Neurosciences

The brain serves as a command center of the human body, sending and receiving, interpreting and storing hundreds of signals and pieces of information each second.  The well-being of this complex system is vital to the quality of a person's life.  At WellSpan Health, we have a team of highly-skilled physicians that are dedicated to caring for this very complex system.  Our expert neurologists and neurosurgeons treat a broad variety of disorders and conditions related to the brain, spinal cord and nervous system including:

• Back pain
• Brain tumors
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy
• Headache
• Head injury/concussion
• Movement disorders/Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Peripheral nerve disorders
• Neuropathies
• Stroke
• Tremor 

Our provider panel features fellowship trained specialists in movement disorders, stroke, neuromuscular diseases, epilepsy, pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.  This level of expertise allows us to diagnose and treat even the most complex conditions. 
 
For adults and children with epilepsy, we offer all of the services necessary for a complete epilepsy work up, including ambulatory and long term video EEG monitoring.   Once a diagnosis has been made, WellSpan offers a variety of treatment options including seizure control through medication and dietary modification (ketogenic diet).  When control can't be obtained through these means, rest assured that we have several surgical options to help acheive seizure control.  These include vagal nerve stimulation, a minimally invasive procedure that involves implanting a small device to deliver intermittent electrical impulses to the vagus nerve in the neck. These impulses then travel to brain centers, and subsequently reduce seizures. Brain surgery is another option used to reduce or eliminate seizures.
 
Our comprehensive approach to stroke treatment and prevention features a stroke team that includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners and a stroke coordinator.  The team is accessible around the clock to aid in the care of stroke patients.  Members of the team meet regularly to collaborate with each other to identify "best practices" and then work together to put those practices into place. Members of the stroke team are involved in a patient's care throughout the entire hospital stay and even after discharge, ensuring that patients receive a consistent, high level of care.  Both York and Gettysburg hospitals offer tPA, a clot busting drug that breaks up blockages in arteries and restores normal blood flow. 
 
Both our movement disorder program and multiple sclerosis program offer a continuum of services to help diagnose and treat symptoms and optimize the quality of life.  For MS patients, we offer the latest treatment techniques and technologies, including Tysabri infusion and intrathecal baclofen pump, to slow down progression of the disease and to improve function.  Treatment options for patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders include management with medications, including Botox injections, physical, occupational or speech therapy and nutrition counseling. When medications and other non-surgical treatments fail to decrease side effects of certain movement disorders, surgical treatment options such as deep brain stimulation are considered.   
 
WellSpan offers leading edge neurosurgical care for the brain and spine, including minimally invasive spine surgery, artifical disc replacement and surgery for the treatment of painful vertebral fractures.  Our neurosurgeons utilize the latest in implantable technologies such as spinal cord stimulators and implantable drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, epilepsy and tremor.  We offer deep brain stimulation, a surgical procedure used to treat the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease.  In addition, stereotactic brain biopsy and stereotactic radiosurgery are available for the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors.
 
No matter the disease, we take a multidisciplinary approach to care, working collaboratively with a variety of disciplines such as physical therapy, speech therapy, behavioral health, and nutrition services to provide the most comprehensive, coordinated treatment available.  In addition, our partnerships with various community organizations provide the support groups and educational programs that are so essential for patients with neurological diseases.
 
WellSpan's committment to neurological care has been recognized through multiple discipline specific designations.   WellSpan Epilepsy Center has been designated a Level 3 Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. In addition, York Hospital has been recognized as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers.