Tampa, FLA (Jan. 17, 2017) — The University of South Florida has launched a neurosciences initiative to integrate the latest treatment and research for a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
With the state-of-the-art USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute as its centerpiece and driving force, the new neuroscience initiative is being spearheaded by Dr. Harry van Loveren, vice dean of clinical affairs for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair. Dr. van Loveren has a proven track record of highly effective administrative and clinical leadership skills, having served as interim dean of the USF medical school and developed one of its most successful departments. He is widely respected regionally and nationally as a top neurosurgeon and researcher with expertise in skull base surgery as well as microneurosurgical techniques.
Harry van Loveren, MD
The multidisciplinary initiative will bring together medical, surgical and research specialists from USF Health’s departments of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry – all dedicated to advancing treatment and prevention of brain, spinal cord and other nervous system disorders.
“The primary goal of this larger neurosciences initiative is to foster and coalesce interdisciplinary research collaboration among USF Health scientists looking at the brain in unique ways to accelerate new discoveries for a broad range of neurological conditions – including Alzheimer’s and related dementias, Parkinson’s, ataxias, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and stroke – leading to improved treatment and prevention for the patients we serve,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.
“Dr. van Loveren has the expertise and commitment to build a preeminent, strong neurosciences model that will provide an even greater infrastructure for moving neurological discoveries from bench to bedside,” Dr. Lockwood said.
By consolidating disease-specific areas of care for a wide spectrum of neurological conditions, the initiative is expected to strengthen collaborative, complementary research across USF neuroscience disciplines and allow patients to better access the care they need.
“We will build upon the success of the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute in becoming a vital treatment and research center for Floridians affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders,” Dr. van Loveren said.
“The neurosciences initiative will unify and coordinate all resources at the university for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders so we can expand our neurosciences footprint and serve even more patients and their families. We envision USF Health becoming a national destination for all things related to brain disorders and brain health.
The endeavor will also help position USF to take advantage of new federal funding opportunities such as the National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative, a pioneering project aimed at revolutionizing the understanding of the brain and accelerating the development and application of new technologies for brain disorders.
-USF Health-
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and the USF Physicians Group. USF Health is an integral part of the University of South Florida, a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu
Media contact:
Anne DeLotto Baier, USF Health Communications
(813) 974-3303 or abaier@health.usf.edu
