Designed to serve as one of the preeminent neuroscience centers in the country, the Saint Luke's Neuroscience Institute (SLNI) tower officially opened January 9 at Saint Luke's Hospital. The new facility, specializing in streamlined care for neurological disorders, offers the Kansas City community and the entire region a dedicated neuroscience hospital, created to lead the way in research, medical advancements, patient outcomes, comfort and quality of care.

The Saint Luke's Neuroscience Institute, formally known as Saint Luke's Brain and Stroke Institute, came to fruition as the result of a $32 million commitment from the hospital to fund the project. In addition a $20 million fundraising campaign began in January 2012 to support the building project as well as to further clinical program development and research. The design and formulation of the new facility was based upon the concept of integrated care delivery and allows the neuroscience program to consolidate its diagnostic, surgical, interventional, intensive care and other services into one 88,000 square foot tower.

The renovation took a year to complete and was created with input from physicians, nurses and staff to construct a space that offers the best environment for providing care and provides families and patients with relaxing, comforting surroundings. The new facility will not only offer state-of-the-art equipment and expanded facilities but the streamlined design will also provide direct benefit to Saint Luke's neurological patients.

"By treating and caring for our patients with neurological conditions in one dedicated space we have the opportunity to not only provide the best, most comprehensive care in the most timely manner, but those patients will also have the benefit of the clinical expertise and collaboration of all the specialists in the building," said Marilyn Rymer, M.D., medical director of SLNI. "When you are able to bring together leaders and experts in this highly specialized field and allow them to easily collaborate and confer with one another on particular cases or treatment options, the end result is the very best, highest level of care for the patient."

The vision for SLNI is to continue to spearhead advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and spinal disease, including stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, brain tumors, aneurysms, headaches, multiple sclerosis and sleep disorders.

Specific capital improvements include: four dedicated state-of-the-art neurological operating rooms and a 13-bed recovery unit; three neurointerventional suites with sophisticated biplane imaging systems; expanded epilepsy monitoring unit; 18-bed neuroscience intensive care unit; and 68 private patient rooms.

The fundraising campaign for SLNI is led by honorary chairs Marshall Dean and Graham Hunt and chairs John MacDonald and Marilyn Rymer, M.D. More than $2.5 million in leadership gifts has been committed by the Deramus Family Foundation, the Hall Family Foundation, and the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, trustee. In addition, proceeds from the Saint Luke's Hospital Auxiliary's Holly Ball fundraiser in December will support SLNI's neurosurgical center.