Alzheimer’s disease. Stroke. Multiple sclerosis. Epilepsy. Parkinson’s disease. One in three people around the world — more than 3 billion people — are living with a neurological condition, according to a study released by The Lancet Neurology. But thanks to the growing neurology team at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, patients can receive sophisticated neurological care close to home for even the most complex conditions.

“An incredible amount of science has pushed the field forward in the last few years, helping us diagnose problems sooner, making many new treatments available, saving lives and reducing disabilities in those with neurological conditions,” says Diego Torres-Russotto, M.D., Chair of Neurology at Miami Neuroscience Institute. “We can absolutely improve the quality of life of our patients and, for some, provide a cure.”

With an arsenal of innovative treatments and equipment in the hands of expert physicians, Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care is ranked among the top neurology and neurosurgery programs — top 10 percent in the nation — by U.S. News & World Report.

The program has long been recognized as a leader in stroke care and is accredited by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. It also offers high-quality care for those suffering from other brain, spinal cord and nerve conditions.

There’s a growing demand for neurological services, partially because people are living longer, and patients throughout the U.S. commonly wait months for appointments. Combined with a shortage of neurologists, the problem is considered a “grave threat” to patient care by the American Academy of Neurology.

To help mitigate the concern, Miami Neuroscience Institute has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan with a focus on its neurology program.

“Brain disorders are among the top causes of death and disability,” Dr. Torres-Russotto said. “Building our program to meet our community’s immense need is imperative and we are in the process of adding more experienced subspecialists, including experts in neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-immunology, movement disorders and epilepsy.”

Plans are also in the works for a state-of-the-art Miami Neuroscience Institute facility, funded by a $50 million donation from Kenneth C. Griffin. The new building, to be located on the Baptist Health Baptist Hospital campus, will include cutting-edge laboratories, research and clinical space and the latest technology.

The Neurology Department offers specialized programs to treat:

• Stroke — Baptist Hospital, in collaboration with Miami Neuroscience Institute, was the first hospital in South Florida certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Comprehensive centers have all the technology and subspecialists required to immediately treat stroke patients 24/7, whether they are experiencing an ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The team typically beats the national average treatment time guidelines for optimal care, a vital part of achieving best outcomes. The stroke program is led by cardiovascular neurologist Felipe De Los Rios, M.D.
• Epilepsy and seizure disorders — The Institute’s Epilepsy Program, led by epileptologist Luis Tornes, M.D., ranks as a level 4 epilepsy center, the highest level awarded by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. In the Institute’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, long-term brain activity is monitored to help evaluate and treat patients with complex epilepsy syndromes.
• Movement disorders — Movement disorders cause balance issues, muscle contractions and tremors. The Institute’s program, with Samer Tabbal, M.D., at the helm, treats conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, tremor and essential tremor, tics and Tourette syndrome, gait disorders and stiff person spectrum disorder, among others. Treatments include deep brain stimulation, medications, injections such as botulinum toxin to relieve spasticity in muscles and implantable pumps. Noninvasive high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been life-changing for people suffering from essential tremor because it halts shaking hands immediately upon treatment.
• Neuro-ophthalmology — Many neurological conditions affect the optic nerve, the movement of the eyes and how vision is processed and can even lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. Neurologist Maria Vera Silva, M.D. specializes in how the brain “sees,” addressing these concerns as well as double vision, migraines and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
• Neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis — When the immune system attacks the brain or spinal cord, it can result in extremely debilitating conditions including autoimmune encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, paraneoplastic disorders and Hashimoto’s encephalopathy. Our growing neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis program under Luis Compres-Brugal, M.D., director of the Neuroimmunology/Multiple Sclerosis Program, offers extensive diagnostic abilities and treatments that include oral medications, infusion therapy and physical therapy and neurorehabilitation.

The Institute also participates in clinical trials, offering research studies for patients with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, orthostatic tremor, stroke and brain tumors.

Passionate about training the next generation of neurologists and neuroscientists, the Institute’s growing academic program, in collaboration with Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, is developing a neurology residency program. An advanced practice provider residency program in neurology is also supporting the growing needs of neurological patients.

The Institute also recognizes the importance of educating the community about neurological conditions and providing support to patients and families. For information on the Baptist Health Symposium for Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Care Partners on February 7, 2025, visit BaptistHealth.net/PDPatientSymposium.

Visit BaptistHealth.net/Neurology or call 786-596-3876 to learn more or make an appointment.