Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute

Doctor standing in front of brain scans

At Cottage Health’s Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute (SBNI) on California’s Central Coast, you’ll find the same specialized resources you expect at large academic medical centers, as well as emergency services 24/7.

Patient Story

Bob Hawkins with his wife and dog standing in front of his yellow hot rod car

Bob Hawkins has always enjoyed an active life. After he was involved in a crash, a MRI discovered a golf ball sized tumor. With treatment and tumor removal at Cottage, he is back to enjoying the active life he loves.

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Meet the Medical Director

“Cottage Health - Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute is a venue for applied and clinical research with unmatched technological capabilities, research and physician expertise.” - Thomas Jones, MD

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Expertise to Care for Your Brain & Spine

You and your primary physician will work with SBNI’s board-certified neurologists and neurosurgeons and our specially trained nurses, therapists and support team members. You’ll receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment tailored to your needs.

Neuroscience Services We Offer

Choose Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute for the medical expertise to help prevent and care for a wide range of neurologic conditions. Cottage Health neuroscience clinical services include:

  • Brain and Spinal Tumor Program – Evaluation and treatment of tissue masses in the brain and spine
  • Cottage Center for Advanced Imaging (CCAI) – Innovative technology that delivers detailed images for diagnosis and treatment
  • Epilepsy Center – Cottage Health offers a comprehensive Epilepsy program with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a care team that provides hands-on care during diagnosis and treatment.
  • Neurointerventional radiology – Noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat blood vessel condition of the head, neck and spine
  • Neurology – Care for conditions of the brain and nervous system
  • Neurosurgical spine and back care, including orthopedic services – Procedures to treat conditions of the spine and spinal nerves
  • Neurovascular diseases – Blood vessel conditions of the brain and spine
  • Neurovascular surgery – Biplane angiography and other procedures to address conditions of the nerves, veins and arteries
  • Stroke care – Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center from the Joint Commission – the nation’s leading independent health care agency - and the 2020 Gold Plus Quality achievement award with Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll from the American Heart/Stroke Association
  • Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) – A minimally invasive surgical technique using MRI-guided laser light to ablate unhealthy brain tissue. It can be an effective treatment option for recurrent and hard to reach brain tumors and lesions. It is also used to treat certain types of epilepsy.

Support for Your Journey

As you move from initial evaluation to treatment, recovery and return to function, your expert Cottage neuroscience care team walks with you every step of the way. You benefit from our extensive support services, such as:

In addition, our neuroscience research contributes to real-world solutions that your SBNI care team brings to your treatment.

Ric's Story

Cottage Health Neurology Patient Ric

“The level of care I received at Cottage from the staff and the compassion of the nurses is what saved my life.”
- Ric Hovsepian

Watch Ric's Story

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