Allegheny Health Network

neuroscience program at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital

 plays a vital role in providing advanced neurological care to patients in the Erie region — reducing the need to travel to a major city for many conditions. Without this local access, many would face delays in receiving life-saving or quality-of-life-enhancing treatment.

The multidisciplinary neuroscience team at SVH diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions — from migraines, epilepsy, and neuromuscular disorders to Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. By offering advanced tools and techniques locally, AHN ensures patients receive leading-edge care with greater efficiency and less disruption.

for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, among other disorders.

for real-time, intraoperative CT guidance during spine and cranial procedures.

navigation to enhance precision in brain tumor resections.

 for identifying and treating nerve and muscle disorders.

to evaluate nerve injuries, radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathy.

 to mitigate symptoms of migraines, spasticity, dystonia, and other conditions.

AHN neurologist Nicholas Todhunter, DO, says in addition to robust treatment options, SVH significantly shortens patient wait times. While wait times at other institutions may be 4-6 months, Saint Vincent has been able to cut this time in half in many instances, even offering same-day appointments for urgent concerns like back pain.

Collaborative teamwork across subspecialties

To meet patients’ complex needs and determine the most effective treatment plans, AHN neurologists collaborate closely with a wide range of specialists, including those in family medicine, pulmonology, rheumatology, and beyond. Saint Vincent’s neuroscience team also has strong connections to specialists at Allegheny General Hospital — which serves as the central hub for the 

While many AHN Neuroscience Institute offerings extend to AHN patients in Erie, patients may also be referred to Allegheny General for things like management of newer therapies for Alzheimer’s, amyloid testing and imaging, specialized treatment of movement disorders like Parkinson’s, single fiber EMG testing for symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis (MG), and testing for Dysautonomia.

“The entire AHN system is very interconnected,” said Dr. Todhunter. “The wide geographical reach of these leading-edge treatments gives patients the flexibility to receive care in a way that works best for them and their health.”

To refer your Erie patients to the neuroscience program at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital for comprehensive neurological care, call 

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AHN Saint Vincent Hospital's neuroscience program provides advanced neurological care in the Erie region, reducing the need for patients to travel to major cities. The multidisciplinary team diagnoses and treats a wide range of neurological conditions, offering advanced tools and techniques locally. Key offerings include spinal surgeries, O-arm technology, StealthStation navigation, neuromuscular ultrasound, EMG, and BOTOX treatments. The program significantly reduces patient wait times and fosters collaboration across subspecialties. AHN's interconnected system allows patients flexibility in receiving care tailored to their needs.

AHN Saint Vincent Hospital offers advanced neurological care, reducing wait times and providing local access to specialized treatments for various conditions.

Neuroscience at AHN Saint Vincent: Advanced Treatments and Collaborative Care Closer to Home

Reconstructive urological experts at AHN are trained to address the most intricate conditions of the urinary and genital systems, employing state-of-the-art techniques and advanced methods of care. Among these is the 

ProACT™ Adjustable Continence Device Therapy for Men

: a new, minimally invasive treatment offering for stress urinary incontinence patients at AHN.

ProACT is now in the American Urology Association guidelines 

for non-radiated patients with mild to severe stress incontinence. These patients have previously been treated with slings and artificial urinary sphincters (AUS). ProACT is a new option that can be adjusted after implantation to meet the unique needs of each patient.

The implantation is a percutaneous procedure that uses fluoroscopy and cystoscopy to place two small, adjustable balloons bilaterally on either side of the urethra through two small perineal incisions. AHN surgeons then advance through the pelvic diaphragm and navigate with a blunt trocar to position the balloons at the bladder neck. The fluid-filled, silicone balloons provide support to help reduce stress incontinence and improve urinary control.

During follow-up office visits, the balloons can either be inflated or deflated to gradually optimize continence based on the patient’s progress and level of improvement in dryness.

ProACT can work for any man with incontinence after prostatectomy. Since ProACT avoids dissection around the urethra, it’s an especially ideal option for patients who have undergone previous urethral surgery. It is also a great option for men with limited hand mobility who may have difficulty operating an AUS device.

“For patients who are too wet for a sling, but hesitant about an AUS, ProACT fills a critical gap in treatment options,” said Kiran Sury, MD, AHN reconstructive urologist. “This minimally invasive form of intervention is a way to meet patients where they are — with an adjustable approach that can be fine-tuned over time to adapt to their bladder control without additional surgery.”

While the adjustability presents a key advantage of ProACT, patients should understand the procedure doesn’t provide instant results or guaranteed dryness. Unlike a sling, which produces more immediate results, or an AUS which works as soon as it is activated, ProACT typically requires in-office adjustments by accessing small ports tunneled into the scrotum. It can take a few months before patients are satisfied, but Dr. Sury emphasizes that the adjustments only take about a minute and are generally well-tolerated by his patients.

AHN’s additional reconstructive and urological expertise

Before a patient is deemed a candidate for surgery, AHN urologists collaborate across disciplines to determine whether lifestyle modifications or medication may be effective treatment options on their own or in combination with surgery.

If surgical intervention is required to address incontinence and other urinary conditions, AHN’s expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of procedures — from minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries to those that are more complex, based on the patient’s symptoms and discomfort levels.

Supported by holistic pre-operative and post-operative care, AHN urologists regularly perform several procedures using state-of-the-art techniques and the latest surgical methods, including:

Penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction

Urinary challenges are some of the most personal health issues, and our dedicated care team is equipped to provide compassionate support and expertise. To make a referral, call 

AHN's reconstructive urological team specializes in advanced treatments for urinary and genital conditions, including the ProACT™ Adjustable Continence Device Therapy for men with stress urinary incontinence. ProACT, now included in the American Urology Association guidelines, offers a minimally invasive, adjustable solution for patients, especially those with prior urethral surgeries or limited hand mobility. While ProACT requires in-office adjustments, it fills a treatment gap for patients unsuitable for slings or artificial urinary sphincters. AHN's comprehensive approach includes a range of surgical options and collaborative care.

AHN is proud to offer a new, minimally invasive treatment for stress incontinence in men.

Reconstructive Urology at AHN: Prioritizing Innovation and Preserving Quality of Life

Give Your Patients Gastroparesis Relief with G-POEM Procedure at AHN

With multiple hospital visits, medication costs, and decreased quality of life providing a significant health care burden for patients with gastroparesis, 

 (Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy). Used as an alternative to laparoscopic surgery and medical therapy, G-POEM relieves uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea.

G-POEM has proven to relieve symptoms for patients where traditional gastroparesis medication has not been successful, or for patients who are unable to make enough dietary modifications to ease their symptoms.

Abhijit Kulkarni, MD, FASGE, AHN gastroenterologist, and professor of medicine and director of the Advanced Endoscopy Training Program at Drexel University, says while gastroparesis may sound benign and non-life-threatening, it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

“At AHN, our goal is not just to improve health, but to improve quality of life,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “Eating food is necessary — it fuels our bodies, so we want to help make that aspect of life better. G-POEM has allowed us to do that for many people with few side effects and a lot of success.”

G-POEM is a minimally invasive procedure that permanently relaxes the valve between the stomach and the small intestine.

During the procedure, patients are given anesthesia while AHN’s highly skilled gastroenterologists perform an endoscopy through the mouth and tunnel through the stomach wall to cut the muscles around the pyloric sphincter. This improves the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine to relieve the feeling of fullness and other related symptoms.

In comparison to traditional laparoscopic surgery or medical therapy, G-POEM offers several benefits:

G-POEM only takes about 90 minutes to perform.

The recovery time is faster, and the risk of infection is lower.

G-POEM has fewer side effects than traditional surgical approaches.

50-70% of patients experience symptomatic improvement with better quality of life.*

After G-POEM, patients typically spend one night in the hospital for observation, and may experience minor and temporary side effects like a sore throat, chest discomfort, abdominal pain, or ulcers near the pylorus. Additional testing like barium studies or CT scans may be conducted to ensure a patient is recovering properly.

Patients attend follow-up appointments for testing at six to eight weeks, one year, and two years post-procedure.

While G-POEM can provide significant relief for patients, Dr. Kulkarni stresses that this is not a “one and done” procedure.

“Each person’s experience with gastroparesis is unique. G-POEM is one of the many treatment options available at AHN, but we look at the whole picture to provide coordinated and ongoing gastrointestinal care.”

Our nationally recognized gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition physicians under 

 are highly experienced and skilled in specialties across our 

Patients can benefit from a diverse range of expertise to further manage their gastrointestinal needs and ensure long-term health after their procedure. Our multidisciplinary team consists of gastroenterologists, medical specialists, nutritionists, dieticians, and endocrinologists.

If you have patients that may benefit from G-POEM or other gastroenterology expertise, call AHN Gastroenterology at 

*Source: Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy Reduces Symptoms, Increases Quality of Life, and Reduces Health Care Use For Patients With Gastroparesis. 

AHN offers the G-POEM procedure as a minimally invasive alternative for gastroparesis patients, providing symptom relief where traditional treatments fail. This procedure involves endoscopic myotomy to relax the pyloric sphincter, enhancing gastric emptying and alleviating symptoms like bloating and nausea. G-POEM is associated with fewer side effects, quicker recovery, and no scarring compared to laparoscopic surgery. Post-procedure care includes hospital observation and follow-up appointments. AHN emphasizes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to ongoing gastrointestinal care, involving a team of specialists to ensure long-term patient health.

G-POEM procedure at AHN provides easier, minimally invasive option to improve gastroparesis symptoms.

Gastroparesis Relief with AHN’s G-POEM Procedure

AHN’s Center for Nerve & Brachial Plexus Injury: Providing Leading-Edge Nerve Transfers and More

The AHN Orthopaedic Institute is among few centers in the region performing complex nerve transfers for brachial plexus injuries — a highly specialized intervention offering new hope for patients with devastating upper extremity trauma.

For patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries, timely referral is critical. Nerve transfers are most effective when performed within six to nine months of injury. Delayed referral may limit surgical options and functional recovery. After one year, studies show that the success rate of a nerve transfer drops significantly.*

“These are intricate, time-sensitive cases,” says Peter Tang, MD, MPH, Chief of the AHN Hand Division and Director of the Center for Nerve & Brachial Plexus Injury. “We encourage early referrals — even if just for evaluation — so we can monitor recovery and intervene appropriately if natural nerve healing does not occur.”

Dr. Tang and his team offer comprehensive evaluation and care for upper trunk injuries involving the shoulder, elbow, and biceps, where nerve transfer outcomes have been especially promising.

“We’re one of the few teams in the region offering this level of nerve reconstruction,” said Dr. Tang. “With the right tools and timing, we have the opportunity to restore function where it was once thought lost.”

Even when repaired, nerve function does not always return. However, with the proper care and diligent methods of recovery, patients can increase their chances at restoring partial nerve function.

Patients referred to AHN receive coordinated care across orthopaedics, physical and occupational therapy, and orthotics when needed to help patients maintain motion and strength of their affected joints and support the healing process.

AHN’s additional support for nerve injuries

In addition to nerve transfers, AHN is leading the way in innovative treatment and research for other nerve conditions including:

Most recently, Dr. Tang’s team is researching possible causes for cubital tunnel syndrome by placing radiopaque markers on the ulnar nerve of a cadaver via ultrasound, and measuring nerve tension when the elbow is moved.**

“AHN is a teaching institution, so we’re always keeping up with the latest advancements and research,” said Dr. Tang. “We have the resources to provide subspecialized treatment and invest in patient recovery to provide optimal results, especially for complex injuries.”

To make a referral to AHN’s Center for Nerve and Brachial Plexus Injury, call 

*Source:Nerve Transfers for Brachial Plexus Reconstruction in Patients over 60 Years.

**Source: Assessment of ulnar nerve tension directed towards understanding cubital tunnel syndrome. 

The AHN Orthopaedic Institute is a regional leader in performing complex nerve transfers for brachial plexus injuries, offering hope for patients with severe upper extremity trauma. Timely referral is crucial, as nerve transfers are most effective within six to nine months post-injury. Dr. Peter Tang and his team provide comprehensive care, emphasizing early evaluation and intervention. AHN also leads in innovative treatments for various nerve conditions and conducts research to advance understanding and treatment. The institute's collaborative approach ensures coordinated care and long-term follow-up for optimal patient outcomes.

Microsurgical reconstruction now available for complex upper extremity cases.