Neurosciences

Spectrum Health to Host Neurosciences Symposium

Keynote speaker Dr. Rhonna Shatz expert on dementia

Spectrum Health’s neuroscience team of experts is growing to meet the challenges of providing the latest advancements in diagnosis, treatment and best practices in patient care.

Physicians and medical experts from throughout the region are gathering Friday, June 6, for the 2014 Spectrum Health Neurosciences Symposium. The event takes place from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Calvin College, Prince Conference Center in Grand Rapids.

Multidisciplinary team panels will provide case-driven presentations highlighting:

  • Clinical updates and the latest guidelines for patient evaluation and diagnosis, management and medical, surgical and rehabilitative specialist interventions
  • The importance of a multidisciplinary and integrated care model that improves coordination of care and patient follow-up
  • Clinical findings that prompt referral to a specialist
  • Disease-specific topics including stroke, ALS, myasthenia gravis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and pain management

The intended audience includes primary care, neurology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, rehabilitation providers, nurses, therapists and other allied health professionals who assess and/or treat patients with neurological conditions.

The field of clinical neurosciences is changing rapidly. Alzheimer’s disease has grown to become the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and, as the population ages, the incidence of diseases such as Parkinson’s, stroke and dementia also are on the rise.  The event’s keynote speaker is Rhonna Shatz, DO, director, Behavioral Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital and associate professor, Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Shatz is acknowledged for her clinical work on the treatment of dementia and its causes.

As West Michigan’s leading neurosciences referral center and one of the largest providers of adult neuroscience services in the state, Spectrum Health offers a full range of clinical expertise, highly specialized services, advanced technology and lifesaving treatments. Inpatient and outpatient programs span the continuum of care from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery. Academic-based divisions include neurology and neuropsychology, neurosurgery, pain management, neurorehabilitation and psychiatry and behavioral medicine.

Spectrum Health neurologists offer a complete range of diagnostic, treatment and patient management services. In addition to general neurology and affective disorders, subspecialty expertise includes neuro-oncology, spinal disorders, pain syndromes, epilepsy, dementia, neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine, neurocritical care and movement disorders.

Recent developments and accomplishments include the following:

For more information about the symposium, visit: www.spectrumhealth.org/neuromd.org

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 1,080 employed physicians and advanced practice providers including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a 575,000-member health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,300 employees. The organization provided $250 million in community benefit during its 2013 fiscal year.