About Barrow Neurological Institute

Dr. Michael Lawton, president and CEO of Barrow and chair of neurosurgery

Dr. Robert Spetzler, emeritus president and CEO of Barrow

Dr. Jeremy Shefner, Ethel and Kemper Marley chair of neurology and vice president of Barrow

The Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center, led by Dr. Javier Cárdenas (pictured), is a leader in concussion education and treatment.

Barrow is home to the largest and most technologically advanced neurosurgical facility in the United States.

The Gregory W. Fulton ALS and Neuromuscular Center aims to offer a clinical trial option for every patient, and is a hotbed of ALS research.

The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center gives movement disorders patients the opportunity to receive the latest treatments in an environment that interweaves support, outreach, and recreation with clinical care.

Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is an internationally renowned medical center that offers care for people from throughout the world with brain and spine diseases, disorders, and injuries. Robert Spetzler, MD, one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, is the director of the institute, which performs more neurosurgical procedures annually than anywhere in the United States. U.S. News & World Report routinely lists St. Joseph’s as one of the best hospitals in the nation for neurological and neurosurgical care.

Mission

To advance the knowledge and practice of medicine in neuroscience through basic and clinical research, education of medical professionals, and innovation in clinical techniques and technology.

Departments

• Neurosurgery
• Neurology
• Neuro-Rehabilitation
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Neuroradiology
• Research
• Medical Education
• Community Outreach

Centers and Programs

• Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
• Gregory W. Fulton ALS Center
• Concussion and Brain Injury Center
• Neuro-Rehabilitation Center
• Cleft and Craniofacial Center
• Brain Tumor Program
• Pituitary Tumor Program
• Aneurysm and Cerebrovascular Program
• Stroke Program
• Spine Program
• Epilepsy Program
• Neurotrauma Program
• Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Disorders Program
• Deep Brain Stimulation Program

Neuroscience Research

The neuroscience researchers at Barrow are dedicated to investigating and discovering new and powerful therapies for clinical use.

• Neuroimaging
• Neurobiology
• Neuroradiology
• Neurosurgery
• Translational Research
• Brain Tumor
• Neuromodulation
• Neurodegenerative Disease

Facts

• Admissions: More than 8,000
• Neurosurgeries: More than 5,000

Faculty

• Neurologists: 30
• Neurosurgeons: 26
• Neuro-anesthesiologists: 16
• Neuropathologists: 2
• Neuropsychologists: 15
• Neuroradiologists: 6

Medical Education — Post-Graduate Training

• Adult Neurology Residents: 28
• Child Neurology Residents: 6
• Neurology Fellows: 9
• Neuropsychology Residents: 4
• Neuroradiology Fellows: 9
• Neurosurgery Fellows: 4
• Neurosurgery Residents: 28

Barrow’s Neuroscience Publications department processes thousands of pages of complex neuroscience material that results in hundreds of academic publications each year.

Research

Barrow actively participates in clinical and basic neuroscience research to further the prevention and treatment of brain, nerve, and spinal cord diseases and injuries. The program emphasizes translational medical research that can be applied directly from bench to bedside.

Patients have the opportunity to participate in clinical research studies to receive the latest therapeutic treatment for a broad range of neurological disorders. More than 460 clinical trials are currently underway throughout the hospital.

As more clinical discoveries are made, the research conducted at Barrow is becoming more specialized. For example, researchers are placing a heavy emphasis on genetics, helping to identify the specific genes for conditions such as epilepsy and brain tumors. Such research promises lead to improved diagnoses and treatments.

Community Outreach

Because brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating and preventable injuries, our 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. These include:

• Helmet Your Head, a safety program that focuses on the prevention of traumatic brain injuries.
• ThinkFirst Arizona, a comprehensive brain and spinal cord injury prevention program.
• The Stroke Prevention Program, which offers informative presentations and educational materials to increase awareness of the causes, signs and symptoms of stroke.
• The Scientific Enrichment Program for Students, which offers a variety of opportunities for high school students to participate in and learn about research.
• The Barrow Connection, which provides resources for people with cognitive and physical disabilities to help them live active lives.
• Fall Prevention Program, which offers an informative presentation designed to reduce the incidence of falls by increasing the knowledge and awareness of the causes and risk factors related to falls, especially in the older adult population.

Pediatric Services

Barrow at St. Joseph’s has a joint pediatric partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital. 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 www.SupportBarrow.org 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.