History

1988

• First off-site MRI performed on “Cinnamon” (9/24/88), approximately 6 years after the first commercial MRI scanner was introduced as a human diagnostic tool.
• Clinic acquires adjacent office suite to enlarge the radiology room.
• The Arizona Veterinary Specialists organization was formed. This was a small group of board-certified specialists who gathered together to circulate newsletters and hold seminars to educate the veterinary community about specialty medicine.
  • The group included: Dr. Levesque (Neurology), Dr. Ronald Sigler (Ophthalmology), Dr. Reuben Meredith (Ophthalmology), Dr. Lowell Ackerman (Dermatology), Dr. Jack Henry (Surgery), Dr. David Bone (Surgery), Dr. David Burgener (Internal Medicine), and Dr. Ralph Slusher (Radiology).

1989

• Dr. Mike Knoeckel begins 1 year internship.
• "Beyond 2000" television series airs episode about Dr. Levesque, the clinic and his work in veterinary hearing disorders.

1990

• The Veterinary Neurological Center begins using ventilators in all anesthetic procedures. This improvement leads to implementaton of fluid pumps and advanced anesthesia monitoring equipment, including:
  • Capnographs
  • Agent Analyzers
  • Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Dopplers
  • Pulse Oximeters
• Today the Veterinary Neurological Center continues to utilize the latest technology in anesthesia monitoring in order to provide the best care for each patient.

1992

• Scott Plummer, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) joins the staff (8/3/92).
• Clinic expands to include a 3rd suite.

1994

• The Veterinary Neurological Center relocates to a new 6200 square foot facility, ½ mile away on Raymond Street.
• Tour the VNC in Phoenix

1996

• On-Site CT is established (GE 9800). First on-site CT performed on “Keesha” (6/11/96).
• Randall Longshore, DVM, DACVIM (neurology) joins the staff (1996-2004).
• Began in-house testing of serum bromide levels using a gold chloride technique; potassium bromide and sodium bromide are used to control seizures in dogs.

2000

• Kim Knowles, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) joins the staff (3/1/00)
• The Veterinary Neurological Center implements computerized practice management software (7/3/00).

2001

• On-Site MRI is established: Phillips 0.5 Tesla Gyroscan. First on-site MRI study is performed on "Chesapeake” (2/1/01). Phillips MRI replaced by GE 0.5 Tesla unit. First MRI on this unit was "Rufus" (10/18/01).
• Dr. Levesque establishes the Veterinary Neurological Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • 10,000 square foot facility.
  • In-house CT (GE HiLite Advantage).
  • Upon opening, clinic staffs 15 employees, including Dr. Jason Evans.
• The VNC becomes the first private veterinary practice in the U.S. to establish an ACVIM- approved neurology residency training program.

2002

• Dr. Tracy Prouty begins 3 year neurology residency at the Las Vegas clinic (2002-2005).
• Dr. Polly Foureman begins 3 year neurology residency at the Phoenix clinic (2002-2005).

2003

• Phx MRI is upgraded to GE 1.0 tesla unit
  • greater imaging speed/quality increases spinal imaging capability and reduces need for myelography.
• On-Site MRI is established at the Las Vegas clinic: Phoenix's GE 0.5 tesla unit.
• Joli Jarboe, DVM, DACVIM is hired at the Las Vegas clinic (2003-2007).

2004

• Dr. Greg Kilburn begins 3 year neurology residency at the Las Vegas clinic (2004-2007).
• Jason Evans, DVM, DACVIM (neurology) joins the Phoenix clinic after completing his residency with the Las Vegas clinic for the previous 3 years.

2005

• Phoenix CT scanner is upgraded to GE CTi helical scanner (4/05).
• Dr. Russell Quigley begins 3 year neurology residency at the Phoenix clinic (2005-2008).
• All imaging modalities (radiology, CT, & MRI) in Phoenix are digitized and DICOM compatible allowing for rapid distribution of imaging between referring veterinarians, radiologists and clients (1/05).

2007

• Phoenix MRI capability is upgraded with a GE 1.0 tesla LX unit. First MRI study on this unit was performed on “Mars” (1/26/07).
• Las Vegas upgrades to Phoenix's GE 1.0 tesla MRI unit.
  • greater imaging speed/quality increases spinal imaging capability and reduces need for myelography.
• Las Vegas CT scanner is upgraded to GE CTi helical scanner.
• All imaging modalities (radiology, CT, & MRI) in Las Vegas are digitized and DICOM compatible allowing for rapid distribution of imaging between referring veterinarians, radiologists and clients
• Dr. Mike Higginbotham and Dr. Laura Stainback begin 3 year neurology residency program at the Veterinary Neurological Center in Las Vegas.
• Dr. Lauren Marini and Dr. Belinda Comito begin 3 year neurology residency program at the Phoenix clinic.
• Ultrasonic aspirator is utilized for the first time at the Veterinary Neurological Center during brain tumor surgery. 

2008

• The first VNC website that was created in 1998 is redesigned.
• Dr. Ashley Bensfield begins 3 year neurology residency program at the Phoenix clinic.
• The Veterinary Neurological Center in Phoenix is remodeled, increasing the hospital's office space.

2009

• Dr. Maura St. John and Dr. Susan Hollman begin their 3 year neurology residency program at the Phoenix and Las Vegas clinic, respectively.

Over the past 20 years, the Veterinary Neurological Center has grown to staff approximately 40 employees between both clinics. Five veterinarians have completed the VNC's neurology residency program and each has gone on to be board-certified in neurology. Currently there are five residents in training. More than 12,000 radiographic studies, 6000 CT studies and 3300 MRI studies have been performed at the Phoenix clinic alone since being established in 1986.