Professional Role and Affiliations
Jason Maljaars, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and stroke neurologist currently serving as the Neurohospitalist and Stroke Medical Director at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana, since July 2022. In this capacity, he oversees both inpatient neurological care and some outpatient work, with a key focus on stroke care. Additionally, Dr. Maljaars functions as the Stroke Medical Director for St. Francis Medical Group since February 2023, where he initiated and led the hospital’s stroke program to achieve Primary Stroke Center accreditation. This underscores his leadership in advancing specialized stroke treatment protocols and meeting rigorous care standards.
His professional commitments extend into education as an Assistant Professor and lecturer at Via College of Osteopathic Medicine since January 2023, contributing to academic instruction in neurology and related disciplines. Furthermore, since May 2023, Dr. Maljaars has served as a Representative on Region 8 Commission of the Louisiana Emergency Response Network under the American Stroke Association, attending quarterly meetings and assisting in stroke care improvement initiatives at the regional level.
Clinical and Research Interests
Dr. Maljaars has a strong and specialized interest in nutritional brain health, focusing on how diet and nutrition influence neurological function, overall health, and diseases such as dementia. His clinical practice integrates this focus, emphasizing evidence-based nutritional impacts on brain health. Beyond patient care, he is actively engaged in public education and awareness campaigns around stroke symptoms and treatment, evident through multiple media appearances and health outreach programs, including local TV interviews and hospital communications.
He has delivered more than 200 presentations at national and international conferences, reflecting a robust engagement in continuous professional development and dissemination of research related to neurology, stroke management, and nutritional neuroscience. This level of academic productivity and community engagement highlights his position as a clinical thought leader within his specialty.
Education and Training
- Vascular Neurology Fellowship, University of Iowa, 2021–2022
- Neurology Residency, University of Iowa, 2017–2021
- Doctor of Medicine, St. George’s University School of Medicine, 2013–2017
- Served as an Executive Board Member of an academic honor society in 2015
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, University of the Fraser Valley, 2008–2013
Dr. Maljaars’ extensive training pathway, including a vascular neurology fellowship at a respected academic medical center, underpins his clinical expertise in cerebrovascular disease and stroke.
Regional and Organizational Impact
As a recognized figure within the Louisiana emergency response system for stroke care, Dr. Maljaars directly influences stroke care protocols in Region 8, working collaboratively with emergency medical services and regional health authorities. This involvement situates him as a critical stakeholder in the coordination and optimization of acute stroke treatment pathways beyond his hospital, affecting system-wide care improvements.
His leadership in establishing the Primary Stroke Center accreditation at St. Francis Medical Group further validates his capacity to integrate clinical excellence with administrative and regulatory requirements, reflecting a blend of clinical and operational competencies relevant to healthcare organizational initiatives.
Public and Media Presence
Dr. Maljaars actively participates in community stroke awareness efforts, promoting critical messages such as the urgent need for timely stroke symptom recognition ("BE FAST" campaigns) and the importance of immediate medical intervention, particularly emphasizing the time sensitivity of clot-busting treatments within the first four hours.
He has been featured in several media outlets, including local television and social media channels affiliated with St. Francis Medical Center, where he discusses neurological health, stroke prevention, and the connection between nutrition and brain function. These engagements demonstrate his role as a public educator and advocate for improved neurological health literacy.
Summary
Dr. Jason Maljaars represents an experienced, academically credentialed neurologist with leadership in stroke program development and accreditation at St. Francis Medical Center. His specialty in vascular neurology and neurohospitalist role are complemented by a focused interest in nutritional neuroscience and active contributions to regional stroke care policy and education. His expertise bridges clinical care, programmatic leadership, academic instruction, and community health outreach, positioning him as a key influencer within St. Francis Specialty Hospital and the broader northeastern Louisiana health system.
