UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation recently received a gift from the estate of Judy Nyssen. The gift brings new innovative technology to UPMC Children’s Brain Care Institute. Judy’s gift will make life a little easier for children undergoing treatment for neurological disorders.
UPMC Children’s Brain Care Institute (BCI) is comprised of a dedicated team of over 200 physicians, nurses, and staff. Our talented brain care specialists employ advanced technology to address each child’s individual needs, providing the most advanced treatment available to over 14,000 children each year. Serving kids from across the globe, the BCI provides every child with the chance for a healthy future. Judy’s generous investment in the BCI will undoubtedly touch many young lives, now and for years to come.
“Judy was always generous with her time, mentoring us personally and professionally. So, it is no surprise to us that her generosity extends to children as well,” say Rose Bristor, Don Kasprzyk, and Jane Buxbaum who were Judy’s former staff and lifelong friends. “Knowing that her generosity and thoughtful planning will ease anxiety and discomfort for children experiencing neurological issues brings us immense joy. Judy’s life and legacy will live on because of the impact she is making on kids and families in our community.”
Non-Invasive Innovation to Ease Anxiety
With the generous gift from Judy’s estate, the BCI team purchased Nexstim Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) technology. TMS provides a way to noninvasively perform motor and language mapping in children prior to surgery.
An awake craniotomy (a type of brain surgery) for mapping motor and language functions is a very difficult and anxiety-provoking procedure in children. Yet, mapping language and motor functions is an integral part of treating children with brain tumors, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and even some psychiatric disorders like depression. The TMS will allow our neurosurgeons to understand how a child’s brain functions in a safe, non-invasive manner without the need for an awake craniotomy.
According to UPMC Children’s Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dr. Taylor Abel, MD, UPMC Children’s typically conducts more than 70 mapping procedures each year. The purchase of the TMS made possible with Judy’s gift will save many children and families from the anxiety and discomfort often associated with language and motor function brain mapping.
Careful Planning Today Can Leave a Lasting Legacy
Judy Nyssen was able to leave a legacy of comfort for countless children with a bit of careful planning. Learn how you can leave your legacy at UPMC Children’s today.