Becker's Hospital Review has named the following hospitals and health systems to its list, "100 hospitals with great neurosurgery and spine programs."
These hospitals and systems offer remarkable spine and neurosurgical care as based on clinical accolades and recognition from various healthcare groups and agencies. These hospitals have been recognized for excellence in the specialties by U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareChex and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Note: This list is not an endorsement of included hospitals or associated healthcare providers. The following content should be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice or to influence medical decisions. Hospitals cannot pay to be included on this list. Hospitals are presented in alphabetical order.
Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Minneapolis). More than 2,000 major neurological surgeries and 1,000 neuro-interventional procedures are performed at Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Neuroscience Institute each year, making it the leading center for neurologic care in the upper Midwest. The Magnet-designated hospital was ranked by CareChex as a top hospital for neurological care in 2014, and it has also been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is home to one of the most comprehensive neurology specialty programs in Illinois, including its Epilepsy Center and the Falk Brain Tumor Center. The Magnet-designated hospital conducts research on a wide range of neurological conditions and hosts a number of ongoing studies, including those on the prevention of acute brain injury and gene therapy in an animal model of childhood epilepsy. Lurie Children's is ranked fourth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.
Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital (Mesa). Since its founding in 2003, the 23-bed Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital has become widely known for a progressive approach to orthopedic, spine and podiatry surgeries. In 2013, the specialty hospital received Healthgrades' Patient Safety Excellence Award, Joint Replacement Excellence Award and Spine Surgery Excellence Award. The hospital received the latter two awards in 2012 as well.
AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (Atlantic City, N.J.). The Neurosciences Institute at AltantiCare Regional Medical Center provides a full range of neurological services, and the hospital's City Campus is licensed by the state of New Jersey as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center is affiliated with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, which has served as a model for AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's neurology program. The Magnet-designated hospital has received recognition for outstanding neurologic care, as U.S. News & World Report ranked it as one of the top 50 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery in its 2014-15 rankings.
Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Avera McKennan Hospital uses a patient-centered vision in providing comprehensive neurological care. More than 600 neurological surgeries and neuro-interventional procedures are performed at Avera Brain and Spine Institute each year. In 2014, CareChex ranked Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center as one of the top in the nation for neurological care.
Banner Boswell Medical Center (Sun City, Ariz.). Banner Boswell Medical Center provides comprehensive diagnostics and neurosurgical treatment for a number of conditions, including stroke, seizures and neuromuscular disorders. The hospital was among the first in Arizona to administer tPA, a blood clot-busting drug used to treat stroke victims. Banner Boswell Medical Center has earned a reputation for providing outstanding neurologic care, and in 2014 CareChex ranked the hospital as one of the top five in the country for neurological care.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University (St. Louis). Magnet-designated Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides comprehensive neurological care and specializes in areas such as epilepsy and brain and spinal cord lesions. Clinicians perform more than 650 spine and brain tumor procedures at the hospital each year. Barnes-Jewish Hospital is affiliated with the Barnes-Jewish & Washington University Spine Center, which is one of the largest clinical spine care practices in the country and receives patient referrals from around the globe. The hospital has been recognized for outstanding neurological care, as U.S. News & World Report ranked it as one of the top 50 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery in its 2014-15 rankings.
Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington (Texas). The 24-bed Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington, which opened in 2010, specializes in comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment of orthopedic and spine disorders, from simple strains to complex spine surgeries. Healthgrades recognized the hospital with the Patient Safety Excellence Award and Outstanding Patient Experience Award in 2013. Additionally, The Joint Commission has recognized Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington with its Gold Seal of Approval for its spine care program, as well as hip and knee replacements.
Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas). The Neuroscience Center at Baylor Medical Center provides the full spectrum of neurologic care. The Magnet-designated hospital also has a Skull Base Center that provides treatment for complex skull conditions. Baylor University Medical Center has been recognized for the high quality of neurologic care it provides, and the hospital was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery in its 2014-15 rankings. The hospital has also been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Baystate Medical Center (Springfield, Mass.). Baystate Medical Center cares for more than 500 stroke patients each year, more than any other hospital in western Massachusetts, and it is the region's only Level I trauma center. By demonstrating it has the medical expertise, diagnostic equipment and treatment protocols available at all hours of the day for stroke patients, Baystate Medical Center has received Primary Stroke Service designation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Magnet-designated hospital was ranked by CareChex as a top hospital for neurological care in 2014 and is also recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak (Mich.). A collaborative team of physicians provides comprehensive neurologic care at the Neuroscience Center for Excellence at Beaumont Hospital. The Magnet-designated hospital has more than 850 active research studies designed to help improve patient care, including applied and clinical research and clinical trials. Beaumont Hospital has received recognition for outstanding care, as it was ranked one of the top 50 hospitals in America for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report in its 2014-15 rankings. The 1,070-bed hospital has also been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Billings (Mont.) Clinic. The neurosurgeons at Billings Clinic treat a full spectrum of head, neck and spine conditions, using various types of treatment, including computer-assisted surgeries for spinal disorders and deep brain stimulation. The Magnet-designated hospital is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and is certified as a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center. Billings Clinic has received recognition for outstanding neurological care, as it is a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Boston Children's Hospital. Home to the world's oldest and largest pediatric neurology program, Boston Children's Hospital has earned a reputation for outstanding neurological care for children. The Magnet-designated hospital is one of only a few children's hospitals in the nation to receive designation as a Level IV Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers and U.S. News & World Report ranked it No. 1 in the nation for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery in its 2014-15 rankings.
Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston). The department of neurology at Brigham and Women's Hospital has a staff comprised of more than 100 clinical faculty and 350 department members. The department of neurology also sponsors the BWH-BRI Neurosciences Research Center, one of the largest neurological research enterprises in the world. The hospital's department of neurosurgery, which dates back to 1913, has also earned recognition. U.S. News & World Report ranked Brigham and Women's Hospital as one of the top 50 in the country for neurology and neurosurgery in its 2014-15 rankings. In 2014, CareChex ranked Brigham and Women's Hospital as one of the top 50 hospitals for neurological surgery in the country, and the hospital has also been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Carle Foundation Hospital (Urban, Ill.). Neurosurgeons at 345-bed Carle Foundation Hospital collaborate with the Carle Spine Institute to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. The Magnet-designated hospital has earned a reputation for high quality services, and in 2014, CareChex ranked it among the top 100 hospitals in the country for neurological care and as one of the top 50 in the nation for neurological surgery. The hospital also received Healthgrades' Spine Surgery Excellence Award in 2014, and U.S. News & World Report named it as high performing in neurology and neurosurgery.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles). Clinicians in the department of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center provide comprehensive treatment and services for a full spectrum of neurological diseases and disorders. U.S. News & World Report ranked the Magnet-designated Cedars-Sinai as one of the top 50 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery in its 2014-15 rankings. In addition, CareChex ranked the hospital as one of the top 50 in the country for neurological surgery in 2014. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has also been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is ranked No. 2 in the country for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery in U.S. News & World Report's most recent rankings. Its Division of Neurology is one of the largest in the nation, seeing more than 17,000 outpatient visits annually. The division offers six specialized programs, including a neuromuscular program, an epilepsy program, a multiple sclerosis clinic and a pediatric stroke program. CHOP also offers a pediatric neuro-oncology program with eight full-time, dedicated neuro-oncologists treating pediatric brain tumors, neurofibromatosis and associated tumors. In 2014, CareChex has named CHOP a top 100 hospital for neurological care.
The Christ Hospital (Cincinnati). The Christ Hospital Spine Surgery Center, the first freestanding outpatient spine surgery center in the country, is a partnership between The Christ Hospital, Mayfield Clinic and United Surgical Partners. More than 20,000 procedures have been performed at the center since it opened in 2007, and physicians have performed more spine procedures at the Christ Hospital Spine Institute than at any other hospital in the area. The Magnet-accredited Christ Hospital was recognized as one of the 50 best hospitals in the country and as a distinguished hospital for clinical excellence by Healthgrades this year.
Christiana Care Health Services (Newark, Del.). Christiana Care Health Services operates an outpatient neurology practice and offers neuro-interventional surgery, enabling minimally invasive treatment for conditions affecting the brain and spine that historically were only treatable through open surgery, such as aneurysms and strokes. Christiana Care was ranked among the top 100 hospitals for neurological care by CareChex in 2014 and is also designated as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery. The hospital has received the Spine Surgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades and is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic is the No. 6 hospital in the country for neurology and neurosurgery, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 rankings. The Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute includes more than 300 medical, surgical and research specialists focused on the treatment of adult and pediatric neurological and psychiatric disorders across 17 departments, including the Center for Spine Health. More than 100 clinical research trials funded by more than $7 million are underway at the institute. Cleveland Clinic is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
CoxHealth (Springfield, Mo.). The neuroscience team at CoxHealth features the largest private practice group of neurosurgeons in Missouri and northern Arkansas. A comprehensive team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and radiologists treat a variety of diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, brain and spine disorders and stroke. CoxHealth was ranked among CareChex's top 100 hospitals for neurological care and top 50 hospitals for neurosurgery in 2014. It is also a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine care. Additionally, CoxHealth has received Healthgrades' Excellence in Stroke Care and Spine Surgery Excellence awards.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, N.H.). The neurology department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is staffed by 26 full-time neurologists and nine residents. In addition to general neurological services, the hospital offers specialized centers and programs for a number of conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease and stroke, headaches, movement disorders and Parkinson's disease. The neurosurgery program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is comprised of six full-time attending physicians and six resident physicians. The hospital earned several points of recognition from Healthgrades this year, including the award for excellence in neurosurgery.
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (Edinburg, Texas). Doctors Hospital at Renaissance was established in 1997 as an ambulatory surgery center, but has since grown to become a 506-bed hospital that offers a range of medical services in more than 50 specialties and subspecialties. U.S. News & World Report identified the hospital as high performing in seven adult specialties, including neurology and neurosurgery. Doctors Hospital at Renaissance received Healthgrades' Spine Surgery Excellence Award in 2013, as well.
Duke University Hospital (Durham, N.C.). Duke's team of specialists and physicians perform more than 1,200 spine surgeries every year. U.S. News & World Report ranked the hospital among the top 50 in the country for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15, and CareChex also ranked the hospital among the top 50 for neurosurgery and spinal surgery this year. A Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery, the hospital is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and was named to Truven's 100 Top Hospitals.
Emory University Hospital (Atlanta). Emory University Hospital includes a neurosciences center, center for pain management, pituitary center, sleep center and a stroke center. It was ranked among the top 15 best hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in 2014-15 by U.S. News & World Report. Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital is an extension of Emory University Hospital and a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery. Emory University Hospital was named among CareChex's top 50 hospitals for spinal surgery and received Healthgrades' Stroke Care Award. The American Nurses Credentialing Center designated the hospital as a Magnet facility for nursing excellence.
Evanston (Ill.) Hospital. More than 70 physicians offer their expertise at Evanston Hospital's Neurological Institute, which has comprehensive centers and programs for a range of specialties, including back pain, concussion and head injuries, autonomic disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, movement disorders and stroke. Specialists with the hospital's Spine Center specialize in a range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options. NorthShore University HealthSystem, of which Evanston Hospital is a member, has an ongoing partnership with Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, allowing physicians from both systems to collaborate and expand on their expertise while developing patient treatment plans. Evanston Hospital is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Florida Hospital Orlando. Ranked the No. 1 hospital in the state, Florida Hospital Orlando is also nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15. The Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute was formed in 1998 and its neurologists specialize in neurological disorders across the board, including stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and dementia. Furthermore, more than 1,200 procedures are performed at Florida Hospital Orlando Spine Center each year. Florida Hospital Orlando is designated as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.
Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee). The Neurosciences Center at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin features programs in neuro-oncology cognition, neuro-ophthalmology and neuropsychology. The neuroscience team offers specialty and subspecialty programs including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autonomic disorders, pituitary disorders, spinal cord injuries and spasticity management. The hospital has also pioneered spine care in the outpatient setting, as it established its SpineCare outpatient clinic in 1995, making it the first clinic of its type in the region. The Magnet-designated hospital is a Level I trauma center and ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 2 hospital in the state.
Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center. U.S. News & World Report ranked Hackensack University Medical Center among the top 30 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15. Further, HackensackUMC's Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital is the only children's hospital in New Jersey ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top hospitals in the country for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery. HackensackUMC received the Neurosurgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades, earned recognition as one of CareChex's top 100 hospitals for neurological care and is designated as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit). Over the past 16 years, physicians at the Neuroscience Institute at Henry Ford Hospital have treated more than 650,000 patients. The Institute features 180 ongoing clinical trials supported by more than $20 million in research funding from various sources. Further, the Henry Ford Spine and Neurotrauma Center has a long history of conducting groundbreaking research and advanced care. It is also the first spine center in Michigan and one of few in the U.S. providing a specialized treatment program for elderly patients requiring spinal surgery.
Hoag (Irvine, Calif.). Hoag's Neurosciences Institute is the most comprehensive in Orange County and it continues to expand its offerings. In February, Hoag launched its Hoag Neurosurgery Spine Program at Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., which is led by a multidisciplinary team of physical therapists, pain management specialists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and nurse navigators. Last summer, Hoag physicians were first in the county to perform a newly approved alternative to cervical spinal fusion with the SECURE-C Cervical Artificial Disc to treat a patient's neck pain and upper extremity numbness. The Magnet-accredited hospital received Healthgrades' Neurosciences Excellence Award this year, as well as recognition as one of the 50 best hospitals in the country and as a distinguished hospital for clinical excellence.
Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City). Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery is the nation's oldest orthopedic hospital, and the hospital has also earned a reputation for neurology and spine care. Nearly 20 specialists provide spine care at HSS, and neurologist-in-chief and department director Dale J. Lange, MD, is the current president of the New York State Neurological Society. The hospital was first in the state to receive Magnet recognition for nursing excellence. Also, several athletic teams turn to HSS physicians for care, including the New York Mets and Knicks.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). Ranked among the top 10 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in 2014-15 by U.S. News & World Report, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania features 13 neurosurgeons who cover the full spectrum of neurological care. Penn Medicine neurosurgeons perform more than 5,000 procedures annually. CareChex ranked the hospital among its top 50 for neurosurgery this year, and it is a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. The hospital is also among Truven's 100 Top Hospitals and Healthgrades' 100 best hospitals for stroke care. It is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Houston Methodist Hospital. The Houston Methodist Neurological Institute offers clinical programs covering the spectrum of neurological and neurosurgical conditions. U.S. News & World Report ranked Houston Methodist Hospital as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and among the top 15 in the country in neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15. Houston Methodist Hospital is also among CareChex's top 50 hospitals for neurosurgery. Healthgrades recognized the hospital with a Spine Surgery Excellence Award and named it among the 100 best hospitals for stroke care. Houston Methodist is Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Invoa Fairfax Hospital (Falls Church, Va.). The Inova Neuroscience Institute offers eight specialty clinical programs, including stroke and cerebrovascular disease, spine, neurotrauma and neurocritical care. The Inova Neuroscience Research Program has a comprehensive Brain Tumor Registry, which houses a collection of brain tumor specimens for genetic testing and biomarker assessment. Further, the hospital is affiliated with the Inova Spine Institute, which has six different sites of care and the most back pain specialists in the region. Inova Fairfax Hospital is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
IU Health Methodist Hospital (Indianapolis). Located on the campus of Methodist Hospital, the IU Health Neuroscience Center opened in 2012 as a centralized location for comprehensive neurological services, making it the first dedicated neuroscience facility in Indiana. The Center houses Indiana's only intraoperative MRI scanner and the country's only 24/7, real-time continuous brainwave monitoring system. IU Health Methodist is ranked among the top 30 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15 by U.S. News & World Report. CareChex named it a top 100 hospital for neurological care and a top 50 hospital for neurosurgery. The hospital is also a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery and is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore). Johns Hopkins Hospital has a longstanding history of neurosurgical innovation — in the early 1900s, Harvey Cushing, MD, performed the first successful operations for brain tumors at the hospital, and the hospital also pioneered the first dedicated neurological critical care unit in the country. Today, the neurology and neurosurgery department performs more than 4,000 brain, tumor, vascular and peripheral nerve operations annually, and the hospital includes a Neurosurgical Spine Center. The hospital was named one of the top 50 neurology and neurosurgery programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-2015. It was also named one of the top 50 neurosurgery programs in the country by CareChex.
Lehigh Valley Hospital (Allentown, Pa.). Lehigh Valley Hospital, which includes two campuses in Allentown, is a part of Lehigh Valley Health Network. The network's neurosciences center provides comprehensive neurological services and was named one of the top 100 programs in the country for neurological care by CareChex. A Level I trauma center, Lehigh Valley Hospital also includes the region's only neuroscience intensive care unit and its Advanced Spine Center. The hospital is a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery.
Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston). Physicians in Massachusetts General Hospital's neurosurgery department, which includes a neurosurgical spine service, perform more than 2,500 neurosurgical procedures each year. Numerous techniques and technologies have been pioneered at Massachusetts General throughout the years, including the first functional MRI machine. The hospital is also actively involved in research and the development of new solutions for neurological conditions, including a new research initiative on the first-of-its-kind implantable deep brain stimulation device, which will help treat post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. U.S. News & World Report ranked Massachusetts General Hospital No. 4 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-2015. The hospital has also earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.). Mayo Clinic's departments of neurology and neurosurgery treat an array of brain and nervous system conditions, and it has been named a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery. It has also been named the No. 1 hospital in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic is dedicated to researching new techniques and technologies for treating brain and nervous system conditions, and it currently offers more than 90 clinical trials for neurology and neurosurgery across its three campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona.
Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, S.C.). Medical University of South Carolina has received recognition as being high performing in neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15. MUSC also includes a spine center, offering advanced treatments and minimally invasive options. The hospital earned Healthgrades' neurosurgery and neuroscience excellence awards in 2014, along with recognition for outstanding patient experience and its standing as one of the country's top 100 hospitals for stroke care.
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center (Houston). Memorial City Medical Center has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for neurological care by CareChex. It offers a comprehensive array of neurosurgical and neurodiagnostic services and includes a fully staffed neuro-intensive care unit and a stroke center, which has been designated as a primary stroke center by The Joint Commission. The hospital has also received many awards from Healthgrades, including the America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award and the Neurosurgery Excellence Award in 2014. Memorial City Medical Center is a Magnet-designated facility.
Mount Sinai Hospital (New York City). Mount Sinai Hospital was recognized as one of the top 50 neurology and neurosurgery programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15. Its Estelle and Daniel Maggin Department of Neurology is one of the oldest neurology department in the United States, dating back to 1900. Today, the department receives research grants totaling more than $30 million each year. The hospital also includes the Mount Sinai Inpatient Spine Unit, where clinicians treat more than 1,400 adult and pediatric spine patients annually. Mount Sinai received the Spine Surgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades in 2014.
The Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha). The Nebraska Medical Center offers a range of treatments for neurological conditions, including neuromuscular disorders and stroke. The medical center's comprehensive neurological services program has been recognized by CareChex as one of the top 50 programs in the country for neurosurgery. The hospital has also been recognized as one of the top 50 neurology and neurosurgery programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15. It is a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery, and in 2014 it received a Neurosurgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades.
Nebraska Spine Hospital (Omaha). Since Nebraska Spine Hospital opened in 2010, more than 5,000 spine surgeries have been performed at the hospital. Nebraska Spine Hospital includes a team of eight spine surgeons, many of whom are fellowship trained. The hospital, which includes eight locations across the region, is the only specialty hospital in the state to receive recognition as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery.
NewYork-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell (New York City). NewYork-Presbyterian's neuroscience centers include the Neurological Institute of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Neuroscience Center. With its Neurological Institute founded in 1909, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia is recognized as one of the first medical centers in the country to specialize in the treatment nervous system diseases and disorders. The Neuroscience Center at Weill Cornell has also been credited with neurological innovations, such as pioneering vagus nerve stimulation as a therapy for epilepsy patients. U.S. News & World Report ranked NewYork-Presbyterian No. 2 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery in 2014-15.
North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset, N.Y.). In collaboration with Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital is affiliated with the Cushing Neuroscience Institute, which includes several centers devoted to subspecialties such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spine, headache, and movement disorders. North Shore University Hospital is a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery and received a Neurosurgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades in 2014. In 2014, North Shore University Hospital was named one of top 50 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago). Northwestern Memorial Hospital, part of Northwestern Medicine, offers comprehensive services for the full range of neurological disorders. The department of neurology includes physicians who are faculty members at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and it operates in conjunction with the Neuro-Testing Center, which provides neurodiagnostic services. The hospital has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 neurology and neurosurgery programs in the country. The hospital is a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery and received America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award from Healthgrades in 2014.
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center (Winston-Salem, N.C.). Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, which was recognized by CareChex as one of the top 100 in the country for neurological care, offers a wide array of stroke and neuroscience services, including a neurosciences telemedicine network through which physicians at nearby community hospitals can consult with Novant neurologists. The hospital is a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery, and it is has received Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
NYU Langone Medical Center (New York). NYU Langone Medical Center was ranked as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15 by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital's neurosurgery department in particular is a national and international referral center and includes more than 20 full-time clinical and research faculty members. NYU Langone Medical Center received the Neurosurgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades in 2014.
Ochsner Medical Center (New Orleans). The neurology and neurosurgery services at Ochsner are highly regarded, and the medical center received Healthgrades awards for stroke care, neurosurgery excellence and neurosciences excellence in 2014. Ochsner has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report's as one of the top 50 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery. The hospital's full-time and affiliated neurosurgeons perform more than 1,000 surgeries every year. Ochsner is a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus). Neurosurgeons and neurologists at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center work with multidisciplinary teams of physicians to provide a range of care, including treatment for spinal degenerative conditions, spine and brain tumors, vascular neurosurgery, chronic back pain and nerve tumors. The academic medical center includes a center for brain and spinal cord repair and a comprehensive spine center, where physicians provide evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. The Magnet-accredited hospital was ranked to U.S. News & World Report's Honor Roll in 2014-15 and was recognized for neuroscience excellence by Healthgrades for the past three years.
Oregon Health and Science University Hospital (Portland). Oregon Health & Science University Hospital has been ranked as high performing in neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital includes one of the largest neuroscience intensive care units in the Pacific Northwest and offers programs for facial pain, movement disorders as well as pediatric neurological disorders. In 2014, it received the Neurosurgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades. Oregon Health & Science University is also actively involved in research, as the U.S. National Institutes of Health ranks OHSU in the top 1 percent in the nation for neuroscience research funding.
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (Bellingham, Wash.). The medical center's neurosurgery services include a wide array of treatments for complex conditions and disorders of the brain, spine and spinal cord as well as rehabilitation therapy. CareChex named PeaceHealth St. Joseph one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for neurological care and one of the top 50 hospitals in the country for spinal surgery. The hospital has also been designated a Blue Destination Center for spine surgery, and it received several awards from Healthgrades including the America's 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery Award in 2014 and the Neurosurgery Excellence Award in 2013.
Providence Hospital & Medical Centers (Southfield, Mich.). Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, part of St. John Providence Health System, was ranked as one of the nation's top 100 hospitals for neurological care by CareChex in 2014 and is a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. The Van Elslander Neuroscience Center of Excellence, part of St. John Providence, features world-renowned specialists who offer comprehensive care for brain tumors, epilepsy and seizures, Parkinson's disease and spine and stroke conditions. Providence Health System is the only system in Michigan that offers the Pipeline, a new endovascular stent for stroke treatment. Additionally, Providence was ranked among Truven's Top 100 Hospitals in 2014 and was named one of Healthgrades' 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (Portland, Ore.). Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is ranked as the No. 2 hospital in Oregon as well as in the Portland metro area, and its neurological care and neurosurgery services were designated as high performing by U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 rankings. Providence Brain and Spine Institute, renowned for its use of world-class technologies in treatments and surgical procedures, recently installed the most advanced intraoperative MRI suite on the West Coast. Additionally, the Institute recently expanded its acute stroke services to 19 hospitals in Oregon and Washington through a telestroke network. Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is a designated Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles). According U.S. News & World Report, UCLA Medical Center is the No. 1 hospital in the Los Angeles metro area, No. 1 in California and is ranked as the seventh-best hospital for neurology and neurosurgery in the country. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has recognized UCLA Neurosurgery as one of the top neurosurgery programs in the nation for the past 20 consecutive years. UCLA Medical Center's expert neurosurgeons are leaders in minimally invasive and robotic procedures and employ the most advanced technology and advancements, including intraoperative MRI scanners, precision image-guided neuronavigation systems, functional brain imaging and mapping and "awake" intraoperative functional mapping and microsurgery. UCLA Medical Center is Magnet-accredited for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Rothman Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital (Bensalem, Pa.). Rothman Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital is the only surgical specialty hospital in partnership with the Philadelphia-based Rothman Institute, which is known for its internationally recognized orthopedic specialists. Spine surgeons treat a range of conditions at the hospital, including deformities, trauma and tumors. The 24-bed hospital, which was established in 2009, received the 2014 Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades.
Rush University Medical Center (Chicago). Rush University Medical Center is ranked as the No. 2 hospital in Illinois with the seventeenth-best neurology and neurosurgery program in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 rankings. It was also included in CareChex's top 50 list for neurosurgery the year and is a designated Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. Rush's neurology and neurosurgery teams are leaders in minimally invasive surgical techniques, diagnostic tests and drug treatments for a wide range of conditions, including brain tumors, cerebrovascular disease and stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, pediatric neurology, spine and back disease and more. The hospital is Magnet-certified for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery (Nashville, Tenn.). More than 3,000 spine procedures are performed each year at the 23-bed Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery. The hospital is known for its superior outcomes in back and neck surgery, as it has received the Spine Surgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades for three years running. Patient care and satisfaction are top priorities for Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery, and that was recognized when Healthgrades presented the hospital with the Outstanding Patient Experience Award in 2013.
Scripps Health (San Diego). Scripps Health has four primary stroke centers in San Diego, and its physicians use some of the most technologically advanced diagnostic tools for a variety of brain and nervous system conditions. Other neurology services include neurological oncology, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain management and support to reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Scripps' hospitals are highly ranked in the state, according to U.S. News & World Report. For example, Scripps La Jolla Hospitals and Clinics is the No. 2 hospital in the San Diego metro area and No. 7 in California. Scripps Health is included in Truven Health Analytics' list of the top 15 health systems in the nation, and Scripps La Jolla is San Diego's first Magnet-certified hospital.
St. Francis Hospital (Roslyn, N.Y.). St. Francis Hospital is ranked among U.S. News & World Report's top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the nation and is the No. 4 hospital overall in New York. The department of neurology at St. Francis Hospital provides care to patients with acute and chronic neurological disorders and offers treatments including electro-myograph and nerve conduction studies, electro-encephalography and somato-sensory evoked potentials. St. Francis Hospital is Magnet-accredited for nursing excellence.
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (Phoenix). St. Joseph's neurology department is located in the new 430,000-square-foot Barrow Neuroscience Tower, where neurologists offer patients a range of services from diagnosis to treatment to after-care, including a highly developed neuro-rehabilitation program. Surgeons at Barrow perform more than 5,000 neurosurgeries each year, more than any other institution in the U.S. According to U.S. News & World Report, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center is among the 50 best hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery. Additionally, it is a Blue Distinction Center for spine care and recipient of Healthgrades' Neurosurgery Excellence Award.
St. Louis Children's Hospital-Washington University. Founded in 1879, St. Louis Children's is the seventh-oldest children's hospital in the U.S. and ranked as the No. 5 hospital in the nation for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 rankings. The department of pediatric neurosurgery at St. Louis Children's is one of the largest in the nation, and patients from 47 states and 58 countries have been referred to it in the last decade. The department's four surgeons, who are all full-time pediatric neurosurgeons, treat the gamut of neurosurgical conditions. In addition to the pediatric neurosurgery department, St. Louis Children's also boasts the Center for Pediatric Spinal Disorders, a collaborative center between orthopedics and neurosurgery, that treats acute spinal cord injuries, kyphosis, scoliosis and spondylolisthesis.
St. Vincent Hospital & Health Services (Indianapolis). The St. Vincent Neuroscience Institute, a center of excellence for neuroscience services at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, treats diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. CareChex ranked the hospital in the top 50 in the nation for spinal surgery this year, and Healthgrades has given St. Vincent Indianapolis its Neurosciences Excellence Award — given to hospitals with superior outcomes for stroke care and neurosurgery — for the last three years in a row. The hospital is Magnet-accredited for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center (Little Rock, Ark.). St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center is part of the CHI St. Vincent Health System. It is home to The Arkansas Neuroscience Institute, one of the few world-class, community-based neuroscience institutes. The institute was ranked No. 1 in neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report's Best Regional Hospitals ranking for 2014-15. The institute's neurosurgery program is directed by Ali Krisht, MD, who has been the chief editor of Contemporary Neurosurgery since 1999. ANI offers onsite treatment for brain aneurysms, brain tumors and complex skull base tumors, dementia, radiosurgery and more. St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center is Magnet-certified for excellence in nursing.
Stanford (Calif.) Health Care. Stanford Health Care, formerly Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, is ranked among the nation's top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 assessment. It is also a designated Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. Stanford Neuroscience Center's physicians have in-depth expertise in treating neurological conditions from the common to the complex. For instance, Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, the chair of Stanford's department of neurosurgery, has pioneered many surgical procedures for complex brain conditions, like Moyomoya, a rare cerebrovascular disease.
Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital. Tampa General Hospital is the only hospital on Florida's west coast to have neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists available 24/7, and its 32-bed neuro-intensive care unit is one of the largest on the state's west coast. U.S. News & World Report named the hospital as high performing in neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15. Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities was awarded to TGH for adult and pediatric brain injury inpatient and outpatient care, as well adult and pediatric spinal cord system care. The hospital was awarded Magnet status for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Texas Back Institute (Plano). Since it was founded in 1971, the Texas Back Institute has grown to become one of the largest freestanding multidisciplinary academic spine centers in the world. The institute offers multidisciplinary fellowships for spine surgeons and includes a clinical research arm, through which researchers and physicians participate in FDA clinical trials for investigational technologies, materials and devices. Approximately 25 spine surgeons practice through Texas Back Institute.
Texas Children's Hospital (Houston). U.S. News & World Report placed Texas Children's Hospital on its "Honor Roll" of best pediatric institutions in 2014 and ranked the hospital as No. 6 in the nation for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15. Pediatric neurosurgeons at Texas Children's perform nearly 1,000 operations annually. TCH has pioneered important neurosurgery techniques, as it was the first hospital in the world to use real-time MRI-guided thermal imaging and laser technology to destroy lesions in the brain. This procedure marked a significant breakthrough for treating epilepsy and uncontrollable seizures due to lesions. Additionally, TCH is Magnet-accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital was recognized as high performing in neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report in their 2014-15 rankings. The hospital is a leader in the North Texas area for offering leading-edge technologies and treatments for patients with neurological conditions including stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and brain tumors. The neurosciences department is Joint Commission-accredited for its stroke program including its use of tPA, a clot-busting drug. Texas Health neurosurgeons use leading technology, including Gamma Knife radiosurgery for brain tumors, interventional neuro-radiology for aneurysms and BrainSuite intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital is Magnet-accredited for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (Dallas). Since the hospital's inception in 1921, more than 225,000 children have received treatment at Texas Scottish Rite for their orthopedic conditions and related neurological disorders, including scoliosis, clubfoot, hand and hip disorders and brain malformations. In addition to treatment, the hospital has also pioneered research in the field: Physicians at Texas Scottish Rite identified the first gene associated with idiopathic scoliosis in 2007, for instance. In 2014-15, U.S. News & World Report included Texas Scottish Rite in its evaluation for Children's Medical Center Dallas, ranking the hospitals No. 5 in the country for pediatric orthopedics.
Texas Spine & Joint Hospital (Tyler). This 20-bed multispecialty hospital opened in 2002. Texas Spine & Joint is nationally recognized as one of the top spine surgery hospitals in the country and has earned the Spine Surgery Excellence Award from Healthgrades for the past two years. The hospital is ranked among the top in the nation for its ability to prevent infections, medical errors and other complications, which was recognized when it received the Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades in 2013.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (Philadelphia). The Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience within Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals is the only dedicated hospital for neuroscience in the Philadelphia region — and TJUH has been recognized for that dedication. It was ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for its neurology and neurosurgery program by U.S. News & World Report in its 2014-15 rankings, and it is a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery. Additionally, TJUH was awarded the Neurosurgery Excellence Award and recognized as one of the 100 best hospitals for stroke care by Healthgrades in 2014. The hospital's neurosurgeons offer treatment to patients for a variety of conditions including brain tumors, spinal disease, vascular brain disease and others. They are pioneering treatments for cerebral aneurysms through endovascular procedures using mini-catheters to deliver clot-dissolving drugs directly into the brain.
Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital. Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital was ranked among CareChex's top 100 hospitals for neurological care in 2014, as well as in the top 50 for spinal surgery. The hospital has also earned Healthgrades' 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery Award for the last three years in a row. Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital offers the most advanced MRI, computed tomography and myelography technology. Additionally, it has a state-of-the-art robotic platform, the da Vinci Surgical System, which allows surgeons to perform complex, delicate procedures with precise, minimally invasive procedures.
UC San Diego Health System. UC San Diego Medical Center, a 582-bed hospital, was ranked among U.S. News & World Report's top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery twice in recent years and was listed by CareChex as a top 50 hospital for neurosurgery in 2014. UCSD is also designated as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. This academic medical center boasts excellent physicians, who are also faculty of the UCSD School of Medicine — also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 14 in the country in research-intensive programs — and Magnet-accredited nurses. More than 40 neurologists and neurosurgeons, in addition to many researchers and specialists, make up the UCSD Health System Neurological Institute, just one more of UCSD's assets.
UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco). The Magnet-accredited UCSF Medical Center was named one of the top 50 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15 and is recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. UCSF boasts the highest-volume brain tumor program in the U.S., one of the largest neuro-intensive care units in the nation, the largest cerebrovascular program in California and the only comprehensive memory disorders center in the region. The Neuropathy Center at UCSF, dedicated to serving patients with peripheral neuropathy, is one of only four in the country funded by the nonprofit Neuropathy Association.
UF Health Shands Hospital (Gainesville, Fla.). The neurosurgical intensive care unit at UF Health Shands — the first intensive care unit of its kind in north central Florida — boasts highly specialized physicians with expertise in neurosurgery, endovascular neurosurgery, vascular neurology, critical care medicine, epileptology and neuroradiology. Additionally, the UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration is a world leader in the use of deep brain stimulation implants to treat movement disorders, performing more DBS procedures each year than any other medical facility in Florida. U.S. News & World Report named UF Health Shands as high performing in neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15.
University Hospitals Case Medical Center (Cleveland). Founded in 1866, University Hospitals Case Medical Center is a 1,032-bed tertiary medical center that was ranked among U.S. News & World Report's top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15 and has been recognized for spine surgery excellence by Healthgrades. UH Case Medical Center Neurological Institute is comprised of 16 centers of excellence, each focused on a different subspecialty area. The institute brings together some of the country's leading specialists who are trained in neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, neuropsychiatry, pediatric neurology and other related specialties.
University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham. The 1,046-bed University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham is ranked No. 1 in Birmingham and in all of Alabama by U.S. News & World Report. UAB was also ranked among the top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15 and has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. The UAB Neurosciences: Neurology and Neurosurgery program provides patients with specialized evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of disorders. UAB is also home to a Level IV Epilepsy Center and the UAB Pituitary Disorders Clinic, the only multidisciplinary clinic in the state equipped to evaluate and treat patients with pituitary tumors and conditions. UAB is Magnet-accredited for nursing excellence.
University of California, Davis Medical Center (Sacramento). UC Davis was named one of the top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15. The UC Davis Spine Center is also excellent, as it has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke selected UC Davis as one of 25 clinical sites in the nation to be included in the newly created NeuroNEXT Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials. UC Davis Medical Center has been awarded an "A" grade for patient safety from Leapfrog and granted Magnet recognition for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
University of Chicago Medicine. University of Chicago Medicine's neurosurgery program dates back to 1928, one year after the hospital opened its doors to patients. The hospital is home to one of the few fully equipped and staffed neuro-intensive care units in the country, where care teams treat patients with more complex neurological conditions, such as critical brain infections, persistent seizures, and brain and spinal cord injuries. University of Chicago Medicine's Spine Center offers comprehensive management of spinal problems and its Functional Neurosurgery Center treats movement and pain disorders, as well. University of Chicago Medicine was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15.
University of Colorado Hospital (Aurora). The UCHealth system is the largest provider of comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical care in the Rocky Mountain region. The list of University of Colorado Hospital's awards is lengthy — UCH was ranked a top 50 hospital for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15 and as a top 50 hospital for neurosurgery by CareChex this year. Healthgrades has also recognized UCH for neurosurgery excellence. The Magnet-accredited academic medical center is also a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery and a Truven Top 100 hospital. UCH has one of the highest five-year survival rates in the country for brain cancer, and it was also the first hospital in the nation to implant an intracranial pressure monitor to treat a severe traumatic brain injury.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City). The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics boasts a team of world-class neurologists, neurosurgeons and other sub-specialists that represent virtually all areas of expertise in the neurosciences field. Its neurosurgeons can treat head and spine trauma, brain and spinal cord tumors and epilepsy, among many other disorders. UI Hospitals and Clinics has been ranked among the top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report, recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery, granted Magnet accreditation for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and recognized for excellence in neurosurgery by Healthgrades.
University of Kansas Hospital (Kansas City). The University of Kansas Hospital is home to the Center for Advanced Brain and Neurological Care, where conditions such as brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors, traumatic injuries, movement and spine conditions and seizures are treated. The academic medical center is recognized among U.S. News & World Report's top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, ranking as No. 12 in the nation for 2014-15. Healthgrades has also recognized the hospital — a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery — for neurosurgery excellence. The hospital has the only Alzheimer's Disease Center in the region and the only designated Level IV Epilepsy Center in the state. It's also the only facility in the area to remove tumors from the base of the skull using minimally invasive procedures.
University of Maryland Medical Center (Baltimore). Physicians and clinicians at University of Maryland Medical Center's spine center offer comprehensive treatment of all spinal disorders, with extensive experience in the treatment of spinal degenerative disease and traumatic disorders. The hospital also includes the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the first and only integrated trauma hospital in the country, where neurosurgeons deliver critical emergency care. UMMC's spine program has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery, and U.S. News & World Report ranked the Magnet-accredited hospital as No. 3 in the state overall and named its neurology and neurosurgery services as high performing for 2014-15.
University of Miami Hospital. As the only university-owned and operated teaching hospital in Florida, University of Miami Hospital offers multidisciplinary neurological and neurosurgical teams, along with clinical trials and translational research. Many of the hospital's physicians are on the faculty of the University's Miller School of Medicine and partner with community physicians to provide care and investigate new treatments. The hospital and medical school's faculty are affiliated with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which is the world's most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center and home to the only FDA-approved Schwann cell transplantation trial for spinal cord injury.
University of Michigan Health System (Ann Arbor). The University of Michigan Health System's multidisciplinary neuroscience team is made up of more than 70 nationally recognized neurologists and neurosurgeons who treat conditions such as cranial and skull base tumors, cerebral palsy, ALS and motor neuron diseases, peripheral nerve disorders and neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, concussions, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. U.S. News & World Report has recognized UMHS numerous times for its work in neurology. This year, UHMS was recognized as high performing in the area of adult neurology and neurosurgery and was ranked No. 23 nationally for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery. This teaching hospital also boasts a neurointerventional suite — the first of its kind in the nation — and a 15-bed neurological intensive care unit.
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview (Minneapolis). University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview cares for the complete range of neurological and neurosurgical conditions, including spine disorders, movement disorders, brain tumors and nerve disorders. Stephen Haines, MD, head of the hospital's department of neurosurgery, is president of the Neurosurgical Society of America. U.S. News & World Report recognized University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview as high performing for neurology and neurosurgery.
University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center. The department of neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center has 11 programs of excellence, including comprehensive brain and spinal tumor, peripheral nerve neurosurgery, functional neurosurgery and pediatric neurosurgery. Its prowess in providing care in a number of neurosurgery subspecialties placed it among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for neurosurgery and neurology, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 rankings. Strong Memorial Hospital, part of URMC, opened a 12-bed neuromedicine intensive care unit this year. That hospital was ranked No. 14 in the nation for neurosurgery by CareChex in 2014, and Healthgrades has given Strong Memorial Hospital its Neurosciences Excellence Award for three years running.
University of Virginia Medical Center (Charlottesville). A range of services are offered through UVA Medical Center's neurosciences division, including spine and stroke centers, a Gamma Knife center and a neuro-oncology program. This fall, UVA neurosurgeon John Jane, MD, received the Governor's Award for Career Achievement. He has led the hospital's neurosurgery department for 37 years. Each year, more than 1,500 spine procedures are performed at UVA Medical Center. The hospital is a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery, and its neurology and neurosurgery services were recognized as high performing by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15.
University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle). The highly esteemed University of Washington Medical Center is a Magnet-accredited Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery that has been recognized by Healthgrades for neurosurgery excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranked UWMC among the top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15. UWMC Neurological Surgery has been an international leader and pioneer in the care and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves, and the Alvord Brain Tumor Center — UWMC's specialty neuro-oncology clinic — provides comprehensive treatment for many brain and spinal cord cancers.
University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (Madison). The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics has been recognized by Healthgrades for neurosurgery excellence and was ranked among the top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15. UW Health is also Magnet-accredited for nursing excellence and a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery. UW Health works in concert with the UW Carbone Cancer Center to see more than 1,200 brain tumor patients annually with common or rare brain cancers. The neurology program's affiliation with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society means that, because of the demonstrated excellence care, the NMSS refers patients to the UW Health clinic.
UPMC (Pittsburgh). UPMC's department of neurological surgery was founded more than 75 years ago and is now the largest neurosurgical academic provider in the United States, with its providers performing around 11,000 procedures every year. UPMC patients spend less time in the hospital than almost any neurosurgical center in the world and have access to the only center in the world with three Gamma Knife radiosurgery devices that can perform noninvasive brain surgery. UPMC was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 hospital for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15 and is home to one of the highest-ranked departments in the country for National Institutes of Health funding, a benchmark of the success and quality of the department's research.
UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas). UT Southwestern Medical Center is the premier tertiary care neurosurgical referral center in Texas and the surrounding states. The academic medical center is nationally ranked as the No. 22 hospital in the nation for neurosurgery and neurology, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2014-15 rankings. UT Southwestern's department of neurological surgery's neuro-oncology program is supported by the Annette G. Strauss Center for Neuro-Oncology, which has a focus on improving treatments available to patients and conducting research of malignant brain and spinal-cord tumors.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tenn.). Vanderbilt University Medical Center —which has had some form of neurosurgery department since 1953 — has many accolades. Vanderbilt was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery for 2014-15, ranked by CareChex as a top 50 hospital for neurosurgery this year, designated as a Blue Distinction Center+ for spine surgery and named one of the nation's top 100 hospital by Truven Health Analytics. The Magnet-accredited medical center also received numerous honors from Healthgrades, including recognition as one of the top 100 hospitals for stroke care and neurosurgery. In addition to it department of neurological surgery, VUMC also boasts one of the largest neurology/neurosurgery intensive care units in the nation.
Via Christi Hospitals Wichita (Kan.). CareChex has recognized Via Christi Hospitals Wichita among the top 100 hospitals in the nation for neurological care and the top 50 for both neurosurgery and spine surgery. Via Christi has also been recognized by Healthgrades as a top 100 hospital for stroke care and neurosurgery excellence. The hospital's Neurocritical Care Unit provides highly specialized intensive care for patients from across the region with conditions of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles, including stroke, cerebral aneurysms, blood vessel malformations, multiple seizures and infections. Via Christi also boasts an epilepsy monitoring unit and the region's only 24/7 neuro-interventional stroke center.
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (Richmond). The neurosurgery department at VCU Medical Center dates back to the late 1910s and has since expanded to include programs devoted to neurotrauma, movement disorders, pediatric neurosurgery and adult brain tumors, among other subspecialties. The hospital, a Level I trauma center, is also a major referral center for spine surgery and care. The Magnet-accredited hospital also has a robust research arm — the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research — which is funded by a $20 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (Winston-Salem, N.C.). The department of neurology and neurosurgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is recognized as a major center for the care and treatment of patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. U.S. News & World Report ranked Wake Forest Baptist nationally for neurology and neurosurgery in 2013-14 and as best in the region for 2014-15. Wake Forest's Movement Disorders Center is one of the oldest and leading programs for the treatment of disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dystonias, essential tremor and dyskinesias, and more than 1,000 spine surgeries are performed at the hospital's spine center each year.
Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. Yale-New Haven Hospital is home to the highly innovative Neuroscience Center, which houses teams of world-class neurologists, neurosurgeons, spine surgeons and neurological sub-specialists that represent virtually all areas of expertise in the neurosciences field. YNHH physicians were the first to transplant nerve cells into the brain of a multiple sclerosis patient and the first to use stereotactic radiosurgery/gamma knife therapy in the region. YNHH's neurology and neurosurgery services were named as high performing by U.S. News & World Report for 2014-15. The hospital is also a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery.