Home

Name:Dr. Brett T. Prince, Neuropsychologist

Type of business: A full service diagnostic rehabilitative practice for those with memory disorders.

Address:160 Avenue at The Commons, Suite 1, Shrewsbury; 1541 Rt. 88 West Suite G Brick

Telephone: (732) 836-9770

Top officer: Dr. Brett T. Prince, owner

How would you describe your business?

"The things we treat are cognitive that pertain to memory, thinking, and learning disorders. We treat everything from head injuries, Alzheimer's, any form of dementia, and patients with ADD and ADHD. We are the ultimate specialists when it comes to memory and learning," said Prince.

"The second aspect of our practice concerns treating chronic pain, sleep disorders, and stress related medical conditions.

"We also have a forensic component. When someone has a fall at work or a car accident, we are called in to say whether the injury was new or a prior condition. In a hospital setting, if no one knows why there is a change in mental functioning, we are called in to if the condition is amenable to treatment."

What makes your business special?

"Neuropsychology is a child of neurology that focuses on what the brain actually does. There are not that many individuals in the state who do this, unfortunately. I believe there are only nine doctors with this specialty in New Jersey.

"When I was 17, I had a very bad head injury and there weren't many adequate professionals around. The experience left me with the capacity to be compassionate. It also makes me aware of how many children with concussions are misdiagnosed by schools. The whole range of pediatric care is to get kids a proper diagnosis so they do better at school and better at work.

"I'm everyone's workman's compensation doctor in the state for most of the government officials and police to determine when they can go back to work and handle a gun or work with heavy machinery."

What goals do you have for the business?

"My immediate goal is to open up an additional office in Monmouth County."

How has your business changed?

"In the beginning, the vast majority of our referral cases were trauma surgeons and neurologists. Now referrals come to us from pediatricians, doctors who practice internal medicine, and school officials."

What was your most important deal?

"I don't know how to answer that. For me, the best deal I've had has been from my parents who taught me good values and how to budget my time and money as a child. That has aided me in being able to manage the business. My grandfather was a doctor and the Princes have always had doctors. It's always an honor to be trusted as a doctor."

What changes do you expect in the next 10 years?

"Every year, we've gotten bigger and bigger and we are running out of space. With the increase in an aging population, more cars on the road, and accidents causing head injuries, sports injuries, and veterans returning with brain injuries, there will be an increase in the number of people needing our services. There are not enough people coming into our field to meet the need. People don't realize there is a field of rehabilitation to repair memory but there is no one pill or surgery to repair memory. It's a specialized intensive activity. For instance TV reporter Bob Woodruff, who was injured by a bomb fragment in Iraq, had to relearn how to walk, talk, and go through a lot of Neuropsych care."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"Patience. I move fast, I want things done yesterday, but I've learned to be patient for my patients."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"They have to be prepared for many years of education and very long hours. It's a very specific field requiring a lot of training, certification, and you have to dedicate many hours to become a doctor. You will be paid very little in the beginning and be in debt. You won't be able to marry because you don't have the time. You will realize that your life will be somewhat different from that of your friends. If you don't have that dedication and it's not your cup of tea, find something else that you enjoy to pursue.

"I was always interested in the brain but not a lot of schools were offering courses in Neuropsychology. I went Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York City. I had a wonderful education."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"I really love what I do and help people find the right diagnosis. It's a pleasure to collaborate with other doctors and see patients getting better, but I would like to spend more time with my wife, who is also a doctor."