Awards & Recognitions — June 2023

Ataxia Center of Excellence

Barrow Neurological Institute has been named the only Ataxia Center of Excellence in Arizona by the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF). This designation recognizes the comprehensive care and services provided by our Neuro-Otology and Balance Disorders Program to individuals with ataxia and to their families. Additionally, Ataxia Centers of Excellence are recognized for their commitment to clinical research, education, and collaboration with the NAF.

ANA Medical Advisory Board

Randall Porter, MD, a neurosurgeon and the director of the Acoustic Neuroma Program at Barrow, has been elected to the Acoustic Neuroma Association‘s Medical Advisory Board for a five-year term. The ANA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and supporting people affected by acoustic neuromas.

Neurosurgical Focus Cover

For the cover of its June 2023 issue, the journal Neurosurgical Focus selected an illustration from Neuroscience Publications at Barrow. The illustration, created by Aaron Cole, depicts a neurosurgeon’s hands performing microanastomosis under an operating microscope, with continuous tracking of 21 hand landmarks by a supervising machine learning algorithm. It accompanies an article from the Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory at Barrow, titled: “Quantification of motion during microvascular anastomosis simulation using machine learning hand detection.”

Flinn Foundation Grant

The Flinn Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to Barrow PGY-3 neurosurgery resident Brandon Fox, MD, for his work on developing a new device and methodology for the Glasgow Coma Scale that will not rely on mechanical pain stimulation. Dr. Fox’s project was one of 12 funded by the Foundation’s Seed Grants to Promote Translational Research Program. In its eighth year, the program focuses on Arizona-based projects that address significant clinical needs.

Above and Beyond Award

The stroke team at Barrow has acknowledged its second recipient of the Above and Beyond Award: Alyson Marshall, RN, of the Neuro-ICU. “The Above and Beyond Award was created to recognize our neuroscience nurses and support staff for their dedication and hard work they provide to our stroke patients,” said Abbi Heater, a nurse practitioner in the Petznick Stroke Center at Barrow. “This award is to help show the staff that their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed and that they are making a difference each day through the compassionate care they provide.” Pictured, left to right: Audra Williams, Dr. Cynthia Dickerson, Dr. Connor Welsh, Debra Stokes, Alyson Marshall, Abbi Heater, Nancy Rush, Tiffany Sheehan, Tracie Schroeder, and Dr. Supreet Kaur.