Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin health network is building a proton therapy clinic inside the hospital for cancer treatment.
This fall marks a momentous occasion for the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and its clinical team at Froedtert Health as the department celebrates 50 years of advancing the neurosciences and expanding treatment options for patients with neurological disorders.
This milestone is an occasion to reflect on the astounding advances in therapeutic options for tens of thousands of patients in Wisconsin, and their families, who live with a neurological disorder. Worldwide, 1 in 3 people are impacted by neurological health conditions. It is, in fact, the leading cause of illness and disability, according to the World Health Organization.
When it began in 1974, the Department of Neurology had six neurologists and treated common neurological conditions at the time such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease. Newer medications were just coming out for the treatment of epilepsy such as Depakote, Tegretol, and Primidone (one of the drug trials for Primidone was actually done around 1970 at MCW).
Since its founding, scope of medical expertise has grown
Led by its first chair, Michael McQuillen, MD, the Department of Neurology grew significantly, expanding in both faculty and areas of expertise. Subspecialties were introduced: neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, and memory disorders. McQuillen also brought on PhD basic science researchers, fostering a robust research environment within the department.
Beyond clinical care, McQuillen understood the importance of patient well-being and ethical medical practice. He was instrumental in hiring a social worker for the department to address the broader needs of patients and their families. Moreover, he established the first medical ethics committee at MCW, laying the foundation for the compassionate and ethical care that continues to define the department today. By his departure in 1987, he had firmly established the department as a leader in both academic and clinical neurology and positioned it for future growth.
Since McQuillen's tenure, the department has continued to flourish under subsequent leadership. Today, Ekokobe Fonkem, DO, chairs the department, overseeing a faculty of over 75 neurologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The department's clinical programs have also expanded to include a wide range of specialties, including endovascular surgical neuroradiology, headache medicine, neurointensivist care, neuro-oncology, and stroke care.
Diseases that once used to cripple, can now be treated
Today, patients like Karli, a young woman whose MS attack caused paralysis and the need to go on a ventilator, is walking again with a cane. A course of plasmapheresis followed by a bone marrow transplant quelled the attack; ongoing infusion therapy has slowed the rate of disease progression.
For Steve, a retiree whose Parkinson's disease and its telltale tremors prohibited him from driving and other daily activities, electrodes were implanted in the area of his brain causing the tremors using an innovative procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). An impulse generator battery the size of stopwatch was implanted under his collarbone to deliver electrical stimulation to the area of his brain that causes the tremors, much like how a pacemaker for the heart works. This revolutionary treatment has allowed Steve to rediscover the freedom of driving a car and even riding a bike.
In the last two years, the department has been a key partner in launching the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS), an interdisciplinary collaboration between Medical College of Wisconsin and its clinical partners that is poised to shape the future of neuroscience in Wisconsin and beyond.
As the Department of Neurology celebrates its 50th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders and its current faculty. We are truly grateful for our patients and their families who have put their trust in our care teams. From its modest beginnings to its current role as a world leader in neurological care and research, the department continues to chart a path forward, ensuring that the next 50 years will be just as impactful.
Paul E. Barkhaus, MD, is a neurologist at Froedtert Hospital and a professor in the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, a partner of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience. Currently, researchers are involved in nearly 40 clinical trials covering a variety of diseases related to the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. More information can be found at: Clinical Trials at Froedtert & MCW