Dear patients and friends,
To begin, I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in MHNI (Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute, P.C.) over the past 48 years. But all things come to an end at some point. It is with sad heart and profound regret that I must inform you that MHNI will discontinue its regular clinical care as of January 15, 2027. This transition is unfortunately unavoidable. Until we discontinue operations, we will be available for scheduling appointments, as well as, urgent communications and emergencies. You can continue to communicate with us via our website at www.mhni.com or by calling us at (734) 677 – 6000.
Despite our discontinuance of clinical care, MHNI will remain open for purposes of our clinical trial program and we will continue to perform pharmaceutical trials related to headache treatment. Also, Dr. Kariyanna and I will be working on the possibility of a small clinical program or consulting service beyond January 2027 and we will make the details of this potential program/service available on our website if this can be established. Dr. Alvin Lake, Ph.D., will continue to be available by special arrangements for patients who wish to continue to see him. Additional details regarding his availability are pending.
It is very important that you make arrangements to transition your care as soon as possible. I suggest that you first discuss with your primary care physician/provider/neurologist whether you wish to find a headache specialist for your condition. This is to make certain that if desired, you receive uninterrupted medical care for which MHNI is treating you.
Because so many of our patients come from long distances around the United States and beyond, it is not possible for us to specifically designate a headache practice to which you should transition your care. You may ask your primary care provider or neurologist for a referral in your area. You can also consider reaching out to an expert medical center that has a headache treatment program or choose a well-known headache program in your area or beyond. You can consider one of the following: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, University of Michigan Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Jefferson University in Philadelphia, U of California in San Francisco, CA, Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., U of Miami Health System, Emory University or UCLA in LA. Local Michigan options such as the headache programs at medical centers in Grand Rapids, MI, The MIND Clinic in Farmington, MI, Henry Ford Hospital and Dr. Wade Cooper at Memorial Health Care Institute of Neuroscience in Howell, MI. In addition, you can contact your medical plan to obtain a list of in-network physicians and neurologists in the area who are eligible to become your physician. You can also contact the American Headache Society (AHS) for a board certified headache specialist.
If you wish to have your records sent to your primary care provider or elsewhere, you will need to complete an authorization form to release your medical records so that we can forward a copy of them. Unfortunately, because your medical records are confidential, they cannot be released without a written authorization from you. For your convenience, we are enclosing with this letter an authorization form for you to complete and return to our office. You can send the completed form to us securely through our website at www.mhni.com. You can also request your medical records by mailing MHNI at 3120 Professional Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 or by calling MHNI 734 - 677 – 6000 and selecting the option for medical records. These options will be available to you on an ongoing basis for the timeframe that we are legally required to maintain your records.
Assuming we receive your completed authorization form prior to January 15, 2027, there will not be a charge for copying your record. All authorization forms submitted or received after that date will be subject to reasonable copying and forwarding fees.
During our 48 years MHNI and its staff pioneered countless innovative clinical treatments for headache and neck pain and developed educational programs and advocacy on behalf of headache sufferers and the illness of head pain itself. Many of our treatment programs, strategies and methods have now become the standard of care for headache. MHNI staff has written seven books, over 400 peer reviewed and published medical articles and more than 30 chapters in medical textbooks. We have given annual courses to physicians and other clinical providers on the management of headache and the outcome of our services. During these years, MHNI has received countless awards and has been visited by the national press and media many times over, as well as a special visit by the then surgeon general of the United States, Dr. Everett Coop.
We are proud of the work that we have done and how much we have accomplished, but the landscape for the treatment of complex cases of headache has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. During the next couple of months, we will do all we can to facilitate your medical needs regarding your headaches and related conditions. We encourage you to make appointments with MHNI and discuss future care. When possible and necessary we will personally communicate with your designated Physician/provider or medical center.
As we close our clinical program, my sincere sadness is matched only by the immense gratitude that I have for all of you. Your pain and illness have taught us so much about this condition and human nature. We have shared this knowledge with our colleagues to promote better care elsewhere. I know we have helped thousands of you and many have shared their appreciation with us publicly over the years. You should know that this change will not come easily to me, nor to some of my staff. But, it is necessary at this time. We have left our mark and most of you will continue to benefit from our contributions, through our lectures, books, published papers and the media work.
My best wishes to you and your family. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joel R. Saper, M.D., F.A.A.N.
Founder and Director, MHNI
