Links to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System's Harvey Cushing Institutes as part of major neurology initiative for Long Island

Southside Hospital, a member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, celebrated the grand opening of its Institute of Neurosciences, a full-service destination of neurological excellence on Suffolk County's south shore, on September 14.

The Southside Institute is part of the health system's all-encompassing Harvey Cushing Institutes of Neuroscience, an international resource for patients and researchers that was launched earlier this year.

Pictured at the launch of the Southside Institute of Neurosciences: (left to right) Kevin J. Mullins, MD, director and clinical chief, Southside Institute of Neurosciences; Carolyn Wenzler, brain tumor survivor; Michael J. Dowling, president & CEO, North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System and Winnie Mack, RN, MPA, executive director, Southside Hospital.

"Southside Hospital offers a full continuum of neurological services providing unparalleled care in Suffolk County," said Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. "As part of the Cushing initiative, Southside patients have access to the finest physicians and the most advanced neurological technology available."

Under the direction of Kevin J. Mullins, MD, Southside's innovative neurological programs include its New York State Department of Health-certified stroke center, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, including the only New York State certified brain-injury unit (BIU) on Long Island, as well as, an effective pain management service.

Board-certified neurologists and neurosurgeons are dedicated to bringing the most compassionate and technologically advanced services to Southside's patients. During the launch of the Southside Institute, patients Kayla Kenda, 18, a brain injury survivor and Carolyn Wenzler, 62, who was suffering from a brain tumor, explained how Southside's neurological expertise had changed their lives.

Back in June, Kayla Kenda, who had led Bay Shore High School's girls' teams to All-State and All-Suffolk County honors was looking forward to finishing her final exams, so she could attend her prom and graduate with her class. After enjoying the summer, she planned to attend college in the fall.

But life can change in an instant. And when an SUV plowed into the car Kayla was driving - leaving her unconscious with a broken ankle and pelvis, swelling in her brain and possible damage to her spinal cord, Kayla's end of the school year plans had been altered in dramatic fashion.

Eighteen-year-old Kayla Kenda, a brain injury survivor who was treated at the Southside, told her remarkable story of recovery at the launch of the Institute.

Taken to Southside Hospital, doctors initially worried for the teenager's life; neurosurgeons helped relieve the pressure on her brain and she began recovering from the trauma to her brain and the rest of her body. Once stabilized, Kayla woke from her coma and rehabilitative intervention began immediately. She had no memory of the accident - "I didn't know that I was in a hospital or what day it was."

Southside's Brain Injury Unit interventions began making an impact. She progressed quickly and though initially not expected to walk before October - she was walking in July and is now able to run up to 1/2 mile - well ahead of schedule.

Though she missed her prom, she graduated on time (in the Hospital) last June and left the BIU after 13 days. She continues to be followed as an outpatient.

Carolyn Wenzler, a 62-year old grandmother of three from West Babylon had an equally frightening experience. While at work, she noticed her speech was impaired and she had some memory loss. Instead of leaving work early to go home and rest like she wanted, her co-workers insisted she get checked out.

After receiving a Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) scan, she heard words no one wants to hear - she had a tumor on the left side of her brain. Carolyn chose Dr. Mullins to remove her tumor. "Thanks to him, I'm on the road to recovery. I feel much better and my boss is asking me when I'm coming back. That's a great feeling."

Winnie Mack, RN, MPA, Southside's executive director said, "For our patients and all those suffering from neurological conditions in the region, this initiative promises to increase access to high quality care closer to home. Patients can now receive world class neurology care without leaving Suffolk County."

Dr. Mullins explained that one in five Americans suffer from a neurological disorder such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or chronic pain and that "as the population ages and lives longer, the incidence of neurological disease is expected to rise."

To date, the North Shore-LIJ Health System has invested more than $50 million in neuroscience programs, including new technologies, infrastructures and top physicians. In the next five years, another $100 million is earmarked for the Harvey Cushing Institutes.

For more information on the Southside Institute for Neurosciences, please call (631) 968-3310.

Media Contact:
Mike Sacca
Brian Mulligan
(631) 968-3477
(516) 465-2618