MHNI Historical Highlights

1978 In October, Dr. Joel Saper resigns as a faculty member in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical Center to develop the nation's first comprehensive treatment center for headache. On November 3, the Michigan Headache and Neurological Institute (MHNI) began evaluating patients in temporary, leased offices. Construction on a 6,800 square foot office building at 3120 Professional Drive in Ann Arbor had begun one year earlier but completion was delayed until April 1979. The original staff consisted of Dr. Saper, two Ph.D. psychologists (including Dr. Alvin E. Lake III), four nurses, one technician, and two office staff personnel.

Dr. Saper creates the nation's first comprehensive inpatient Head Pain Treatment Unit at Chelsea Community Hospital (CCH). The program provides aggressive treatment for severe headache conditions using a multidisciplinary approach involving medical, nursing, and psychology staff. MHNI and its hospital unit becomes the model of care for other programs around the country that treat individuals with intractable head pain conditions. The treatment of headache patients at MHNI and the hospital was directed and supervised by MHNI physicians, though for several years Dr. Saper was the sole physician directing treatment.

Dr. Saper completes his first book, Freedom From Headaches - A Professional Guide to Understanding and Treating Head, Neck, and Face Pain, in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth R. Magee. It is published by Simon and Schuster Publishing Company.

1979 MHNI moves into the 3120 Professional Drive offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1981 The first paper on inpatient headache programs is presented by Dr. Saper at the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH) meeting in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Saper co-authors his second book with Dr. Kenneth R. Magee entitled Clinical and Basic Neurology for Health Professionals. This book is published by Year Book Medical Publishers.

1982 The hospital unit is expanded to 16 beds. The first head nurse for the unit was employed. The first outcome study regarding inpatient treatment of headache patients (at CCH) was presented at the AASH meeting in Toronto, Ontario in June.

Dr. Saper writes his third book, Headache Disorders: Current Concepts and Treatment Strategies. It is published by Wright PSG Medical Publishers.

1984 MHNI and CCH are featured on ABC-TV news, "Nightline" and NBC-TV's "Today" show. Over the years MHNI has cooperated with hundreds of media organizations, including television, radio, newspapers, and other print media to educate the public and health professionals on head pain treatment.

The inpatient unit staff expands with the addition of a pharmacist, additional therapists, a dietitian and substance abuse counselors.

1985 MHNI completes its first building expansion to provide additional office space for psychology and neurodiagnostic services.

1986 MHNI's hospital program is awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The unit became the nation's first facility of its kind to be accredited by CARF and remains accredited today.

Though research and education activities have occurred since MHNI's inception, a separate Research and Education Division is formed to coordinate these activities . From the late 1980's to the present the number of research activities at MHNI significantly expanded. The division continues to fulfill increasing requests from health care professionals, businesses, and the public throughout North America for educational programs.

1987 Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, in collaboration with Dr. Saper and Chelsea Community Hospital staff, establishes specific criteria for admission of patients with head pain to hospitals throughout Michigan and the nation.

Dr. Saper authors two books, Controversies and Clinical Variants of Migraine, published by Pergamon Books, Inc., and Help for Headaches: A Guide to Understanding Their Causes and Finding the Best Methods of Treatment, published by Warner Books.

Newsweek magazine features MHNI in their cover story on December 7 entitled “Headaches—New Ways to Cope with the Pain.”

1988 MHNI is featured on ABC-TV News show “20/20” and “Bodywatch” on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).

1989 MHNI is awarded full accreditation by CARF after a two-day review by a medical and administrative specialist. The award establishes MHNI as the only outpatient center of its kind to be nationally accredited and the Head Pain Treatment program (consisting of MHNI and CCH) as the only program to be accredited. As stated in the survey report, "MHNI's unique, comprehensive services to individuals with head pain have earned the Institute a national reputation for program excellence. MHNI's strengths include enthusiastic, well qualified personnel; excellent leadership; and defined programs designed to meet the needs of its patients." The program remains accredited today.

US News & World Report carries the article, “The Anatomy of a Headache,” featuring MHNI.



1990 Recognizing that head injured patients who are evaluated and treated at MHNI require additional services, MHNI forms the Post-Trauma Team. This multidisciplinary team is devoted to the refinement of assessment and treatment tools for individuals suffering from headache as a result of mild head trauma.

MHNI and CCH orchestrated their first major public seminar for patients and their families. The first seminar was attended by 1,200 individuals. Since this time, quarterly presentations have been made throughout Michigan and Ohio to approximately 16,000 individuals with the goal of disseminating information regarding head pain research and treatment, and dispelling myths and misinformation regarding the illness.

Dr. Saper is elected President of the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH, currently the American Headache Society). AASH is the nation's first professional medical society of specialists in head and face pain disorders and is comprised of healthcare professionals from throughout the world.

1991 People Magazine features MHNI in an article, “Headaches and Holidays.”

1992 MHNI completes its second major building addition and renovation through the purchase of 3110 Professional Drive located directly behind the Institute. Two corridors are constructed to connect both buildings; various administrative and office functions and the Research Division are relocated to this new area. The patient lobby, check-in and check-out areas, and clinical exam rooms are renovated to allow for more efficient use of space in 3120 Professional Drive.

MHNI assists in the development of the Head Pain Association of Michigan (HPAM). The organization, consisting primarily of head pain sufferers and their families, provides support services, sponsors educational events, disseminates current research information, and brings issues relating to chronic headache to the attention of legislators, employers, and other relevant persons within the state of Michigan.

Dr. Saper, along with Stephen Silberstein, MD, C. David Gordon, MD and Robert Hamel, PA-C, complete the book, Handbook of Headache Management: A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Head, Neck, and Facial Pain by Williams and Wilkins.

Dr. Saper is elected Chairman of the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE). ACHE is a partnership between patients and healthcare professionals with a special interest in head and face pain and is sponsored by the American Headache Society (formerly the American Association for the Study of Headache).

1993 MHNI completes and publishes in the journal Headache the first scholarly study demonstrating outcome results for a headache program.

1994 Life Magazine publishes the article, “Why You Get Headaches, and What Medical Science Is Doing to Make Them Go Away,” featuring MHNI.

1995 Dr. Saper is awarded the John Graham Senior Clinical Award from the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH, currently the American Headache Society). The winner of this award is chosen for their clinical skill and leadership in the field of headache.

1996 MHNI is awarded full accreditation for three years from the Joint Commission. As a result of this award, MHNI is the nation's first and only primary head pain treatment program to have been accredited by Joint Commission. The Joint Comission award complements the accreditation MHNI has maintained since 1989 through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The award sets an important precedent for establishing standards of care for other centers evaluating and treating patients with headache and other pain disorders. MHNI remains fully accredited to the present.

MHNI establishes the General Pain Management Division, including the formation of a special team to evaluate and treat nonheadache pain patients.

Dr. Saper is awarded the Philip Lippe Award from the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) in recognition of his "tireless efforts in the areas of legislative activity and public policy on behalf of pain patients and those who care for them."

1997 The Institute launches the Michigan Headache and Neurological Institute Resource Center on the Internet at www.mhni.com. This Internet site provides patients and friends with a wide range of information about headache and other pain disorders.

ABC-TV news "Nightline" with Ted Koppel interviews Dr. Saper in a program about the treatment of headache.

Physical therapy services are added at the Institute as a non-medicinal option for treating a wide range of pain disorders.

Dr. Saper completes two additional books: Kopfschmerz and Migraine published by Science Press Ltd. und Zeneca, and Clinician's Manual on Headaches, Second Edition published by Science Press Ltd.

1998 MHNI kicks off a yearlong celebration of "Treating the nation's headaches for 20 years". In addition, MHNI and CCH receive a Senate Declaration of Tribute from the Michigan State Legislature to commemorate the 20th anniversary. The award acknowledges the impact MHNI and CCH have had upon the health and well-being of citizens from throughout Michigan and the nation.

Alvin E. Lake III, Ph.D., is elected to the AASH (American Association for the Study of Headache, currently American Headache Society) Board of Directors.

The Head Pain Treatment Unit at CCH is renovated including the addition of conference areas, therapy space, and a new patient waiting area.

1999 MHNI orchestrates the first annual MHNI professional conference entitled, "Essentials of Headache and Pain Management: A Review Course for Practicing Clinicians." The course is attended by over 600 health care professionals from around the country and provides continuing education credit for attendees. The conference continues to be held on an annual basis.

 

Under the direction of Dr. Alvin Lake, MHNI develops a new relaxation program entitled Relaxation and Pain Management Strategies. This program is available in cassette and CD formats. (Click here to learn more about the relaxation recording)

Drs. Saper, Gordon, and Mr. Hamel collaborate with Dr. Swidan of CCH and Dr. Silberstein on the second edition of the book Handbook of Headache Management. The book is available through Lippincott Williams and Wilkins at (800) 638-3030.

2000 MHNI establishes an educational center in its lobby featuring current studies underway in the Research Division, information frequently requested, and current issues of the Headliner.

Dr. Saper is awarded the ACHE Lecture Award for his presentation, Sustained Opioid Therapy for Intractable Headaches: A 5-Year Observational Study. This award is given each year to a health professional who has demonstrated concern for headache sufferers as a clinician, researcher, and teacher.

2001 The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) selected MHNI's laboratory as a recipient of the Laboratory Excellence Award. The Award is bestowed on COLA laboratories that are found to have superior laboratory safety and practices for their patients and demonstrate exemplary patient testing; MHNI received a 100% score during its on-site survey.

Dr. Saper receives the Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) for his commitment and contributions to AAPM.

2002 The 20/20 television series filmed and aired a segment about MHNI and the Headache Treatment Unit at Chelsea Community Hospital.

Dr. Barbaranne Branca becomes board-certified by the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABPN). This certification in the field of neuropsychology is awarded after extensive study and testing and has been granted to only 400 professionals in the United States.

2003 MHNI celebrates its 25th anniversary. The celebration is launched by a national press conference featuring Congressman Mike Rogers, who announced the introduction in Congress of his National Pain Care Policy Act of 2003. The bill, which is currently before Congress, was prompted by the National Pain Care Coalition, which Dr. Saper chaired until 2002. This bill is targeted to improve the quality of education of physicians and the public regarding pain treatment and to support research in the field.

Under the direction of Dr. Todd Rozen, MHNI initiates infusion services for patients with specific conditions requiring intensive treatment that may be provided on an outpatient basis.

2004 MHNI significantly expands the scope of its Research Division to include medical device trials and the study of additional central nervous system disorders, such as hepatic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, etc. 

2006 Dr. Saper and Dr. Rozen co-chair the development of the Continuum Headache issue and the accompanying Quintessentials component for the American Academy of Neurology.