P. Mark Li, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., Chief, Division of Neurosurgery

“We’re looking ahead and developing programs that provide A-to-Z care for a particular problem.”

The surgical expertise of P. Mark Li, M.D., Ph.D., was readily apparent when he arrived in 2001 as chief of the Division of Neurosurgery. He performed neuroendoscopic procedures done by few neurosurgeons in the country, offering improved outcomes and faster recoveries for patients. He was on the leading edge of many new neurovascular and cranial base surgeries.

But Li says the most important advances in developing the neurosurgery program at Lehigh Valley Health Network has been about moving toward a multidisciplinary model -- collaborating with neurology and neurointerventional radiology on cerebral vascular conditions, spinal orthopedics on complex spine surgery, radiology on neuro-oncology, and neurophysiologists on "eloquent" regions of the brain, such as language and motor function.

"Our cross-cultural development of clinical programs draws in everyone who has expertise," Li says. "That has been the single most important aspect of developing neurosurgery since I arrived in 2001. The network's leadership understands that the future of medicine is breaking apart clinical silos and looking ahead to developing programs that provide A-to-Z care for a particular problem."

Li also points to an infrastructure that enables surgeons to focus on patient care without undue distractions. And the future is even brighter. A planned hospital expansion will include a new Neuro ICU that clusters patients and resources dedicated to neurosurgery, including physical and occupational therapy, rehabilitation, dietary and other support staff.

"By bringing all these resources together, we can perform neurosurgery and facilitate recovery on an even higher level," he says. "This will continue the development of the neurosurgery program as one of the finest in the country."

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