A Visionary Leader in Neurology and Stroke Care

The University of Louisville School of Medicine and UofL Health mourn the loss of one of our most cherished leaders, Dr. Kerri Simpson Remmel who passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, at the age of 71. A nationally respected neurologist, educator and advocate for health equity, Dr. Remmel’s legacy lives on in every life she touched through her care, mentorship and leadership.

Dr. Remmel’s path to medicine began not in a lab or hospital, but in language. Born in Corpus Christi, TX, and raised in Louisiana, she earned a Ph.D. in Communication Disorders and Linguistics from Louisiana State University and worked early in her career as a speech-language pathologist. It was during this time that she developed a deep empathy for patients recovering from a stroke – an experience that sparked her desire to understand the neurological root of recovery and ultimately led her to pursue a medical degree. That decision would define the next chapter of her life and launch a legacy that forever changed stroke care in the Commonwealth and beyond.

At the University of Louisville, Dr. Remmel served as chair of the Department of Neurology in the School of Medicine and director of the UofL Hospital Stroke Center. Under her leadership, UofL Hospital achieved the state's first Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Kentucky, a milestone that would go on to save countless lives. She brought vision, precision and heart to every aspect of her work, transforming not only how patients were treated, but how care teams collaborated across institutions.

“Kerri was an exemplary leader, neurologist, and friend to many at the UofL School of Medicine, and she will be greatly missed. Her impact on stroke care and patient outcomes in Louisville and beyond is immeasurable,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

Dr. Remmel’s impact reached far beyond the clinical setting. As a Joy McCann Scholar for Outstanding Mentors in Science and Medicine, she mentored generations of medical students and residents, always holding them to the highest standards while nurturing their growth with compassion. Her students remember her not only for her brilliance, but for her humanity — her ability to see their potential and inspire them to reach it.

Outside of the university and hospital walls, Dr. Remmel played a critical role in shaping public health. As co-chair of Kentucky’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force, she championed policies and systems that improved stroke prevention, acute care and rehabilitation across the Commonwealth. Even in retirement, she remained steadfast in this mission; she continued to serve patients in rural and underserved areas through her work at the Regional Brain Institute, ensuring that specialized neurological care was available to those who needed it most.

To those who worked alongside her, Dr. Remmel was a rare blend of intellect, empathy and unrelenting drive. She brought clarity to difficult decisions, energy to every room she entered and a sense of purpose to every challenge. She was a gifted clinician, a trusted colleague and a beloved friend.

“It was an honor to work alongside Dr. Remmel.  She left a positive mark on her profession and because of her dedication to her patients, especially stroke patients, we are all reaping the rewards of her passion. She was an unwavering advocate for improving the care for all stroke and neurology patients across the country. We can view her life as an example of what selfless service looks like and how the consistent actions of one person can create a long-lasting positive impact,” said Ken Marshall, UofL Health chief operating officer.

Beyond her professional roles, she was a devoted mother to JB and Chris. She loved LSU football, enjoyed traveling and found strength in the relationships she built with family and friends. She had a spirited sense of humor and a heart that remained fully engaged in life, both in and out of the clinic.

A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, June 26 at Shannon Funeral Home in Shelbyville, KY.

As we remember and honor Dr. Remmel, we do so with deep gratitude for her decades of service, her unwavering compassion and her relentless pursuit of better outcomes for patients and communities alike. She leaves behind a legacy that is impossible to measure; a legacy carried forward by the thousands she mentored, treated and inspired. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Niekro Foundation for the newly formed Kerri Simpson Remmel and Niekro Foundation Neurovascular Team Excellence Lectureship at the Association of Neurovascular Clinicians annual meeting. Checks can be mailed to:
The Joe Niekro Foundation
Attention: Elizabeth Hamburg, Executive Director
2401 Fountain View Dr, Ste 312
Houston, TX 77057