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With the concentration of brain power at Saint Mary's Health Care's new Hauenstein Center for Neurology, the Van Andel Research Institute and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, Saint Mary's CEO Phil McCorkle isn't shy about making bold predictions.
"I think we could find a cure for Parkinson's right here in Grand Rapids," McCorkle said as the finishing touches were underway at the new center, which also will house a new emergency room for the Trinity Health-owned hospital.
When it opens in February, the $60 million building will bring together the seven neurological clinics associated with Saint Mary's under a single roof. With a new 550-space parking ramp becoming the starting point for most patients and visitors, a new main lobby is being built to funnel people to Saint Mary's various sections. The hospital also will gain a helipad on top of the parking ramp.
Neurosciences
Saint Mary's seven neuroscience specialty clinics will be brought together in the Hauenstein Center, said Leanna Krukowski, clinical director, orthopedics and neurology. That includes programs for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal disorders, neurosurgery, neurophthamology and general neurology.
"They're spread all over the campus right now. We're going to merge them all onto one floor," Krukowski said. "Now they'll be strategically located right next to each other."
While other hospitals have neurosciences centers, "I am unaware of another building devoted to inpatient and outpatient neuroscience like this," said Dr. David Kaufman, neurosciences medical director for the Hauenstein Center and neurology department chair at Michigan State University's two medical schools, the College of Human Medicine and...