Medical research is what has made today’s cures possible, and it is what is driving new life-saving therapies. At Baptist Health, a trio of physician-scientists focused on diseases of the brain – ‘the brains behind the brain’ – continues to make vast contributions to scientific knowledge. Individually, each has had numerous papers published in scientific journals and their research has been cited again and again by their peers around the globe.

Publishing is essential so that we can share scientific knowledge that drives advances and impacts patient care

Dr Michael McDermott: leading meningioma research at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

Meningiomas are one of the most common primary intracranial tumours. Even benign meningiomas can cause headaches, weakness and balance issues, seizures, speech difficulties and other debilitating symptoms, says Michael McDermott, M.D., Chief Medical Executive and the Irma & Kalman Bass Distinguished Endowed Chair in Clinical Neuroscience of Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, and one of the world’s leading experts on meningiomas, the most common type of primary brain tumour.

“Publishing is essential so that we can share scientific knowledge that drives advances and impacts patient care,” says Dr McDermott, who is also the Irma & Kalman Bass Distinguished Endowed Chair in Clinical Neuroscience at the Institute and chief of the Division of Neuroscience and professor of Translational Medicine at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. “The collaboration between physicians at Miami Neuroscience Institute and others around the world increases the globalisation of health information.”

Dr McDermott was recently named the most-published author of papers on meningioma research. He also ranks third on the Highly Ranked Scholars meningioma list of the “most productive (number of publications) authors whose works are of profound impact (citations) and of utmost quality (h-index) in a five-year period”.

While research and publishing are priorities for Dr McDermott, he is also considered an innovator in the industry. Recently, he was awarded a new US patent for the design of a protective helmet for surfers – now in prototype development – that lowers the risk of head injuries. Because it covers the ears, the helmet also should help lower the chance of skin cancer, he says.

Dr McDermott has submitted another patent that he says will be issued soon. “It’s for a sporting helmet design that includes football, car racing, hockey, lacrosse and equestrian sports,” he says, noting that repetitive concussions can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition that results in permanent brain damage.

Dr Minesh Mehta: leading brain metastases research at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, patients with brain metastases, a particularly challenging type of cancer, are benefiting from research led by Minesh Mehta, M.D., Deputy Director, Chief of Radiation Oncology and the John and Mary Lou Dasburg Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology.

It’s the research and collaboration behind the papers that is really the driving force for change

“Our experts here have a track record of publishing multiple papers with collaborators across the globe,” Dr Ahluwalia says. “It’s not just about a ranking on a piece of paper, though. It’s about the breadth and depth of our work and the impact we are making on the lives of patients in South Florida and far beyond.”