MIAMI, FL and MINT HILL, NC – In a mission to make incisionless therapy more accessible to patients, Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center and Insightec are proud to announce the facility’s 600th focused ultrasound procedure using the groundbreaking Exablate® Prime platform from Insightec. This significant achievement marks Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center as the first institution worldwide to reach such a milestone, underscoring its leadership in advanced, non-invasive surgical solutions.

The 600th procedure was completed on former Army medic Jimmie Porter, who received his treatment on Veteran’s Day. This was Porter’s second treatment, conducted under the expertise of Dr. Charles Munyon and his team. Porter’s first treatment was done two years ago to relieve tremors in his right hand.

“Every patient who comes through our doors has a story to tell. Those with essential tremor often feel it defines their life, but Insightec gives them the power to write a new chapter characterized by healing and remarkable transformation. We are privileged to have performed this innovative procedure 600 times and experience the profound impact it has on our patients,” said Joy Greear, president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center. “We are incredibly proud Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center is the first to reach this milestone globally, and it is a testament to the expertise and compassionate care Dr. Charles Munyon and our multidisciplinary team provides our patients throughout their journey.”

“This is a remarkable milestone for not only Novant Health Mint Medical Center, but for neurology worldwide, underscoring the pivotal role in advancing incisionless neurosurgery,” said Jake Ghannam, Chief Commercial Officer of Insightec. “This achievement not only highlights their leadership in the field but also signifies a profound transformation in the lives of patients battling essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease. At Insightec, we are honored to collaborate with such a pioneering institution, committed to redefining the possibilities of neurological care.”

Focused ultrasound, which was pioneered by Insightec, is FDA approved to treat essential tremor and some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Using sound waves to precisely ablate deep brain targets that cause tremor, the procedure is performed in a single, outpatient procedure with many patients showing immediate improvement in the treated side with minimal or no complications.


About Insightec
Insightec is a global healthcare company creating the next generation of patient care by realizing the therapeutic power of acoustic energy. The company’s Exablate Neuro platform focuses sound waves, safely guided by MRI, to provide tremor treatment to patients with medication-refractory essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. Research for future applications in the neuroscience space is underway in partnership with leading academic and medical institutions. Insightec is headquartered in Haifa, Israel, and Miami, with offices in Dallas, Shanghai, and Tokyo.


About Novant Health 
Novant Health is an integrated network of more than 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 40,000 team members along with more than 8,500 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2023, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.