NEA Baptist Expands Neurosurgery Department
Jonesboro, Ark., March 26, 2018 – NEA Baptist recently announced the expansion of the Neurosurgery Department with the addition of Dr. Greg Ricca and Dr. Maria Li to the team. The new doctors are joining Robert Abraham, MD, Rebecca Barrett-Tuck, MD, Kelsey Schmidt, APRN, and Carie Wells, APRN to provide specialized, high quality neurological care. Both new doctors are now accepting patients.
Greg Ricca, MD, attended medical school at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. He completed his residency at the University of Tennessee Semmes-Murphey Clinic. Dr. Ricca opened his own practice, Ricca Neurosurgical Clinic, in 2006 and most recently, has practiced in central Arkansas. In 2016 Dr. Ricca was recognized in the top 1% of America’s Most Honored Professionals. He is board certified in neurological surgery and a member of several professional organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society and Aerospace Medical Association. Dr. Ricca is dedicated to providing education relating to the neurological science and has also assisted in the development, testing and teaching of new spinal fusion techniques and procedures nationwide. Dr. Ricca enjoys many hobbies including flying, driving cars and owning the Happy Bull Ranch, where cattle are fed grass that is free of hormones and antibiotics. Dr. Ricca was previously a ground and flight instructor for the Bonanza-Baron Pilot Program. Dr. Ricca stated, “I am very excited to be back in Northeast Arkansas and the driving force of that decision is the team at NEA Baptist. It requires a team to effectively provide good, quality patient care and I want my patients to receive excellent care from everyone that interacts with them.”
Maria Li, MD, studied at McGill University in Montreal where she also completed her neurosurgery residency. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at University of California at San Francisco and a skull base and cerebrovascular fellowship at Seattle Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Li is board certified in neurological surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. She is also a member of various organizations such as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society and North American Skull Base Society. She has also been active in research related to neuroscience and neurosurgery. Dr. Li is passionate about her career and is devoted to providing her patients with the best care. She stated, “My husband Yves and I are very appreciative of the opportunity to come and serve the Jonesboro community. We and our two cats are looking forward to the journey together as we join the NEA Baptist family, beginning a new chapter in our lives.”
Neurosurgery is surgery involving any part of the nervous system, including the spinal cord, nerves, spine and their supporting structures. As neurological surgeons, Dr. Ricca and Dr. Li treat patients with neurological abnormalities. The clinic provides consultations and when appropriate, offers surgical procedures such as spinal fusion, total disc replacement, carpal tunnel release, and a variety of other neurological procedures.
NEA Baptist Health System comprises NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, NEA Baptist Fowler Family Center for Cancer Care and NEA Baptist Clinic, northeast Arkansas’ largest physician group. The 228-bed hospital offers cancer care, heart care through the Heart Center, labor and delivery services through the hospital’s Women’s Center, as well as a number of inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, and surgical services including weight loss surgery, neurology, respiratory care, and pulmonary rehabilitation. NEA Baptist Clinic’s over 100 physicians practice in more than 35 specialties and offer a wealth of services, from pediatrics to orthopedic services.
For more information about NEA Baptist, please call 870-936-1000 or 870-936-8000 or visit www.neabaptist.com or www.neabaptistclinic.org.