Doctors

Dr. Thomas Keucher

As the founding physician, Dr. Thomas Keucher remains dedicated to providing neurosurgical care with wisdom and compassion. He is known for excellence and requires that same standard from his staff and surgical team. Throughout his career, Dr. Keucher has always enjoyed being an educator by sharing his insights with patients and fellow physicians. His expertise is sought after by many respected organizations, and he has delivered presentations in the United States and abroad for associations such as the Central Neurological Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Asian Australasian Congress of Neurological Surgery.

Certified in 1980 by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Keucher is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed an internship in the Department of Surgery at Marion County General Hospital in Indianapolis, and thereafter returned to Indiana University School of Medicine to serve as a resident in neurological surgery. His special interests include cerebral aneurysms, tumors, cervical and lumbar spine and hydrocephalus.

Patients appreciate his straight-forward approach to keeping them informed as he evaluates their condition and determines a course of treatment. It provides a feeling of security when they are given an opportunity to learn and understand the significant details relative to their care.

Dr. Robert Yount

Dr. Robert Yount joined North Central Neurosurgery in 1985, following his M.D. and Ph.D. in biophysics and residency in Neurological Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine. His experience with complex spine problems and the treatment of brain tumors is well respected among his colleagues. Since 1975, Dr. Yount has shared this expertise with other physicians via presentations and publications in the United States and Canada. His most recent lecture examined deep brain stimulation as it relates to the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 1991, he continues to expand his capabilities with further training. "Surgical Management of Movement Disorders," "Advanced Trauma Life Support," "Stereotactic Radiosurgery" and "Minimal Access Spinal Technologies" are among the many courses he has completed.

Dr. Yount provides patient care through open, honest communication. He employs years of experience and careful consideration to develop a course of action for each individual and asks his patients to be active participants in their treatment.

Dr. Walter Langheinrich

Dr. Walter Langheinrich received his undergraduate education from the University of Colorado and the University of Notre Dame. Upon graduation in 1983, he entered Indiana University School of Medicine and then completed his surgical internship and neurosurgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He received certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 2000.

His expertise is well respected among colleagues, and he has published several articles in periodicals such as "Internal Medicine" and the "Journal of Neurosurgery". His career also includes extensive research in the radiobiology of human meningioma. His special interests are: microsurgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, vagal nerve stimulator treatment of epilepsy, baclofen and intrathecal pump therapy for spasticity, spine and tumor surgery.

Dr. Langheinrich's patients find that he provides helpful, practical explanations to describe their conditions, in a way that is easily understood by those outside the medical field. He enjoys relating to his patients and develops an understanding not only of their physical condition, but of their interests and ambitions as well.

Dr. David Cockerill

Dr. David Cockerill graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, and continued his studies at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine where he was class Co-Valedictorian. He completed residency training in general surgery and neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Since 1995, his experience includes Chief of Neurosurgery at both William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas and St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

He received board certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 1998 and joined North Central Neurosurgery in 2004. His special interests include cervical spine disease.

Dr. Cockerill encourages patients to communicate their opinions and questions about diagnoses and treatments. Together, they develop a plan to address both immediate needs and long-term care.

Dr. Stephen Smith

We welcomed Dr. Stephen Smith to North Central Neurosurgery in 2005. Dr. Smith is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine. He finished his neurosurgical residency at the University of Kansas in 2004, and completed subspecialty fellowship training in spinal surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Department.

Dr. Smith has had extensive training in minimally invasive techniques for discectomy, decompression and fusion. His background offers experience with motion-preserving technologies, including artificial disc replacement, vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty and minimally invasive foraminotomy. He is also skilled in surgical procedures for spinal tumors, vascular malformations and traumatic spinal fracture.

Since 1996, Dr. Smith has worked to advance the neurosurgical field with research, publications and presentations in various areas of his expertise, including injuries of the cervical spine, thoracic disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disk disease and Parkinson's disease. He is an active member of the North American Spine Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

His compassionate demeanor is of great comfort for patients. Their well-being is always his first priority.

Dr. Andrew Losiniecki

Dr. Losiniecki received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his fellowship in neurocritical care at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Losiniecki has conducted numerous presentations and contributed to a variety of publications. He is a member of the Congress of Neurosurgeons and American Association of Neurologic Surgeons. His special interests include the following: brain/spine tumors, minimally invasive techniques for the cervical/thoracic/lumbar spine, traumatic brain injury/concussion, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral nerve disorders and cerebral aneurysms. He enjoys hunting, rafting and hiking.

Dr. Joseph Schnittker

Dr. Joseph Schnittker received his undergraduate training in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, graduating with honors from Queen's University. After earning his medical degree from Queen's University Medical School, he served a mixed internship at St. Mary's Hospital for McGill University, a residency in neurosurgical training at the University of Calgary, and a pediatric neurosurgical fellowship at Alberta Children's Hospital. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada with examination completion in 1988 and was certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 2005.

Dr. Schnittker has taken a leadership role in academic, hospital and emergency medical settings, serving as Assistant Professor and Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Surgery at McMaster University; Trauma Team Executive, Trauma Team Leader and Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Team for Hamilton General Hospital; and most recently, a practicing neurosurgeon in Elkhart since 1997.

An active member of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the American Medical Association and the Indiana State Medical Association, Dr. Schnittker is also a Fellow for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and served as Chair of the Section of Neurosurgery for the Ontario Medical Association from 1994 to 1995, and Tariff Chairman in 1995.

Staff

North Central Neurosurgery patients are treated like family. Our professional staff has more than 100 years of combined medical office experience, but we answer your questions in plain and easy to understand language. You do not have to worry about filling out complex insurance forms and applications, because we will help you. The office is comfortable, friendly and professional. We are happy you are here and know that your visit is the first step to recovery.