Services We Provide

Neuro-Oncology

The mission of the Neuroscience Center is to provide expert care and the best possible treatment for patients with tumors involving the brain, spine and peripheral nerves. A multi-disciplinary approach is offered to patients suffering from neuro-oncologic diseases such as primary malignant and benign brain tumors, primary malignant and benign spinal cord tumors, metastatic brain and spine tumors, carcinomatous meningitis, epidural spinal cord compression, paraneoplastic disorders and neurologic complications of cancer and its treatment. This program utilizes experts in the fields of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Neuro-Pathology, Neuro-Imaging, Neuropsychiatry, Neuro-psychology, Pain Management, Physical Therapy/Rehabilitative Medicine, Complimentary/Alternative Medicine and Social Work to provide the most advanced and individualized care.

Having treated hundreds of patients with similar conditions, the doctors at the Neuroscience Center at Memorial Hospital have expertise in the surgical management of all types of brain tumors including meningiomas, gliomas, pituitary tumors and skull base tumors such as acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) as well as tumors involving the spine and peripheral nerves.

Through the Northeast Florida Brain Tumor Support Group, we aim to improve the quality of life of brain tumor patients, survivors and their families by providing access to psychosocial support, concrete information and resources. The objective of this organization is to have the greatest impact on all of those affected by a brain tumor, including caregivers and healthcare professionals. We provide the latest information for the entire brain tumor community, from newly diagnosed patients, to survivors, families and healthcare professionals with the intent of providing easy access to the most complete resources.

The group meets monthly on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at Florida State College Jacksonville’s Deerwood Center (formerly FCCJ), 9911 Old Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville.. We welcome patients and their caregivers to participate. You may call our office at 904-296-2522 for more information.

Advanced Radiation Technology

The Cyberknife represents the most advanced radiation technology to treat complex and inoperable brain and spine tumors. Moreover, this modality of treatment is emerging as an alternative to surgery in many situations. The CyberKnife System is a stereotactic radiosurgery system utilizing contemporary technology that is designed to be the most accurate and flexible tool available for aggressive therapeutic irradiation. The CyberKnife was designed to expand the application of radiosurgery to sites outside of the head and offers superior targeting accuracy without the need for the invasive head frame.

Clinical Trials

In addition to the traditional treatment modalities (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) we offer clinical trials for the study and treatment of brain and spinal cancer conditions in hopes of developing newer strategies to fight against them.

The Spine Clinic at Memorial

A Service of the Memorial Neurosurgery Group at the Memorial Neuroscience Center

Our purpose is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of patients with a broad spectrum of painful and disabling conditions of the spine, and to coordinate or recommend the best possible treatment alternatives based on evidence-based medicine when possible, and best practices at all times.

Patients with back pain, neck pain, radiculopathy (pain, numbness, or weakness from a compressed nerve in the spine) or myelopathy (loss of strength, sensation, or coordination due to spinal cord damage) are our typical patients. This includes patients who have had prior injuries or surgery with a less than optimal result.

There are five phases of patient care through The Spine Clinic at Memorial:

Evaluation of the problem and associated medical risks. This involves an extensive interview process, a medical history aimed at assessing surgical risks and medical risks of treatment, physical examination, and review of x-rays, MRI or myelogram, and other test results if needed. Radiology images can be reviewed if already obtained, or we can arrange for new testing to be done.
Diagnosis. After reviewing the patient's case, each patient is classified into a clinical category, each with it's own treatment modality.
Treatment. We have arrangements with physical therapy, rehabilitation medicine, anesthesia pain management, medical pain management, psychological evaluation, and rheumatology to provide appropriate non-operative care. We have the capability of performing surgery on those patients for whom this seems to be the best option.
Post treatment re-evaluation. After the initial phase of treatment---whether therapy or surgery or medical or pain management --- the patient is re-evaluated. If painful or disabling symptoms are still present, then either further testing or an alternative treatment plan will be recommended.
Final recommendations. The nature of spine problems is that there are always long term implications in care. At the end of our best treatment plans and evaluation, we will make recommendations to the patient and his physician regarding physical limitations, exercise recommendations, use of medications, and expectations regarding chronic symptoms and the cardinal signs of new problems in the future.

The Spine Clinic at Memorial believes that using this systematic multidisciplinary approach to the complex problem of spinal disorders will lead to the best and most cost-effective outcomes.