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Neuroscience

The Department of Neuroscience at Marshall University was founded in 2007. Since then, the department has added many experienced and respected medical professionals to its staff, bringing unique skills, experience and training to this growing group of physicians determined to create a world-class referral center for the Tri-State area. Faculty members have already seen patients from New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Florida and Tennessee, as well as throughout the region. Collectively the members of the faculty of the department have published hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific articles, book chapters and abstracts. They have lectured extensively nationally and internationally and have received multiple patents for medical breakthroughs.

Although recognized for their academic achievements, the clinical experience and training of the faculty is unparalleled in the region. Dr. Bryan Payne was the director of functional neurosurgery at LSU in New Orleans. With the support of one of the founding members of the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring, he is now offering deep brain stimulation for movement disorders. Since his year-long fellowship at Emory University learning this technique and others, he has performed more than 300 deep brain stimulation surgeries for Parkinson's disease, tremor and dystonia.

Dr. Toussaint Leclercq, who trained with Jules Hardy, a giant in the field of pituitary disease, has performed over two thousand pituitary tumor operations. Along with members of the endocrinology section in the Department of Internal Medicine, Marshall University now offers complete management of pituitary tumors.

Dr. Tony Alberico offers a breadth of neurosurgical experience that rivals any in the region. Since arriving in Huntington, he has quickly established himself as an excellent surgeon with outstanding judgment. Dr. Alberico and Dr. Leclercq are both well experienced in the management of essentially all spinal disorders and are directing the department's spinal anatomy lab developing advances in spine care. Along with Dr. Charles Shuff, a Marshall University orthopaedic spine surgeon with expertise in scoliosis, Marshall University Medical Center is now the most comprehensive spine center in the region.

Dr. Richard Coulon, who trained in neurosurgery at Tulane University and in pediatric neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada and The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London, England, is by far the most experienced pediatric neurosurgeon in the region and the only neurosurgeon dedicated to the subspecialty. He comes from Children's Hospital in New Orleans and was director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Ochsner Clinic.

Dr. Mark M. Stecker, PhD, an experienced neurologist with expertise in treatment for seizures and epilepsy, has joined the Medical Staff at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Mona Baran, CNP, has also joined the Department of Neuroscience as a certified nurse practitioner and has a specific interest in epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Stecker will use his experience and expertise as director of the expanded neurodiagnostics laboratory at Cabell Huntington that includes video electroencephalogram (EEG), long-term EEG monitoring and intractable epilepsy care. Baran and Dr. Stecker come to Huntington from the prestigious Geisinger Epilepsy Center, where Dr. Stecker was most recently the center's director. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring.

Dr. Hasan Ercan, a fellowship-trained neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders, has joined the Medical Staff of Cabell Huntington Hospital. Dr. Ercan completed a fellowship in sleep medicine at the University of Chicago and completed his neurology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. Dr. Ercan earned his medical degree at Marmara University Medical School in Istanbul, Turkey.

"The Department of Neuroscience is very pleased to have a neurologist with Dr. Ercan's excellent training and temperament," said Bryan Payne, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience. "Sleep disorders can be extremely complicated, and it is an asset to the region that a neurologist with his training will be available to add to the care of these patients."

Dr. Mitzi Payne recently completed her fellowship in pediatric neurology and is offering a variety of services unique to the region, including Botox injection for children suffering from spasticity caused by cerebral palsy and other disorders. She also manages intrathecal pumps implanted for severe spasticity. She manages pediatric epilepsy, including interpreting EEGs, pediatric headache disorders and other neurologic conditions unique to children.

Dr. Charles Shuff from the Department of Orthopaedics, specializes in adult and pediatric spine surgery. Combining pediatric neurosurgery and scoliosis surgery as well as pediatric anesthesia and oncology, Marshall University Medical Center and Cabell Huntington Hospital are the regional leaders in the management of pediatric spine and neurological conditions.

Carol A. Foster, MD, a Weston, WV, native and graduate of the Marshall University School of Medicine, has returned to her home state after spending more than two decades developing expertise and undergoing specialized training for treating patients with severe headaches, including migraines. She is the Huntington/Tri-State region's only neurologist specifically trained in headache care.

J. Douglas Miles, MD, PhD, a fellowship-trained neurologist in neuromuscular medicine, has expertise in diagnosing and treating patients with neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy and carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Miles recently completed his fellowship at University Hospitals in Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a member of the Marshall University Department of Neuroscience, please call (304) 691-1787.

Brain and Spine Surgery (PDF - 2.2MB)