Drexel University College of Medicine is pleased to announce the launch of the Drexel Neurosciences Institute, an innovative collaboration of Drexel's College of Medicine and Global Neurosciences Institute, LLC (GNI). The Drexel Neurosciences Institute, which will be led by prominent neurosurgeon Erol Veznedaroglu, MD, will serve as the focal point of an integrated approach to neuroscience-related clinical care, education and interdisciplinary research. Drexel's primary teaching hospital, Hahnemann University Hospital, will be a clinical affiliate of the Institute.
The Drexel Neurosciences Institute will harness the expertise of Drexel Medicine neurologists and researchers, who provide outstanding and groundbreaking care in areas such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, ALS, and chronic pain, combined with the clinical expertise of GNI neurosurgeons, who are among an elite group of dual-trained vascular neurosurgeons able to perform conventional neurosurgery as well as minimally invasive endovascular neurosurgery. The institute will offer patients access to participation in important neuroscience clinical trials.
"In addition to providing advanced neuroscience care for patients, the Drexel Neurosciences Institute seeks to advance the understanding of neurological function, disorders and treatment through interdisciplinary research," said Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Annenberg Dean and senior vice president of medical affairs at Drexel University College of Medicine. "It will also enrich our medical and biomedical education programs with the goal of expanding the frontiers of science, technology and healthcare delivery."
The institute, which launches March 15, 2015, will be led by Erol Veznedaroglu, MD, one of the most experienced cerebrovascular neurosurgeons in the country. Dr. Vez, as he is known, is chairman of GNI, a consortium of some of the nation's most experienced neurosurgeons, specializing in comprehensive care including vascular, tumor, spine and functional neurosurgery. GNI neurosurgeons joined together to bring the highest level of neurosciences treatment and research to patients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Dr. Vez is also the founder of the Capital Institute for Neurosciences at Capital Health. He previously served as director of the Division of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson Hospital.
"I am thrilled to be joining Drexel University's College of Medicine with its rich history of academic medical excellence. Dean Schidlow and his entire team embraced the concept of a comprehensive academic neurosciences institute which will be the first of its kind. Bringing together one comprehensive center where patients are seen by a collaborative team is the future of sophisticated neuroscience care," said Veznedaroglu, the newly appointed director of the Drexel Neurosciences Institute.
Michael Halter, chief executive officer of Hahnemann University Hospital, added, "The relationship with Drexel Neurosciences Institute and GNI will enhance Hahnemann's neurosurgical clinical capabilities and offer our patients the region's foremost specialized care in vascular, tumor, spine, and functional neurosurgery."