Alumna’s quest to increase access to cutting-edge brain surgery

When neurosurgeon Leslie Hutchins, M.D., H’14, performs the first deep brain stimulation surgery at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas, it will not only transform the life of a patient with a severe movement disorder. It also will mark the fulfillment of her decade-long quest to bring the groundbreaking procedure she learned on the MCV Campus to her hometown, offering hope to thousands of patients in the region.

Hutchins, originally from Abilene, began her neurosurgery residency at VCU School of Medicine in 2008, seeking a program that offered both technical excellence and a supportive environment. “I had 20 residency interviews lined up, and VCU was the first one,” she said. “I instantly felt at home.”

In the Department of Neurosurgery, Hutchins was introduced to the multidisciplinary approach that would shape her career. She shadowed neurologist Mark Baron, M.D., in the VCU Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Center, along with Kathryn Holloway, M.D., H’90, director of the deep brain stimulation program and renowned pioneer of the frameless surgical approach. DBS uses implanted electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation to specific brain areas, alleviating symptoms of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia.

Hutchins recalls the profound impact of seeing DBS in action for the first time. “The transformation was instant,” she said. “I was fascinated by the drastic improvement in quality of life for patients with challenging symptoms.”

A mentor’s guidance helps bring DBS to rural Texas

Throughout her residency, Hutchins participated in 96 DBS surgeries under Holloway's guidance, an experience that shaped her approach to patient care. She admired the personalized care and deep understanding of patients' unique circumstances that Holloway and her team provided.

Hutchins returned to Texas after her residency, eager to bring her VCU training to her practice. She soon recognized a significant gap in advanced treatment options like DBS in the rural communities surrounding Abilene. Serving a vast region of Texas, Hendrick Medical Center provides care for a large, rural population, many of whom face barriers to accessing specialized care.

“Patients in rural areas face geographic and cultural barriers to quality health care,” she explained. “DBS has become well known in metropolitan areas, but it would be new here.” Her mission became clear: Bridge the gap and bring DBS to Hendrick Health.

Understanding the complexity of her goal, Hutchins leveraged her connection to her mentor Holloway, who provided valuable guidance on building a program from the ground up. 

Holloway, in turn, found fulfillment in supporting her former resident. "There's nothing more rewarding than seeing something you taught a resident manifest in a meaningful way," she said.

Ten years after her residency, Hutchins is close to realizing her vision. She has built a strong team at Hendrick Medical Center, including a physician partner, skilled nurses and surgery coordinators. To prepare, the team recently visited the MCV Campus to observe Holloway’s techniques and surgical processes.

"VCU was an incredible host for my team.” Hutchins said. “We were able to see the latest techniques and think about how to apply them in our new setting.”

Likewise, Hutchins’ team impressed Holloway. “They were clearly dedicated and committed to a high standard of care,” she said. “That bodes well for their success.”

‘If treatments don’t reach the patients who need them, they’re not fulfilling their potential’

Hutchins' team is scheduled to treat its first patient using DBS in October, and she is optimistic about the potential impact. “DBS remains the next frontier in neurosurgery,” Hutchins said. “There is still room for so much advancement and new applications for this treatment."

At VCU, Holloway continues to serve as a leader in uncovering new ways to use DBS to improve lives. As the surgery helps more patients with Parkinson’s disease live longer, she is exploring its use in addressing dementia that can occur in later stages of the disease. Beyond movement disorders, she also is examining DBS’s potential to aid in treating depression. 

Hutchins is eagerly following the research, pleased to play a role in increasing access to DBS – a contribution as crucial as developing new treatments. “If treatments don’t reach the patients who need them, they’re not fulfilling their potential,” she said.

As Hutchins prepares to pioneer DBS in her community, 1,500 miles away from where she trained, Holloway expressed confidence in her former resident's vision. "Dr. Hutchins is not only a skilled surgeon but also thoughtful and careful in her approach, which is essential to building a program."

Holloway, who has trained many neurosurgery residents over her 40-year career, is gratified to see VCU's commitment to strong mentorship have lasting impact. "Our department’s culture is one of camaraderie. We tell residents from the start that they should never go down alone. That sentiment transcends their time in training. It gives me great pride to continue cheering on Dr. Hutchins."