A PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT THE BARTON L. GUTHRIE, M.D., ENDOWED CHAIR IN THE UAB DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSURGERY

Barton L. Guthrie, M.D. has led an exceptional career as a world-renowned neurosurgeon, focused on improving treatment for patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and tremor as well as for patients with brain tumors. He founded the UAB Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) program which has become one of the largest in the country, having performed over 1,000 DBS procedures for debilitating movement disorders.

In so doing, he has established a culture in the UAB Department of Neurosurgery that revolves around putting the needs of the patient first and clearly defining the clinical value of neurosurgery for these patients. His innovations in technology and care delivery processes have proven valuable across the country.

Dr. Guthrie’s distinguished career has left an indelible impact on the School of Medicine, and UAB seeks to expand upon his legacy of excellence in patient care and innovation through the creation of the Barton L. Guthrie, M.D., Endowed Chair. The appointment of an endowed chair rewards a physician’s professional contributions, recognizes the value of his/her research endeavors, and safeguards the funding needed to continue these pioneering efforts. A gift to support the Barton L. Guthrie, M.D., Endowed Chair is an opportunity for alumni, faculty, and friends to invest in the future of our specialty, promoting a process committed to analysis and improvement of patient outcome.

LEADING THE WAY IN MEDICAL EXCELLENCE

Dr. Guthrie received his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1980. He then obtained National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in Neurophysiology, resulting in work published in highimpact journals including Science, the Journal of Neurophysiology, and the Journal of
Neurosciences.

He completed his neurosurgical training at the Mayo Clinic, where he worked under the direction of Dr. Patrick Kelly, a world-renowned expert in stereotactic and functional neurosurgical techniques. During this time, he completed a year’s chief residency at Stanford University. Following that, he served four years on the Faculty at George Washington University before returning to UAB in 1992.

Upon his arrival at UAB, he founded the Computer-Assisted Neurosurgery Facility, which serves as a core resource for computer-guided surgical procedures (including DBS surgery) and a valuable repository for patient outcome data. He formalized the UAB Radiosurgery program and remains Surgical Director of the UAB Gamma Knife. He has participated in, and led, numerous device-related and gene therapy clinical trials for development of novel therapy for Parkinson’s disease as well as trials based on technology aimed at improving access to patient care.

SURGICAL INNOVATIONS ADVANCE PATIENT CARE

Throughout his clinical career, Dr. Guthrie has conceptualized, developed, tested, and commercialized innovative technology aimed at improving patient care. While at the Mayo clinic, he developed and patented portions of an image-guided neurosurgical system, versions of which are standard equipment in operating rooms around the world.
He then developed a web-based, enterprise medical image management system, which is highlighted at the Smithsonian
Institute and used at more than 600 hospitals today. With a recent Department of Energy grant, he developed ‘virtual
interactive presence,’ a software application that enables local experts to virtually extend their expertise anywhere in the world using mobile devices (www.helplightning.com). This and other technical innovations are dedicated to improving patient care and access to care.

Dr. Guthrie has combined his interest in optimizing patient care with innovative technology to create a remarkable
experience for patients who are in need of neurosurgical services. Each patient who visits the UAB Department of
Neurosurgery is guaranteed to receive outstanding care based on outcome analysis, advanced technology and exceptional physicians. This would not be possible without Dr. Guthrie’s fundamental leadership.

PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE

The UAB Department of Neurosurgery provides adult and pediatric neurosurgical services across Alabama and the
southeastern United States. Many of our 13 full-time neurosurgeons are considered world experts in the treatment of brain tumors, neurovascular conditions, spinal disorders, functional disorders, and pediatric conditions. With more than 4,000 operations annually, including complex cranial and spinal procedures, the Department of Neurosurgery is in need of role models for aspiring young surgeons.

The Barton L. Guthrie, M.D., Endowed Chair has the promise to deliver on this need, and will establish
Birmingham as a world-recognized epicenter for patient care and innovation. As we look to the future, we seek
to preserve Dr. Guthrie’s dedication to the UAB Department of Neurosurgery by recruiting top faculty and conducting
cutting-edge research. With your help, UAB can build upon Dr. Guthrie’s achievements and advance the field of
neurosurgery for generations to come.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Leon H. Ryan III | Director of Development and Community Relations
UAB Department of Surgery
205.996.0127 | leonryan@uab.edu
FOT 1002 | 1720 Second Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-3412