About

Richard T. Dalyai, MD

Board-certified cerebrovascular & endovascular neurosurgeon, Director of Vascular Neurosciences, Surgical Director of Stroke, and educator based in Greenville, North Carolina.

Biography

A neurosurgeon devoted to the brain’s vascular system

Dr. Richard Dalyai is a board-certified, fellowship-trained vascular neurosurgeon who specializes in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease — conditions affecting the blood vessels of the brain and spine. He treats vascular neurosurgical disorders in both children and adults, with particular expertise in cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and dural arteriovenous fistulas.

He uses both endovascular (minimally invasive, catheter-based) and open microsurgical techniques, choosing the approach best suited to each patient and each condition. His practice also includes carotid artery stenting and endarterectomy, acute stroke intervention, and the surgical treatment of spinal conditions such as disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.

As Director of Vascular Neurosciences and Surgical Director of Stroke for ECU Health, Dr. Dalyai leads a comprehensive stroke and neurovascular program and is deeply committed to raising awareness about stroke symptoms and the importance of seeking care quickly — because when it comes to the brain, time is everything.

Clinical Practice

Open microsurgery, endovascular care, and public education

Dr. Dalyai’s practice spans the operating room, angiography suite, stroke systems leadership, and patient education.

Endovascular

Minimally invasive neurovascular care

Catheter-based approaches for aneurysms, stroke, carotid disease, and other vascular disorders.

Dr. Dalyai working with a procedural team

Team-Based Care

Complex procedures, coordinated teams

Care for serious neurovascular conditions often requires coordinated surgical, endovascular, ICU, and stroke-team expertise.

Education

Stroke awareness and community outreach

Public education is central to faster stroke recognition, earlier treatment, and better outcomes.

Training & Education

Credentials

Medical School — Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency — Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Fellowship — Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Graduate Degree — MBA, East Carolina University
Undergraduate — B.A. cum laude, Tufts University

Clinical Expertise

Specialties

Cerebral (brain) aneurysms — clipping & coiling
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF)
Ischemic & hemorrhagic stroke, thrombectomy
Carotid stenting & endarterectomy
Cervical & lumbar spine conditions

Leadership & Scholarship

Program leadership grounded in academic neurosurgery

Dr. Dalyai’s CV reflects clinical leadership, board certification, peer-reviewed research, and national professional society involvement.

Director of Vascular Neurosciences

Leads vascular neuroscience program development across ECU Health, including complex cerebrovascular care and stroke systems.

Surgical Director of Stroke

Guides surgical stroke services and quality work focused on rapid recognition, treatment, and regional access to expert care.

37+ Peer-Reviewed Publications

Author of research spanning cerebral aneurysms, AVMs, carotid disease, radiosurgery, and endovascular stroke therapy.

Certification & Licensure

Board certified

Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
Licensed in North Carolina, Virginia, and Colorado
More than a decade of experience managing complex cerebrovascular disease

Professional Memberships

National societies

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Cerebrovascular AANS/CNS Joint Section
Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery

Current Appointments

ECU Health leadership

Director of Vascular Neurosciences — ECU Health System
Surgical Director of Stroke — ECU Health System
Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgeon — ECU Health Medical Group

Service

Quality, committees, and review

Chaired the Vidant Health Endovascular Advisory Committee
Served on comprehensive stroke center and stroke performance improvement committees
Peer-review service for the American Journal of Neuroradiology

Selected Publications

Research across aneurysms, AVMs, and stroke therapy

First-pass efficacy with simplicityMacrowire-only direct aspiration technique in posterior circulation mechanical thrombectomy. Interventional Neuroradiology, 2025. Flow diversion and coilingMatched comparison in small, noncomplex intracranial aneurysms. Neurosurgery, 2017. AVM treatment outcomesSmoking as a predictor of arteriovenous malformation posttreatment obliteration. Neurosurgical Focus, 2014. Acute ischemic strokeStent-assisted endovascular recanalization of extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion. World Neurosurgery, 2012.

Philosophy of Care

Clarity, expertise, and compassion

“Patients and families facing a brain or vascular condition deserve more than a hurried explanation. My goal is to make even the most complex diagnosis understandable — so every patient can make confident, informed decisions about their care.”

— Richard Dalyai, MD

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