Lindner Center of HOPE Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director of Transcranial Magnetic Services Wins Health Care Hero Award

John Hawkins, MD, recognized as an innovator for his work with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

February 27, 2013, Cincinnati, Ohio — Dr. John M. Hawkins, Chief of Psychiatry and Deputy Chief of Research, Medical Director of Transcranial Magnetic Services, was named a Health Care Hero by the Business Courier at a February 26 awards dinner at Duke Energy Convention Center downtown.

Dr. Hawkins was named a winner in the Innovator category for his progressive efforts in the delivery of and research in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Through a rigorous process and evaluation by community leaders, individuals are chosen based on their impact on health care in the community through their concern for patients, their research and inventions, their management skills, their innovative programs for employees and their service to the poor and uninsured.

The very vivid picture of how serious and debilitating mental illness can be drives Dr. Hawkins to deliver greatness. Dr. Hawkins is on the leading edge of advancing the knowledge and possible application of this new TMS technology in mental health treatment. His innovative approach to care shows he doesn’t just stop with traditional models of treatment but pushes forward great opportunities and promise in the treatment of depression and other major mental illnesses. He thinks outside the box when it involves treatment options for patients and best understands the important role innovation plays in offering treatment alternatiaves to those who haven’t had great success with medications and psychotherapy. Furthermore, Dr. Hawkins is responsibly using TMS in a way that combines his attention to safety and evidence-based information, while guided by accessing and utilizng the emerging data that he and his colleagues around the country are discovering as they seek to find new, efficacious and innovative ways to utilize TMS technology.

Wanting to fulfill the mission of the Center, Dr. Hawkins seeks out opportunities to position Lindner Center of HOPE as an innovator and a facility that is on the cutting edge of science and technology. He develops outcomes based delivery processes, such as pathways and protocols directed at patient needs. Using data and evidence based research, Dr. Hawkins collects data regarding TMS efficacy to distribute to third party payors reflecting that this innovation is not only FDA approved and not experiential treatment but part of a national level trend to position mental health treatment in an innovative arena.

People expect in the medical field that researchers and scientists develop new, cutting edge technology, procedures and medications. But in the field of mental health there often isn’t that level of public expectation. Dr. Hawkins wants to change that. The use of TMS is truly innovative in the mental health arena. The use of this innovative modality, right here in our region, can help change the lives of those facing mental illness-thus improving the overall health and wellbeing of our community. Innovation in mental health care, it’s happening right here in our community.

“I am very honored to receive the Health Care Hero Award from the Business Courier in the Innovator category,” said Dr. Hawkins. “The Health Care Hero Award has a long standing tradition of recognizing the best of health care delivery and services in the Cincinnati area, so I am quite humbled by the recognition. The ability to provide a cutting edge treatment technology in Transcranial Magnetic Services at the Lindner Center of HOPE, is really due to so many people, starting with the Lindner family, but also our Board of Directors, Executive Team and our incredibly talented and dedicated staff. It is an honor to be a part of such a wonderful team and to be given an opportunity to provide a unique service to those suffering from depression, which they might not otherwise receive.”

Lynn Gordon, ThD, Lindner Center of HOPE, Spiritual Care Coordinator was also nominated as a Health Care Hero in the provider category.

Lindner Center of HOPE provides patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, free-standing mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, research and voluntary, live-in services. The Center’s clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Lindner Center of HOPE is affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.

Dr. Hawkins Award Picture

To read Dr. Hawkins Business Courier interview, click here.


CONTACT:
Jennifer Pierson
Lindner Center of HOPE
(513) 536-0316
[email protected]