Neurology - The Illinois Neurological Institute Milestones

Illinois Neurological Institute Milestones

For more than 100 years, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has been a leader in health care. Below are just a few milestones which show our commitment to providing outstanding neuroscience services to the people of the midwest.

1949	Dr. Lawrence Holden performs first neurosurgery at St. Francis
1962	Catheter biplane neurovascular angiography begun by Dr. Robert Wright
1963	Neuro nursing unit, first specialized team for neurological care in downstate Illinois, opens
1968	Micro-neurosurgery program begun
1971	University of Illinois College of Medicine forms Neuroscience Discipline

1973	First head CAT scan unit installed in Illinois
1979	University of Illinois initiates Neurology residency
1980	University of Illinois approves Residency Program in Neurological Surgery
1980	First myelodysplasia clinic to treat pediatric patients with spinal cord abnormalities
1983	First Special Care Unit for Neurology and Neurosurgery in downstate Illinois opens and aids in care of patients in botulism outbreak
1983	First MRI head scan in downstate Illinois installed
1990	Illinois Neurological Institute formed to improve clinical care, research and education in neurological illness
1993	First LINAC Radiosurgery Program in downstate Illinois
1995	Teleradiology system connects many central Illinois hospitals to Saint Francis Neuroradiology for special consultation and care
1995	First Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) utilized for treatment of intracranial aneurysms
1997	OSF Stroke Network links many central Illinois hospitals for improved stroke care
1998	Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center established to provide medical and surgical treatment for complex epilepsy problems
1998	Neuro-opthalmology services are introduced
2001	First Gamma Knife Center opened in downstate Illinois
2001	Sleep Disorders Center opens

2001	Nerve and Muscle Disorders Center opens
2002	New Diagnostic Center brings existing neurological services together at one location
2003	CyberKnife accessible to the INI through Bloomington's Community Cancer Center
2004	OSF Stroke Center becomes the first in Illinois to receive the Joint Commission "Gold Seal of Approval" as a primary stroke center
2005	Varian Trilogy offers image guided radiosurgery for spinal lesions