A Legacy of Excellence: The Evolution of the Neurological Institute at Taipei Veterans General Hospital

Since its inception in 1959, the Department of Neurology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital has established itself as a cornerstone of neurological care and research in Taiwan. Originally founded as the Division of Neuropsychiatry under the Department of Medicine, the division was led by esteemed National Defense Medical Center Professor Xi-Gong Liu, with distinguished physicians Fu-Li Chu, An-Shih Lee, and Yun Kwan Yang serving as pioneers in the field.

In 1963, Fu-Li Chu made history as the first neurologist to lead the Division of Neuropsychiatry. The department’s growth was marked by its independence in 1976, eventually splitting into the Department of Neurology and the Department of Psychiatry in 1983.

The most significant milestone came in January 1989 with the formation of the Neurological Institute, an innovative venture meticulously planned by Directors Fu-Li Chu and Liang-Shong Lee. This was the first institute in Taiwan to integrate specialists in both neurological and neurosurgical disorders, setting a new standard in patient care and academic research. The institute originally comprised seven divisions, including General Neurology, Cerebrovascular Diseases, Peripheral Nervous System Disorders, Epilepsy, General Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Functional Neurosurgery, and a Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NCU).

The institute continued to evolve, with the addition of a Stroke Intensive Care Unit (SCU) in 1998 and the establishment of the Division of Neural Regeneration and Repair in 2002. The NCU was subsequently renamed the Department of Neurological Intensive Care. Today, the Neurological Institute boasts nine specialized divisions and the SCU, making it a leading force in neurological and neurosurgical care.

Our institute is not only dedicated to providing top-tier clinical services but also to advancing the field through cutting-edge research and education. We offer comprehensive programs for both domestic and international trainees, contributing to the global effort to enhance neurological and neurosurgical care.

Currently, the Department of Neurology includes four key divisions: General Neurology, Cerebrovascular Diseases, Peripheral Nervous System Disorders, and Epilepsy. As part of one of Taiwan’s largest and most advanced hospitals, our department is equipped with 123 beds, including 12 in intensive care units (8 in the SCU and 4 in the NCU). Our team comprises 23 seasoned attending neurologists, including five professors, all of whom are dedicated to providing a full spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic services.

These services include neuropsychological examinations, electroencephalography (EEG), video-EEG monitoring (V-EEG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), electromyography (EMG), sensory evoked potentials (SEP), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), cerebral hemodynamic tests, cerebrovascular ultrasonography, vestibular function tests, nerve and muscle biopsies, and neurogenetic/neuroimmunological tests. Additionally, we have established specialized centers for Stroke and Neurovascular Diseases, Headache, and Dementia.

The commitment of our staff to excellence in both clinical and basic research continues to drive the Neurological Institute forward, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of neurological science and patient care. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of neurology, both in Taiwan and beyond.