Morrison Clinic
Associate Professor of Surgery
SUNY Upstate
Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University
John F. Morrison, MD, a South Florida and New York neurosurgeon, is comprehensively trained in matters relating to the spine, brain and spinal tumors, hydrocephalus surgery, cerebrovascular neurosurgery and peripheral nerve surgery. Dr. Morrison is also highly skilled in minimally invasive spine surgery. He attended Creighton University for medical school and continued his training at Boston University, Brown University and University at Buffalo.
As a fifth-generation physician, he opened The Morrison Clinic in Florida as a tribute to his great-grandfather, general surgeon O.C. Morrison, who opened the first Morrison Clinic in Iowa in the early 1900s.
Dr. Morrison performs the breadth of general neurosurgery including neurotrauma, endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal fusions, tumors, skull base, craniotomies and cerebrovascular neurosurgery.
When not in the OR, he enjoys time with his family, golfing, boating, cycling and watching sports; especially Wisconsin Badgers football and hockey.
- How much of your practice is neurotrauma versus critical care? Clinical care vs. research?
I have a private practice in South Florida that is primarily clinical care and we are wanting to start research. In New York, the practice is split between neurotrauma, critical care and clinical care. We are in the process of creating clinical research initiatives.
- What is your biggest challenge during your day-to-day work?
On a day-to-day basis, scheduling and interfacing with insurance payors is the greatest challenge. Acute pathology is unpredictable, and if emergent, supersedes elective surgery. The resulting cancelations of elective cases, or extended days for staff, results in an overall poor impression for the medical system. Combine that with increasingly steep requirements by payors to approve treatment, while concomitantly decreasing reimbursement rates, the satisfaction and reward of the career diminishes.
- What do you think is the biggest unanswered question in neurotrauma?
The underlying nature of trauma, injury to the anatomy, leaves much to be questioned. Combining advances in numerous fields such as regenerative medicine, cognitive understanding and acute care surgery has changed the way the field views these pathologies. The biggest unanswered question remains where to allocate resources to provide the most benefit.
- What motivates you to be an active member of the AANS/CNS Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care?
I am passionate about understanding these severe brain disorders and fascinated how we can use our knowledge to intervene. We are able to stabilize, support and to aid in recovery. Moving forward, the future is remarkable with developments in technology and the application to this field. Through the joint section, helping facilitate this goal, and meeting others with like interests, is tantamount in facilitating this future.