2013 Spring/Summer HealthQuest magazine

Page 8

New SRC neurologist has local connection Skagit Regional Clinics recently welcomed the addition of neurologist Peter Struck, MD. Dr. Struck knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and become a physician. Since childhood, Dr. Struck always enjoyed solving puzzles and was fascinated with how the mind works. As a graduate of Mount Vernon High School and the University of Washington with a degree in philosophy, he further deepened his interest in problem solving. During his time at Chicago Medical School, he determined that the field of neurology was the best fit for him. Neurology encompasses a broad field of impairments including stroke, seizures, headaches, and brain tumors. Dr. Struck completed his neurology residency training at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. “Neurology is very intellectually stimulating,” said Dr. Struck. Each of

his patients is like a puzzle. He is able to pull information from the patient’s history and description of their symptoms to form a diagnosis and care plan. In addition, he enjoys the personal interaction with each of his patients. Dr. Struck completed a neurophysiology fellowship at State University of New York in Syracuse, which focused on the relationship between brain activity and activity of the nervous system. He treats patients suffering from a variety of neurologic conditions, though his special interests are in treating patients with peripheral neuropathies or radiculopathies (types of nerve damage), myasthenia gravis and ALS. In addition, Dr. Struck treats many patients who suffer from frequent headaches.

“I enjoy seeing the relief that comes with treating chronic, longstanding headaches,” he said. During his training, he performed a clinical rotation at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, which is one of the premier headache centers in the country. There he was exposed to leading edge treatments that he hopes to offer to his patients in the near future. Botox is one new treatment option for patients with chronic migraines that was recently approved by the FDA and is covered by many insurance plans. This is an option for those who have exhausted medication management for their migraines, said Dr. Struck. The field of neurology is always evolving because much of the brain is uncharted territory, Dr. Struck said. Over the last 10 years, novel drugs have become available to treat neurologic conditions. This is great news for Dr. Struck and his patients who benefit from greater treatment options. In his free time, Dr. Struck enjoys listening to classical music, hiking, playing tennis and golfing.

Skagit Regional Clinics welcomes new neurosurgeons Nearly 80 percent of U.S. adults have suffered from back pain during their life. When back and neck problems do not go away on their own, patients can be referred by their primary care provider to a neurosurgeon who can determine if surgical intervention is necessary. Skagit Regional Clinics offers neurosurgery three days per week with the recent addition of Dr. David Baker and Dr. Barry Landau. David Goldman, MD has been caring for neurosurgery patients at SRC

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Skagit regional health

since the program was established more than a year ago. David Baker, MD received his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine followed by a Neurological Surgery residency and fellowship at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. Barry Landau, MD attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington and received Neurological Surgery residency training at Northwestern University in Chicago.

David Goldman, MD received his medical degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He went on to complete a Neurological Surgery residency at the University of Missouri Hospital and fellowship training at Oregon Health Sciences University. All three physicians are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. They also work at Fourth Corner Neurosurgery in Bellingham.


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