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Neurologists Todd Hayes, M.D., Jeffrey Siegel, M.D., and William Shaffer, M.D., of North Colorado Medical Center’s Neurology Clinic

Not long ago, Drs. Jeffrey Siegel, William Shaffer and Todd Hayes, neurologists at North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC), were on differing paths in life, living in various parts of the country. But they had one thing in common: passion for the field of neurology.

Dr. Siegel, NCMC’s first neurologist, came on board in June 2008. He was joined in August 2009 by Dr. Shaffer and in September 2009 by Dr. Hayes.

Dr. Shaffer says Dr. Siegel’s character and professional expertise were an important part of his decision to come to NCMC. “That was the dealmaker for me. I had decided that if we had similar beliefs and attitudes, I would move to Colorado. If we hadn’t, I wouldn’t have come.”

He says the team is a great mix of skills and specialties, with similar attitudes about the role of compassion and understanding in working with patients. “I feel very lucky to be working with such a positive, enthusiastic team.”

Not many years ago, Dr. Shaffer was a college dropout and rock band drummer. He left college in Illinois after two years to join a band that toured the New Jersey area, opening for groups such as the Stray Cats and Spin Doctors.

But during his rock band years he met a New Jersey girl who was getting a medical degree. “I decided, hmm, sounds good, maybe I should do the same thing.” So he went to medical school and married the New Jersey girl.

In 2002, during his second year of medical school, Dr. Shaffer was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which changed the direction of his medical career, causing him to focus on the field of neurology.

He says the diagnosis was a blessing because it made him a better neurologist. “To my patients, I’m not just a doctor who has studied MS, but one who is living with the disease and has a personal understanding of its challenges.”

He had assumed he would become a neurologist and live his life in New Jersey because “I had married a Jersey girl, and Jersey girls never leave Jersey.” But all that changed after a divorce and a trip back to his hometown for his 20th high school reunion.

“In my first years of college in Illinois, I had dated a girl, however we broke up when I moved to New Jersey. But I never forgot Kristi.”

When he returned to Illinois for the reunion, he decided to look her up again. By then Kristi was also divorced, so they planned to meet. “The minute I saw her again, I knew I wanted to marry her.”

After marrying, they moved to Colorado because Kristi had family in Longmont and Parker and because MS is prevalent in this part of the country. “NCMC was looking for another neurologist, so it was a perfect place for us to start our new life,” he says.

Dr. Shaffer believes the treatments he is undergoing to control his MS make him compassionate toward his patients. He says he knows what it is like to take shots three times a week and live with the often-misunderstood symptoms of MS.

“What patients really need is a doctor who will take time to listen to how they are doing in every aspect of their lives. That’s how we help people to successfully live with diseases such as MS.”

Dr. Shaffer, who also treats patients with other neurological problems, is passionate about his work and shares that with the other members of the team. “All three of us are here to serve our community and make it a better place for our patients. We work together well and are able to cover the hospital’s patients with 24/7 care,” he says.

Dr. Jeffrey Siegel says he considers himself a general neurologist and loves every aspect of his field. “Being the oldest, by a generation, of the three neurologists at NCMC, I am often the one that deals with the hard job of helping patients with terminal conditions. I feel that with age comes some wisdom and compassion, and I always strive to bring that to each patient I see.”

Dr. Siegel says recruiting the two younger neurologists has been a great benefit for NCMC and the community as a whole. “Our values and beliefs are similar. We all believe we need to take time to get to know each patient as much as possible and be able to treat the patient as a person of value.”

He says his college classes in philosophy helped him be a better neurologist because he better understands how the body, mind and soul work together.

“My core belief is that we all create our own reality. I believe we can wake up every day and decide what kind of day it’s going to be. We can decide we’re going to have a great day and make decisions based on that assumption, or we can decide to dwell on the misery in our lives.”

He encourages patients to get help through therapists or yoga and meditation, as well as medication or other treatments. “We are not just our bodies and should not be treated as such. We need to make choices in our lives that make us as healthy as possible in body, mind and soul.”

He and the other neurologists can take more time with their patients than many physicians are allowed. “We are given the time to listen and get to know each patient.”

Dr. Siegel was born and raised in New York City and went to school in the state. He did his residency in Denver then was part of the faculty of Duke University. He jokes that he moved to Greeley because he was having a mid-life crisis.

“I decided instead of getting a Harley, we would just move to a place where I could hike and cave and just rest in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.” His wife and 12-year-old daughter are wrapping up affairs in New York and will join him in Greeley soon.

He believes his family will love it here. “There are so many great people in this area. They are bright, intelligent and caring, and when treated with respect, they’re happy to take part in decisions about care for themselves and those they love. I love being part of this community.”

Dr. Todd Hayes, who is the unmarried one of the group, fell in love with Colorado and all the outdoor adventures he found in the area. He too believes the three of them coming together in Greeley was great for them and for the community. “It’s a joy working with these doctors in this community. We are all passionate about our field of medicine as well as our patients.”

He devotes himself to practicing general neurology, but his passion is electro diagnostic medicine (electromyography/nerve conduction studies and electroencephalography). In laymen’s terms, he is fascinated with how the human brain works.

“I like being able to look at results of an electromyogram (EMG) or an electroencephalogram (EEG), make a diagnosis and, with the input of the patient, set up a plan of treatment.”

He says EEG tests show brain activity in a way that helps detect seizures, either during or after an episode, as well as a patient’s risk of having a seizure. The tests can also show when a patient is prone to dementia or other consciousness-altering problems. An EMG can detect abnormal muscle electrical activity in conditions such as neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome and pinched nerves.

“It’s very rewarding to read tests and be able to deliver the news that a patient doesn’t have a tumor or debilitating disease. No matter what the diagnosis, I believe it’s a privilege to work closely with each patient and come to know their needs and personality.”

He says his other passion is educating patients and fellow physicians about the field of neurology and dispelling myths about neurologists in general.

He believes people need to be better informed about when they might need a neurologist. “The field of neurology is widely misunderstood by patients as well as some physicians, and I want to help by taking away fears and building a good reputation in this community.”

He says he is very excited about his new life in Colorado and working with the other neurologists. “It’s great to work in an atmosphere where we all get along and enjoy each other and have similar beliefs about the treatment and care of patients.”

The doctors agree that the three of them coming together in the NCMC clinic was auspicious and they hope to play a vital role in the community by bringing understanding and quality of life to patients with neurological disorders. +