Jacksonville, Florida - Baptist Health announced Monday the formation of Baptist Neurology Group, a premier neurology practice in Northeast Florida. Composed of experienced local neurologists, the new practice offers three locations in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, with plans to add new sites in the future. This partnership is the result of a merging of existing neurology practices, and the recruitment of three neurologists to Jacksonville.

Not only will Baptist Neurology Group enhance geographic access to neurologists, but patients will now be able to consult with physicians representing various subspecialties of neurology in addition to general neurology services. These include:

* General neurologist and epileptologist Georgia Gianakakos, MD, who specializes in epilepsy and other seizure disorders

* General neurologist and neurophysiologist Penelope Edwards-Conrad, MD
* Neurocritical care and neuroendovascular therapy specialist, vascular neurologist and fellowship-trained stroke specialist Sean Orr, MD, chief of neurology and medical director of the Stroke Center at Baptist Medical Center Downtown
* Fellowship-trained stroke specialist Amy Jarvis, MD
* General neurologist and multiple sclerosis specialist Thomas Snyder, MD, chief of Neurology at Baptist Medical Center Beaches
* General neurologists Syed Asad, MD; Baptist Neurology Group Board Chair Carlos Gama, MD; Christopher Potter, MD, and Karen Thalinger, MD

Dr. Orr says now is the perfect time to form Baptist Neurology Group in this community. "Jacksonville is at an intersection in time where we have a booming population with many residents of retirement age who are at high risk for neurological problems," he says. "We're also within the South's 'Stroke Belt' and are seeing an increase in the need for neurological services while we are also experiencing a shortage of neurologists nationwide and in our community.

"By consolidating practices and services, Baptist Neurology offers the strengths of nine neurologists, each with his or her unique interests and subspecialization within neurology," says Earl Mally, senior vice president of Baptist Physician Services. "Because of the reputation of Baptist Health and the neurologists within the practice, we will be able to attract new top-notch neurology talent to our community. And with the neurologists partnering with colleagues at Lyerly Neurosurgery, Baptist Health is offering this community a comprehensive neuroscience program."

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