UW News

May 19, 2005

Spine Center opens at Harborview

More than 150 physicians, patients and health-care providers celebrated the launch of the new UW Medicine Spine Center at Harborview during an open house at the end of April.

“We are delighted with the opening of our new Spine Center, which represents a collaboration between Puget Sound Sports and Spine Physicians (PSSSP) and our highly-skilled UW Medicine specialists,” said David Jaffe, HMC executive director. “We are also very pleased that PSSSP has chosen to be based at Harborview.”

The comprehensive team works together to evaluate each patient and decide the best course of non-surgical or surgical treatment.

As one of two sites established by the UW Medicine Spine Program, Harborview’s Spine Center provides personalized and expert care for patients with both simple and complex spine disorders and diseases, from diagnosis through rehabilitation. UW Medicine also provides spine care services at its Spine Center at UWMC-Roosevelt.

“The Spine Center represents state-of-the-art clinical care, teaching and research, and brings together a team of highly trained spine specialists to provide a cost-effective, multidisciplinary approach to spine care,” said Johnese Spisso, Harborview’s chief operating officer.

PSSSP physiatrists provide non-surgical diagnosis and treatment of the spine as well as the musculoskeletal system, including injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. They also treat sports and occupational injuries. Spine Center patients are assessed and treated by the most appropriate team member. Physicians use diagnostic testing, medication, therapy, and sometimes minimally invasive procedures to treat spine problems. Surgical intervention is a solution for carefully selected patients.

Dr. Stanely A. Herring, clinical professor, is medical director for the Spine Center. He, along with Dr. Stuart M. Weinstein, Dr. Christopher J. Standaert and nurse practitioner Kathleen L. Hanson, staff PSSSP.

The UW Medicine Spine Center at Harborview and PSSSP are located at the Patricia Steel Building, 401 Broadway, Suite 2018. Phone is 206-744-0401. For additional information, refer to http://www.harborview.org.