Five physicians joining Geisinger Neuroscience Institute

Neurology services continue to grow

July 24, 2009, DANVILLE – Building on a major period of growth, Geisinger Health System’s Neuroscience Institute recently hired physicians who bring with them specialties that range from epilepsy, neurodiagnostics and headache to neuromuscular disorders and adult/ pediatric neurosurgery.

The institute is dedicated to diagnosing and treating patients with the most common and complex neurological and neurosurgical disorders through multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Among the programs available are neurosurgery neurology services, a brain and spine tumor institute, a certified stroke program, a cerebrovascular program and now a headache center.

“The addition of these new physicians is a natural extension of our expanding program,” said neurosurgeon Steven A. Toms, M.D., co-director of the Institute. “These are some of the country’s best and the brightest brain and spine care experts.”

Five new physicians will start seeing patients between July and August, according to Frank Gilliam, M.D., who recently joined Geisinger as neurology director and co-director of the Neuroscience Institute.

“Our new staff is bringing the latest training and technology to our patients in central and northeast Pennsylvania,” Dr. Gilliam said. “People in this region do not have to travel to a major city to receive advanced neurological care.”

The new physicians are:

• Amir Kershenovich-Rabinovitz, M.D., a pediatric neurosurgeon who is an expert in brain and spine injuries. Dr. Kershenovich-Rabinovitz is Geisinger’s only expert in pediatric neurosurgery. He completed fellowships in epilepsy, functional and pediatric neurosurgery. He will see patients at the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville.
• Matthew Eccher, M.D., an expert in neurophysiology and epilepsy. Dr. Eccher joins Geisinger from Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where he was director of Intensive Neurodiagnostic Monitoring and assistant professor of neurology. Dr. Eccher will see patients at Geisinger Medical Center (GMC).
• Jenice A. Robinson, M.D., an expert in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Robinson joins Geisinger from Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Robinson will see patients at GMC.
• Adil Ahmed Khan, M.D., an expert in neurodiagnostics and epilepsy. Board-certified in neurology, clinical neurophysiology and sleep medicine, Dr. Khan will see patients at Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Plains Township.
• Paul E. Spurgas, M.D., an experienced neurosurgeon with a background in complex cranial and spinal surgeries. Dr. Spurgas rejoins Geisinger after serving as an attending neurosurgeon at GMC from 1982 to 1984. Dr. Spurgas most recently was an associate professor of neurosurgery at Albany Medical College and is on the board of directors of the American Association of neurological Surgery.

About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation’s largest integrated health services organizations.  Serving more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, a 740-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.