Awards & Recognitions – May 2024

ABRC Grant

The Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC) of the Arizona Department of Health Services has awarded a three-year, $746,720 grant to a team at Barrow Neurological Institute to develop a novel imaging technique to better evaluate surgical outcomes in people with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). With current MRI methods unable to provide high-quality measures near metals implanted in the spine, neurosurgeons currently rely on a “wait-and-see” approach when guiding care and rehabilitation for patients who have undergone CSM surgeries. Led by Zhiqiang Li, PhD, and Richard Dortch, PhD, in the Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, this project aims to develop an MRI technique that allows for fast, high-quality diffusion MRI of the spinal cord near metals and generates measurements that relate to underlying spinal cord health and predict long-term recovery. If successful, this project will give neurosurgeons an objective tool to base clinical decisions and improve care and outcomes. Barrow neurosurgeon Rory Murphy, MD, and neuroradiologist John Karis, MD, are co-investigators on the project.

ThinkFirst Award

The Barrow Concussion Network, a program of the Barrow Brain Injury and Sports Neurology Center, received a ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Outstanding Community Involvement Award. This award recognizes the program’s efforts to spread concussion awareness and education during Super Bowl LVII in 2023, through hosting the inaugural Super Bowl Medical Summit for health care professionals and deploying the newest version of the Barrow Brainbook concussion course for student-athletes at the Super Bowl Host Committee Quarterback Experience. Founded by neurosurgeons, ThinkFirst aims to prevent brain, spinal cord, and other injuries through education, research, and advocacy. Barrow Neurological Institute holds a ThinkFirst chapter membership, and Barrow neurosurgeon Laura Snyder, MD, serves on the organization’s national board of directors.