University of Utah - CNC

GM | 3 The Neuro Critical Care Unit—the largest in the Intermountain Region—comprises 23 beds. Five neurointensivists, as well as a team of physicians and providers from other disciplines, staff the unit, which typically cares for patients who are recovering from elective neurosurgery or who have disorders of the central nervous system, including intracranial hemorrhage, stroke, epilepsy, encephalitis, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. TWO SPECIALTIES, ONE GOAL In 2014, the Neuro Critical Care Unit welcomed Greg Hawryluk, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at University of Utah Health Care and Co-director of Neurosurgical Critical Care at the Clinical Neurosciences Center. He joins Safdar Ansari, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at The University of Utah Health Care and Co-director of Neurological Critical Care at the Clinical Neurosciences Center. Since their partnership began, the unit has been transformed through growth and the addition of new technology. These enhancements further the co-directors' unified philosophy and vision. "Our goal is to establish a neuro critical care unit of excellence," Dr. Ansari says. "We want to provide the highest level of care to our patients, which will ensure the best possible outcomes. To guarantee our success in this effort, Dr. Hawryluk and I have developed a relationship based on trust, collaboration, collegiality, and joint decision-making." Dr. Ansari specializes in neurology, while Dr. Hawryluk specializes in neurosurgery. The varied nature of their expertise has also helped to bridge the two specialties. "Patients treated for ischemic stroke are usually considered neurology patients," Dr. Hawryluk says. "However, if the brain starts to swell, the situation requires neurosurgical expertise. Because we have two services working together under one umbrella in our unit, Dr. Ansari and I are able to facilitate this level of collaboration." ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE Acut Neurologica FOR The Neuro Critical Care Unit at the Clinical Neurosciences Center at University of Utah Health Care combines technology, expertise, and collaboration to enhance outcomes for patients with life- threatening brain and spinal cord injuries and diseases. CONDITIONS

• Cover