Accepting Challenges Rejecting Norms Pushing Boundaries
I M PA C T
R E P O RT
2016 / 2017
V IS I O N :
To be recognized as the world’s leading neuroscience institute.
MISSION:
AB O VE :
To save human lives through innovative treatment, groundbreaking, curative research, and by educating the next generation of the world’s leading neuro-clinicians and researchers.
In 2017 Barrow leadership transitioned from Dr. Robert Spetzler (right) to new President and CEO Dr. Michael Lawton (left).
Dear Friends, Accepting Challenges. Rejecting Norms. Pushing Boundaries. This is the standard, year after year, that Barrow Neurological Institute has set in its commitment to be the world’s leading neuroscience institute. By accepting patients who have been told there is no hope, rejecting the status quo of how “things are supposed to be” and pushing the boundaries of established protocols to create new and revolutionary treatments, Barrow is making the impossible possible. And it’s all because of you. Last year Barrow established some truly unique milestones: » Surgeons performed more than 5,000 neurosurgeries, the highest volume in the country. » The institute offered more than a dozen research studies in its Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Disorders Program, including exploring biomarkers to develop the first ever blood test for Alzheimer’s. » Researchers partnered with IBM Watson Health to use artificial intelligence to discover five genes associated with ALS. » Barrow established the first mobile stroke treatment unit in the United States that operates around the clock in a city with a population greater than 1 million. » The institute is operating the largest Phase 0 brain tumor clinical trials program in the nation, accelerating the development of new therapies for life-threatening tumors. » And Barrow continues to train more brain and spine surgeons than any facility in the country. These endeavors, and so many more, offer hope to patients and their families at some of the most difficult times of their lives. Patients come from all over the world for care at Barrow, because our physicians and scientists will find answers that others couldn’t. As Dr. Michael Lawton begins his tenure at Barrow, he looks to build upon the incredible legacy that Dr. Robert Spetzler created over the last 34 years. He plans to accelerate the accomplishments of our dedicated clinicians and transition Barrow from an institute of icons to an iconic institution. He will revolutionize the way Barrow solves the unsolvable, using new techniques and technologies. Our mission at Barrow Neurological Foundation is simple. We exist to assist you in providing the means necessary for the institute to continue to accept challenges, reject norms and push boundaries. We are here to help you save lives. Your support truly makes a difference in making the impossible possible; 100 percent of your donations fund patient care, advances in research and education for the next generation of neuroscientists. Thank you for your incredible commitment. With your help, Dr. Lawton can create the world’s premier neuroscience institute and change the course of medicine for people battling the most challenging brain and spine disorders. Please take the time to read through this year’s impact report. I think you will be optimistic about Barrow’s abilities to accept challenges, reject norms and push boundaries and, hopefully, inspired to continue your support of this innovative institution. Sincerely,
Katie Cobb PRESIDENT, BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION
1
The Lonnie and Muhammad Ali Legacy Care Program, funded by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, will revolutionize Parkinson’s disease care by bringing treatment and expertise into the homes of housebound patients. Physicians will consult with patients via telemedicine, able to watch them move and interact through iPads, as nurses and social workers perform home visits.
Patient Care ACCEPTING CHALLENGES
The skilled clinicians at Barrow accept the challenge of treating the most severe brain and spine conditions for patients who are often told elsewhere that nothing can be done for them. By utilizing the results of cutting-edge research to provide the most innovative treatment options, physicians save lives, improve outcomes and offer hope to patients with devastating neurological conditions. 2
Advancing patient care 49,950
total patients treated
38
neurologists
31
neurosurgeons
374 nurses
surgeries performed
108
40
COUNTRIES
SURGERIES
to receive care at Barrow
Baseline concussion testing reached
37,000
high school students
$
PATIENTS inquired through the Barrow Second Opinion Program leading to
Patients traveled from
5,031
741
8,148
program visits in movement disorders exercise, recreation and expressive arts programs
85%
of Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation patients return to work and/or school
$4 MILLION GIFT
$2 MILLION GIFT
$525,000 DONATED
from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to create the Lonnie and Muhammad Ali Legacy Care Program
from T.W. Lewis Foundation to establish the Jan & Tom Lewis Migraine Treatment Program
to the Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit by Thunderbirds Charities and The Board of Visitors
3
P AT I E N T C A R E A C C E P T I N G C H A L L E N G E S
M
of patients fighting glioblastoma, the most common type of malignant brain tumor amongst adults, will die within five years. Medical science has yet to make a breakthrough, with the bulk of research falling to pharmaceutical companies burdened with a lengthy and costly drug testing system that has pushed glioblastoma to the lowest priority. Led by Nader Sanai, MD, (pictured) director of the Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center, Barrow is leading a national movement to quickly identify the drugs that will save lives through Phase 0 clinical ORE THAN 90 PERCENT
trials. In as little as four months, with as few as 15 patients, and at a fraction of the conventional cost, a Phase 0 trial is the quickest route to identifying the best strategies for treating glioblastoma. In these studies, patients with a recurrent glioblastoma tumor are administered a small dose of a drug that has been judged promising for their cancer. Within hours, neurosurgeons remove the tumor and determine if the experimental drug reached the tumor and affected its biology. If the drug has been effective, the patient will continue its use, often as one of the first brain tumor patients in the world to be treated with the experimental drug; if not, they can move on to other therapies without losing time. This game changer for cancer research is one of the first programs of its kind in the world and aims to offer an effective treatment option for every patient, transforming the course of cancer research and treatment – and saving lives.
ACCEP TING CHALLENGES FO R BRIAN MCDONALD
W
hen Brian McDonald moved to Arizona nine years ago, he didn’t know just how important that decision would be. Then he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Brian felt fortunate to have found a world-class Parkinson’s center right in his backyard and began treatment at Barrow’s Muhammad Ali Movement Disorders Center. Then fate threw him another twist. Shortly after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he started a new job at a local architecture firm. His first project? Re-designing the Muhammad Ali Movement Disorders Center. Like so many other patients, his relationship with the center has become an integral part of his life, providing
4
him with the treatment and support he needs to manage his symptoms and live a full life. “It’s like home. I’m just comfortable there. It feels like a part of me now,” says Brian. “Everyone at the Muhammad Ali Movement Disorders Center has taught me to really take control of my health. I used to just be a conspicuous consumer who went to the doctor and did what they told me to do. But, I’ve really learned to get involved in my own health care.”
P AT I E N T C A R E A C C E P T I N G C H A L L E N G E S
W
HEN SOMEONE SUFFERS
a stroke, time is of the essence. The probability of a stroke survivor having a good outcome is reduced by 10 percent every 30 minutes until blood flow to the brain is re-established, yet less than one percent of stroke patients receive treatment within one hour. Thanks to philanthropic support from Thunderbirds Charities and The Board of Visitors, and a partnership with the Phoenix Fire Department, Barrow is working to change those statistics and revolutionizing the way stroke treatment is delivered – by bringing it into the community and expediting treatment. The Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit is a specially equipped ambulance that provides immediate diagnosis and care to stroke patients before they arrive at the hospital, accelerating their treatment and helping to diminish the debilitating effects of strokes, all in an effort to save more lives.
5
Research REJECTING NORMS
With nearly 1,000 current research projects underway, Barrow scientists reject norms by questioning the status quo and driving progress through the investigation of new and powerful therapies to treat – and hopefully someday cure – a wide spectrum of neurological disorders, ranging from brain and spine injuries to aggressive forms of cancer to debilitating diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A partnership between Barrow and IBM Watson Health led to the discovery of five never-before-linked genes associated with ALS. This research pushes the envelope in how to use artificial intelligence in medical research, by identifying the underlying causes of ALS, providing treatments, and someday, discovering a cure.
6
Discovering the treatments and cures of tomorrow 306 clinical trials
984
research studies
600
patients and blood collected from more than
nursing research projects
5
70,000
SPECIMENS in Barrow’s Biobank Core Facility that provides human tissue and biofluids to researchers worldwide
116
grants awarded by Barrow Neurological Foundation to Barrow scientists for research
GENES
never-before-linked associated with ALS discovered by Barrow and IBM Watson Health
600
patients
patients enrolled in clinical trials
5
1,031
patients consented to donate, with tissue collected from nearly
560
$
$4.6 MILLION RAISED
$7 MILLION TRANSFERRED
by the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation for research, including $1.13 million for stroke research
by the Foundation to Barrow scientists for research
7
RESEARCH REJECTING NORMS
A
is the only top 10 cause of death that cannot be prevented or cured. But Marwan Sabbagh, MD, (pictured right) director of Barrow’s Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Disorders Program, intends to change that. The program integrates research with patient care, treating patients today while investigating a cure for tomorrow. In the last two years, Barrow has offered 18 research studies to dementia patients – up from just two being offered previously. With studies ranging 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, Dr. Sabbagh aims to make Alzheimer’s dementia a chronic condition, rather than a death sentence, within the next 10 years. LZHEIMER’S DISEASE
REJECTING NO R MS FOR JAY LAYMAN
O
ur family has been given the gift of time by Dr. Sabbagh and Barrow,” says Dawn Layman, whose husband Jay was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia at just 51 years old. A brain disorder that can affect thinking, memory, movement, sleep and behavior, Lewy body dementia is a progressive disease that is often difficult to diagnose. But when Jay’s initial shaking in his pinky
8
finger advanced to a hand tremor, balance issues and difficulty keeping things straight at work, the family persisted in searching for answers. Dawn’s research led them to Barrow, where after extensive testing, Jay received a timely diagnosis – 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. “But it was so 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.” The Laymans are taking a positive approach and making the best of difficult circumstances,
RESEARCH REJECTING NORMS
even joking that it’s “Lewy” acting out when their dad has a hallucination or can’t find the right word. “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,” Jay says. “I have an incredible support system of my family, friends and colleagues, and unconditional trust in Dr. Sabbagh. He’s the coach of our team fighting this battle, and he’s the one I want leading us through this journey.”
W
HILE 63,000 PATIENTS are diagnosed with a brain tumor in the U.S. each year, clinical advances have been limited, and many brain tumors are currently incurable. The Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center is actively involved in innovative neuro-oncology research, working to avoid an often tragic prognosis and save more lives. In addition to Phase 0 clinical trials, other novel studies include the exploration of drug-delivery systems that safely transport medication across the blood-brain barrier and precisely reach targets within the brain and spinal cord. This research, led by Rachael Sirianni, PhD, could revolutionize treatment for brain and spine disorders. And Shwetal Mehta, PhD, (pictured above left) is researching how to stop the spread of glioblastoma multiforme cells in order to pave the way for better targeted therapies that can kill resistant tumor cells and prevent recurrence of the most common and lethal brain tumor.
9
Education
Barrow physicians teach the next generation of neurosurgeons and neurologists using state-of-the-art technology in the Eller TelePresence room, which allows for the broadcasting of live surgeries, collaborative case reviews, and educational presentations.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Barrow is the home of esteemed residency programs in neurology, clinical neuropsychology, neuroradiology and neurosurgery – the largest such program in the country. The institute attracts the brightest minds in these disciplines and helps shape them into future leaders who will push the boundaries of today’s thinking to revolutionize patient care throughout the world. 10
Training future leaders
30
Neurology residents
28
220
9
Neurosurgery residents
Neuroradiology residents
neurosurgery residents and fellows have
GRADUATED from Barrow since 1962
11
1000+
Resident research projects
3D spine models and
100+
3D cranial models have been printed in the Barrow Innovation Center
67
Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurses, the most of any hospital in the country
3
published textbooks
$
67
journal articles published
117
published manuscripts
$40,000 DONATED from the Lisa Family Foundation and Dr. Andrew Little to support the Innovation Center
11
E D U C AT I O N P U S H I N G B O U N D A R I E S
T
is using 3D printing technology to create spine and cranial models from patients’ CT and MRI images, allowing surgeons to fully prepare for a procedure using an exact replica of the patient’s anatomy, reducing risks during surgery. The center is also using 3D printing to create prototypes of new surgical instruments, including
12
HE BARROW INNOVATION CENTER
a device that will soon be used in operating rooms to help prevent spinal cord injuries during surgery. Barrow’s 3D printed models have been used in spine and cranial surgery educational courses, scientists have developed spine models that “bleed” when drilled into, and they’re currently working on creating spine models with “nerves” that conduct electricity.
E D U C AT I O N P U S H I N G B O U N D A R I E S
T
HE NEUROSCIENCE PUBLICATIONS
department at Barrow assists clinicians and researchers in the neurological sciences in their academic publishing pursuits. By providing cutting-edge medical animations, customized medical illustrations (pictured), and comprehensive editorial support, the publications department is devoted to sharing information about neuroscience advances taking place at Barrow and enhancing the academic reputation of the institute.
DR. M ICHAEL BOHL PUSH ES BOUNDARIES
M
ichael Bohl, MD, (pictured left) proposed the creation of the Barrow Innovation Center in order to push the boundaries of innovation by reducing barriers to bringing concepts to fruition. It’s a place where all great ideas have a chance of being developed. “The Barrow Innovation Center helps save lives by bringing innovative, cost-effective solutions to frequently encountered problems in the operating room in a much shorter time, and with an eye toward maximizing patient safety and outcomes,” says Dr. Bohl. “In our first two years of operation, we have provisionally patented more
than 20 new surgical instruments, launched a new company that’s currently delivering a novel postoperative care product to patients recovering from surgery, and used six new surgical instruments developed in our laboratory in over a dozen surgical procedures. We are able to identify a problem, design a solution and get a new surgical device into use in the operating room in as little as six weeks. This pace of innovation is only capable at an institution like Barrow and truly exemplifies our agility and commitment to remaining at the forefront of neurosurgical care.” 13
Accepting Challenges Rejecting Norms Pushing Boundaries FINANCIALS
Philanthropic Contributions in 2016-2017:
$18,130,000
100%
of all donations benefit patient care, research and education at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Patient Care – 48% Research – 25% Spetzler Legacy Campaign – 14% Innovation Fund – 11% Education – 2%
14
Ways you supported Barrow
5,061 total gifts
2,383 donors
60
programs received philanthropic support
83,468
Health & Wealth Raffle tickets sold
SUPPORT FORE BARROW The 44th Annual Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf & Gala raised $252,000 for Barrow. The two-day event honors the memory of Lou and Evelyn Grubb, with guests playing Lou’s favorite game to raise funds for the institute.
75
A LASTING LEGACY
Women’s Board members
359
Barrow Ball attendees
35,000+
Barrow social media followers
More than $2.1 million was raised for the Spetzler Legacy Campaign last year. The campaign honors and celebrates Dr. Robert Spetzler’s 34-year leadership of the institute, and funds raised will create an innovative and collaborative work space in the spirit of “Googleplex.” Dr. Spetzler retired in 2017 and was honored at a gala attended by more than 800 distinguished guests, including neuroscience and industry leaders and fellow surgeons from around the world.
15
Board of Trustees Officers CHAIR
Michael Haenel VICE-CHAIR
Dan Grubb SECRETARY
Michael R. King TREASURER
Karen C. McConnell
Barrow Neurological Foundation Staff Katie Cobb
Joyce Kalal
PRESIDENT
MANAGER, ANNUAL GIVING
Megan Bourbeau
Kristina Knudsen
COORDINATOR
VICE PRESIDENT, MAJOR GIFTS
Harold Dorenbacher
Angela Braun
Emily Lawson
Booker T. Evans, Jr.
WOMEN’S BOARD LIAISON
MAJOR GIFT OFFICER
Ira A. Fulton
Alicia Cybulski
Megan Monaghan-Hughes
FINANCIAL ANALYST
DATA COORDINATOR
Jana Earnest
Robyn Nebrich-Duda
SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER
MAJOR GIFT OFFICER
Kristen Elnicky
Laurel Portie
VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Members Katie Cobb Ann Denk
Tomas Gorny Lisa Handley Michael Hecomovich Karen S. King-Brooks William A. Langer, Jr. Robert Lavinia Michael T. Lawton, MD Stephen Lenn Larry Mayhew W. Kent McClelland Patrick J. McGroder, III William Metzler Mitchell Pierce David Rauch Jim Swanson Patty White Jerry D. Worsham, II
Kim Hamersley
Deirdre Rivard COORDINATOR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Mandy Heath MANAGER, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Alison Huebner
Sandra Searle MAJOR GIFT OFFICER
Karen Thorn MAJOR GIFT OFFICER
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Laura Jobke MANAGER, PHILANTHROPY COMMUNICATIONS
Contact us 350 West Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85013 602.406.3041 SupportBarrow.org @SupportBarrow
16
Thank you to all of the generous supporters of Barrow Neurological Institute. It is only with your support that Barrow is able to accept challenges, reject norms and push the boundaries of patient care, research and education to drive innovation in the neurosciences and save more lives.
Barrow Neurological Foundation 350 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013-4496 SupportBarrow.org