Pioneering the future of care

Alexander Ropper, MD

Brain surgery while the patient is awake. Robotic spine surgery. Translational research to treat brain cancer. Advanced stroke care.

Donors and board members learned about some of these neuroscience innovations and more at St. Luke's Foundation’s recent Innovator Series Lunch & Learn on March 26 featuring a panel of Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center physicians. Drs. Ganesh Rao, Alexander Ropper, Omar Tanweer, and Ashwin Viswanathan delved into the latest advancements and breakthroughs and took time to answer questions throughout the lunchtime event.

“We’ve got surgeons who are pushing the boundaries of science.”

- Dr. Ganesh Rao

Attendees heard about married couple Allison Toepperwein and Steven Eury, who both have Parkinson’s disease and recently underwent deep brain stimulation within hours of each other to combat their symptoms.

They learned how robotics will allow spine surgeons to operate with incredible precision, smaller incisions and quicker recovery times.

And they heard about Baylor St. Luke’s ability to treat strokes more quickly than any other hospital in the Texas Medical Center – saving precious brain function for patients. As Dr. Tanweer noted, “Time is brain.”

The St. Luke’s Foundation’s Innovator Series provides exclusive opportunities for donors, board members, and friends to grow their understanding of Baylor St. Luke's clinical excellence and to stay informed about the innovative programs that are transforming patient care at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.