Banner Baywood welcomes two new neurologists

MESA, Ariz. (Aug. 6, 2009) – Banner Baywood Medical Center welcomes two new neurologists who will take the lead in the hospital’s nationally certified stroke program.

Tariq Doorani, MD, 40, will serve as the medical director of the East Valley Stroke Center, which was nationally certified by the Joint Commission in 2008. Hamid Mortazavi, MD, 41, is a neurologist who has partnered with Dr. Doorani and will also serve the stroke center.
Both have experience at other stroke centers: Dr. Doorani helped establish two such centers near the Portland, Ore. area and Dr. Mortazavi worked as a neurologist and lecturer at a center in Tennessee.

As medical director, Dr. Doorani will help to standardize the care patients receive at the stroke center. Until now, the stroke center at Banner Baywood has been led by an interim medical director.

“These physicians will take our neuroscience and stroke program to the next level,” said Larry Spratling, MD, medical director at Banner Baywood. The hospital is planning to add community services such as ongoing stroke screenings in the next few months.

Dr. Doorani began his medical education in his native Pakistan, and served his residency in adult neurology in Milwaukee. He also underwent a fellowship in pediatric neurology there. Since then, he worked for eight years in private practice near the Portland, Ore. area. He is married and has three children, ages 6, 8 and 9. Dr. Doorani said his interest in neurology began with an early fascination of the brain.

“It’s so complex. The brain is the CPU for your body,” he said. “There is always something new to learn.”

Dr. Mortazavi is originally from Iran, but served his medical residency in Alabama. He comes to Baywood from Tennessee, where he worked at a neurology clinic for three years. He said he is very excited to be working at the only certified stroke center in the East Valley.

“Stroke is a condition that is preventative,” said Dr. Mortazavi. “It’s important to educate the public about stroke.”

In addition to stroke care, the two neurologists have opened a practice to treat all neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, sleep disorders, back and neck pain, headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and children’s disorders such as migraines, epilepsy and Tourette syndrome. Appointments can be made by calling Arizona Specialty Physicians at (480) 543-6750.

Banner Baywood was nationally certified as a Primary Stroke Center in July 2008. It is the only such center in the East Valley, and one of only a handful in the state. The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to improve outcomes for stroke patients.

About Banner Baywood Medical Center
Banner Baywood Medical Center is a 340-bed facility known for its world-class programs in stroke care, oncology, women’s health, orthopedics and surgical technologies. The facility opened in 1984 and serves the growing East Valley communities of Mesa, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills and areas of northeastern Pinal County. In 2009, the medical center will expand with a new, $38.5 million emergency department with 54 patient rooms. Banner Baywood Medical Center employs more than 1,500 health care professionals and support staff, and has approximately 500 volunteers. The facility boasts a medical staff of more than 800 physicians, including primary care and specialty physicians. Banner Baywood is part of Banner Health, Arizona’s largest health care provider and second largest private employer.

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