CINN Celebrating Twenty Years of Services to Chicagoland

When neurosurgeon Dr. Leonard Cerullo founded the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) Medical Group in 1987, little did he know that his brainchild would someday become a Chicago leader in providing patients with unprecedented brain and spine care. His philosophy was and still is, to offer patients an environment that is fresh, unique and unequalled anywhere. A skilled neurosurgeon and compassionate man, Cerullo believes that patients with specialized neurological conditions not only need state-of-the-art technology, but extraordinary emotional care as they often battle cancer and other debilitating conditions.

During CINN's first year, Cerullo and two other neurosurgeons performed approximately 450 surgical cases. Twenty years later, CINN physicians treat 10,000 brain and spine patients every year, believed to be more than any other neurosurgical practice in Chicago. Currently, CINN has 10 neurosurgeons, five physiatrists, two neurologists and one endovascular surgical neuroradiologist on staff who care for more than 5,500 new patients and perform 2,000 surgical cases and 4,000 spinal injections each year.

CINN Physicians and Specialized Procedures

Some of the most advanced neurosurgical and neuromedical care in Chicago are offered by CINN doctors. They were the first in the Chicago area and second in the country to adopt the Gamma Knife technology. To date, their expertise spans over 3,000 cases.

Continuing with the tradition of exploring new technologies, CINN neurosurgeons helped pioneer the Charité Lumbar Artificial Disc several years ago, and are currently pioneering new motion preserving devices, including the cervical artificial disc and a facet replacement system. All of these advances provide patients suffering from back and neck pain with more options.

CINN also has a team of world-renowned, multi-disciplinary specialists who tend to patients with aneurysms, strokes and other neurovascular disorders using highly effective endovascular and cerebrovascular therapies. These physicians use revolutionary, minimally invasive procedures for preventing and treating strokes, wide-neck aneurysms, carotid and intracranial stenosis, and other brain blood vessel conditions. They are recognized as being among the world’s leading providers of complex aneurysm repair.

Neurological and Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago

As an extension of CINN's philosophy to present personalized care to patients, the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (NOHC) opened its doors in 2002. Recognized as the country’s first freestanding acute care facility dedicated exclusively to neuroscience and orthopedic services, over 2,000 neurosurgical and orthopedic surgeries were performed in 2007.

Top-notch care continues to be CINN's hallmark. The brain and spinal fusion surgeries at NOHC have been acknowledged by many of Chicago’s well-respected insurance companies as having the fewest complications. A similar level of excellence is seen on the orthopedics side of the hospital. The total joint program at NOHC boasts zero infections, perhaps the lowest infection rate of any hospital in the nation.

As today's baby boomers continue to age yet want to stay active, NOHC continues to expand services. Over the past year, orthopedic surgeons began using customizable implants for knee replacements and offering minimally invasive hip resurfacing for patients with hip pain who want to maintain an active lifestyle.

CINN Prevention Programs

CINN is regarded for its trailblazing approach to patient advocacy, which was keenly reflected in earlier business models and continues today. This philosophy permeates CINN services and has resulted in a new campaign embracing prevention. Examples include:

	Development of the back pain information booklet, Back on Track, that is available free to consumers. Since its introduction in May 2007, over 2,000 copies have been distributed.
	Offering MRIs to breast cancer patients who are at risk for developing brain metastases through a clinical study funded by The CINN Foundation
	Using endovascular therapies to prevent stroke and offering complimentary screenings to patients at risk

Announcing plans to bring a leading acupuncture practice to NOHC by the end of 2007. Oriental medicine will be available to reduce a patient’s pain, eliminate anxiety before and after surgery, and provide comfort to family members waiting for a loved one in surgery.

About Dr. Leonard Cerullo

Leonard Cerullo Leonard J. Cerullo, M.D., is the founder and medical director of the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN), Chicago, Illinois. A board certified neurosurgeon with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Cerullo is considered one of the nation's prominent leaders in neurosurgery. He is continuously praised for his skill in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and spine disorders. Moreover, he has been instrumental advancing the use of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments for a wide range of neurological disorders.

In 2002, Dr. Cerullo founded the CINN Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, as a vehicle to support clinicians and researchers’ research, education and outreach activities targeted at improving the lives of individuals afflicted with neurological disorders. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided almost $2 million in funding for such initiatives.

A visionary surgeon and researcher, Dr. Cerullo is credited with pioneering the use of lasers in neurosurgery. He has published several articles and books on this subject. As medical director of CINN, Dr. Cerullo oversees many clinical and basic research studies. The goals of these investigations are either to develop techniques that reduce the risk and recovery time associated with surgery or to develop revolutionary therapies that eliminate the need for invasive surgery.

Having earned the admiration and respect of both his patients and his peers, Dr. Cerullo has been featured repeatedly in Chicago Magazine's Top Doctors issues.

Dr. Cerullo is a member of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He is past president of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, Laser Association of Neurological Surgeons International, and Midwest Bio-Laser Institute.