UH Neurological Institute Update
November 21, 2022
Innovations in Neurology & Neurosurgery | Fall 2022
“The past three years have unleashed unprecedented disruption to healthcare delivery around the world,” says Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, Director and Vice President of University Hospitals Neurological Institute, and Harvey Huntington Brown Jr. Chair in Neurosurgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “In the face of many challenges, our nationally recognized team of neurologists and neurosurgeons has remained steadfast in their commitment to advancing a multidisciplinary, research-driven approach to providing exemplary patient care.”
Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MDUniversity Hospitals continues to be nationally ranked by U.S. News as a Top 50 provider of Neurology & Neurosurgery care. Here, Dr. Bambakidis shares recent institute updates.
Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD, joins the UH Neurological Institute
This summer, Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD, joined the UH Neurological Institute as Director of Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery and Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery. She also assumed the Warren R. Selman Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery at School of Medicine. A world-renowned neurosurgeon and researcher, Dr. Amin-Hanjani comes to Cleveland from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“Dr. Amin-Hanjani is a pre-eminent cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgeon who has published groundbreaking research in cerebral blood flow and stroke prevention,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “It is a testament to the strength of our institute that we are able to recruit people of her caliber to join our faculty.”
With Dr. Amin-Hanjani’s arrival, the institute continues to lead the way in creating a culture of inclusion in the field of neurosurgery. “With women making up just 6 percent of board-certified neurosurgeons nationally, we are proud of the representation and talent demonstrated by the women who account for around 30 percent of our faculty and trainees,” says Dr. Bambakidis.
Read more about Dr. Amin-Hanjani here.
AHA Quest for Quality Prize
The American Hospital Association (AHA) awarded University Hospitals this year’s Quest for Quality Prize — the national trade association’s highest honor. Representing over 5,000 hospitals and health systems, AHA recognizes healthcare leadership and innovation to improve quality and advance health in communities.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the prize, presented to University Hospitals at the AHA Leadership Summit in San Diego this past July. “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized for our commitment to providing excellent, equitable care to our richly diverse communities throughout Northeast Ohio,” says Dr. Bambakidis.
UH Neurological Institute Courses Welcome Over 50 Neurosurgeons
Neurosurgeon participants at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Skull Base Fellows and Surgery of the Craniovertebral Junction courses.In September, the UH Neurological Institute partnered with School of Medicine to offer the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Skull Base Fellows and Surgery of the Craniovertebral Junction courses. “We had over 50 neurosurgeons come to Cleveland from around the world to learn the latest state-of-the-art surgical techniques offered here,” says Dr. Bambakidis.
2022 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting
As his tenure as president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) came to a close, Dr. Bambakidis delivered his presidential address at the 2022 Annual CNS meeting, Neurosurgery Connected. “I have been honored to represent the world’s largest neurosurgical organization as president over the past year,” says Dr. Bambakidis.
The event took place in San Francisco Oct. 8-12 and highlighted lectures from two additional University Hospitals leaders.
- Cliff A Megerian, MD, CEO of University Hospitals and Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair , presented a perspective on the future of healthcare.
- Warren R. Selman, MD, Harvey Huntington Brown Jr. Emeritus Chair of Neurosurgery at School of Medicine, presented on the evolution of neurosurgical mentoring.
New Neurocritical Care Fellowship
In partnership with School of Medicine, a new ACGME-accredited Neurocritical Care Fellowship is expanding graduate medical education within the UH Neurological Institute. The two-year fellowship is designed for physicians seeking advanced training in multisystem care of critically ill neurology and neurosurgery patients. A specific focus is the interface between the central and peripheral nervous systems and other organ systems in the critical care setting. Fellows will gain expertise in procedural skills and proficiency with specialized neurological monitoring and interventions. Michael DeGeorgia, MD, Director of the Reinberger Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at UH Cleveland Medical Center and the Maxeen Stone and John A. Flower Chair in Neurology, will have four fellows (two per cycle).
Quality Stroke Care Designation
The American Heart Association again recognized several facilities within University Hospitals for their quality stroke care. “The designations are reflective of a long history of excellence in stroke care throughout our system, which continues under the leadership of Dr. Amrou Sarraj, Director of our Comprehensive Stroke Center,” says Dr. Bambakidis.