Where Hope Lives
Inspiring stories of compassion, innovation, and transformation at Barrow Neurological Institute made possible by philanthropy.
Your Impact In Action
View real stories of how Barrow Neurological Foundation creates a lasting impact for patients and families.
Narratives of Help and Healing
Hear from the brave patients who have found hope and healing at Barrow while battling the most debilitating neurological conditions.
“It gave me hope knowing that they were willing to try anything and reached out to all their networks local and abroad to find a solution.”
-Kara May
Mother of grateful patient, Brielle May. Neurocritical Care
“My team at Barrow has never given up on me; I am better thanks to their care, and that means absolutely everything to me. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today. For that, I am incredibly grateful.”
-Alison Coombs
Grateful patient at the Lewis Headache Center
“The things my mom is doing for this trial have not only paid substantial dividends for her health but are also paving the way for someone else to have an easier journey. It feels good knowing that we are playing a part in the long-term fight against this disease, and we are grateful to Barrow for giving us this opportunity.”
– Ivan Jones, caretaker
Courageous Hearts
Life-Changers
Share Your Story
Every experience at Barrow is unique and powerful. Whether you’re a patient, family member, or donor, we invite you to share your story and inspire others on their journey.
The @barrowneuro #NeuroRehabilitationCenter and the #CenterforTransitionalNeuroRehabilitation (CTN) are dedicated to helping patients regain function after complex neurological injuries.
Just like Eric’s #TraumaticBrainInjury (TBI) after being hit by a car on his bicycle. Leaving the hospital, Eric was alive, but it was the specialized therapy at Barrow Neuro-Rehabilitation Center that helped him truly start living again. Read his story by clicking the link in bio.
August is #NationalWellnessMonth and we want to shine a spotlight on the #LewisHeadacheCenter Wellness Program! Funded by philanthropy, the program offers physical therapy, yoga, mindfulness, psychology, nutrition guidance, and social work to help patients manage their headache pain.
The Center recently shared some tips on reframing stress with a growth mindset:
🧠 Acknowledge stress: Notice the physiological signs (fast heart rate, sweating) without judging them as negative.
🧠 Own it: Recognize that stress arises because you care about something.
🧠 Utilize it: Reframe the energy from stress as a tool to help you meet the challenge, rather than a symptom of breaking down.
🧠 Reflect on resilience: Write down how previous stressful events have resulted in beneficial changes or enhanced personal development.
What’s one way YOU practice wellness in your life?
Happy Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re looking back on one of Barrow’s success stories.
Meet Timothy Mathias. In 1989, Timothy was 10 years old when he was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle. This left him with a skull and spine detached from one another, a condition called occipitoatlantal dislocation. Plus, he had a golf-ball-sized blood clot pressing on his brainstem, which was considered fatal at the time. It was seemingly impossible to survive this combination of injuries.
Yet, now retired neurosurgeon Dr. Volker Sonntag, along with Dr. Robert Spetzler and Dr. Harold Rekate, were able to reattach Timothy’s skull to his spine, using a metal brace and bone marrow from his hip, and drain the life-threatening blood clot. Timothy defied the odds and made an almost complete recovery. He was able to physically walk out of the hospital.
Today, the Sonntag Spine Center continues this legacy of innovation and patient care, performing over 3,000 spine surgeries each year.
Consider making a donation to the support spine research, education, and care at the link in our bio ☝️
A neurological diagnosis can bring uncertainty, especially when misinformation online makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. Understanding the facts can empower you to make informed decisions, seek specialized care, and maintain hope throughout your own or your loved one’s journey.
We’ll be sharing more Common Neurological Myths, the Reality, and how Barrow is making a difference throughout the month, so be sure to keep an eye out for them! Learn more by clicking the link in bio.
After a life-altering accident on his bike, Eric Sredzinski was a "John Doe" fighting for his life. The effects of his severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) had deeply shaken his sense of self but his journey through the Neuro-Rehabilitation Center at Barrow Neurological Institute began a transformation that truly helped him start living again.
“I consider myself lucky. Lucky to have survived, lucky to have received amazing care, and lucky to have had such a transformative experience. The people at Barrow are truly special, and I know countless patients just like me are beyond thankful.” -Eric
Your generous support helps the Barrow Neuro-Rehabilitation Center provide a full continuum of care, helping patients regain their confidence and independence. Read Eric’s story by clicking the link in bio.
On behalf of the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation, we are thrilled to announce our new Executive Committee members for 2026-27:
-Chair: Amy Cohn
-Chair-Elect: Terry Roman
-Corresponding Secretary: Sandy Metzler
-Recording Secretary: Pam Kolbe
-Treasurer: Michelle Kerrick
-Finance Chair: Amy Flood
Each year, the Women’s Board holds two signature events:
✨ Education Enrichment Evening - Co-chaired by Joo Cantor and Becky Pierson, the event will take place on November 18, 2026, and feature an insightful moderated panel discussion with Barrow experts.
✨ Barrow Grand Ball - Co-chaired by Suzi Hilton and Julie Rauch, with Carrie Hall as Ball Advisor, this iconic event will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2027 at the Arizona Biltmore.
Continuing a tradition established in 2006, a critical area of research at Barrow will receive special funding through the Ball as the Women’s Board Project. For 2027, the Women’s Board has selected the Barrow Sleep Center, led by Joyce K. Lee-Iannotti, MD, FAAN, FAASM.
Learn more about the Women’s Board and see a full leadership and member list by clicking the link in bio.
Supporting world-class training is one of our core missions, and by enriching the next generation of neurologists and neurosurgeons, we’re helping improve care for patients today while advancing the future of neuroscience for decades to come!
Every resident and fellow who graduates from @barrowneuro carries its expertise to hospitals, academic medical centers, and communities around the world, expanding access to vital neurological care. You make this possible. Generous donations fund innovative research projects, advanced simulation technologies, educational programming, mentorship opportunities, and several individual fellowships.
Learn more about how your support helps train the next generation of neurology and neurosurgery leaders at Barrow by clicking the link in bio.
No matter how you choose to give, your support is crucial in our mission to push the boundaries of neurological care and research. Together, we can transform lives and forge new paths in neuroscience. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a lasting impact on neurological health.
Explore ways to give at the link in our bio 👆
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of the @azcardinals Foundation! We are incredibly grateful to have been selected as one of its four Cornerstone Beneficiaries, and are proud to announce we’ve received a $400k grant to establish a transitional care platform for intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at @barrowneuro
The new Barrow IDD Care Platform is designed to enhance services and empower patients by providing personalized education and tools to understand their condition better, advocate for themselves, and manage their healthcare as independently as possible.
This vital initiative will undoubtedly have a lasting impact in our community! Learn more by clicking the link in bio.
Curious about what our high school research interns thought of their summer experience? Watch the video to find out!
And a huge thanks to all the donors who helped make this opportunity possible for our summer interns 🙌👏
It`s Throwback Thursday - First Lady Nancy Reagan style.🗽
Today, we’re reminiscing on an honored visit from First Lady Nancy Reagan to @BarrowNeuro in 1988. She dedicated a new research laboratory to honor her late stepfather and mother, Dr. Loyal Davis and Edith Davis.
Dr. Loyal Davis had retired to Phoenix in 1963 and served as a consultant for Barrow Neurological Institute before serving as interim director of Barrow from 1965 to 1966.
The Loyal & Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory is now under the direction of Dr. Mark Preul, training over 140 neurosurgery research fellows and earning 16 Vesalius Awards.
“I’m sure she [Nancy Reagan] would be delighted at the continuing progress that Barrow has made,” remarks Dr. Robert Spetzler, Emeritus Chair of Neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Learn more about the laboratory at the link in our bio 👆
In honor of #WorldBrainDay, and this year’s theme of “Access for All,” we are proud to highlight the Petznick Stroke Center’s Telestroke Program.
When a stroke occurs, every minute matters. Millions of brain cells die every minute that a stroke is left untreated. Judea Wiggins, MD, director of the Telestroke Program, explains how @BarrowNeuro brings world-class neurological expertise to rural and underserved communities virtually, expanding access to life-saving care for stroke patients. With 19 partner sites across Arizona, the Telestroke Program ensures that expert care is available when and where it is needed most.
“We know that time is brain. Access to stroke care can save millions of brain cells with every minute that we are able to get care faster. So with the Telestroke Program here at Barrow, we are able to deliver that expertise regardless of a patient’s location.”
- Judea Wiggins, MD, director of the Telestroke Program
Learn more about the telestroke program and how it creates access for all at the link in our bio 👆
Share Your Story
Whether you’re a current of former patient, family member, staff member, or generous donor, we want to hear how Barrow has impacted your life. Your story will help inspire, education and provide hope to all.
