For more than a decade, patients at Atrium Health Behavioral Health have had access to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive therapy offering an effective alternative for individuals with treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders. Led by a specialized team of board-certified physicians, registered nurses, and certified technicians, Atrium Health has treated thousands of patients using a personalized approach that adapts throughout the course of care to help ensure the best possible outcomes.
Now, thanks to the generosity of Lynn and Marshall Carlson, the Hendrick Family Foundation, and an anonymous donor, patients served by Atrium Health Behavioral Health also have access to Magnus Medical’s Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) protocol, an advanced form of TMS. The procedure delivers highly targeted magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain associated with depression, expanding treatment options for patients with the most complex needs.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the SAINT protocol shows significant promise for individuals who have not responded to traditional treatments. Unlike standard TMS therapy, which typically requires daily sessions over several weeks, SAINT delivers treatment over a much shorter timeframe, an approach that is especially valuable for patients experiencing psychiatric crises. Available in outpatient settings, the non-invasive treatment has minimal side effects, allowing patients to return to their daily routines quickly.
Philanthropic support from the Carlsons and the Hendrick Family Foundation played a critical role in bringing this advanced therapy to Atrium Health, helping to procure the specialized equipment, bring care to Charlotte and soon Davidson, and ensure patients with limited financial resources can receive care. In addition, philanthropy supported the expansion of traditional TMS therapy to Atrium Health Kings Mountain, further broadening access to effective, non-invasive mental health treatments across the region.
These advanced treatments are coordinated by Dr. Nicole Aho, a board-certified psychiatrist at Atrium Health Behavioral Health and assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help people return to their lives, jobs, and families, and to see them make progress over the years,” said Aho. “The generosity of our donors allows us to offer unique treatments like SAINT to patients and help them understand their safety and benefits. Even just talking about the causes of depression and targeting brain networks can help patients understand their illness better and avoid guilt or shame.”
Mental health conditions can be isolating and overwhelming, but innovation, compassion, and generosity are changing what’s possible. Through these transformational gifts, Atrium Health Behavioral Health is expanding access to leading therapies and offering renewed hope to patients and families across the communities it serves.