Barrow Magazine Spring 2018 by Barrow Neurological Foundation

A M AG A Z I N E F OR T H E F R I E N D S OF BA R R OW N E U R OLO G IC A L F O U N DAT ION

SU PPO RTIN G B AR R O W N EU R O L O G ICAL IN STITU TE SPR IN G 2018

BARROW

3.0 How world-class physicians and scientists are accepting challenges, saving lives and leading Barrow to become the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier neuroscience center

Barrow 3.0

has been a true education for me. Now, a year and a half into my role as President of the Barrow Neurological Foundation, I have received a full immersion into this amazing organization. And I have come to learn that no other institute on the planet has Barrow’s unique combination of the world’s greatest brain and spine clinicians, who have the ability to accept the challenges of treating the most debilitating cases and saving the lives of those who come here. It is truly inspiring. HIS PAST YEAR

I have also witnessed a year of great change at Barrow Neurological Institute, beginning with the introduction of our new President and CEO, Dr. Michael Lawton. Along with change comes incredible opportunity to build upon the vast successes of the institute’s rich heritage, and it’s exciting to be able to help Dr. Lawton achieve his goal of Barrow becoming the premier neuroscience destination by transforming Barrow from an institute of icons to an iconic institution. Dr. Lawton brings with him unparalleled credentials as one of the world’s best neurosurgeons, a tireless work ethic, a drive to continually improve and a vision for the future of Barrow that will take the institute to new heights. That vision – Barrow 3.0, building on the work of previous leaders Drs. John Green and Robert Spetzler – requires innovation through translational research, industry collaboration, big data and the best training programs for residents, medical students, neurosurgeons and neurologists from around the world. The leading doctors, scientists and staff at Barrow are developing programs that are well on their way towards revolutionizing medicine. In this issue, you’ll learn about a few of them, ranging from creating new centers of excellence for artificial intelligence and aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) research, to utilizing cutting-edge robotics in our spine and rehabilitation programs. But also know that Barrow 3.0 requires increased space for advancing patient care; driving discovery through personalized medicine, collaboration and research; and transforming medicine by changing the way modern neurosurgery and neurology are practiced. With the support of our donors, we will be building an innovative new facility, a “Neuroplex,” to bring together our leading neurosurgeons, neurologists and researchers and attract the world’s best talent, in order to continually accept the challenges that come our way and save the lives of those who need us the most. During my tenure at the helm of the Barrow Neurological Foundation, I’ve learned that with the partnership of our generous supporters, community leaders and corporate allies, so much is possible. Together, we can – and will – save even more lives. In fact, in the following pages, I’m proud to provide you with a sneak peak at a transformational $50 million gift from The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, in partnership with the Barrow Neurological Foundation. The gift recognizes Dr. Nader Sanai’s groundbreaking work in dedicated Phase 0/2 clinical trials for brain tumors. The mission for the Ivy Brain Tumor Center will be to cure brain cancer within 10 years. This is yet another exciting example of our community’s generosity fueling innovation at Barrow Neurological Institute. So as you read through this issue of the Barrow Magazine, I hope you are inspired about this next phase of Barrow and all the opportunities that abound for changing conventional medicine and revolutionizing treatment for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, aneurysms and AVMs, Parkinson’s, concussion, stroke and other brain and spine disorders. Your continued support is critical to achieving Dr. Lawton’s vision of Barrow 3.0. I hope that you will join us in accepting the challenge and the opportunity to transform the institute so that Barrow can transform the lives of our patients. With sincere gratitude,

Katie Cobb PRESIDENT BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION

SPR IN G 2018

BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Officers

Michael Haenel

CHAIR

Dan Grubb VICE-CHAIR

Michael R. King SECRETARY

Karen C. McConnell TREASURER

Members Katie Cobb Harold Dorenbecher Booker T. Evans, Jr. Ira A. Fulton Tomas Gorny Lisa Handley Michael Hecomovich Karen S. King-Brooks William A. Langer, Jr. Robert Lavinia Michael T. Lawton, MD Robyn Lee Stephen Lenn Mike Lovell Larry Mayhew W. Kent McClelland Patrick J. McGroder, III William Metzler Shannon Mishkin Mitchell Pierce David Rauch

2 6 8

Around the Institute The World’s Leading Specialists at Barrow Neurological Institute What’s on Your Brain? Q&A with Dr. Michael Lawton

BARROW 3.0

10 The Vision for the Future of Barrow Neurological Institute 16 Discovering Hope. Every Day. 18 A Critical Combination to Fight Dementia 20 A New Frontier in Neuro-Rehabilitation 22 Evolving the Backbone of Spine Surgery BENEFITING BARROW

4 Champions. Philanthropists. Friends. The Women’s 2 Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation 28 Building a Legacy that Saves Lives 30 Stars Shine Bright for Alzheimer’s Care 32 ‘Geniuses’ Raise the Bar for Barrow Beyond 33 An Answered Prayer

Editors Katie Cobb Laura Jobke Contributing Writers Robert Leger Hang Vuong Design Response Creative

34 Golf, Games & Grubb! 35 Walking for a Cure 36 Together, We Can Make a Difference

Photography Brad Armstrong Gary Armstrong Harley Bonham Duke Photography, Inc. Jared Platt Photography Printing OneTouchPoint – CCI

Jim Swanson Patty White Jerry D. Worsham, II

Barrow 3.0: President and CEO Dr. Michael Lawton’s vision will push the boundaries of medicine and propel the institute into the world’s leading neuroscience center.

Around the Institute

Actress Sharon Stone Makes International Headlines Introducing Dr. Michael Lawton as Barrow’s New Leader HOLLYWOOD STAR Sharon Stone (pictured above) visited Barrow in October to introduce the man she credits with saving her life, President and CEO Dr. Michael Lawton. Dr. Lawton was Stone’s brain surgeon in San Francisco after she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2001. “I am proud to welcome to Barrow the man who saved my life,” she said during a press conference. “The majority of people who go through what happened to

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me do not survive, let alone recover. I’m able to be here today and walking and talking because of Dr. Lawton.” During the event, which received media coverage throughout the world, Dr. Lawton publicly unveiled plans for expanding the Barrow campus with an innovative and collaborative new work space – The Barrow Neuroplex – and launching two new centers of excellence – the Barrow Artificial Intelligence Center and the Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center.

Lonnie Ali Toasts to 20 Years of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center MORE THAN 50 prominent guests joined Barrow leaders, physicians and staff for an intimate event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the naming of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, the nation’s most comprehensive center for treating Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Hosted in the center, the event featured tours by staff, remarks from physicians and Lonnie Ali, the widow of Muhammad Ali, and a celebratory toast from President and CEO Dr. Michael Lawton (pictured top with Ali). Dr. Holly Shill, director of the center, announced the creation of the Lonnie and Muhammad Ali Legacy Care program, an innovative program that is bringing care to housebound Parkinson’s patients via in-home visits and telemedicine, all made possible by a $4 million gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

Left to right: Dr. Ryan Walsh, Dr. Michael Lawton, Dr. Holly Shill, Dr. Jeremy Shefner and Dr. Abraham Lieberman

Lifesaving Stroke Care Hits the Streets CURRENT NATIONAL STROKE treatment statistics are staggering. Less than six percent of individuals receive the necessary treatment needed within the four-and-a-half hour recommended timeframe after the onset of symptoms. Barrow Neurological Institute is tackling this challenge head-on through a partnership with the Phoenix Fire Department that will revolutionize the way many stroke victims in the Valley receive care. The Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit is a uniquely equipped and staffed ambulance that is stocked with specialized

Stroke Program Director Dr. Michael Waters with LaVon Medina

equipment designed to diagnose and treat stroke patients. Through the partnership, when an emergency call for a possible stroke is received, the Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit is dispatched to the patient’s home along with the Fire Department’s paramedics. Using telemedicine, a Barrow stroke physician is able to consult with the patient and on-site staff, helping to determine what immediate actions can be taken to reduce the effects of the stroke. The Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit was made possible thanks to the generous support of Thunderbirds Charities and The Board of Visitors. The unit has gone on hundreds of calls since its launch in October, already making an incredible difference for patients like LaVon Medina, who suffered a stroke on Thanksgiving Day. “I just think what a miracle it is and how many lives it’s going to save,” she says. “It’s amazing. Saved my life. I’m one of them.”

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AROUND THE INSTITUTE

Wondrous Support for Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center Patients THE HOLLYWOOD release of the movie Wonder shined an important spotlight on the challenges kids with cleft and craniofacial disorders can experience. Seven patients treated in the Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center, also fans of the novel-turnedmovie, were able to attend the movie’s opening in style thanks to the generosity of XanderLyn Salon in Scottsdale. The fans, ranging in age from 11 to 22, were treated to a pampering session complete with haircuts and styles, makeup and manicures.

With continued excitement and momentum around the event, the Inzalaco family, longtime donors and champions of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, matched gifts to the center up to $25,000, resulting in more than $50,000 to fund programs in support of cleft and craniofacial patients.

Multiple Sclerosis Program Recognized as a Leader by National MS Society BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE is home to the first program in the state to be acknowledged as a Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Partners in MS Care program. This formal recognition honors the institute’s commitment to providing exceptional, coordinated multiple sclerosis (MS) care and a continuing partnership with the society to address the challenges of people affected by MS. The MS Society’s Partners in MS Care program recognizes dedicated providers whose practices support their initiative of affordable access to high quality health care for everyone living with MS. Dr. Aimee Borazanci, MS expert at Barrow (pictured left), says, “The center is a tremendous resource for patients in Arizona and across the Southwest region, and we are grateful for the support we have had from community leaders that has allowed us to offer additional services and better holistic care for patients.”

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Barrow Alumni Network: Connecting the Past and Providing for the Future THE BARROW ALUMNI NETWORK was recently created to help Barrow alumni stay connected with the institute, reconnect with classmates, meet new colleagues and support the institution where they trained. It offers an opportunity for alumni like Dr. Karl A. Greene, a board-certified neurosurgeon who completed his neurosurgical residency at Barrow Neurological Institute in the late 1980s, to formally express their appreciation to Barrow. Dr. Greene recalls his seven years at Barrow fondly. But it was a path he almost didn’t take. When he started his graduate studies Dr. Greene anticipated going into neurochemistry and psychopharmacology research. But after performing his first craniotomy, he was inspired to pursue neurosurgery, saying, “I never thought I would be a neurosurgeon. However, after surgery I was amazed by the change that happened before my eyes.” After removing the patient’s blood clot, she was awake and having lunch within a few hours. Watching her recover so quickly following surgery, after being in a deteriorated state beforehand, amazed him. Dr. Greene credits his Barrow mentors for helping him prepare for his career. He says, “I could not compare the depth and breadth of what I learned at

Barrow Neurological Institute to any other institution in the world.” His favorite memory at Barrow was the graduation brunch after completing his residency, at which time he felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and experienced bittersweet emotions about leaving. Reflecting back, he could vividly remember all of the individuals who helped him along his Barrow journey. After mentioning half a dozen mentors, including Dr. Robert Spetzler and Dr. Volker Sonntag, he reflects, “Dr. Bill White taught me so many fundamental things I still remember today.” In the Barrow residency program, young doctors can learn from the very best mentors, develop relationships and ask questions to prepare them to be leading physicians in their field. Dr. Greene practices at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin and is extensively published in more than 70 medical journals, textbooks and monographs. Recently, he decided to give back to the place where he spent his formative years. He’s grateful for Barrow and believes in the institute’s drive for excellence. Dr. Greene encourages other alumni to donate as well.

WHY I GIVE

Dr. Greene with Dr. Spetzler at the completion of his residency.

Dr. Karl A. Greene

Dr. Greene today.

If you’re an alum, we want to stay in touch to celebrate your successes, share updated information about the institute and let you know about upcoming continuing medical education courses and conferences. For more information, please email Alumni@ BarrowNeuro.org.

“[I give back] to perpetuate the drive for excellence. The same thing we benefited from when we trained, we could pass forward to the next generation – not only the skills that we learned, but the way to think and problem solve.”

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THE WORLD’S LEADING SPECIALISTS AT BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE Top physicians, researchers and nurses want to practice at Barrow because of the institute’s world-class reputation and the unique opportunities to change the course of medicine.

Neurologists

Neurosurgeons

Neuropsychologists

Neuroscientists

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8,334 admissions

5,539

neurosurgeries, the highest volume in the country

49,950

unique patients treated last year

Responded to

741

patient inquiries through Barrow Second Opinion Program

Neurology residents chosen from more than

100%

500

annual applicants

neurosurgery residents

100+

Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurses, the most of any hospital in the country

of neurosurgery residents passed Boards on first attempt from 2014-2017

306 clinical trials

984

research studies

1000+ 3D spine models and

100+

3D cranial models printed in the Barrow Innovation Center to personalize treatment last year

Patients traveled from

COUNTRIES

to receive care at Barrow

Developed first of its kind

ROBOT

to perform spine surgeries

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WHAT’S ON YOUR BRAIN? Michael Lawton, MD Barrow President and CEO

ARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITU TE’S

President and CEO, Dr. Michael Lawton, is

considered one of the world’s best neurosurgeons and an expert in treating skull base

tumors and cerebrovascular disorders such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and stroke. But in college he was on a different path and almost didn’t become a doctor at all. Find out what’s on his brain: what led him to change courses, why he came back to Barrow, and what inspires him, both inside and outside of the operating room. Welcome back to Barrow! Why did you make the decision to return after almost 20 years? Thanks! I came back because I believe in Barrow. This place made me who I am as a neurosurgeon. Dr. [Robert] Spetzler, specifically, molded me. I wanted to continue the Barrow tradition of excellence and carry on the legacy that I know well from my training at Barrow. I firmly believe that this is one of the most unique places to practice neurosurgery in the world. Things can happen here that can’t happen anywhere else, which makes it a very exciting place to build a vision.

You completed your residency here under Dr. Spetzler. What’s your favorite memory from that time? When Dr. Spetzler was the honored guest of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 1994, I was a midlevel resident and he asked me to prepare his talks for the meeting. I reviewed all of his giant 8

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aneurysm cases, which included many of his cardiac standstill cases, and all of his transfacial operations – his most spectacular skull base tumor cases. The work was tough – I can remember pulling all-nighters in the operating room with our artist Mark Schornak simulating the approaches on models of the skull to make 3D videos, long before there were computer programs to produce the animations. But when it was all done and Dr. Spetzler delivered his amazing lectures at the meeting, I felt like Barrow had truly become the epicenter of neurosurgery and I was so fortunate to be right there.

What inspired you to become a doctor? I was originally a biomedical engineering major in college, so I was interested in science, but I was missing the human connection. I couldn’t see myself working in the bowels of a hospital repairing equipment and decided to get over to the medical

side. The other big driver was my grandfather, who was the son of immigrants and the first doctor in my family. He was a real hero for me, because I saw how his clinical research on the use of penicillin to treat meningitis helped so many people. He inspired me, my uncle and my cousin to go into medicine.

Why neurosurgery? I was actually interested in heart surgery when I was in college, when the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart was first implanted. I wanted to use my engineering background to build artificial hearts, because I thought that was the coolest thing in medicine at the time. However, after my first year of medical school, I tried to get a research position in a cardiac surgery lab, and there weren’t any openings. I ended up finding work with neurosurgeons and really liked it, and the rest is history!

What has been your biggest challenge? Becoming the best neurosurgeon I can be. I have been focused on this for so many years and pushed myself to become better and better. It’s one of those endless mountains to climb. Just when I think I’m getting pretty good, some difficult case or complication will bring me down and remind me that I cannot get complacent. I’ve had other challenges – raising four kids and losing a sister to brain cancer come to mind – but I seek new challenges because they define us.

What else defines you? What do you like to do outside of the operating room? I love to ski – both alpine and Nordic, run mountain trails, ride my mountain bike and spend time with my family.

What’s your favorite place you have traveled? After I matched here for my residency, I had two months to just travel. A college friend and I went to New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong. We spent two months on the road, exploring a totally different part of the world, having fun, relaxing, and getting mentally prepared for the

hardships of residency. I cannot remember another time when I felt so free and at peace. I began my neurosurgery career after that trip, and ever since, I have not been able to escape the weight of it.

What inspires you? We’re all on this earth for only so long, and we have only so much energy to spend. I am inspired to make a mark on the world – whether that be working on a new surgical procedure that hasn’t been done before, writing a book, or teaching residents who will one day become my legacy. I’m inspired by and dedicated to making as big of a mark as I can so that when I leave this world, it will be just a little better for my having been here.

What’s one thing you wish people knew about Barrow?

“I’m inspired by and dedicated to making as big of a mark as I can so that when I leave this world, it will be just a little better for my having been here.”

I wish that people on the outside could experience the culture that is Barrow. People may read our publications or watch our MICHAEL LAWTON, MD videos, but they cannot know the complex environment that mixes talented neurosurgeons, hardworking residents, challenging cases, commitment to excellence, boundless creativity, and a strong tradition of being the best, both in the operating room and on other fields of competition. This mixture creates a bonded family and special culture that, for whatever reason, doesn’t exist at most other places. Michael Lawton, MD, is the president and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute and the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. He has treated more than 4,000 brain aneurysms, 800 AVMs, and 1,000 cavernous malformations. Dr. Lawton received a degree in biomedical engineering from Brown University and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Barrow, where he also completed a fellowship in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery. After joining the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco, he later completed a fellowship in endovascular surgery there. He has published over 450 peer-reviewed articles, three single-author textbooks and over 70 book chapters.

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BARROW THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE

h e s e i z ur e c rum pl ed

University of San Diego student Colby Bishop, leaving him unconscious on the ground. A professor found him and called for medical help. Doctors quickly determined that Colby had a rare arteriovenous malformation

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(AVM), an abnormal tangle of arteries and veins, the size of a tangerine. Because it was attached to his brain’s motor strip, removing it would be a high-risk surgery. Leaving it in place was even riskier, as a rupture could cause paralysis or death. Because of the complexity of the surgery, Colby’s doctors knew there was only one thing to do. They recommended he see Dr. Michael Lawton at Barrow Neurological Institute, where more brain surgeries are performed compared to any other American hospital. Dr. Lawton, among the world’s top brain surgeons, specializes in difficult AVM and aneurysm cases. He’s written groundbreaking reference books on both. Within days, Colby was undergoing a nine-hour surgery, during which a section

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Colby with his parents Lysi and Scott celebrating his recovery.

of the AVM ruptured and he suffered a stroke. Anywhere else, that could have been deadly. But Dr. Lawton and his team handled the rupture and removed the AVM. Despite the complication, Colby left the hospital a few days later. After a week of neurorehabilitation at Barrow, he headed home to Idaho, and started classes on time that fall for his last semester of college. “I was relieved to be able to start school and focus on my future without ever again having to worry about a ticking time bomb in my brain,” he says. “I am incredibly thankful.” Colby feels 100 percent healed, has graduated from college and is completing an internship, with a bright future ahead.

Centers of excellence Colby’s experience fits Dr. Lawton’s vision for Barrow’s future, as he continues to build on the foundation left by founder Dr. John Green (196286) and Green’s successor as president, Dr. Robert Spetzler (1986-2017). Dr. Lawton, Barrow 3.0 will “push the nearing his first anniversary as boundaries of neuroscience Barrow’s third even further and strive to president and CEO, solve the unsolvable with new is charting ways to techniques, new technologies, further enhance the and in ways we never thought institute’s global possible,” says Dr. Lawton. reputation for innovation. Barrow 3.0 will “push the boundaries of neuroscience even further and strive to solve the unsolvable with new techniques, new technologies, and in ways we never thought possible,” he says. Toward that end, he sees Barrow not as a collection of neuro-centered programs, but as home to centers of excellence in treatment and research. The Barrow Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Research Center, or BAARC, is one example.

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While AVMs are rare, they are often deadly – half of all hemorrhages are fatal, and they occur most frequently in teens and young adults, like Colby. Brain aneurysms are more common – 10 burst in the United States every three hours. Of those 10 people, four don’t make it. Another four suffer permanent neurological defects. There is little research into aneurysms and AVMs – the federal government invests just 83 cents per year for each person affected. Yet this is a field that offers a great potential to improve quality of life for so many people. That’s why Dr. Lawton is leading BAARC to be the place where critical research takes place. Dr. Lawton, for instance, found two common gene mutations responsible for what was thought to be hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a rare disorder that leads to the development of multiple abnormalities in the blood vessels. That research indicated the condition may not be hereditary after all. Understanding the genetics helps doctors find ways to better treat or prevent complications. Some AVMs are small and easily removed. Some are so large they’re impossible to deal with. Unraveling the biology behind these large AVMs can lead to the development of new, noninvasive, effective treatments. Similarly, the consensus on aneurysms has changed. Once, surgery was scheduled for all aneurysms regardless of their size. About a decade ago, researchers determined that smaller ones generally don’t rupture if they’re left alone. As neurosurgeons become

WHY WE GIVE more conservative in their approach, medications to further reduce the risk of a ruptured aneurysm become more valuable. If doctors can determine the biology that makes an aneurysm grow, they can develop drugs to counter it. Other medical fields have done this with great results. Arteriosclerosis used to be highly fatal. Once the biology of the disease was better understood, statin medications were developed. People lived longer. As Dr. Lawton and his team unravel the biology of aneurysms and AVMs, they expect to see the same results. Barrow’s reputation for medical excellence attracts patients, who provide tissues for research, which in turn provides better options for treatment, and attracts more patients. This is translational genetics at its best. And it’s why Barrow is uniquely situated to lead the world in improving the treatment of aneurysms and AVMs.

Fundamental transformation in medicine Dr. Lawton encourages this same sense of discovery, innovation and research to

improve patient outcomes throughout Barrow. He’s identified key programs for particular emphasis. Barrow 3.0 will make great use of artificial intelligence, which is poised to fundamentally transform medicine by truly delivering personalized care. Diagnostics and treatment are, at their core, data analysis problems. Doctors collect data to determine what’s wrong and find a solution. Some data, such as lab results, flow into a spreadsheet. Other data are “unstructured,” to use computer speak for information not organized in a pre-defined manner. This data includes X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, genome sequences or a doctor’s clinical notes. The human brain understands how to sort through this data, just as it knows how to find a route on a map, tell the difference between pictures of a dog and a muffin or turn on the lights. Until recently, any of these tasks were beyond a computer’s ability. But now Siri finds a coffee shop for you, Google sorts through photos and finds the one you need and Alexa keeps your electric bill low. This is rudimentary artificial intelligence, or AI.

Lysi and Scott Bishop “Barrow gave us our son Colby’s life back. We are so grateful, and it was very important to us to do what we could to support the place that saved our son. By giving to Barrow, we hope that our gift will help provide that same care for someone else in need and offer funding for research into AVMs. For people from all over the world who are diagnosed with AVMs, having that resource in Barrow is incredible. There is no one better or more experienced in performing those surgeries than Dr. Lawton. No one else has his skill set. We wanted to help others who are in those same shoes, who get the call that their loved one has an AVM and needs high risk surgery. Having someone like Dr. Lawton, with that vast experience in how to save them, truly makes all the difference in life.”

Dr. Michael Lawton, one of the world’s experts in treating aneurysms and AVMs, will lead research into new treatments at the Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center. S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

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What does this have to do with medicine? Today, your family doctor might send you to a specialist, who will visit with you, collect your medical history, run tests and review radiology. Weeks later the doctor will have results and can reach a diagnosis. In the future, a supercomputer using deep learning and artificial intelligence will help the doctor and speed diagnosis. Within minutes, this computer will gather your entire medical history from multiple doctors’ offices, examine your lab results, radiology, doctors’ notes and genetic data, and compare it with the 25,000 petabytes of collected medical data worldwide, looking for patterns and predictions to inform a personalized diagnosis before you leave the office. You could quickly receive treatment that is far more likely to improve your health than a one-sizefits-all plan. The technology to do this doesn’t exist – yet. This is the disruptive future of medicine. One of Dr. Lawton’s first Barrow 3.0 recruits, Dr. Igor Barani, is at the

Dr. Igor Barani is at the forefront of developing artificial intelligence applications for medicine.

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forefront of developing the AI accuracy necessary for medical applications. Working in the private sector, Dr. Barani made breakthroughs in using AI to read and diagnose medical imaging such as X-rays. He came to Barrow, with its huge medical data repository and a powerful supercomputer, because he believed he could make a larger impact here. Dr. Barani is thinking big. Other researchers tackle discrete pieces in medicine, such as reading an X-ray or comparing doctors’ notes to the latest literature. Dr. Barani instead has set an audaciously big goal: working toward a holistic approach that will use Barrow’s supercomputer to interpret both images and text, which no one else is attempting. It will then apply deep learning and assimilate this big data to create efficiencies and personalize treatment.

A place to reject the status quo Dr. Lawton and Dr. Barani are not alone in pursuing ground-breaking research. A refusal to accept the status quo runs deep in Barrow’s DNA and is the guiding principle of Barrow 3.0. The world’s top neuroscience researchers come here to study brain and spine disorders in hopes of discovering new treatments and cures for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, brain tumors and cerebrovascular disorders. Last year, Barrow scientists conducted more than 300 clinical trials and nearly 1,000 studies. But these leading scientists are stymied because lab space is at a premium. The manner in which Barrow’s clinics, research labs, rehabilitation facilities, operating rooms and offices are scattered across an eight-block radius makes collaboration more difficult. At a minimum, this arrangement forces patients to navigate a maze of offices to find their doctor. Over the longer term, it limits ground-breaking

research and innovations that would benefit patients. Barrow’s doctors brim with ideas on how to improve medical care, but a lack of lab space often delays their development. The solution: The Barrow Neuroplex. The new five-story building will serve as the heart of Barrow, centralizing and integrating clinical research, neurology and neurosurgery for enhanced patient care. The new centers of excellence – including The Neuroplex will transform the Barrow Aneurysm the way modern neurosurgery and AVM Research is practiced by utilizing Center and the Barrow advanced virtual reality and Artificial Intelligence augmented reality technology. Center – will find a home here. The larger research space will be a gathering area for disparate neurologic specialties, fostering dynamic synergies and collaboration. This new home for Barrow began as a project of Dr. Spetzler and carries on today under Dr. Lawton. The building project was formerly known as the Spetzler Legacy Project, because Dr. Spetzler dedicated philanthropic gifts made in his name for his retirement to address the space constraints that limited Barrow’s growth. He says, “This project is

dear to my heart and carries with it the promise of future neurological progress.” Today, the building project, called The Barrow Neuroplex in the spirit of a Google Campus of Neuroscience, continues Dr. Spetzler’s legacy and will allow Dr. Lawton to take Barrow to new heights. Ultimately, the Neuroplex will transform the way modern neurosurgery is practiced by utilizing advanced virtual reality and augmented reality technology to combine a patient’s MRI, CT and angiographic images. In a virtual reality studio, the surgical team will prepare for an operation, plan its strategy and anticipate complications. Then during surgery the team will use a computer-guided system. “This state-of-the-art facility is critical to helping Barrow become the world’s leading neuroscience center, because it will change the environment in which our team works, create a portal for destination patients, and expand our space for research,” Dr. Lawton says. That’s Barrow 3.0, creating fresh variations on the theme that Dr. Green and Dr. Spetzler instilled in this neurological institute. Under Dr. Lawton, Barrow will find new ways and new technologies to solve the unsolvable, with many initiatives already underway that have the potential to change the protocol for treating neurological conditions. S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

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DISCOVERING HOPE. EVERY DAY.

HE NUMBERS

are somber. More than 138,000 Americans are fighting malignant brain

tumors. By the end of the year, another 26,000 will be diagnosed. More than nine out of ten

of those diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common type, will pass away within five years. Medical science has yet to find a breakthrough. Standard clinical trials tested 78 potential brain tumor drugs between 1998 and 2014. Three showed promise. The other 75 failed. Why has science been unable to make a dent? Research has defaulted to pharmaceutical companies burdened with a lengthy and costly drug testing system. Market forces and the risk of side effects have

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led pharmaceutical companies to make glioblastoma their lowest priority. There is a better way, one that counts on research and academic institutions to bring passion and innovation to the development of new drugs.

Developing a new standard of care Barrow Neurological Institute is leading a national

movement to quickly identify the drugs that will save lives. The new approach is the Phase 0/2 trial, which can test drugs in as little as four months, with as few as 15 patients, and at a fraction of the conventional cost. In Phase 0, an approach pioneered by our Director of Neurosurgical Oncology, Dr. Nader Sanai, a patient receives a small dose of an experimental drug a day before surgery. During the operation, doctors collect tumor tissue, blood and spinal fluid, and test the samples immediately following surgery to determine if the drug was effective. If it wasn’t, the patient is referred to other therapies. But if it was, the patient moves directly into a Phase 2 component of the trial and receives a higher daily dose of the experimental drug, offering a better chance for success than in standard trials. Ultimately, this personalized medicine strategy to brain tumor treatment will allow Barrow to establish a new standard of care employing drugs, chemotherapy and radiation. This approach allows for dozens of drugs to be tested quickly, thus identifying cures faster. Partnering with other top research institutes – Mayo Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Yale Cancer Institute, University of California, Los Angeles Cancer Center and Translational Genomics Research Institute – and pharmaceutical companies, will further progress.

Accelerating the search for a cure Thanks to the generous support of The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, Barrow will soon intensify and accelerate these research efforts. The Ivy Foundation, the largest non-governmental supporter of brain tumor research in the United States, has funded patient-focused research on glioblastoma since 2005. Since that time, it has invested over $82 million toward the ultimate goal of curing brain cancer. The Foundation identified Dr. Sanai and his

Phase 0/2 program as a leading contender for a breakthrough. Now open, the Ivy Brain Tumor Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute is assembling a program specializing in high-throughput Phase 0/2 clinical trials for glioblastoma patients by identifying new first-in-class drug combinations that will attack this deadly cancer. As the Center grows, every patient, regardless of diagnosis or stage of the brain tumor, will have the option to enroll in a Phase 0/2 clinical trial. The expansion in lab space and the recruitment of top brain tumor scientists and clinical staff will The Ivy Brain Tumor Center will fast-track medical drive a program specializing in discovery and offer high-throughput Phase 0/2 clinical hope and support trials for glioblastoma patients. to those battling glioblastoma. Thanks to The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation and the leadership and courage of Catherine Ivy, who lost her husband to glioblastoma, the opportunity to cure brain cancer will be on a path to realization. For more information on supporting the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, please contact the Barrow Neurological Foundation at 602.406.3041 or visit IvyBrainTumorCenter.org. Nader Sanai, MD, is the director of neurosurgical oncology and oversees all clinically directed brain tumor research at Barrow. Dr. Sanai is one of only a handful of neurosurgeons in the country serving as the principal investigator of a prestigious NIH R01 grant. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego and obtained his doctorate in medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, where he also completed his neurosurgery residency. In 2009, Dr. Sanai joined Barrow to complete a clinical fellowship in skull-base surgery and was then recruited to become Barrow’s director of neurosurgical oncology.

Dr. Nader Sanai (right) and his team at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center have pioneered a new approach to finding treatments for glioblastoma. S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

BARROW

3.0

A CRITICAL COMBINATION TO FIGHT DEMENTIA T STARTED WITH

a tremor in his pinky finger. Jay Layman didn’t

think much of it at the time. He was 51 years old, seemingly in

good health, and working as an executive. It was probably stress. But when the symptoms progressed to a hand tremor, balance issues and difficulty organizing and planning things at work, Jay and his wife, Dawn, persisted in searching for answers. Dawn researched the best doctors and programs for cognitive and balance disorders, which led her to the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program at Barrow. After extensive testing, Jay received a timely diagnosis – Lewy body dementia – and the ability to enjoy quality time with his young family. “We were open with our kids about the reality of the disease, and the diagnosis was hard on them at first,” Dawn says. “They were afraid of losing their dad. But it was critical for us to get an early diagnosis, giving us the time to plan for the future and relish every good moment we have together.” Lewy body dementia is a progressive disease that can affect thinking, memory, movement, sleep and behavior. The Laymans are making the best of difficult circumstances, even joking that it’s “Lewy” acting out when their dad has a hallucination or can’t find the right word. “We try to have a positive attitude each and every day – even when I have to drag my legs out of bed because they’re so stiff, or I can’t form a sentence,” Jay says. “My goal is to set a good example for my boys, that you can have bad things happen but you don’t have to quit.”

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

Lewy body dementia is often difficult to diagnose, so the Laymans appreciate the early diagnosis. “We have been given the gift of time by Barrow,” Dawn says.

Uncompromising search for a cure Lewy body dementia affects 1.4 million Americans, making it part of a growing dementia epidemic. Another form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, is one of the top 10 causes of death, and the only one that cannot be prevented or cured. As many as 16 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by 2050. The leading doctors and scientists in the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program intend to change these statistics. At Barrow, research is integrated with patient care, and physicians treat patients like Jay with the latest therapies, while continuing to investigate a cure. “We have been able to initiate 18 new research studies in the last two years, and are farther down the path toward finding more treatments to delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and ultimately, cure the disease,” says Dr. Jeremy Shefner, chair of the department of neurology and senior vice president. Studies range from the first ever blood test to detect Alzheimer’s to one of the first Lewy body dementia studies in the medical field, to vaccines, prevention and imaging research. “Barrow is uniquely positioned to lead research into new Alzheimer’s treatments,” says Dr. Shefner. “In addition to a strong pro-research culture, the institute has a critical mass of talented faculty and an infrastructure focused on innovative studies.” Through participation in the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study, Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, Global Alzheimer’s Platform and Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Barrow strives to provide the best treatment available for

dementia patients, and just as importantly, provide hope for the future. As scientists actively search for a cure, patients and families are managing the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia – but at Barrow, they aren’t alone. By integrating research with compassionate patient care, the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders team holds each patient’s hand as they manage the difficult journey following their diagnosis. People from 17 states travel to Barrow for the highest level of patient centered care. Many institutions conduct high quality research, but few are able to combine excellence in both research and clinical care. Through the institute’s dedication to both, within

WHY WE GIVE

Jay and Dawn Layman

the next 10 years the Barrow team aims to make dementia a manageable condition and change the trajectory of the disease for families like the Laymans. Jeremy Shefner, MD, PhD, holds the Kemper and Ethel Marley Professor and Chair of Neurology and is Senior Vice President of Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Shefner is an international leader in ALS research and received the Sheila Essey Award in 2014, the major award given annually by the ALS Association and the American Academy of Neurology. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School and his doctorate from the University of Illinois. He has published approximately 200 chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals and has served on multiple grant review panels.

Jay Layman with sons Nicholas, Nathan, and Carter, and wife Dawn

“As parents, we teach our children the importance of giving back to our community. We believe we were able to play a part in helping other families receive help on their journey, and we feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to do so.”

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BARROW

3.0

A NEW FRONTIER IN NEURO-REHABILITATION

OVANNA CALZADILLAS WAS

swaying to Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby”

when the bullets began raining down on the Route 91 Music Festival in Las

Vegas. One tore through the 30-year-old mother’s brain, leaving her among the 546 people injured in the October 1 massacre that killed 58 people. She was one of the first to arrive at University Medical Center, where doctors operated but were unable to remove the bullet. Her brain swelled. She was unresponsive. Doctors advised her family to consider organ donation. Her husband, Frank, refused. He knew his wife was still there. So they came home to Phoenix. Jovanna was transported to Barrow Neurological Institute and the Select Specialty Hospital, where a combination of intuitive medicine and robotic neurotherapy had her talking, joking and walking with assistance before Valentine’s Day. The recovery story made international headlines, with global coverage focusing on how Barrow delivered a heartwarming miracle from the devastation of the Las Vegas attack. But the story began with Dr. Christina Kwasnica, Barrow’s medical director of neuro-rehabilitation. When she meets a new patient, she starts by reviewing their imaging. If an injury is on the left side of the brain – as it was in Jovanna’s case – she knows Jovanna relearns to walk with the assistance of the Barrow rehab team and an exoskeleton.

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

A patient utilizes the Rapael Smart Glove to assist with rehabilitation of her hand.

language has likely been lost. So she looks for other ways to communicate. “It’s like we’re speaking German and they’re speaking French. You have to give them time,” she says. Jovanna’s eyes were open, and she could track with them in a small way. “This told me that she was unresponsive because of a language deficit, not because of the severity of her injury,” Dr. Kwasnica says. “She was not dying.” As she examined Jovanna, the doctor was also thinking long-term, an advantage that exists at Barrow because of its unique ability to provide inpatient, long-term and outpatient therapy. “When I saw Jovanna, I was already thinking about each step. I saw us on a journey. If you’re dealing in silos, you’re not willing to go out there and take the risk.” That journey included robotics, a new wave in neurotherapy where Barrow is leading. The center has invested $1.4 million in robotic devices and plans to rapidly increase its inventory. One Chinese company made Barrow the first American clinic to receive its innovative machine for regaining use of the hand and arm. Customized robotic therapy is personalized medicine. Robotics can support patients as they learn to walk or help them relearn how to use an arm or hand, by providing resistance or completing the motion. Some robotics look as if they’re from the pages of science fiction, including one that is helping Jovanna regain the ability to walk. It’s called an exoskeleton – a wearable robot. Available for patients in the hospital or in rehabilitation, it attaches to the feet, leg and waist to support a patient and assist in walking. Like all robotics, it can be programmed to suit the needs of each patient, either providing all the motion or assisting and adjusting to what the patient can do. Neurotherapy’s aim often is to retrain a different part of the brain to take over for the injured portion.

This can require tens of thousands of repetitions, a job for which robots are well equipped. Combined with the right therapist at the right time in a patient’s recovery, robotics can help deliver higher levels of functionality and independence following a brain injury. Jovanna’s experience is just Robotics can support patients the beginning. as they learn to walk or help Barrow doctors them relearn how to use an and therapists are arm, by providing resistance at the forefront or completing the motion. of researching the capabilities of robots. They want to create a database to collect information and compare a patient’s needs to what has worked for others. Their work holds the potential to make miracles like Jovanna’s become commonplace. Christina Kwasnica, MD, is the medical director of neuro-rehabilitation and the Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation at Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Kwasnica received her medical degree from Northwestern University and also completed her physical medicine and rehabilitation internship and residency there. She is a leader in the field of physical and neuro-rehabilitation, as well as treating patients with complex brain and spinal cord injuries.

S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

BARROW

3.0

Dr. Juan Uribe uses the Globus Medical Excelsius GPS during spine surgery.

EVOLVING THE BACKBONE OF SPINE SURGERY

R . JUAN URIBE DESCRIBES

the

traditional approach to spinal

surgery in picturesque terms.

“We have to fillet people,” says the surgeon who has directed Barrow’s Spine Program since August. He’s referring to placing patients face down, making an incision down the back and folding back skin and muscle to expose the spine.

This approach guarantees a long recovery period and can result in post-operative pain worse than before surgery. Like any open surgery, there is a greater risk of complications. “The immediate future of spinal surgery is how to decrease the footprint, and how to get to the spine

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

through smaller portals” in the interest of reducing recovery time, medical costs and pain for the patient, Dr. Uribe says. “Can we deliver similar or better results using a different route?” Because Dr. Uribe is at Barrow, where boundaries are always pushed, he answers the question with a definitive yes. His career has been defined by research into minimally invasive spine surgery, including a relatively new technique in which patients are placed on their side and doctors access the spine through a small incision in the side. Neuronavigation, a computer-guided system similar to GPS, and robotic surgery also allow for minimally invasive back surgery. The latest, most advanced robotic system for performing spinal fusions was conceptualized and designed by Barrow doctors. It uses navigation and 3D technology to help doctors pre-map their surgeries. A robotic arm precisely places implants in a patient’s spine. With smaller incisions, surgeons separate the muscles surrounding the spine rather than cutting through them, resulting in less tissue damage. One of the first Barrow patients to use the Globus Medical Excelsius GPS was contractor Richard Paulsen, whose back pain had him on the verge of closing his Lake Havasu business. He left the hospital with no pain and four small puncture marks in his back. “The way I feel right now, it is amazing. It is amazing,” Richard says. This is just the beginning, Dr. Uribe says. Spinal surgery is on the verge of great technical leaps. If engineers can make a smart phone indispensable to daily life, he says, they can reduce the footprint necessary for spinal surgery. He describes one potential breakthrough: “In the

future, the surgeon will wear a special kind of goggles. You’ll walk into the operating room. The patient is already asleep. You can see through the skin and see the spine and begin the surgery through tiny incisions.” It sounds like something a sci-fi movie director would imagine, something way in the future. But no, Dr. Uribe says. The devices needed to make this happen The latest, most advanced robotic exist today. system for performing spinal Video games fusions was conceptualized and use goggles and augmented reality designed by Barrow doctors. to place a player in a virtual world. Connect that technology to a supercomputer loaded with CT images of a spine, and Dr. Uribe’s vision becomes a reality. There are tricky software challenges to resolve, of course. Operating on a spine requires a much higher degree of sophistication than conquering a

video game. But Dr. Uribe is working on building the research lab that will tackle this challenge and develop other innovative ideas. “I truly believe that augmented reality and artificial intelligence can train computers to help us perform surgery better,” Dr. Uribe says. “The reward is safer, less traumatic surgery for the patient and getting people back to work and enjoying life more quickly. That is our goal.” Juan Uribe, MD, is chief of the division of spinal disorders, Volker Sonntag chair of spine research, and vice chairman of neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Uribe earned his medical degree from Instituto Superior de Ciencias de la Salud in Colombia, where he also completed a residency in neurosurgery at Hospital San Vicente de Paul. He completed a neurosurgery residency at the University of South Florida and a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Miami. Dr. Uribe is a leading specialist in the surgical treatment of scoliosis, spinal trauma, and spinal tumors, particularly with minimally invasive techniques. S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

Benefiting Barrow

Jan Cacheris, Ann Denk and Carrie Hall

CHAMPIONS. PHILANTHROPISTS. FRIENDS. OR 5 3 YEARS,

the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation

has championed Barrow as the international leader in the treatment of

debilitating brain and spine disorders such as aneurysms and AVMs, stroke, brain tumors and Parkinson’s disease. Members of the Women’s Board are dedicated philanthropists working tirelessly to raise funds for research that unlocks countless discoveries, treatments and hope for the future of Barrow patients. And because the Women’s Board raised funds at the 2018 Barrow Grand Ball for Alzheimer’s disease, their members have become friends to every clinician who treats those afflicted with this crippling disease, to every researcher who is pushing the boundaries of discovery, and to every patient who is looking to prolong their decline in order to enjoy those extra special moments in life. The Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation impressively supported Barrow 3.0 by raising $3 million through this year’s Barrow Grand Ball. Held on January 20 at the Arizona Biltmore, the Barrow Grand Ball celebrated the philanthropic achievements of the Women’s Board, led by Chair Ann Denk and Grand Ball Co-Chairs Jan Cacheris and Carrie Hall. More than 300 distinguished guests attended this year’s black-tie affair, including some of the Valley’s most well-known leaders and philanthropists: Governor Doug Ducey; Ambassador Barbara Barrett and Dr. Craig Barrett; Senator Jon Kyl and Caryll Kyl; Dr. Michael Lawton and Suzanne Lawton; Dr. Robert Spetzler and Nancy Spetzler; Stevie and Karl Eller; Nancy Hanley; Karen and Bob Hobbs; Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance; Linda and Bill Hunt; Jan and Tom Lewis; Dionne and Francis Najafi; Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart; Amy and Ray Thurston; and Melani and Rob Walton. The Woman’s Board, recognizing that reversing the epidemic of Alzheimer’s requires research, chose to support the Barrow Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program through this year’s Grand Ball

fundraising efforts. The support of the Women’s Board is critical to helping Barrow doctors and scientists continue to make strides toward better understanding and prevention of Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. “I offer my heartfelt thanks to the members of the Barrow Women’s Board for their unwavering dedication to the institute, their endorsement in the community, and most of all, their friendship,” says Katie Cobb, President of Barrow Neurological Foundation. “Their support will allow our physicians and scientists to continue providing outstanding clinical care for all of our patients, while researching new ways of diagnosing, treating, and ultimately curing, Alzheimer’s disease and other brain and spine disorders.”

Support of Neuroscience Nursing Recognized with National Honor IN MARCH, the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation was presented with the Friend of ABNN award from the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has made an impact in the field of neuroscience nursing. The Women’s Board was selected for its overall commitment to Barrow nurses, particularly its support of the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse certification exam programs. The Women’s Board was honored during the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses’ 50th Annual Educational Meeting in San Diego, where member Juanita Francis accepted the award. Support from the Women’s Board also made it possible for 30 Barrow nurses to attend the conference.

S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

MAJOR GIFTS BARROW GRAND BALL 2018 WOMEN’S BOARD PROJECT

Alzheimer’s Disease Research ENDOWMENT FUND

Newton and Betty Rosenzweig CHIEF OF STAFF

Mr. and Mrs. David Glew The Spetzler Legacy Project Nancy Hanley Hanley Family Charitable Fund Pain Alleviation for Pancreatic Cancer Patients Alzheimer’s Disease Research Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Lewis Jan & Tom Lewis Migraine Treatment Program Mr. and Mrs. Dana Moore Liberty Buick Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center Mr. and Mrs. F. Francis Najafi Pivotal Foundation Targeted Therapy for Glioma Stem Cell Niches: A Clinical-Translational Phase I/II Trial

Mr. and Mrs. Curt R. Feuer Deep Brain Stimulation Research Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hobbs, Sr. Hobbs Family Grant for Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis Program Fellow

Mr. David J. Larcher The Spetzler Legacy Project

Mr. and Mrs. David J. Watson Developing New Drugs to Treat Depression

Dr. and Mrs. Michael T. Lawton Barrow Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Research Center

WHITE COAT FELLOW

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis H. Lyon Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Ambassador Barbara and Dr. Craig Barrett Parkinson’s Disease Research Barrow Neurological Institute The Spetzler Legacy Project

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Deep Brain Stimulation Research Celebrity Fight Night Italy Parkinson’s Disease Research Ms. Marianne Cracchiolo Mago The Steele Foundation Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Ms. Barbara Anderson Stroke Research

Mrs. Mary Jane Crist Warren Crist Clinical Education Nursing Fund

Ann and Greg Denk Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Ardie and Steve Evans Parkinson’s Disease Research

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Dorrance Stroke Research Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Fiesta Bowl Charities Concussion Testing for Student Athletes

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

Mrs. Gary J. Hewson Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Mr. and Mrs. Arte R. Moreno Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Dr. and Mrs. Volker K.H. Sonntag The Spetzler Legacy Project

BARROW DEAN

Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Hecomovich The Spetzler Legacy Project

KITCHELL Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Cacheris Parkinson’s Disease Research

Amy and Ray Thurston Barrow Research and Program Support

Philip and Juanita Francis Concussion and Brain Injury Center Research

Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. McKee Alzheimer’s Disease Research Barrow Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Research Center

Mr. and Mrs. Earl A. Petznick, Sr., and Ms. Beverly Stewart Stroke Research

Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Spetzler The Spetzler Legacy Project

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Eller Eller TelePresence

Mrs. Samuel F. Kitchell Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey D. McKeever Spine Research Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Might The Spetzler Legacy Project Penny & Robert Sarver Foundation Center for Transitional NeuroRehabilitation Mr. and Mrs. Scott M. Spangler Alzheimer’s Disease Research Multiple Sclerosis Research St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center The Spetzler Legacy Project Mr. and Mrs. James E. Warne III Parkinson’s Disease Research Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Watts Barrow Center for Neuromodulation

WHY WE GIVE

Robyn Lee, Dionne Najafi and Terry Roman This year, Robyn Lee is serving as Chairwoman of the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation, with Dionne Najafi and Terry Roman acting as the 2019 Barrow Grand Ball Co-Chairwomen. Prior to joining the Women’s Board, Robyn Lee attended the Barrow Grand Ball and Education Enrichment Evening for several years, and became a member in 2008. Her favorite experience from her time on the Women’s Board thus far was her year co-chairing the Barrow Grand Ball with Kathleen Lang. She looks forward to enjoying every moment of her year as Chairwoman and continuing to broaden her horizons by learning about the innovative work of Barrow leaders. Following a similar path, Dionne Najafi joined the Women’s Board in 2014, but had attended the Barrow Grand Ball for many years prior to becoming a member. She considered it a true honor when she was asked to join what she regards as “an extremely dedicated group of women committed to putting in the work to contribute to the success and mission of Barrow.” She particularly enjoys the educational component of the Women’s Board and is amazed by the work being done by Dr. Nader Sanai in brain tumor research. As a long time Phoenician, Terry Roman had been familiar with Barrow and its world-class reputation for years before joining the Women’s Board in 2013. She was honored when she was asked to become a Women’s Board member and help support a cause so important to the community. She looks forward to being intimately involved with the mission as Co-Chairwoman of the Barrow Grand Ball. Dionne Najafi, Robyn Lee and Terry Roman

Dionne Robyn “It is so amazing that Phoenix has this extraordinary institution in its own backyard. The work being done at Barrow is groundbreaking, it is a nimble organization, and every dollar raised makes a difference. It’s inspiring to know that together, we can make an incredible difference.”

“Neurological diseases can affect any of us. We’ve had close family members and friends whose lives have been saved at Barrow, and we’re very thankful to have this world-renowned institute in the Valley. It’s amazing to see what Barrow doctors do, and the impact the Women’s Board has been able to have. We have an extraordinary one-on-one connection with the doctors and institute that really makes being a part of the Women’s Board something special.”

Terry “I was honored when I was asked to join the Women’s Board and support Barrow. The organization is a gem for our community as it continues to make remarkable inroads in medicine. As a Women’s Board member, I am proud to be an active part of the mission!”

S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

BENEFITING BARROW

BUILDING A LEGACY THAT SAVES LIVES

RANK WILLIAMS HAD

been experiencing forgetfulness

and fallen several times. But he didn’t know why until he

and his wife, Karen, came to Barrow Neurological Institute. After extensive testing, doctors tied together his symptoms to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. At Barrow they found a caring,

WHY WE GIVE

knowledgeable team – and hope, through a clinical trial. “We know that it’s a progressive disease, but we see innovation in the therapies they’re providing,” Karen says. “We feel like coming here is being proactive, and no other place offered that. Barrow gives us a little bit of hope.” Frank and Karen were so inspired by their care at Barrow that they decided to give back, making a planned gift by designating Barrow as the beneficiary of their charitable gift annuity. Through planned gifts such as charitable gift annuities, bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance or other tax-advantaged gifts, donors can help further research and advance care for patients like Frank. Barrow Neurological Foundation’s Legacy Circle honors the foresight and generosity of individuals who have made a planned gift to Barrow Neurological Institute. By making a commitment today, legacy donors offer hope to patients and become part of Barrow’s philanthropic family.

Benefits may include: • Access to the Friends of the Foundation patient concierge program • Recognition as a member in donor materials • Invitations to Barrow special events • Regular updates on the latest Barrow news • A subscription to our annual magazine • Knowledge that you’re making a difference for patients and families fighting Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders To learn more about building your legacy today, tomorrow and into the future, please contact the Barrow Neurological Foundation at Foundation@BarrowNeuro.org or 602.406.3041.

Frank and Karen Williams

“We made Barrow the beneficiary of our charitable gift annuity because we wanted to help further the Alzheimer’s program and help people going through similar situations. When you support Barrow, you’re taking action and giving hope to those battling this disease. We hope we can do more.”

Frank and Karen Williams consult with a Barrow clinical trials specialist. S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

BENEFITING BARROW

STARS SHINE BRIGHT FOR ALZHEIMER’S CARE HE STARS ALIGNED MARCH 10

at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa to raise

money for the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program at Barrow Neurological

Institute. Billy Crystal, Smokey Robinson, Kristin Chenoweth, Randy Jackson, Bo Derek and dozens of other celebrities joined 1,000 guests for the 24th Annual Celebrity Fight Night, one of the country’s elite charity events. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the night featured performances by headliner Steven Tyler, Brooks & Dunn, Brian McKnight, Robinson, Chenoweth, and 10-year-old America’s Got Talent singer Angelica Hale. Barrow patient Jay Layman, his family at his side, shared his emotional journey after receiving an early diagnosis of Lewy body dementia from Barrow doctors. His story drove home the mission of the evening, inspiring many in the room to donate to the cause. It was Fight Night’s second big event of the season. Last fall, the Fourth Annual Celebrity Fight Night Italy invited guests to a weeklong getaway in Rome. Legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli hosted the celebration of the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali while raising money for the Barrow Parkinson’s Center

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

that bears Ali’s name, as well as the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program. Bocelli, Sir Elton John, Steven Tyler and David Foster performed in the world-famous Colosseum. Celebrity Fight Night was founded in 1994 by Jimmy Walker and has raised millions for Barrow. This year’s events provided a global stage for the work being done in the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program and Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow. Both programs combine innovative research with compassionate care to offer the latest therapies and achieve the best outcomes. The support of Celebrity Fight Night will help Barrow specialists continue fighting for new treatments – and cures – to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Janis and Scott Lyon at the Founders Club Dinner

WHY I GIVE

Scott Lyon

Clockwise from left: Jimmy Walker and Steven Tyler; Maria Shriver and Lonnie Ali; Kix Brooks and Reba McEntire; Jay Layman and sons Carter, Nicholas and Nathan Read about Jay’s battle with Lewy body dementia on page 18.

“When Jimmy called me with the concept of sponsoring this cause as an honor to my father, who we lost to the disease last year, and my uncle Denny, I think I caught him off guard with a very quick ‘yes.’ Jimmy had a special relationship with my father, and we spent many days talking about how Dad was doing, and pondering his eternal destiny. Jimmy never lost hope for my father…with full knowledge he was battling a disease with no known cures. I said yes because of one word, and that is “legacy.” I come from a line of people who like to build things. And I don’t just mean buildings – we like to build relationships and create opportunities that ultimately bring value to people and communities. My father liked to build things to the nth degree, and during his 15-year battle with Alzheimer’s, many people came by to share their stories of him. This was more than just a nice deed; it was a way of mending the holes torn by his disease. And it made me realize that, at its core, a legacy is a collection of stories that people do not forget. I can take it further, and say that the stories are the secret ingredient for identity – they are what turns a brain into a mind, or what makes a house your home. As my father forgot his stories, I watched his purpose disappear. In the pantheon of modern diseases, Alzheimer’s is the thief in the night. It represents the ultimate identity theft by stealing your stories and replacing them with a legacy of loss. An Alzheimer’s patient is particularly painful to watch, because they cannot tell you where it hurts. So I ask myself, what would I do if there was a burglar in my neighborhood? How would I act towards a thief in my backyard? Just as no one deserves to feel unsafe in their own home, no one should ever feel lost in their own mind. But I still believe in building things, and in the power of devotion. Most of us pour our hearts out for our loved ones; we cherish and protect their legacies. If you go back far enough, you’ll discover that each generation had its own breakthroughs in health and medicine. Things that once killed us now literally make us stronger. Right now, Alzheimer’s is only powerful because it works in the dark. Together we can tell a new story. Let’s be the generation that catches the thief.” Scott Lyon was a member of the Celebrity Fight Night Founders Club in 2018. He is the CEO of Westroc and was inspired to support Alzheimer’s care at Barrow during this year’s Celebrity Fight Night in memory of his father, Westcor founder Rusty Lyon, who passed away in 2016 after battling the disease.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GUDENSCHWAGER PHOTOGRAPHY S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

BENEFITING BARROW

‘GENIUSES’ RAISE THE BAR FOR BARROW BEYOND

N MARCH 8,

more than 150 Barrow Beyond members and guests mixed and

mingled with eight leading Barrow doctors during the inaugural Barrow Genius Bar.

The event took place in Paradise Valley at the home of Alexis and Bonsal Glascock. The “geniuses,” Barrow’s world-class neurologists and neurosurgeons, shared knowledge and insight about their specialty with guests in a speed dating format. Members were seated at tables, and doctors spent 10 minutes at each table, giving a brief overview of their specialty before answering questions on topics that included neurosurgery, Alzheimer’s disease, concussion and migraine. Participating doctors included Barrow President and CEO Dr. Michael Lawton, Dr. Michael Bohl, Dr. Anna Burke, Dr. Javier Cárdenas, Dr. Kerry Knievel, Dr. Kris Smith, Dr. Kevin Yuen and Dr.

Bonsal and Alexis Glascock

Dr. Javier Cárdenas and DJ Humphries

Left: Dan Grubb, Katie Cobb and Mitch Pierce. Middle: Dr. Michael Bohl. Right: Dr. Kerry Knievel and Barrow Beyond Founder Shannon Mishkin

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

Glynnis Zieman. Special guest DJ Humphries from the Arizona Cardinals joined in the discussion pertaining to concussion and professional athletes. Barrow Beyond is an exclusive group of individuals and couples who support the mission of Barrow Neurological Institute through philanthropy, leadership and service. This year, the group raised $75,000 during its annual fundraising efforts, which will be directed towards a research project or clinical program at Barrow. For more information about Barrow Beyond membership visit SupportBarrow.org/BarrowBeyond.

Participating Barrow “Geniuses:” Dr. Glynnis Zieman, Dr. Michael Bohl, Dr. Javier Cárdenas, Dr. Michael Lawton, Dr. Kevin Yuen, Dr. Anna Burke and Dr. Kerry Knievel

WHY WE GIVE

The Whitaker Family

Jake, Sherry, Nate, Kyle and Jared Whitaker

“Watching a child having a seizure is scary and not knowing where or when it would happen next is even scarier. We want other families to have the hope we had, that Barrow provided for us.”

AN ANSWERED PRAYER

HERRY WHITAKER IS

overcome with gratitude to Barrow and Dr. Kris Smith. For months

her son Nate had suffered from seizures, which began just before his 13th birthday. He saw

several doctors, underwent a battery of tests and tried a variety of medications, but nothing helped. Finally, a family friend recommended the Whitakers check out Barrow Neurological Institute. Though it wasn’t near their family’s home in Colorado, Sherry says Barrow was “an answer to my prayers.” When they arrived, Dr. Smith and his team immediately took action to properly diagnose Nate and came up with an action plan to perform surgery to stop his seizures. Nate’s seizure zone was in a difficult spot – along his motor strip – so the chance of paralysis was high. But the family trusted Dr. Smith. “When we came across Barrow’s team, I felt for the first time somebody cared about Nate as a person and not just a patient,” Sherry says. “We finally found somebody who cared and was willing to help us.” Nate recovered well from surgery and now has his

driver’s permit, plays basketball and baseball and is able to live like any other 15-year-old. Sherry shares, “Every time I see him doing something, I think he is a miracle. I just feel grateful.” For their family, it was Dr. Smith’s patient care and advocacy on behalf of their son that made the difference. “He went above and beyond. He went out of his way to work with colleagues to help Nate and the family,” Sherry recalls. Moved by their experience, the Whitaker family recently made a gift to Barrow in support of epilepsy research. Their donation will help patients receive access to more accurate diagnoses and support research to discover better treatment options. They gave back in an effort to provide other families with the same hope that their family found at Barrow. S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

BENEFITING BARROW

GOLF, GAMES & GRUBB!

THE 45TH ANNUAL

Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf event was a “hole in

fun,” as golfers teed off in support of Barrow Neurological Institute and

St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center on April 27.

Top left: Dan Grubb, Spirit Award winners Chris and Caroline Hoeye, and Roger Maxwell. Top right: Jeremy Anderson, Forrest Ramser, Co-chair Brandon Wallraff, Dan Grubb, Jason Brill

Fun games and challenges entertained the more than 250 participants throughout the two courses at the JW Marriott Camelback Golf Club. The golf tournament kicked off with a helicopter ball drop. Hundreds of golf balls purchased by raffle players were dropped from a chopper, and the owner of the ball that landed closest to the hole won a cash prize. Participants were also able to test their aim using a golf ball cannon capable of launching a golf ball 300 yards or more. Throughout the course, all par three holes featured hole-in-one prizes, including a Sea-Doo, ATV, Marriott vacation and a private jet trip. Following the fun on the course, golfers and their guests were invited to a casual after party and awards reception. The party featured lawn games such as Jenga and cornhole, and entertainment from high-energy dance band SuperHero. Golfers dined on a buffet

Bottom left: Co-chair Erik Jensen heading up to start the helicopter ball drop. Bottom right: Teresa Stewart and Scottie Button head out to the course. 34

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

featuring fun food-and-drink pairings like a mac ‘n cheese and martini station, a chicken wings and craft beer station and a dessert and Bailey’s station. During the awards program, Caroline and Christopher Hoeye were honored with the Lou and Evelyn Grubb Spirit Award for their generous support of the event. The Lou and Evelyn Grubb Spirit Award recognizes individuals who mirror the philanthropic passion of the award’s namesakes, ensuring the success of the Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf event for many years to come. Special thanks to the event committee and chairs Erik Jensen and Brandon Wallraff and all sponsors for their support of innovative, life-changing care at Barrow and St. Joseph’s, especially the Title Sponsor, the Evelyn and Lou Grubb Charitable Fund, and the Premier Sponsor, The Rick Oehme Foundation.

WALKING FOR A CURE

ORE THAN 7 50 PEOPLE

laced up their sneakers for the Students Supporting Brain Tumor

Research (SSBTR) Cure-a-thon at Saguaro High School in February. The group’s largest

annual fundraising event kicked off with an opening lap led by both student and adult brain tumor survivors and their families. Participants then walked or ran the course and enjoyed family-friendly activities such as face painting, balloon artists, haircuts, bouncy houses, tarot card readings, a photo booth and a cake walk. The silent auction was particularly successful, with popular items ranging from a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in Scottsdale to a Larry Fitzgerald autographed football. More than 60 student volunteers from high schools around the Valley helped make the event possible. They planned the Cure-a-thon for nearly a year, spending hundreds of hours holding individual

fundraisers at their schools. Even after graduating, many students and their families remain involved. According to SSBTR President Dr. Wendy Kaye, “It is so special for us when we have former co-chairs or families that come from around the country to continue to be a part of SSBTR for the day.” One of Arizona’s largest student-run nonprofits, Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research raised more than $161,000 this school year for brain tumor research at Barrow and other research institutions. Since the organization’s beginning, the group has fundraised more than $3 million.

S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

Together, We Can Make a Difference

S WE ENTER BARROW 3.0,

you can help the world’s leading specialists at

Barrow Neurological Institute in their mission to change – and save – patient lives. Your gifts to Barrow Neurological Foundation make innovative patient care, cutting-edge research and topnotch medical education possible, as we strive to change the established protocols for treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s, brain and spine tumors, Parkinson’s, aneurysms and AVMs, stroke and other devastating brain and spine disorders. Barrow Neurological Foundation’s fundraising professionals can help connect you with an area of interest to assist you in fulfilling your philanthropic goals. Please call our office at 602.406.3041 to discuss the many ways to support the groundbreaking and life-changing programs and services offered at Barrow Neurological Institute.

BARROW MAGAZINE / SPRING 2018

BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION STAFF Katie Cobb PRESIDENT

Megan Bourbeau COORDINATOR

Angela Braun WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BOARD LIAISON

Alicia Cybulski FINANCIAL ANALYST

Erin Dang BUSINESS OPERATIONS ANALYST

Jana Earnest SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER

Kristen Elnicky VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS

Kim Hamersley EXECU TIVE ASSISTANT

Mandy Heath MANAGER , RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Laura Jobke MANAGER , PHILANTHROPY COMMUNICATIONS

Joyce Kalal MANAGER , ANNUAL GIVING

Kristina Knudsen VICE PRESIDENT, MAJOR GIF TS

Emily Lawson MAJOR GIF T OFFICER

Megan Monaghan-Hughes DATA COORDINATOR

Robyn Nebrich-Duda MAJOR GIF T OFFICER

Laurel Portie SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Deirdre Rivard COORDINATOR

Sandra Searle MAJOR GIF T OFFICER

Karen Thorn MAJOR GIF T OFFICER

Hang Vuong COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

S U P P O RT B A R R O W.O R G

Barrow Neurological Foundation 124 W. Thomas Rd., Ste. 250 Phoenix, AZ 85013

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We welcome your comments, suggestions and requests to be added to or deleted from our mailing list. Call 602.406.3041, email Foundation@BarrowNeuro.org, or mail Barrow Neurological Foundation, 124 W. Thomas Rd., Ste. 250, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Please include your name, address, email and phone number in all correspondence. Visit us online at SupportBarrow.org.

ANNOUNCING

A cure for brain cancer within 10 years. IvyBrainTumorCenter.org