Twin Cities Neurology Groups
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Table of Contents
1. Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology
2. Noran Neurological Clinic
History
of the Minneapolis
Clinic of Neurology
by James Allen, M.D., Past President, MCN
Following WWII there was an explosion of
medical research and knowledge, leading to a trend toward greater medical
specialization. Over the past 100 years or so, nervous system specialists were
known as neuropsychiatrists and handled the spectrum
of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and manic-depression as well as
neurologic disorders such as stroke, MS, or Parkinson's disease. However, both
fields were becoming too complex and the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology began certifying neurologists and psychiatrists separately, though
both still had about one fourth of their training in the other field.
On the local scene this phenomenon was
noted by a small group of neurologists and a small group of psychiatrists who
merged in 1955 and formed The Minneapolis Neuropsychiatric
Clinic. This association would last for 30 years and provide full spectrum
service in these two overlapping fields. At that point it became clear that the
two were very different specialties and that there was no longer a need to
remain as one group. The neurologists retained the building in Golden Valley and the name was changed to The
Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology.
We were one of the first and few
specialty clinics to build our own medical building. Located at the north end
of Sweeney Lake
on 8.8 acres in Golden Valley,
the building has received national architectural awards.
It was constructed in the 1960s with an
addition added later.
There have been, and still are, a number
of unique features about the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology (MCN):
- We were one of the first group practices of
medical specialists in the Twin Cities.
- We were one of the first groups to locate in the
suburbs, rather than remain practicing downtown in the Med. Arts
Building or Physician & Surgeons Building
in other words, to go where the patients were. This effort, to
accommodate patients for their convenience, not ours, continues to be a
priority of MCN. We now have a number of
satellite offices in the Greater Minneapolis area.
- We are the largest single specialty neurology
clinic in the nation. This allows us to bring a great deal of expertise to
bear on neurologic problems adult and pediatric.
- In the 1970s we began making day trips to
communities in outstate MN and adjacent states
which were not large enough to attract a fulltime neurologist. We again went
where the patients were for their convenience, not ours. People in
rural areas were delighted with this new service, as many were reluctant
to drive to or in a large city.
- In the 1980s, as neurologic knowledge increased
even further, we encouraged some of our neurologists to sub-specialize in
particular diseases as well as carry on a general neurologic practice.
This has led to an excellence of care for persons with epilepsy, MS,
Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurologic conditions.
IN addition, it has led to research studies which provide our patients
with cutting edge therapies.
- Most of our neurologists also hold academic
appointments through the University
of MN and contribute
their experience and knowledge to medical students and family practice
residents and are in turn challenged to maintain their expertise.
- We have managed to remain an independent medical
practice at a time when many have been sold to hospitals or HMOs. We
believe we can be better advocates for our patients if we retain this
independence.
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Noran Neurological Clinic
Harold Noran
graduated from Washburn HS in Mpls at age 16. Finished undergraduate degree by age 19. Planning on doing a
PhD in cardiology, then met A.B. Baker who impressed
him so much that he switched to neurology. Worked on a PhD in neuropathology
and then was Assistant Superintendent of Hastings State
Hospital (I believe he
was boarded both in neurology and psychiatry - check with Steve Noran). Ran the neuropathology lab at the
U of M for a time. Became the first private practice neurologist in Minneapolis and was one
of the founders of the Mpls Clinic of Psychiatry and
Neurology (now the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology). Died in
1986 of a myocardial infarction while reading a medical magazine. Noran Neurological Clinic started in June of 1972 as a
breakaway group from the Minneapolis Clinic by 6 younger neurologists plus
Harold who was almost 60 years old but looking for new challenges. The first
office of the Noran Clinic was in the Metropolitan
Medical Office Building at 825 S. 8th Street, across 8th street from the
Metropolitan Medical Center (Metropolitan Medical Center was the result of a
partnership between the adjacent Swedish and St. Barnabas Hospitals. This move
back to the central city when many medical practices were moving to the suburbs
was met with some skepticism. Noran Clinic
anticipated the shift from inpatient neurology to outpatient and became the
first private neurology clinic in the area to own a CT
scanner. This step was faced with opposition from other physicians who felt
this type of equipment belonged only in hospitals. Initially the Noran Clinic neurologists read all of
their own CT scans which, of course, was strongly denounced by the
radiology community (presaging what was to happen over the years with the
sparring between various major national neurologic and radiologic
organizations). Carotid ultrasound studies were also read by the neurologists
as well as DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography). The
Clinic purchased the second such unit (DSA) in Minnesota in 1981. In
the mid-1980s a neuroradiologist was hired, after much discussion. Some members
felt strongly that they were as good as or better than radiologists and neuroradiologists at reading and interpreting these
procedures, but others thought that to avoid further disputes, etc, it would be
better to utilize neuroradiologists. The first branch
office was opened adjacent to Unity Hospital in Fridley,
MN. There are now 7 offices in
all. On September 1, 1999 the Midwestern Neurologic and Psychiatric
Consultants, Ltd. joined the Noran Clinic. The Noran Clinic now has 26 neurologists, including pediatric
neurologists, as well as clinical psychologists, nurse practitioners,
physicians' assistants, etc.
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