UH Neurological Institute Update Summer 2022

Innovations in Neurology & Neurosurgery | Summer 2022

Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MD

Leaders at the University Hospitals Neurological Institute are committed to representation and equity as they recruit esteemed physicians from across the country. “We have what is quickly becoming one of the country’s most diverse faculties in neurosurgery,” says Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MD, Vice President and Director of the UH Neurological Institute and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. “While women have historically been underrepresented in neurosurgery programs, University Hospitals has a significantly higher percentage of female faculty members and trainees than the national average.”

Joining that group is Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD, FAANS, FACS, FAHA. Dr. Amin-Hanjani was recently named Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery and Director of Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery at University Hospitals. She will also assume the Warren R. Selman Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Amin-Hanjani came to University Hospitals from the University of Illinois Chicago, where she has served as Residency Program Director and Co-Director of Neurovascular Surgery.

“Dr. Amin-Hanjani is a world-renowned vascular and skull base surgeon who has performed cutting-edge research on blood flow and cerebral stroke prevention,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “We are thrilled to add her specialized skills to what is quickly becoming a world-class department of neurological surgery.”

Renowned Alzheimer’s Researcher and Expert Joins Faculty

Chales Duffy, MD, PhD

Neurologist Charles Duffy, MD, PhD, was recently named Director of the UH Brain Health & Memory Center. “Dr. Duffy is an international expert on memory disorders and the neurophysiological mechanics of information processing,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “He will be instrumental in expanding treatment options and research opportunities for the growing number of people struggling with memory decline.”

Dr. Duffy comes to Cleveland from Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Prior to his time there, he spent 26 years at the University of Rochester Medical Center caring for patients and studying cerebral neocortex functioning.

Robotic Spinal Surgery Offered

Dustin Donnelly, MD, PhD

University Hospitals is the first health system in Greater Cleveland to install the Mazor X Stealth™ Edition Robotic Guidance Platform for Spine Surgery. Neurosurgeon Dustin Donnelly, MD, PhD, performed the first UH case using the next-generation technology this spring.

“The Mazor X computer analytics provide valuable data for presurgical visualization, and the robotic arm allows for precise placement of implanted hardware,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “Dr. Donnelly has completed specialized training with the platform, building on our commitment to advance 3D robotics capabilities.” Currently offered at UH Cleveland Medical Center and UH St. John Medical Center, Mazor X will eventually expand throughout the spine institute.

Upcoming Events

This September, the institute will once again host the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Skull Base Fellows and Surgery of the Craniovertebral Junction courses. “We are able to offer an unparalleled learning experience in skull base and vascular surgery techniques,” says Dr. Bambakidis. The courses are held in partnership with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, welcoming faculty and trainees from health systems across the United States and abroad.

In May, Warren R. Selman, MD, Neurosurgeon-in-Chief for University Hospitals and the Harvey Huntington Brown Jr Emeritus Chair at School of Medicine, gave his presidential address to the Society of Neurological Surgery at its 2022 Annual Meeting, hosted by the Henry Ford Health System Department of Neurosurgery in Detroit, Michigan. Culminating his term as president of the storied organization, he passed the gavel to incoming President E. Sander Connolly Jr., MD, Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

This October, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons annual meeting will take place in San Francisco, California. As president of the professional organization, Dr. Bambakidis will welcome participants to over 100 educational opportunities. Speakers will include Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Chief Executive Officer; Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair of University Hospitals, and Dr. Selman.

Tier 4 Epilepsy Designation

The University Hospitals Epilepsy Center was recently reaccredited as a National Association of Epilepsy Centers Tier 4 treatment center, the highest designation for epilepsy care. “Only a small number of centers around the country achieve this recognition,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “It reflects the expertise of our physicians in providing excellent seizure surgery and epilepsy management.”

Incoming Fellows and Residents

• Joel E. Pellot Cestero, MD, completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Puerto Rico. He is a graduate of the Universidad Central Del Caribe, Puerto Rico, and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.
• Marcus Stephens, MD, served as Chief Neurosurgery Resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science. He is a graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed his undergraduate degree at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia.
• Jitsupa Sirinit, MD, will begin her residency at University Hospitals in July. Dr. Sirinit is a graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her undergraduate degree at Cardinal Stritch University.

For more information, contact Dr. Bambakidis at Nicholas.Bambakidis2@UHhospitals.org
or 216-844-8758.

Contributing Expert:
Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MD
Chair, Department of of Neurological Surgery
Vice President and Director
University Hospitals Neurological Institute
Harvey Huntington Brown, Jr. Chair in Neurosurgery
University Hospitals
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine