Baptist Health Establishes Eight-Doctor, Three-Location Baptist Neurology Group
Newly Formed Group Offers Geographic Access, General and Subspecialty Neurology Care

Jacksonville, Florida, February 1, 2010 -- Today, Baptist Health announced the formation of Baptist Neurology Group, a premier neurology practice in Northeast Florida. Composed of experienced local neurologists, the new practice offers four locations in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, with plans to add new sites in the future. This partnership is the result of a merging of existing neurology practices, and the recruitment of three neurologists to Jacksonville.

Not only will Baptist Neurology Group enhance geographic access to neurologists, but patients will now be able to consult with physicians representing various subspecialties of neurology in addition to general neurology services. These include:

Carlos Gama, MD, who is a general neurologist with expertise in neuroimaging.

Sean Orr, MD, who is the chief of Neurology and medical director of the Stroke Center at Baptist Medical Center Downtown. He has extended fellowship training and expertise in stroke, vascular neurology, neurocritical care and neuroendovascular therapy.

General neurologist Thomas Snyder, MD, who is chief of Neurology at Baptist Medical Center Beaches. His area of interest is multiple sclerosis.

Fellowship-trained vascular neurologist Amy Jarvis, MD, who treats patients with stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

General neurologist Syed Asad, MD, who has expertise in nuclear imaging. He also has a focus on headache and movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia.

Georgia Gianakakos, MD, who specializes in epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Christopher Potter, MD, who practices general neurology and has subspecialty training in neuromuscular disorders and neurophysiology.

Karen Thalinger, MD, who is a general neurologist with interest in headaches and stroke.

Gregory Sengstock, MD, PhD, who is medical director of the Stroke Center at Baptist Medical Center South and a stroke specialist who is board certified in electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Sengstock also has a special interest in neuromuscular and electrophysiology cases.

Dr. Orr says now is the perfect time to form Baptist Neurology Group in this community. "Jacksonville is at an intersection in time where we have a booming population with many residents of retirement age who are at high risk for neurological problems," he says. "We're also within the South's 'Stroke Belt' and are seeing an increase in the need for neurological services. This is happening at a time when we are experiencing a shortage of neurologists nationwide and in our community.

"By consolidating practices and services, Baptist Neurology offers the strengths of eight neurologists, each with his or her unique interests and subspecialization within neurology," says Earl Mally, senior vice president of Baptist Physician Services. "Because of the reputation of Baptist Health and the neurologists within the practice, we will be able to attract new top-notch neurology talent to our community. And with the neurologists partnering with colleagues at Lyerly Neurosurgery, Baptist Health is offering this community a comprehensive neuroscience program."

In 2009, the neurology and neurosurgery programs at Baptist Downtown were recognized among the top 50 in the country by U.S. News & World Report magazine.

"Another advantage of joining together is improved communication and enhanced collaboration," says Dr. Snyder. "We are sharing the same technological infrastructure that will communicate with Baptist Health's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) program."

Because of their affiliation with Baptist Health, Baptist Neurology Group neurologists have access to all of the health system's services and subspecialists. These include neuroradiologists, pain management specialists, physical medicine and rehabilitation professionals, psychologists and psychiatrists, neuroimaging specialists, endovascular surgeons, sleep disorder specialists and critical care physicians, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, Home Health and other services. In the future, Baptist Medical Center Downtown will house a dedicated inpatient unit for neurology and neurosurgery inpatients.

Other plans for the future of Baptist Neurology Group include subspecialty clinics for headaches and migraines, as well as neuromuscular diseases. Already, Baptist Downtown and Baptist South house Joint Commission-certified Stroke Centers that offer evidence-based protocols, resulting in better patient outcomes. An Epilepsy Center is being developed by Dr. Gianakakos, while a Center for Memory Disorders is being established with the assistance of Mindy Grall, ARNP, with Baptist Neurology.

"Baptist Neurology Group is the culmination of a vision to bring together some of the best neurology talent in our community to fill a critical community need for these services," says Hugh Greene, president and CEO, Baptist Health. "We look forward to the expansion of Baptist Neurology Group as we recruit new neurology specialists and bring the latest diagnostic and therapy options to our region."