MSU, St. Mary's lure new medical talent to Grand Rapids

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

Saint Mary's Health Care and the MSU College of Human Medicine have appointed their first leader of a newly created neurological services initiative.

Christopher C. Glisson, DO, MS is the new medical director of Saint Mary's Health Care's innovative new neuro-opthalmology program, and he will be the MSU med school's assistant professor of neurology and ophthalmology.

Dr. Glisson fulfills a need in West Michigan for qualified medical professionals and researchers with a specialty of neuro-ophthalmology, the study of vision problems caused by neurological conditions and diseases that affect eye movement. Dr. Glisson will continue his research to develop treatment strategies, working with MSU clinical researchers and neuro-biologists.

After serving as chief resident in neurology at MSU and a residency at Sparrow Hospital Systems in Lansing, Dr. Glisson received a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Scheie Eye Institute and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Hauenstein Neurosciences Center currently under construction at St. Mary's will be completed in 2009 and will offer Dr. Glisson and his scientific team opportunities to delve into and help develop emerging neuro-ophthalmologic techniques, with a focus on those related to multiple sclerosis and neuro-degenerative diseases.

"It is highly unusual for a community the size of Grand Rapids to have this level of sub-specialty medicine available," Dr. Glisson says. "The partnership between the medical school and the hospital, along with the research capability, presents a wonderful opportunity for patients and families."

Source: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Saint Mary's Health Care

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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].

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