About Barrow Neurological Institute
Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona is an international leader in the treatment, research, and education of brain and spinal diseases, conditions, and injuries. Led by Barrow President and CEO Michael T. Lawton, MD, one of the world’s top neurosurgeons, the Institute is one of the busiest centers for neurology and neurosurgery in the United States.
Each year, Barrow physicians and specialists treat more than 73,000 patients, and its surgeons perform more than 6,000 brain, spine, head, and neck surgeries. Because of the Institute’s high volume, Barrow subspecialized physicians and clinicians are familiar with the rarest and most challenging conditions. It’s not uncommon for patients from around the globe to travel to Barrow for treatment.
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Accreditations & Recognitions
Newsweek ranks Barrow as one of the best specialty hospitals in the world for both neurosurgery and neurology, as well as one of the top neurological hospitals in the United States overall. In addition, U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Barrow as a top center for neuro-rehabilitation in the country, along with neurosurgery and neurology. Barrow is certified by The Joint Commission in Comprehensive Stroke, is home to more than 15 centers of excellence, boasts a Level I trauma center, has CARF-accredited neuro-rehabilitation programs, and has more certified neuroscience registered nurses (CNRN) than any other hospital in the world.
Highly regarded for neuroscience education for decades, Barrow is ranked first in the nation by Doximity for its neurosurgery residency program for the second consecutive year. Additionally, its neurology residency program leads many academic institutions nationwide.
Accept Challenges. Reject Norms. Push Boundaries.
Barrow has contributed to many breakthroughs in neuroscience and neurosurgery, including refining the cardiac standstill procedure, isolating the gene for the inherited form of cerebral cavernous malformations, and pioneering thoracoscopic spinal surgery. The Institute is a leader in harnessing innovative technologies and procedures, such as minimally invasive spine surgery, microscopic techniques, and robotic spine surgery.
Also home to The Ivy Brain Tumor Center, this multidisciplinary care and translational research program employs bold, early-phase clinical trial strategies to identify new treatments for aggressive brain tumors, including glioblastoma. Its signature Phase 0 clinical trials program is the largest in the world and enables personalized care in a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional drug development. Today, the Ivy Center’s clinical trials have expanded to over 100 medical centers in 12 countries, driving therapeutic innovation across the world.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Barrow Neurological Institute
2910 North 3rd Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
Appointments:
BarrowNeuro.org/ContactUs
Second Opinion:
BarrowNeuro.org/SecondOpinion
Telephone Directory:
1-800-227-7691
Barrow Transfer Center:
1-844-BNI-XFER (844-264-9337)
Map & Directions:
BarrowNeuro.org/Map
Designated Centers of Excellence
ALS
ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence
Alzheimer’s Disease & Cognitive Disorders
Lewy Body Dementia Association Center of Excellence
Cavernous Malformation
Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformation Center of Excellence
Epilepsy
National Association of Epilepsy Centers – Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence
Multiple Sclerosis
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Center for Comprehensive Care
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center
Skull Base Surgery
North American Skull Base Society Multidisciplinary Team of Distinction
Stroke
The Joint Commission and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
American Heart Association 2025 Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award; Target: Stroke Honor Roll; Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Departments, Centers & Programs, Education, and Research
Barrow Second Opinion
Get a fast and secure second opinion from a renowned Barrow neurosurgeon for any of the following conditions:
- Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
- Cancer, Tumors, and Oncology, including:
- Astrocytoma
- Brain metastases
- Chordoma
- Colloid cyst
- Gliomas and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
- Meningioma
- Metastatic spine cancer
- Metastatic brain cancer
- Rare brain tumors
- Schwannoma
- Spinal cord and spine tumors
- Cerebrovascular disorders, including:
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain and spinal cord
- Brain aneurysms
- Carotid artery disease
- Cavernous malformations of the brain and spinal cord
- Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF)
- Moyamoya Disease
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) lead placement for Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor**
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)
- Hypothalamic hamartoma
- Peripheral nerve disorders of the hand and arm, including:
- Brachial plexus injury
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Disorders of the nerve root or plexus
- Peripheral nerve injury
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pituitary tumors and disorders, including
- Acromegaly
- Craniopharyngioma
- Cushing’s disease
- Gigantism
- Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas
- Pituitary Macroadenoma
- Pituitary Microadenoma
- Prolactinoma
- Rathke Cleft Cyst
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Tumor
- Spinal disorders and procedures, including:
- Chiari malformation
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc, including thoracic herniated disc
- Lumbar spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis, spinal deformities
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal trauma and injuries
Barrow Second Opinion is vastly different from the second opinion programs offered at many other destination medical centers. Because most insurance plans don’t cover second opinions, we offer a flat, transparent, and affordable fee of $100 up front.
As a potential patient, you deserve to know which physicians is reviewing your records and providing your opinion. As part of this commitment, Barrow provides you with a list of participating neurosurgeons on the Barrow Second Opinion home page. And, the name and office contact information for the neurosurgeon who reviews your case in the event you have additional questions or would like to schedule a formal consult.
Visiting Barrow
Barrow Neurological Institute is located on the Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center campus in Phoenix, Arizona. It is approximately 7 miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, in a metropolitan area with many choices for food, lodging, and tourism.
Opened in 2021, the Barrow Neuroplex serves as a grand entry to the Institute and houses the Department of Neurosurgery, Department of ENT & Skull Base Surgery, a neuro-infusion suite, the Pre-Admission Testing Clinic, and the neuro-oncology, stroke, and neuro-endocrinology divisions of the Department of Neurology.
The institute’s 430,300-square-foot, 176- bed Robert F. Spetzler Neuroscience Tower is the largest neuroscience center in the nation. It features 11 of the most advanced dedicated neurosurgical operating rooms in the world, a 64-bed designated Neuro-Intensive Care Unit, and a 32-bed state-of-the art neuro-telemetry unit.
All rooms in the neuroscience tower are private and spacious, with ample room for an adult guest to stay overnight with the patient. Additionally, Barrow is home to 46 Inpatient neuro-rehabilitation beds.
The Campus
Situated in vibrant midtown Phoenix, the Barrow campus conveniently locates all of your neurological care under one roof while placing you close to all of the amenities and entertainment options of the fastest growing city in the United States. Use the map below to find information about the locations of provider’s offices and clinics, parking, and administrative services.
Outreach, Affiliates, and Foundation
Community Outreach
Because brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating and preventable injuries, the Barrow mission includes an extensive community outreach program dedicated to education and prevention. Barrow programs reach thousands of children, adults, and medical professionals each year by sponsoring educational programs and support groups on a variety of topics.
Pediatric Services
Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital has a joint pediatric partnership with Phoenix Children’s. The combined program represents the second largest pediatric neuroscience program in the nation, based on patient volume.
Barrow Neurological Foundation
Barrow Neurological Foundation is a non-profit support foundation dedicated to raising funds for research, medical education and clinical programs at Barrow Neurological Institute. For information on how you can contribute to Barrow, visit the Barrow Foundation Website or call the Foundation office at (602) 406-3041. Gifts to Barrow Neurological Foundation are tax deductible as provided in 501(c)(3) of the Federal Tax Code.
Our History
The history of Barrow Neurological Institute is one of growth, from opening in 1962 as a small, regional specialty center for the neurosciences, to becoming one of the largest and most prestigious centers for neurology and neurosurgery in the world.
For nearly 60 years, we have grown, along with Phoenix and the rest of the country, to meet the demand for novel and creative ways to treat, understand, and teach about the most wonderous, mysterious system of the human body and the conditions that afflict it.
What the next 60 years will bring is unknown, but the Barrow commitment to accept challenges, reject norms, and push boundaries in the relentless pursuit of providing the best care and cures for people living with neurological disease will never waver.
