Our brain powers our bodies, propels our curiosity, defines our personality and holds our memories. So discovering that you or someone you love has a brain or spine disorder is understandably scary. Fortunately, advances in medicine have brought positive outcomes, and renewed hope to those struck by an acute or chronic illness.

Providence Brain Institute is a comprehensive, integrated center of excellence treating all conditions of the brain and spine. Our recognized specialists are a partner in your treatment and recovery, providing advanced medical expertise and compassionate care.

Comprehensive care 
Providence Brain Institute treats brain and skull base disorders, as well as stroke, peripheral nerve disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, and other brain and spine disorders. Experts from a variety of disciplines work together to diagnose and assess, and design a treatment and rehabilitation plan just for you.

Advanced medicine
Our specialists are skilled in the latest surgical procedures, including minimally invasive techniques that are easier on the patient and speed recovery. The Brain Institute also provides access to the best technologies:

• The world’s most advanced intraoperative MRI lets surgeons take high-resolution scans of the brain during surgery, without moving the patient, allowing greater precision during surgeries.
• Gamma Knife Perfexion, the most advanced model in the Northwest. It can destroy a tumor nonsurgically with pinpoint accuracy.
• Neuro biplane laboratory, designed just for Providence, for complex and detailed treatment of stroke and aneurysm.
• Minimally invasive spine surgery makes same-day back
                                      surgery possible and has significantly reduced recovery time.

Research and discovery
Researchers at Providence Brain Institute are evaluating the treatments of the future. Through clinical trials and research in multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), patients benefit from new drugs and procedures that may bring a cure for their neurological disease.

Find your brain and spine specialists here

Please contact us at:

9135 S.W. Barnes Road, Suite 363
Portland, OR 97225
Phone: 503-216-1055
E-mail: BrainInstitute@Providence.org

Map/directions  

What’s happening

The World’s Most Advanced Intraoperative MRI has arrived 
Brain surgery to remove a tumor has always been a delicate art. Take too much tissue and risk damaging vital functions; take too little and the remaining tumor could spread. This is why Providence is celebrating the completion of IMRISneuro, the world’s most advanced moveable intraoperative MRI. The moveable magnet takes scans of the brain while the patient is still on the operating table, allowing greater surgical precision and, ultimately, better outcomes. Learn more.

Providence Stroke Center expands top-quality care throughout Oregon
With Stroke, each minute counts.  This is why Providence Stroke Center, a premier program within Providence Brain Institute, is launching the Oregon’s first Telestroke Network.  Highly trained stroke neurologists will soon perform comprehensive evaluations and help treat stroke patients in community hospitals throughout Oregon using two-way video cameras. Throughout the state, Oregonians will have access to Providence Stroke Center’s expertise 24 hours a day, seven days a week, right in their own communities. Learn more.
 
Learn about your mind and nervous system
Join us for these upcoming events, part of Think * Feel * Function: A learning series about your mind and nervous system, including:

• Simple Ways to Treat Back Pain and Prevent Injury
  Jeffrey P. Johnson, M.D., spinal surgeon at Providence Spine Services, discusses how to prevent injury and describes effective ways to treat back pain. This free forum is at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Souther Auditorium, on Nov. 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Get the details.
• Your role in stroke prevention 
  Ted J. Lowenkopf, M.D., medical director of Providence Stroke Center, and Susie Fisher, R.N., program manager of Providence Stroke Center, offer ways to prevent stroke and reduce your risk. This free forum is at OMSI Auditorium, on Dec. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Get the details.

Back surgery and then back to your life

In recent years, minimally invasive surgery to treat spine problems has dramatically changed the length of stay for patients, as well as recovery time. In this case, Dr. Sandquist’s patient, with a herniated disc, left the hospital the same day surgery was performed and is leading a fairly active life just weeks following surgery. Watch this KPTV video to learn more about minimally invasive surgery.

Top-quality stroke care recognized for the third consecutive year
Providence Portland Medical Center and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center have achieved consistent excellence in stroke care performance and have earned the American Heart Association’s 2009 “Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Performance Awards." The gold award recognizes two or more years of delivering care that meets the most up-to-date scientific guidelines for improved patient outcomes.

Program manager Chiayi Chen wins health care writing award

Providence Multiple Sclerosis Center Program Manager, Chiayi Chen, has earned the 2009 Nursing Economic$/Margaret Sovie Writer's Award. Chen's co-authored article, "Evaluation of a Nurse-Practitioner Led Care Management Model in Reducing Inpatient Drug Utilization and Cost," was published in the May-June 2009 volume of Nursing Economic$.

Fast action saves a bus rider with a stroke

A quick-thinking driver and rapid response by medical teams saved a woman who suffered a potentially fatal stroke on a Tri-Met bus in Southeast Portland Feb. 16. The woman, a 69-year-old caregiver, was rushed to Providence Portland Medical Center after the driver saw her slumped on the floor. Lisa Yanase, M.D., removed the clot using a Merci Retriever corkscrew device inserted through a catheter. The woman had some mild impairment, but was recovering well when interviewed by KGW-TV. “It’s wonderful to have a good outcome like this,” Dr. Yanase said. “This is the reason I get up at 3 in the morning to come to the hospital.”

Think you know the signs of stroke? Act FAST.

A pill for MS symptoms?
Multiple sclerosis patients who must give themselves shots to control their symptoms may soon benefit from a pill, thanks to continued research.

Pacific Northwest MS Registry (formerly the Oregon MS Registry)
If you are over age 18 and have been diagnosed with MS, you can help MS research and advocacy by registering online today or call 503-216-1022.

We’re structured to give you better care
In fact, Providence Health & Services is the most integrated health care network in Oregon, according to a January report by a national health care research firm. Providence ranks seventh in the nation for coordinated patient care among its hospitals, clinics and other services. Integration measures include high quality standards, information sharing, efficient technology, clinical expertise and other attributes that improve patient care.