history

FOUNDERS' VISION

Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group was founded in 1970 by Drs. John Russell and Julius Goodman. Dr. Russell served as a senior neurosurgeon in Indianapolis and former president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Goodman had recently completed his residency at Indiana University School of Medicine and was on the full-time faculty. Methodist Hospital was already a major center for neurosurgical referrals and had recruited Dr. Michael Gilson, Indiana's first fully trained neuroradiologist. Dr. Gilson is credited with introducing catheter angiography of the brain to Indiana.

NEURORADIOLOGY

Realizing the importance of superior neuroradiology, Drs. Russell and Goodman turned over much of what was traditionally considered neurosurgery to the neuroradiologists, fostering the specialty's growth and allowing neurosurgeons more time devoted to neurosurgery. Methodist hospital excelled in neuroradiology and in 1974 ordered Indiana's first computed tomography scanner, becoming just the 25th hospital in the world to possess this capability. For three years, this was the only scanner in Indiana.

LEADING THE WAY

Shortly after the formation of ING, microneurosurgery was an emerging specialty. Dr. Daniel Cooper was recruited when he completed his residency, and he and Dr. Goodman performed Indiana's first microlumbar discectomy. Drs. Michael Burt and Terry Horner soon followed. Dr. Horner had fellowship training in microneurosurgery in Vermont and wished to specialize in aneurysms. Long before its acceptance in major university teaching programs and other large practices, ING used the opportunity to encourage "superspecialization" in various branches of neurosurgery.

The list of firsts continued as ING was first in Indiana to clip aneurysms with the microscope, to perform transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, and to treat trigeminal neuralgia by microvascular decompression. ING also introduced radiosurgery for the treatment of brain tumors and vascular malformations, stereotactic biopsy of brain lesions, neuronavigation as aid to cranial surgery, and spinal instrumentation in complex spinal disorders by neurosurgeons.

SUPERSPECIALIZATION

Superspecialization remains the hallmark of ING, one of North America's largest and most progressive neurosurgical practices treating all disorders and trauma of the brain and spine. Since 1970, ING has seen over 150,000 adults and children and is among the largest centers in the U.S. for the treatment of brain aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage, pituitary disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, and complex spinal disorders (discs, tumors, injuries, and degenerative disease).

LIVING LEGACIES & PROUD ASSOCIATIONS

ING was instrumental in the formation of the sophisticated Emergency Medicine and
Level One Trauma Center at Methodist Hospital, which not only serves all of Indiana via the Lifeline Helicopter, but has the second largest training program in the country. The practice has been involved in the training programs of Indiana University and all other Indianapolis Hospitals as well as the fellow, neurosurgery resident, other resident, intern and medical student levels. ING is also a leader in national continuing education for neurosurgeons. Surgeons at ING have been selected to provide the neurosurgical consultation of the National Football League, including the Indianapolis Colts, as well as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Racing League, and many college and high school sports teams throughout Indiana.