IN Ross Township Winter 2021 | Page 5

Less invasive options , better outcomes

When we think of brain , spine , and nervous system surgery , we often envision large incisions and scars . While that is sometimes necessary , more often than not , AHN neurosurgeons are turning to more minimally invasive alternatives . These approaches often lead to faster and easier recoveries and include :
• The Mazor™ Robotics Guidance System to perform highly precise spine surgeries .
• Minimally invasive endoscopic neurosurgery to relieve neck and back pain .
• The innovative Medtronic OsteoCool™ system to treat cancer that has spread to the spine .
With personalized treatment plans and the latest tools and therapies , our team of highly skilled neurologists and neurosurgeons work together to provide coordinated care and save lives .
Mazor™ Robotics Guidance System is property of Medtronic , Inc . and is referenced with permission . OsteCool is a trademark of © 2017 Medtronic and is used with permission .

Patients first . Always .

Dr . Richard Williamson realized early on that his role as a doctor would involve advocacy and education as much as it would surgery . His approach is hands-on and patient focused .
“ People facing an illness or new diagnosis are in a vulnerable position ,” he says . “ I want to make sure they are comfortable knowing what their problem is and empower them with the information they need to make the decision that ’ s right for them .”
Dr . Williamson ’ s passion for helping people in their time of need drives everything he does . As a neurosurgeon at
Allegheny General Hospital , he treats the structural causes of neurological diseases , and vascular malformations in the brain or spine such as aneurysms , stroke , brain tumors , brain or spine trauma , and more .
“ Many times , these treatments don ’ t involve surgery ,” Dr . Williamson says . “ It ’ s important we make sure patients know what all their options are so together we can determine the best path forward for them .”
RICHARD WILLIAMSON , MD , NEUROSURGERY DIRECTOR OF ENDOSCOPIC INNOVATION
For more information , visit ahn . org / neuro .