Category Archives: brain/spine/neurosurgery

Upstate stroke neurologists care for patients in remote areas

Posted on August 9, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH This is a story about two women, living in different parts of rural Central New York. Each suffered a stroke. Each had a loved one who summoned help. Each saw a stroke neurologist from Upstate University Hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, patient story, stroke, technology | Leave a comment

Have you seen the new ‘Upstate Health’ magazine?

Posted on July 27, 2017 by

As a mother, I cannot select one child as my favorite. As an editor, I don’t have one favorite magazine issue. I love them all. That said, this summer issue of Upstate Health is a particularly good one, for a … Continue reading →

Posted in aging/geriatrics, alternative/integrative medicine, Alzheimer's/dementia, brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, community, depression, disability, drugs/medications/pharmacy, education, emergency medicine/trauma, Expert Advice, family medicine, fitness, health care, heart/cardiovascular, history, infectious disease, Joslin Diabetes Center, medical student, mental health/emotional health, nursing, patient story, public health, research, sleep, stroke, Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital/pediatrics, urology

Brains against brain tumors

Posted on July 12, 2017 by

Experts from several scientific fields join forces to accelerate fight against brain cancer BY JIM HOWE To better meet the challenges of treating brain cancer, Upstate’s Precision Neuro-Oncology Program pools the expertise of the best minds in a variety of … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, cancer, genetics, health care, pathology, research, surgery, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

A detour: Medical student learns about health care as a patient

Posted on June 28, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH Medical student Alex Paley was in his third year of medical school when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Jan. 18 and underwent emergency surgery. He has been in treatment since then. He would much … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/spine/neurosurgery, cancer, community, fundraising, health care, health careers, medical imaging/radiology, medical student, patient story | Tagged

Oneida High School student learns to live with brain cancer

Posted on March 22, 2017 by

  BY JIM HOWE A run of severe headaches over a couple of weeks in 2015 led to an Oneida teen’s diagnosis of brain cancer. “I would throw up a lot and couldn’t eat. It hurt really bad,” describes Breonna … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescents, brain/spine/neurosurgery, cancer, health care, HealthLink on Air, medical imaging/radiology, patient story, surgery, Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital/pediatrics | Tagged , , , , ,

Back pain? Spine practitioner aims to get patients best possible treatment

Posted on January 23, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH Denise Karsten is someone you might not expect to find in the office of a neurosurgical practice, but she’s an important part of the Upstate Brain and Spine Center team. Karsten, a chiropractor and registered nurse, is … Continue reading →

Posted in bones/joints/orthopedics, brain/spine/neurosurgery, disability, health care, HealthLink on Air, physical therapy/rehabilitation, surgery | Tagged , , ,

FAST response: Swift recognition, treatment saves stroke patient

Posted on September 28, 2016 by

BY SUSAN COLE It had been a typical day for Joan Izyk, 72, of Oswego. She had enjoyed a breakfast out and was relaxing in her living room with a coloring project. When her husband arrived home, she stood up … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, community, death/dying, drugs/medications/pharmacy, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, illness, patient story, stroke, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick call to 911, prompt response and fast flight to Upstate stroke center helped save the life of Larry Deshaw

Posted on September 20, 2016 by

Tuesday afternoons are usually when Nancy Humphrey golfs. But she was still home a little after 4 p.m. on July 19 because that day’s tournament didn’t start until 5 p.m., and the Clayton Country Club is only about a quarter … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, community, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, patient story, public health, stroke

Grateful patient loses his voice … creates Voice of PALS

Posted on September 19, 2016 by

BY BETHANN KISTNER Cliff Maus woke up one morning with slurred speech. He and his wife knew something was wrong, but neither imagined he would be diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After several … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, disability, fundraising, health care, illness, patient story, research, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

A 50-year anniversary: Meet one of Upstate’s oldest living pediatric brain tumor survivors

Posted on August 22, 2016 by

BY AMBER SMITH Some of the details are fuzzy, but 50 years after her treatment for a brain tumor at Upstate University Hospital, Michelle “Shelly” Kikta-Kiner, 62, still considers her survival a miracle. The Verona woman is one of Upstate’s … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescents, brain/spine/neurosurgery, cancer, depression, health care, history, illness, medical imaging/radiology, patient story, surgery, technology