About Our Practice

Upper Valley Neurology Neurosurgery began in 1994 under the direction of Dr. Ayres in Lebanon, New Hampshire. The practice expanded rapidly and now includes two neurologists, three neurosurgeons, one ear nose throat specialist, one research assistant, and three physician's assistant. UVNN's principal office is in Lebanon with branch offices in New London, New Hampshire, and a satellite in Concord, New Hampshire. We also provide inpatient hospital services in Lebanon and New London.

All practitioners provide general specialty care, and each has a field of subspecialty concentration, authority, and peer recognition. UVNN operates a major public health service for the region via the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-endorsed Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of the Upper Valley. Additional certified neurological medicine services include a sleep laboratory and full range electrophysiology. Neurological surgery subspecialty concentration includes innovative approaches to surgical treatment of headache, the surgery of complex peripheral nerve disorders including brachial plexus trauma, and the diagnosis and management of spondylotic myelopathy. There is ongoing research in both specialties. Phase II, III, and IV clinical trials are planned or underway in neurologic disorders, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinsonís disease. Ongoing projects also include independent investigations related to neurologic medications, development of a novel cervical spine orthotic, intraspinal stimulation for pain, and outcomes of neurosurgical management of spine disease and carpal tunnel decompression. Additionally, neurosurgical residents from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center are invited to the operating room, and medical students and physician assistant students rotate through our clinics.

The credentials of our group confirm that UVNN is a leading neurological and neurosurgical practice. Dr. Phillips, who also has a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology, maintains subspecialty certification in the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of Pain. His novel approach to neurosurgical management of headache was recently featured on the Discovery Channel. Dr. Saunders is the former chairman and program director of a major neurosurgical training program, former president of the New England Neurosurgical Society, and author of lengthy collected bibliographies in peer reviewed journals. He has fostered development of a state-of-the-art cervical spine surgery program and continues to provide innovation to the field. Dr. Ayres completed fellowship training in neuroimmunology and direct a regional multi-disciplinary multiple sclerosis center. He is also Board Certified in Clinical Neurophysiology and maintain certification in Neuroimaging.

UVNN also maintains an established and growing research arm that includes a full time, Certified Clinical Trails Coordinator. Active research projects include independent and multi-center trials. Outcomes Analysis research at UVNN, a critical and current field, has evolved from our participation in a hospital and insurer-sponsored coalition quality assurance program. Current areas of focus include outcomes following carpal tunnel release, a rapidly evolving public health concern, and outcomes following cervical spine decompression from myelopathy, a major concern in our aging population. Additionally, UVNNís increasingly close relationship with the nearby Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where some members of UVNN enjoy full faculty appointments, reflects the unique sophistication of this practice.



Back to Top

All material copyright 2000-2007 UVNN. All rights reserved.