Brain and spine care

Specialists at Ascension Illinois provide advanced brain and spine care for adults and children in Chicagoland.

Neurologist talking over care plan with female patient at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL.Neurologist talking over care plan with female patient at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL.

Brain and spine care in Pensacola

At Ascension Sacred Heart, specialists provide advanced neurosurgical care for conditions related to the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system.

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Leading the way in brain and spine care for Pensacola

When you choose The Advanced Brain and Spine Institute at Ascension Sacred Heart in Northwest Florida, you’ll find a team of doctors who specialize in neurological disorders that affect your brain, spine and nerves.

Ascension Sacred Heart has the region’s only neuro ICU (Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit) and is recognized as a DNV-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center. Our neurologists and neurosurgeons work with a team of brain and spine specialists from across the country, sharing best practices, knowledge and research — bringing the best of our integrated national network of care, close to home. We have the expertise to help find the cause of your symptoms and deliver a personalized care plan.

Comprehensive care for brain, spine and nerve conditions

Your care starts with a thorough evaluation to help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms. Getting the right treatment as early as possible can often make a difference in your recovery and care moving forward. Tell your doctor about how symptoms, such as pain, are affecting your life and the activities you enjoy. From diagnostic testing and advanced treatment options to surgical care, chronic disease management and rehabilitation, all the care you need is close to home for conditions including:

  • Brain injury and concussion
  • Brain tumors
  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Epilepsy and seizures
  • Fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain and fatigue
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Head, nerve and back pain
  • Movement disorders, including tremors and Parkinson’s
  • Stroke
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Other neuromuscular disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and ALS

If care requires additional tests and imaging, pharmacy or specialists, we’ll connect you to the right specialists and services. Your care team will stay connected throughout your ongoing care. Ask your doctor about virtual (online) visits for your follow-up care.

The Advanced Brain and Spine Institute at Ascension Sacred Heart also provides dedicated neurorehabilitation services to help improve your quality of life after a stroke, brain or spine injury. Your physical therapists specialize in treatments for nerve damage to help you manage symptoms from a neuromuscular disease, such as Parkinson’s or peripheral neuropathy.

Movement disorder clinic

Neurologist Deborah Boland, DO, specializes in treating movement disorders such as:

  • Tremors
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Dystonia
  • Ataxia

What causes movement disorders

Movement disorders may be caused by:

  • Genetics
  • Infections
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Stroke
  • Vascular diseases
  • Medicines
  • Toxins
  • Damage to the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves

Our care team works to identify the cause of your movement disorder and create a care plan that's right for you.

If you have a movement disorder and feel your medication is no longer working, talk to one of our specialists to see if deep brain stimulation (DBS) is right for you. DBS is a surgical procedure during which your doctor implants electrodes into specific areas of your brain. These electrodes create impulses that can help regulate abnormal brain activity that's causing symptoms. DBS may help improve your brain, muscle and nerve function.

Pediatric neurosurgery

Our nationally recognized neurosurgeon, Gus Perez, MD, has the specialized experience to care for the growing brains and nervous systems of children. As the only pediatric neurosurgery program in Northwest Florida, we work with pediatric radiologists, anesthesiologists, pharmacists and more at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart to deliver compassionate, personalized care that helps children and parents feel at ease.

Surgical care for brain, spine and nerve conditions

Surgery is rarely the first option. But if it is recommended as part of your care, our experienced neurosurgeons at The Advanced Brain and Spine Institute at Ascension Sacred Heart will develop a highly specialized, advanced surgical treatment plan, customized for you.

Educated and trained at some of the most well-respected neurosurgical programs in the nation, our neurosurgeons offer the latest in diagnosis and treatment, including:

  • Brain tumor surgery
  • Carotid angioplasty and stenting
  • Chiari decompression
  • Craniotomy for tumor resection
  • Comprehensive stroke care
  • Endovascular and vascular surgery
  • Epilepsy surgery
  • Minimally invasive and complex spine surgery
  • Nerve decompression for migraines
  • Neurocritical care
  • Spinal tap to help detect central nervous system conditions
  • Surgery for treatment of chronic pain
  • Pediatric neurosurgery

Whenever possible, they use minimally invasive surgery and image-guided technology to help shorten your recovery. Your team of neurosurgeons uses advanced technology including:

Epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU): Your neurologist may recommend a stay in our epilepsy monitoring unit if you are having new or unusual seizures, are being evaluated for epilepsy surgery or are starting or withdrawing from medication. While you’re in the EMU, you’ll have electrodes attached to your head that record your electrical brain activity during your stay.

Hybrid operating room: The only hybrid operating room in Northwest Florida helps our care team diagnose and treat stroke and other neurological illness in a way that’s personalized and minimally invasive.

Gamma Knife surgery: The only one of its kind in Northwest Florida, this outpatient procedure at Ascension Sacred Heart Gamma Knife Center may be an option instead of traditional brain surgery and whole brain radiation therapy.

Biplane angiography: Uses 3D imaging of the blood vessels in the head and neck to promote the most effective treatment possible.

RAPID technology: Advanced imaging that quickly diagnoses strokes and improves outcomes.

From pre-surgery to your rehabilitation care, we connect the dots for you. Whether you’ll be recovering at home or in our hospital’s neuro-intensive care recovery unit, our care teams deliver comprehensive care for all your needs after a neurosurgical procedure.

Conditions, tests and treatments

Conditions, tests and treatments

Get a second opinion

When you’re facing a brain or spine diagnosis or considering treatment, a second opinion can help you feel more confident in your care. Our specialists work together across our national network to review your options and recommend the approach that’s right for you.

Before your visit, check with your insurance provider about coverage. We can also help gather your medical records in advance to support a smooth appointment.

NEUROLOGY: CALL 850-416-2554NEUROSURGERY: CALL 810-416-2250

Providers: Refer a patient

Referring your patients is simple and hassle-free. Send your patients medical records and we'll take it from there — keeping you in the loop every step of the way while ensuring your patient gets the advanced care they need.

NEUROLOGY: CALL 850-416-2554NEUROSURGERY: CALL 810-416-2250

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

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