Vascular Neurologist Dr. Violiza Inoa Recognized as a Woman Who Leads in Health Care

Semmes Murphey Clinic is proud to announce that Dr. Violiza Inoa has been recognized by Memphis Business Journal as a Woman Who Leads in Health Care. The honor highlights female leaders who are trailblazers in their fields, strengthening health care across our region and improving lives through expertise, service, and impact.

Leading Neurovascular Care in the Mid-South

Dr. Inoa is a vascular neurologist and neurointerventionalist at Semmes Murphey Clinic, and she also serves on the faculty at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Her clinical focus includes complex conditions affecting blood flow to the brain and nervous system, including stroke, aneurysms, and other vascular disorders.

Dr. Inoa is known for her unwavering commitment to ensuring that exceptional neurological care reaches every patient who needs it. That commitment shows up in how she serves patients, supports teams, and advances the field through academic and professional leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked to break down barriers and expand access to specialized treatment, reflecting Semmes Murphey's mission to serve patients across the Mid-South and beyond.

Advancing Stroke Training and Education

A key part of that impact includes her work advancing training and education in mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure used to treat certain severe strokes. Research on team-based, hands-on mechanical thrombectomy workshops has shown improvements in procedural knowledge and skills, and participants reported the training as practice-changing and helpful in expanding access in low- to middle-income settings.

Dr. Inoa has also taken on a recent leadership role helping expand stroke and neurointerventional care at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, bringing more coordinated, full-service treatment closer to home for patients in the Mid-South.

Access to care isn’t simply convenient—it’s critical. Timely stroke care and advanced neurovascular treatment can be life-changing and, in many cases, life-saving. For the Mid-South, this isn’t a distant goal but today’s reality. Dr. Inoa’s work strengthens the pathways that ensure more patients can receive expert care at the right moment, close to home.

This honor reflects the values at the heart of Semmes Murphey: clinical expertise paired with genuine commitment to the communities we serve. We are grateful for Dr. Inoa’s leadership and proud to celebrate this well-earned honor.

Semmes Murphey: A Regional Leader in Stroke Care

Semmes Murphey Clinic has been at the forefront of stroke and neurovascular care for decades, combining advanced surgical expertise with minimally invasive neurointerventional techniques. Our physicians treat the full spectrum of stroke conditions, from acute ischemic stroke requiring mechanical thrombectomy to complex aneurysms and vascular malformations.

With specialists like Dr. Inoa leading collaborative care across the Baptist Health System and partnerships throughout the region, Semmes Murphey ensures that patients across the Mid-South have access to the same level of expertise found at major academic medical centers. Our commitment extends beyond individual patient care to include education, research, and system-wide improvements that strengthen stroke outcomes for entire communities.

A Well-Earned Honor

This recognition reflects the values at the heart of Semmes Murphey: clinical expertise paired with genuine commitment to the communities we serve. We are grateful for Dr. Inoa's leadership and proud to celebrate this well-earned honor.