University Hospitals Neurological Institute Update Fall 2024

Innovations in Neurology & Neurosurgery | Fall 2024

In 2024, the University Hospitals Neurological Institute expanded its technological footprint in robotic spine and cranial surgery, welcomed several new recruits in both neurology and neurosurgery, and saw a resurgence in surgical and nonsurgical case volumes.

“This has been a tremendous year for our institute,” says Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MD, Director and Vice President of the UH Neurological Institute, and the Harvey Huntington Brown Jr. Chair in Neurosurgery. “We have been very fortunate thanks to generous donations from our leadership council that are helping us advance our mission to provide transformative care to patients with neurologic disorders throughout Northeast Ohio.”

Recent UH Neurological Institute highlights include:

UH Endowed Chair Presentations

Thanks to generous philanthropy, the UH Neurological Institute recently celebrated three endowed chair recipients.

• Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD, was recognized as the Warren R. Selman, MD, Chair in Neurosurgery.
• Tiffany Hodges, MD, was recognized as the Peter D. Cristal Chair in Neurosurgery.
• Gabriel Smith, MD, was celebrated as the inaugural recipient of University Hospitals’ first chair in spinal neurosurgery, the Mark P. Schumann and Christina M. Schumann Chair in Spinal Surgery.

New Hires

Stanley Bazarek, MD, PhD

Stanley Bazarek, MD, PhD, is a neurosurgeon at University Hospitals and an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at School of Medicine. After earning his undergraduate degree at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Bazarek completed his medical education at the Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He returns to Cleveland after completing his residency in Neurological Surgery and a fellowship in Neurological Surgery – Spinal at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in Peripheral Nerve and Reconstructive Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and a research fellowship in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. Dr. Bazarek has a special interest in spinal nerve regeneration and recovery after injury and caring for patients with peripheral spinal nerve disorders.

Desul Jin, MD

Dasul Jin, MD, is a neurologist at University Hospitals and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at School of Medicine. Dr. Jin studied brain and cognitive sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before earning her medical degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She came to Cleveland for her neurology residency training at University Hospitals and School of Medicine, where she also completed her fellowship in vascular neurology. Committed to advancing neurology and providing high-quality patient care, Dr. Jin also has a passion for teaching medical students, residents and fellows.

Anthony Zampino, MD

Anthony Zampino, MD, is a neurologist at University Hospitals and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at School of Medicine. A proud Cleveland native, Dr. Zampino received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Akron before completing medical school at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He then completed his neurology residency at University Hospitals and School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident. After his residency, Dr. Zampino completed a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine. He has a special interest in the use of neuromuscular ultrasound to enhance traditional electrodiagnostic testing and research.

Advanced Technology Acquisitions

The UH Neurological Institute recently completed its first case using the Excelsius GPS™ robotic navigation platform, the first and only robotic navigation platform that offers a comprehensive approach tonbsp;spine and cranial procedures.

This summer, NeuroOne® Medical Technologies Corporation announced a breakthrough case at University Hospitals using the company’s OneRF™ ablation system designed for patients suffering from neurological disorders. To treat the first patient, Michael Staudt, MD, performed 44 ablations through six implanted OneRF electrodes over two days.

International Partnership

University Hospitals is reinvigorating its partnership with Taipei Medical University, a leading private university in Taipei, Taiwan. “We recently returned from a substantive visit with the university’s leadership and are strengthening our partnership in research and education,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “We have attained several research grants and are exploring additional opportunities to advance our collaboration with physicians and faculty at the prestigious university.” 

Awards and Accomplishments

Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD, was invited to serve as a member of the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council for the National Institute for Neurological Disorder and Stroke/National Institutes of Health.

Rami Hachwi, MD, was selected for the Fellowship in Academic Medicine Clinical Education (FAME) certificate program. FAME is a longitudinal professional development program for health professions educators and administrative leaders who have an interest in fostering academic excellence, innovation and scholarly productivity in health professions education.

Herbert Newton, MD, published his first book, Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Foundations of Neuro-Oncology, while at University Hospitals for Elsevier Medical Publishers Academic Press. The book provides an in-depth review of common cognitive, psychological and social manifestations that occur in patients with brain cancer and other neuro-oncological issues.

International Surgical Courses

In August, 40 neurosurgeons from around the country and world traveled to the UH Neurological Institute and the School of Medicine to participate in this year’s Surgical Treatment of the Craniocervical Junction and CNS Skull Base Fellow courses. “Once again, neurosurgeons came to Cleveland to learn the latest techniques in complex spinal and skull-based surgery with our renowned faculty,” says Dr. Bambakidis. “The continuing interest in these courses points to our leadership in the field.” Both courses have been renewed for 2025.

For more information, contact Nicholas.Bambakidis2@UHhospitals.org.

Nicholas C. Bambakidis, MD
Vice President and Director
University Hospitals Neurological Institute
Harvey Huntington Brown, Jr. Chair in Neurosurgery
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine