MBI director honors Presurgical Anesthesia Center staff for brain health initiative

On June 22, McKnight Brain Institute director Todd Golde, M.D., Ph.D., recognized UF Health Presurgical Anesthesia Center staff for their focus on brain health prior to surgery and for building the Perioperative Cognitive and Anesthesia Network program, PeCAN, during an appreciation event at the College of Public Health & Health Professions.

Led by Catherine Price, Ph.D., an associate professor of clinical health and psychology and anesthesiology, and Patrick Tighe, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, PeCAN assesses how the brain interacts with surgery and anesthesia. This new program is the result of more than a decade of work aimed at understanding how a patient’s brain integrity prior to surgery could impact the recovery process, specifically with the goal of uncovering any increased risk for delirium, cognitive change and even mortality. The teams involved were recognized for their dedication to brain health and improving perioperative patient care.

“I’ve watched friends, fathers and mothers come through the hospital system who have cognitive impairment and we all know that they struggle,” Golde said. “I think dementia and especially Alzheimer’s are finally getting the attention that they deserve in this country.”

Golde noted the new program’s significance and the importance for UF Health to be on the forefront of this type of specialized neurological care.

“It’s great for the UF to be taking a lead in this area where there’s a gap in our knowledge,” he said.

Click here to learn more about the PeCAN program.

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