. I'm actively exploring non-invasive techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation and other neuromodulation techniques with the goal of enhancing vision recovery post-stroke.
- Mathijssen, Elke Ge, Jaap Ca Trappenburg, Mark J. Alberts, Angelique Balguid, Robert J. Dempsey, Mayank Goyal, Bianca Ta de Greef, et al. “Prioritizing gaps in stroke care: A two-round Delphi process.” Eur Stroke J, April 3, 2025, 23969873251329840. https://doi.org/10.1177/23969873251329841.
- Huang, Ziping, Charalambos C. Charalambous, Mengyue Chen, Taewon Kim, Estate Sokhadze, Allen Song, Sin-Ho Jung, et al. “Low intensity focused ultrasound stimulation in stroke: A phase I safety & feasibility trial.” Brain Stimul 18, no. 1 (2025): 179–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2025.01.015.
- Ryan, Dylan, Tarek Bou Dargham, Salman Ikramuddin, Shashank Shekhar, Soma Sengupta, and Wuwei Feng. “Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management of Cancer-Associated Ischemic Stroke.” Cancers (Basel) 16, no. 23 (November 29, 2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16234016.
- Shekhar, Shashank, Shreyas Gangadhara, and Rebecca Sugg. “Medical Management of Hemorrhagic Stroke.” In Acute Stroke Management in the First 24 Hours, 221–38. Oxford University Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780190856519.003.0013.
- Le, Thuy Phuong, Reya Hayek, Oriana Sanchez, Hannah W. Austin, Carmela San Luis, Sanjay Sarkar, Debarshi Roy, Shashank Shekhar, and Christa O. Nobleza. “Abstract TP23: Characteristics Of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke And Covid-19 Who Required Intensive Care Unit Admission Versus Ward-only: The Mississippi Academic Center Experience.” In Stroke, Vol. 53. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), 2022. https://doi.org/10.1161/str.53.suppl_1.tp23.
- Hayek, Reya M., Thuy Phuong, Oriana N. Sanchez, Hannah W. Austin, Sanjay Sarkar, Debarshi Roy, Shashank Shekhar, and Christa O’Hana S. Nobleza. “Characteristics of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and COVID-19: A Mississippi Academic Center Cohort.” In ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, 90:S54–S54, 2021.
- Gaude, E., L. Shaw, S. Graziadio, J. Bernstock, T. Gropen, S. Shekhar, and C. Price. “D-DIMER AND GFAP IMPROVE DETECTION OF LARGE VESSEL OCCLUSION ISCHEMIC STROKE.” In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, 16:41–42, 2021.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- PLOS ONE
- University of Mississippi Medical Center
- University of Turku