Penn Highlands Opens
already.” Now, patients do not need to travel for care.
BRAIN AND SPINE CENTER World-Renowned Neurosurgeons Join Medical Staff
When Dr. Ghassan Bejjani, board-certified neurosurgeon came to Penn Highlands Healthcare at the end of 2018, he became its first chief of the newly formed Penn Highlands Neurosurgery Department at the Penn Highlands Brain and Spine Center.
Surgery isn’t the answer for many conditions. “Only one in 15 patients need surgery,” Dr. Bejjani said. “The rest manage their care through physical therapy, injections or medications.” Surgery is reserved for those who have progressive neurological impairment, uncontrollable pain or deformity that’s getting worse.
Dr. Zafar Chowdhry, board-certified neurosurgeon, joined him soon after along with certified physician assistants, Laura Sasala and Renee Krugger.
Why is The Brain and Spine Center needed? “There is big need for tertiary care and neurosurgery in the area,” Dr. Bejjani said. “There was no neurosurgeon from Williamsport to Buffalo and Erie…A good portion – 20 percent - of my previous practice was from here
Employed by Penn Highlands Healthcare, the neurosurgeons and PAs see patients in their offices throughout the region. Penn Highlands Neurosurgery offfice locations: • CLARION Cricklewood Medical Arts Building Suite 102,1008 South Fifth Avenue • DUBOIS Medical Arts Building Suite 106, 145 Hospital Avenue • GREENSBURG Rugh Street Complex Suite 2000, 542 Rugh Street • INDIANIA 119 Professional Center Suite 204, 1265 Wayne Avenue • ST. MARYS St.Marys Community Medical Building 1100 Million Dollar Highway Second Floor • STATE COLLEGE Parkway Medical Center 233 Easterly Parkway, Suite 100 For more information or to reach any of the offices, call 814-503-4433.
With the neurosurgeons comes the knowledge and skills to provide highlyspecialized care for disorders that affect the nervous system, brain or spinal cord. They can perform simple and complex brain and spine procedures, as well as peripheral nerve and surgical pain procedures. These specialized surgeons can treat simple and complex brain tumors, pituitary tumors, skull base tumors, acoustic neuromas, cerebral hemorrhage, brain trauma, spinal cord tumors, compression fractures, spine infections and tethered cord syndrome.
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Meet our team:
(L to R) Jessica Michaux, office staff; Maggie Shank, office manager; Dr. Ghassan Bejjani, Laura Sasala, PA-C; and Renee Krugger, PA-C.
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