Park Central Hosts New Cross Training and Education Program with Barrow Neurological Institute and Fellows From Vietnam

Program Strengthening International Medical Ties at the Phoenix Medical Quarter

Park Central and the Phoenix Medical Quarter are hosting a groundbreaking partnership with leading neurologists from Vietnam and Barrow Neurological Institute. 

This cross-training and educational collaboration, initiated through key discussions held by Plaza Companies principals and Barrow Neurological Institute with the McCain Institute, signifies a new era of international cooperation in the medical field and another example of the impact of the Phoenix Medical Quarter in the heart of the community. 

The program welcomed esteemed fellows Dr. Pham Quang Tho and Dr. Nguyen Minh Anh, who are at Barrow for the next month as part of this exchange. Barrow Neurological Institute, a global leader in neurological care, research, and education, has an active role at Park Central and the Phoenix Medical Quarter, creating an ideal platform for fostering such international ties. The program is the start of an ongoing relationship with three additional healthcare experts arriving in October and more in the future.  


“This program is the direct result of the McCain Institute’s meetings in Vietnam, where we explored how to integrate cutting-edge medical practices from Arizona with the remarkable progress being made in Vietnam,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, co-developer of Park Central in the Phoenix Medical Quarter and a McCain Institute Trustee. “Barrow’s work is truly international, and this partnership reflects our commitment to sharing expertise and fostering innovation globally.”

“Barrow Neurological Institute is proud to be the host organization for stroke physicians from the Bach Mai National Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam,” said Huiam Mubarak, MD, director of the Barrow Global Neurology Program. This visit aligns with Barrow Global’s mission to provide a learning environment to improve the neuroscience health care of underserved populations across the globe. We aim to inspire neuroscience physicians and surgeons, advanced practice nurses, scientists and students by making world-class education and training accessible.”

“For years, we have worked to position Phoenix as a leader in bioscience and healthcare innovation, and it is incredibly rewarding to see results that span the globe,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. “We are thrilled to host physicians from Vietnam in the heart of Phoenix and look forward to the many benefits of this new partnership.” 

The official welcome event took place on September 16 at the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus, where members of the medical community and diplomatic representatives celebrated this milestone in U.S.-Vietnam medical cooperation.

Barrow Neurological Institute has officially opened a new cutting-edge research center that is expected to revolutionize neurological research and expand Phoenix’s research footprint into the areas of environmental neurology and health equity. The Barrow Neuro Analytics Center, located at the Park Central property in the Phoenix Medical Quarter, comprises a 10,099 square-foot dry laboratory housing 10 principal research investigators and their dedicated teams.

Plaza Companies and Tucson’s Holualoa Companies have teamed up to redevelop Park Central into a vibrant destination, which once was the city’s first official large-scale shopping mall. Park Central has developed a particular focus on bioscience over the past few years with the addition of Creighton University as well as an influx of bioscience companies to the project. 

The new Park Central includes 500,000 square feet of Class A creative office and retail space available for lease with the ability to accommodate tenants ranging from 3,500 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet in size. It features exclusive tenant patios, on-site restaurants and amenities, a stunning mid-century modern design, 15- to 25-foot ceilings, convenient bike path and light rail access and ample parking. For more information on the project, visit www.parkcentralphoenix.com.

About Plaza Companies

With offices in Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson, Plaza Companies is a fully integrated real estate firm specializing in development, construction services, leasing, and property  management of medical, technology, bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties, commercial, hospitality, industrial and senior living communities. Since 1982, Plaza Companies has established a proud track record as a competitive, connected and conscientious firm with successful private, public and university partnerships throughout the industries and communities in which we serve. 

For more information, visit www.theplazaco.com

About Holualoa Companies

Holualoa Companies is a real estate investment firm focused on the successful acquisition, repositioning, redevelopment and disposition of real estate assets. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with offices in Phoenix, Santa Monica, Hawaii and Paris, its investments span the United States and Europe and include office, retail, industrial, multi-family, hotel and mixed-use investment properties. Holualoa is an experienced investor for its own account and on behalf of a select group of private investors. For more information, visit www.holualoa.com.

About Barrow Neurological Institute

Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix is internationally recognized as a leader in neurosurgery, neurology, neurological research and patient care. Consistently voted among the top facilities in the United States for neurological care, Barrow treats patients with a wide range of neurological conditions, including brain and spinal tumors, cerebrovascular conditions, concussions and neuromuscular disorders. Its surgeons perform more neurosurgeries annually than any hospital in the nation. Barrow is proud to be home of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. For more information, please visit barrowneuro.org.

Photo from left to right:

Dr. Nguyen Minh Anh: visiting Stroke Neurologist from Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam

Dr. Michael Lawton: President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute, Chief of Neurovascular Surgery

Kate Gallego: City of Phoenix Mayor

Dr. Pham Quang Tho: visiting Emergency Physician from Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam

Dr. F. David Barranco: Neurosurgeon, Chief Medical Officer of the Barrow Neurological Institute & Co-Director of Barrow Global

Dr. Daniel Gonzalez: Assistant Professor of Neurology, Division of Vascular Neurology and Residency Program Director of Adult Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute

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