New Neuroscience and Spine Institute Relies on Collaboration to Deliver Elite Care
Wyoming Medical Center’s new Wyoming Neuroscience and Spine Institute offers world-class neurological and neurosurgical care never before available among the state’s wide open spaces.
“From the standpoint of credentials and academic achievements, we are comparable to many better-known facilities, and, in my experience, from a personality and patient-care standpoint, we are way out in front of many around the country I have encountered,” says neurologist Dr. David Wheeler.
Along with neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Sramek, Dr. Wheeler has played a leading role in establishing the institute. “I left academics and chose to come to Casper precisely because there was an opportunity to build a program from the ground up and the hospital was so clearly supportive of the concept,” he says, also crediting his colleagues for helping the dream come to fruition. “I am humbled by the skills, expertise, outstanding training and singular dedication to excellent patient care evinced by the other members of this team.”
Dr. Brian Wieder, complex neurospine surgeon, says the feeling is mutual. “Dr. Wheeler’s and Dr. Sramek’s credentials are impressive. They have the background to make this happen. They have earned my respect and support, and I share in the effort to make this vision a reality.”
The institute’s advanced technology and wide variety of specialties, which range from neuroradiology to neurosurgery to physiatry, provide the capability to diagnose and treat traumatic injuries as well as conditions such as stroke and epilepsy. Rehabilitation services help make the program the most comprehensive of its kind in the state.
“What we have to offer here is extraordinary,” says Carol Nelson, the hospital’s director of service lines. “We are in a small community yet have services that you can only find in larger metropolitan areas. The quality of our staff and physicians is phenomenal.”
One of the qualities that sets the institute apart from even larger programs throughout the country is a willingness to collaborate among everyone involved. Neuro team members never hesitate to consult professionals from other disciplines such as cardiology and speech pathology, and those experts offer their advice freely. Interventional neuroradiologist Dr. Boris Karaman finds this practice refreshing.
“In a lot of places, these different trainings conduct all kinds of turf wars, where (physicians are) competing for patients, or they don’t want to share their expertise. What I find at Wyoming Medical Center is the one overriding concern, the one question that everybody asks is, ‘What’s best for the patient?’” he says.
The lack of ego among his colleagues, he explains, results in brief but detailed, technical discussions that answer that question and expedite treatment. And behind the team’s approach to treatment stands a patient-care philosophy that also helps elevate the program above others: Physicians explore all medications and conservative procedures appropriate to each situation before considering invasive surgery.
Dr. David Wheeler believes the institute delivers a number of patient benefits beyond relatively low cost and a kinder, gentler treatment approach: “One-stop shopping. A sense that the very best doctors available are participating in their care. Cutting-edge techniques with the latest and greatest diagnostic and treatment options in their own backyard. Physicians devoted to this state and its people working with a hospital that exists only to provide excellent medical care to our citizens. It’s all right here, as good as it gets, in the middle of their state.”
“I think the Wyoming Neuroscience and Spine Institute is a tremendous idea whose time has very clearly arrived,” he says.
For more information about the Wyoming Neuroscience and Spine Institute, call 877-894-2225 or 307-577-2225.