November 22, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Breaking Neuroscience Ground: Daniel F. Kelly M.D. and the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Lead in Comprehensive Treatment Neurological Conditions

 By Staff Writer

 

Santa Monica’s hip and laid-back community is home to some very high tech neurological medical experts. Daniel F. Kelly, MD, director of Pacific Neuroscience Institute, is considered to be among the top neurosurgeons in the US, well known for his use of minimally invasive “keyhole” endoscopic brain and pituitary surgical techniques.

As director of Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Kelly collaborates with a multidisciplary team of specialists at PNI, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, and other Providence Southern California affiliates to ensure patients get customized treatment for their specific condition.

Dr. Kelly came to the Providence Saint John’s Health Center in 2007, following 14 years at UCLA. In practice now for over 23 years Dr. Kelly’s unique blend of surgical expertise and ability to put patients immediately at ease, has earned him Southern California’s SuperDoctors award 11 years in a row, and multiple TopDoctor and Patient’s Choice awards.

In 2015, Dr. Kelly and his three co-founders Drs. Chester F. Griffiths (ENT – Otolaryngology), Santosh Kesari (Neuro-Oncology) and Howard R. Krauss (Neuro-Ophthalmology), established the Pacific Neuroscience Institute which is a multidisciplinary institute devoted to the care of patients with a wide spectrum of neurological and cranial disorders. Doctors at PNI’s Centers of Excellence see and treat local, nationwide and international patients.

“PNI’s roots are in the brain tumor and pituitary disorders program which we began at Saint John’s in 2007,” said Dr. Kelly. “Pituitary disorders cover a wide range of diseases with such diverse symptoms; patients often spend years trying to get a correct diagnosis.” Pituitary adenomas are the most common benign tumor occurring in the pituitary gland. This small yet mighty gland regulates a wide array of bodily functions including growth and development, sexual and reproductive functions, body metabolism and stress response and in fact is a key player in cognitive function and overall brain health.

The great majority of symptomatic pituitary adenomas are now removed via the natural corridors of the nostrils with a team surgery approach using a high-definition endoscope as the visualization tool. “The beautiful panoramic endoscopic view allows us to sneak in and out of the midline skull base and brain area without brain retraction and without visible scars on the face or head”, Dr. Kelly said. “We also apply the same endoscopic ‘keyhole’ philosophy of minimally invasive yet maximally effective approaches for both benign brain tumors such as meningiomas, and malignant tumors such as metastatic brain tumors and glioblastomas (GBM). Using surgical navigation, ultrasound and low-profile instrumentation, many patients can have a brain tumor removed through one of several keyhole access points such as via a small eyebrow incision, from behind the ear or using ‘gravity assisted’ procedures to reach the tumor without traversing normal brain,” he added.

PNI began with the Brain Tumor and Pituitary Disorders Centers and rapidly integrated other specialities including centers for eye, ear & skull base, facial pain, adult hydrocephalus, movement disorders, strokes and aneurysms and neuroscience research which spearheads PNI’s clinical trials. Current clinical trials led by neuro-onocologist Dr. Kesari, include a large number of glioblastoma and metastatic brain cancer studies. In addition, recent neurosurgical clinical trials led by neurosurgeon Dr. Achal Singh Achrol have used modified adult stem cells to treat motor deficits due to brain trauma or stroke.

Knowledge and education are a priority at PNI and young doctors, international scholars and interns are trained in a setting that provides both academic and practical neuroscience experience, including a hands-on neuroanatomy dissection laboratory directed by neurosurgeon Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian.

PNI and JWCI physicians and scientists have a long academic track record with many hundreds of peer-reviewed neuroscience and neuro-oncology publications. “We are continually striving to innovate and improve our treatments with the goal of helping patients live longer, while maintaining their quality of life. By publishing our findings, we hopefully will help change the global standard of care,” said Dr. Kelly.

On March 19, 2018, PNI opened its newly renovated historic clinic building, a Santa Monica Landmark building. Patients can visit the new clinic located on the corner of 22nd Street and Arizona Avenue, in the center of the Santa Monica community, and just across the street from the Providence Saint John’s E.R. A grand opening event is slated for May.

“We’re excited that Pacific Neuroscience Institute is part of Santa Monica. Long-time residents know the 2125 Arizona building. It’s a beautiful restoration and now again a medical clinic as it was back in the 1950’s. We think patients will appreciate the esthetics as well as the continued high-level of care they receive,” said Dr. Kelly.

For more information about PNI, visit pacificneuro.org.

Dr. Daniel F. Kelly, M.D.
Photo: Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Related Posts

Donate Blood and Save Lives at Culver City Fire Station This Weekend

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Get a T-Shirt, Gift Card for Participating in the Cedars-Sinai Blood Drive The Culver City Rotary Club, in collaboration with...

LAPD Motorcycle Officer Hospitalized After 405 Freeway Crash in Sepulveda Pass

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Collision Near Skirball Center DrivePossibly Involving a Tesla Caused Major Traffic  The 405 Freeway was the scene of a motorcycle...

Santa Monica Police Release Body Cam Footage of Deadly Force Incident Outside Headquarters

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Graphic Video Shows a Violent Assault on an SMPD Officer by a Knife-Wielding Suspect The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)...

Breakaway Café Opens New Venice Location with Beachside Grab-and-Go Window

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Bayse Brothers Bring Their Signature Breakfast Dishes and Good Vibes to Venice Breakaway Café, a popular breakfast and lunch eatery...

Last Minute Additions to the Best Thanksgiving 2024 Feasts and Pies To Go

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

If Other Faves are Sold Out, Here’s All The Quality Places to Try Now Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary...

Everytable’s Holiday Meal Collaboration To Support LA’s Unhoused Youth

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Chef Created Thanksgiving Meal Benefits My Friend’s Place. Everytable, the mission-driven company committed to making scratch-cooked, nutritious meals accessible to...

Los Angeles City Council Codifies Sanctuary Protections for Migrants with New Citywide Ordinance

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Mayor Bass Prioritized the Ordinance after Trump’s Mass Deportation Threats The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to officially...

The Palms Community Council’s Executive Committee Schedules Special Meeting for Nov. 20

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Meeting to Address Open Board Positions and Committee Updates The Executive Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov....

Hammer Museum Presents 10th Edition of MoMA Contenders: Screenings, Conversations with Top Filmmakers

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Lineup Features Films by Steve McQueen, Sean Baker, and Brady Corbett The Hammer Museum will host the 10th edition of...

Film Review: Wicked

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Director John Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights) has crafted an effervescent take on the blockbuster...

Randy’s Donuts Arrives in Culver City with Free Donuts and a $250 Gift Card Giveaway

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Grand Opening on November 19 Includes Sweet Giveaways Starting at 6:00 a.m. The time is finally here. Randy’s Donuts is...

Nicole Nagel’s Futuristic Eric Moss Designed Brentwood Home To Hit Auction Block

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

The Spaceship-Like Property Heads to Auction With No Reserve in December German actress Nicole Nagel, who was part of the...

LA Controller Kenneth Meija: City Left $513 Million of Homelessness Budget Unspent

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

Inefficiencies Blamed for Underspending Despite Record Allocation in FY2024  The City of Los Angeles hasn’t spent over half of its...

West LA College Expands Zero-Cost Textbook Programs with $600K Grant

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

College Aims for 50 Zero-Cost Textbook Programs by 2025  West Los Angeles College (West) is expanding its zero-cost textbook program...

(Video) At Vistamar School – Discover the way high school should be

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, andpersonalized approach. Our graduates don’t just attend college—they excel. Vistamar’sunique...