NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Unveils the Sackler Brain and Spine Institute

Jun 6, 2016

NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center Sackler Brain & Spine Institute

NewYork-Presbyterian is proud to announce the creation of the Sackler Brain and Spine Institute, thanks to the transformational gift by The Mortimer D. Sackler Foundation. The Institute will support neurological and neurosurgical patient care and innovative medical research and education.

The Institute’s clinical hub began receiving patients on June 6. Located on the second floor of the Greenberg Pavilion at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, this “hospital-within-a-hospital” features the latest medical technology for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and neurosurgical patients.

The space includes 14 new Neurological Intensive Care Unit (ICU) rooms specifically designed with the patient in mind. Each private, light-filled room is equipped with dedicated scanners, enabling staff to perform immediate brain imaging as needed, discrete swivette pivoting toilets and enough space for loved ones to remain at the patient’s bedside. The expanded nursing stations on the Unit allow for staff to visually observe and respond immediately to changes in patients’ statuses without having to disturb them. Construction of the Neuro ICU began in September 2015 and concluded in April 2016.

Along with the new Neurological ICU, and as part of the Institute’s clinical hub, care will also be provided on two adjacent units, designed for neurological and neurosurgical patients at different levels of acuity.

Each Neurological ICU room is private and filled with natural light and enough space for loved ones.

Each Neurological ICU room is private and filled with natural light and enough space for loved ones.

The Sacklers’ generosity also enabled the Hospital to make renovations to the neurological outpatient areas on the sixth floor of the Starr Pavilion; allowed for a brand new Magnetic Resonance Imaging System (MRI) to help meet the projected demand for imaging services that would come from the expanded neurology and neurosurgery program; and established the Sackler Brain and Spine Institute Endowment, which will fund both research grants and fellowships in neurology, neurosurgery, and neuroscience, and will support the recruitment and retention of preeminent physicians, surgeons, clinicians, and scientists.

A reception desk

The expanded nursing stations allow staff to visually observe and respond to changes without having to disturb patients.

The neurology and neurosurgical programs at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell have a long and distinguished history in translational research, bringing advances from the lab to the patient bedside. The Sacklers’ philanthropy will enable the Institute to offer the most advanced medical technology for the diagnosis and treatment of all neurosurgical and neurological patients.