PNI Founders’ Message 2022

Welcome to 2022!

At Pacific Neuroscience Institute, we are looking forward to what lies ahead with fresh excitement.

PNI thrives and receives notable recognitions

Despite another year passing in the shadow of COVID-19, PNI continues to exert a positive impact in the world of neuroscience. Saint John’s Health Center (“PNI Homebase”) was ranked in the top 50 hospitals in neurology and neurosurgery programs in the United States by US News & World Report. We also received the prestigious North American Skull Base Society Multidisciplinary Team of Distinction designation, and PNI stroke experts and our partner hospitals earned the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll.

New clinical programs and more publications

Dedicated physicians, care teams, and staff are providing more top-notch services. Last year we expanded our surgical teams to include experts in head & neck cancer, cochlear implants, neurosurgery, stroke, and neurovascular diseases; and several specialists joined the brain health and Treatment & Research In Psychedelics (TRIP) teams. The clinical trials program continues to grow offering more options to patients in several areas including brain tumors, movement disorders, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, we are raising the standard of care for difficult neurologic diseases such as brain, skull base and pituitary tumors, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease through multiple key publications and CME events. Our footprint increased to 13 specialty clinic locations and seven hospital affiliates with additional growth likely in 2022.

Tripping along

The TRIP program is proving to be an important addition to our behavioral health services. Patients can receive FDA-approved medications such as ketamine for conditions causing mental anguish. In 2021, we launched two clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy using psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms. The Phase 2 alcohol use disorder trial using Visual Healing® filled quickly and is close to completion, and a multicenter trial for major depressive disorder sponsored by Usona Institute is currently recruiting patients. We hope to expand our psychedelic clinical trials this year to other conditions such as anxiety disorder, and prolonged grief for those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, brain tumors, and other types of cancer.

Expanding brain health

Safety is our top priority and we have been able to provide the highest quality of care through both virtual and in-person visits. This has been especially important for our brain health colleagues whose patients are particularly vulnerable. A brain health program is in the works for executives and professionals who wish to remain at the top of their game. Through philanthropic support, the brain health research program focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions has blossomed with our new Director of Research Administration & Operations at the helm.

A strong foundation

We are excited to begin 2022 with an expanded PNI Foundation board of directors and advisors. PNIF continues to be home to the clinical trials, research, patient education, community outreach, and administration teams, working in partnership with Saint John’s Health Center Foundation to support PNI’s mission. PNIF is also a sponsor for pituitary disorders, multiple sclerosis, and acoustic neuroma patient support organizations.

With gratitude

Philanthropy enables us to develop research and clinical programs leading to expanded access to high-quality innovative care to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders of the brain and nervous system. Our donor community continues to grow and be a cornerstone in PNI’s ongoing ability to make a difference for patients and their families. We thank you.

Think Neuro. Think PNI.

Sincerely,
Daniel F. Kelly, MD, Chester F. Griffiths, MD, Howard R. Krauss, MD & Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD

Useful links:

• Centers of Excellence
• PNI Foundation