Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center

08/21/2025

As we wrap up the academic year for our Clinical Program at , it's time to celebrate our class of 2025!

We asked our graduates to share where they're headed next, their most memorable moments at Barrow, the advice they would give to their younger selves on their first day of training at the Institute, and which individuals influenced them the most during their time here.

Read their reflections at https://bar.rw/neuropsych2025.

08/20/2025

In June, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1741 into law. This bill allows adults with AHCCCS to receive and outpatient services, which were not previously covered by Medicaid.

We're proud to share that Barrow Program Director and Shawn Stevens, MD, and Carolyn Abraham were among the champions of this bill—alongside The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) and other clinicians around the state.

Carolyn attended the public signing ceremony on July 1, and we had our own celebration at a couple of days later.

Thank you, Dr. Stevens and Carolyn, for your dedication to expanding access to cochlear implants and speech therapy—both here at Barrow and across the state of !

08/19/2025

In the final episode of our four-part podcast miniseries, we're discussing one of the most common—and misunderstood—health problems in the world: back pain.

Did you know that at any given point in time, one in three people is experiencing ? And estimates are as high as 80 percent that YOU will experience back pain at some point in your life.

Join " " host and chief resident Mark Pacult, MD, as he speaks to five experts at about the complex science behind why our backs hurt.

🎙️ F. David Barranco, MD, Chief Medical Officer and
🎙️ Jay D. Turner, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon
🎙️ Kumar Kakarla, MD, Neurosurgeon
🎙️ Zaman Mirzadeh, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon
🎙️ Brian Kelly, PhD, Researcher

Tune in at https://bar.rw/podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts.

08/18/2025

We're proud to share that the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has certified as an RLS Quality Care Center!

Barrow is one of 15 institutions across the United States and Europe to receive this certification, and it is the only RLS Quality Care Center in .

The designation recognizes our expertise in treating individuals with RLS, as well as our commitment to providing education to patients, families, and other health care providers. As a Quality Care Center, Barrow also partners with the RLS Foundation on quality improvement projects to raise the standard of care for RLS patients everywhere.

"By uniting our expertise in and , we’re uniquely positioned to provide innovative, patient-centered care for even the most complex RLS cases," said Nicki Niemann, MD, a and the director of the RLS Quality Care Center at Barrow. "Through this partnership with the RLS Foundation, we hope to advance clinical standards, expand access to expert care in the Southwest, and inspire a new level of understanding for a condition that is too often overlooked."

Read the press release at https://bar.rw/rls-qcc.

08/16/2025

Although we don't yet have a cure for , accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment are key to improving quality of life, facilitating future planning, and enabling access to necessary support services.

Join our and Memory Disorders Program for their Fall Symposium to learn more about the importance of accurate diagnosis and early intervention, as well as the latest research findings and available study opportunities.

Speakers will include:
• Anna Burke, MD, Director of Barrow Alzheimer's and Program, Karsten Solheim for Dementia Research Chair
• Marwan Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, Department of Vice Chair of Research, Moreno Family Chair for

📆: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
⏰: Noon to 4:30 p.m. (Arizona time)
📍: Sonntag Academic Pavilion at , 350 West Thomas Road, , 85013
💻: Virtual option available via Zoom

The event is FREE, but registration is required and must be completed by Sept. 5. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. To sign up for either the in-person or virtual event, please visit https://bar.rw/amddfall25.

Questions? Please contact Tania Gomez-Morales at (602) 406-2792 or Tania.GomezMorales@CommonSpirit.org.

08/15/2025

For the second consecutive year, Newsweek has named Juan Uribe, MD, and Jay Turner, MD, PhD, of as two of the top in the United States.

The media company collaborated with the global data intelligence firm Statista to identify “America’s Leading Doctors” across 15 surgical specialties, including . The firm evaluated a combination of Medicare and commercial data on procedure performance, results of an online survey of tens of thousands of medical professionals, peer quality-of-care assessments, and verification of board certifications.

Read the full story at https://bar.rw/newsweekspine2025.

08/14/2025

The at is known for being state of the art—in our medical treatments, research, and facilities. But did you know our patients also find healing through actual art?

In our five-week, bilingual Program, individuals with and their care partners discover firsthand the therapeutic benefits of creating art. These benefits can include reduced stress and anxiety, a greater sense of accomplishment, community connection, and improved well-being overall.

In partnership with Creighton University, we're excited to display artwork by some of these patients and care partners in a juried exhibit! The exhibit is free, open to the public, and presented in both English and Spanish. Come peruse the collection for a powerful glimpse into the experiences, emotions, and resilience of the community.

📆: Now through Oct. 3
📍: Creighton University Health Sciences - Phoenix, First Floor Rotating Art Gallery, 3100 North Central Avenue, , 85012

08/13/2025

08/12/2025

At , innovation is more than a buzzword; it’s built into the procedures we perform every day.

Our team uses the latest tools in —including —to help patients heal faster, safer, and smarter.

That’s , reimagined.

Learn more about our Spine Program at BarrowNeuro.org/Spine

(Pictured: Juan Uribe, MD, Chief of the Division of , Volker K.H. Sonntag Chair for Spine Research, and Vice Chairman of at Barrow)

08/11/2025

If you are living with an atypical disorder, or you have a loved one who is, please join us for "A Path Forward, Together."

This unique, in-depth conference will provide valuable insights, helpful strategies, and social support for people affected by progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD).

Topics will include:
• Current and emerging research
• Vision changes and disease progression
• Practical tips for daily living
• Navigating important conversations

📆: Friday, Aug. 29, 2025
⏰: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍: at , 240 West Thomas Road, Suite 302, , 85013

Lunch will be provided. Registration is required, and space is limited, so make sure to reserve your spot ASAP by visiting https://bar.rw/pathforward.

08/08/2025

What happens when doctors go abroad—not just for conferences, but to practice, train, and teach medicine in drastically different environments?

Episode three of " " explores how work is reshaping the way medicine is practiced and taught in the United States.

Join podcast host Mark Pacult, MD, a chief at Barrow, as he sits down with a few of the doctors on our team to learn how their global work has shifted their perspectives and sharpened their skills. They also discuss how global partnerships, like the Institute's collaboration with Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre - KCMC in , Africa, can improve patient care both abroad and at home.

🎙️ Kerry Vaughan, MD, and Africa Site Director, Barrow Global
🎙️ Cyrus Elahi, MD, Barrow PGY-6 Resident
🎙️ Dilan Ellegala, MD, Neurosurgeon and Co-Director, Barrow Global

Tune in at https://bar.rw/podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts.

08/08/2025

We are pleased to share that Barrow Neurological Foundation has been selected as a cornerstone beneficiary of the newly launched Arizona Cardinals Foundation! Carrying on a tradition of charitable giving, the Arizona Cardinals Foundation will support the creation of a comprehensive neurological care platform specialized for individuals 16 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and related neurologic disorders such as epilepsy.

The primary goal of this dedicated platform is to ensure a seamless transition of care for patients moving from a familiar pediatric health care team to a new, adult-focused health system. Please join us in saying 'Thank You' to the Arizona Cardinals Foundation for their support!