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News and Highlights

Dr. Greenfield Joins Faculty
Jeffrey P. Greenfield, M.D., Ph.D., joins the faculty of the Department of Neurological Surgery on July 1, 2009 as an Assistant Professor in Neurological Surgery. Specializing in pediatric neurosurgery, Dr. Greenfield completed his Chief Residency in the department. [More]

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED: MAKING PATIENTS FEEL WELCOME
If you look the word "hospitality" up in the dictionary, it says the friendly and generous treatment of guests. Dr. John Boockvar and the "Hospitality Committee" are ensuring that patients who come to the Department of Neurological Surgery at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center will receive a warm welcome. The hospitality team gathered on June 3rd for the official launch of this effort. Hospitality rounds have begun including the distribution of patient welcome packets filled with valuable information to help guide patients on their surgical journey. Packets are tailored to both in patients and out patients and include a welcome letter from the chairman, a summary of medical advancements in the department, biographies of the neurosurgeons on staff, critical phone numbers and photographs of physician extenders. [more]

National Stroke Month a Success
The departments of Neurological Surgery and Neurology/Neurosciences joined forces to make National Stroke Month a success. During the month of May, health outreach to the community included a panel discussion with four leading experts in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery and cardiology who spoke on the causes, prevention and treatment of stroke. The event drew 100 people and a question/answer session followed the presentation. A stroke "free" screening was also held at the hospital. [more]

Epilepsy Resistant to Medicine Cured by Minimal Access Surgery
McGehee Porter, who has worked at Neuberger Berman for many years, is no stranger to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. At Neuberger Berman, his longtime work colleague, mentor, and friend, was the late Stephen H. Weiss, a major benefactor of the medical center and former Chairman of the Board of Overseers of Weill Cornell Medical College and Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. They had worked together previously for 20 years at Weiss, Peck and Greer. [more]

The Gruson Memorial Neuro-Oncology Lectureship
Event: May 18,2009
Through the generosity of the Gruson family, and underwritten in part by Charles Schwab & Co., this year's Gruson Memorial Neuro-Oncology Lecture features Dr. Jerome B. Posner. Dr. Posner, a distinguished expert in the field of Neuro-oncology and Paraneoplastic Syndromes will speak at Grand Rounds on May 18, 2009 at 7:30am, Room F-639. Each year Dr. Susan Pannullo has spearheaded this event, recruiting outstanding leaders in their fields. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jerome B. Posner. [More] - Lecture Topic: Glioblastomas

HELMETS A BIG PART OF SAFETY ON SLOPES
Natasha Richardson's tragic ski accident should remind everyone to strap on a helmet before setting foot on snow, industry experts said yesterday. [Read More]

888-WCBACKS (888-922-2257): The Number to Call for the Best in Treatments for the Spine
The Spine Center (888-WCBACKS or 888-922-2257) offers a comprehensive approach to individual back care. The latest in minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical techniques are provided. The spine team formulates a treatment plan that may include physical therapy, medication, interventional pain management, acupuncture, movement therapies, or in some cases surgery. Dr. Roger Härtl serves as Co-Director of the Center located at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, Floor 16. [PDF Brochure]

Dr. Mark Souweidane, a Hero to Children with Life-Threatening Brain and Spine Tumors
Dr. Mark Souweidane's skill in the operating room and his ability to help his young patients cope with life-altering illnesses, comes as no surprise to anyone who has worked with him or benefited from his internationally recognized expertise. [more]

Chairman, Dr. Philip E. Stieg, Hosts Patterson Celebration: Professorship Launched
On December 5th, Dr. Philip E. Stieg hosted a day and evening to celebrate the remarkable career of Dr. Russel H. Patterson and to launch the Russel and Julie Patterson Professorship in Neurological Surgery. [more]

One of America's Top Surgeons: Dr. Howard A. Riina
Dr. Howard A. Riina has been listed in the Guide to America's Top Surgeons (Consumers' Research Council of America). Dr. Riina is one of a small cohort of neurosurgeons who offers two approaches for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, microneurosurgical and the less invasive endovascular approach. He also serves as the Department's Director of the Residency Training Program, one of the most rigorous in the country. The department congratulates him on this recent honor. [more]

New Cornell Collaboration to set "Platinum Standard" in Patient Services
Over the last eight years, the Department of Neurological Surgery has forged several research collaborations with Cornell University, Ithaca Campus. Recently, it has ventured into a new and innovative direction to improve patient service - in fact, to set the "Platinum Standard" in patient care service. [more]

Epilepsy Resistant to Medicine Cured by Minimal Access Surgery
McGehee Porter, who has worked at Neuberger Berman for many years, is no stranger to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. [more]

Dr. Russel Patterson and the History of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell
The brightest minds in neurological surgery in New York and beyond gathered at the Rockefeller Auditorium on Friday, Dec. 5, for a special program highlighting the rich history of the field, and the groundbreaking contributions of one particular neurosurgeon. [more]

Spine Surgeon Brings Renewed Hope To Tanzania in Humanitarian Mission
Dr. Roger Härtl had been collaborating with colleagues in Tanzania, and traveled to East Africa in order to deliver life-saving surgical equipment worth $432,000 that was generously donated by the company Synthes Spine, as well as a drill to perform neurosurgical and spinal procedures from Anspach. The President of Tanzania thanked the United States, the companies involved, and Dr. Härtl at a celebration dinner. [more]

Spine Surgeon Saves Flight Attendant After Three Story Fall
"Writhing in pain inside a dilapidated hospital in the Dominican Republic, Brooklyn native Jessica Mazzone didn't think she'd ever walk again..." Read the rest of this article directly on the NY Daily News website.

Dr. Philip E. Stieg Named on "Best Doctors" List in New York Magazine
Dr. Stieg has been listed in the June 16, 2008 issue of New York Magazine as one of the "Best Doctors" in the field of neurological surgery. Physicians listed on "Best Doctors" are selected by their peers. [more]

Skull Base Course Attracts National & International Participants
The annual Skull Base Course in the Department of Neurosurgery, held on June 6 and 7, was a resounding success attracting participants from around the world and all regions of the Untied States.

The New York Times Magazine Highlights Department Surgeons
Drs. Howard A. Riina, Theodore H. Schwartz, and Mark Souweidane were listed on the Superdoctor's edition published in The New York Times Magazine, April 27, 2008.

Dr. Pannullo Receives the Gary Lichtenstein Humanitarian Award
Dr. Susan Pannullo, Director of The New York Brain Tumor Center in the Department of Neurosurgery, will be honored with the Gary Lichtenstein Humanitarian Award by Voices Against Brain Cancer (VABC).

Shedding Some Light on Epilepsy
Epilepsy, convulsive seizures caused by disturbed electrical rhythms in the brain, affects 1-2% of the population of the United States.

Tissue-engineered Human Intervertebral Discs for Back Pain
The second leading cause of disability in America is degenerative disc disease (DDD). An estimated 12 million people suffer with back pain from DDD, with a million of them undergoing surgery each year.

Proactive Health Show "How to Save Your Life" Airs on WNYH
Dr. Philip E. Stieg is the host of "How to Save Your Life" on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. The show will be adding a New York radio station, WNYH, 740 AM.

Trailblazing Technique in Department of Neurosurgery Cures Patient of Giant Brain Tumor
In the Department of Neurological Surgery Virgil Perryman finally found a cure for the giant tumor lodged in his brain. Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz was the turning point.

Injured Window Washer Has Operation on Spine
"Dr. Boockvar said the three-and-a-half-hour operation had stabilized Mr. Moreno's spinal column, reducing the risk of neurological injury when he begins to move or walk. Mr. Moreno had a broken lumbar vertebra..." - Excerpt from New York Times

Breakthrough Procedure Saves Lives of Patients With Retinoblastoma
Today, there is new hope for treating retinoblastoma, a rare and often fatal eye cancer that affects children and adults, thanks to an innovative procedure using "chemosurgery" developed by Dr. Pierre Gobin and Dr. David H. Abramson.

Neil Young Recuperating Cancels Juno Awards Apperance On Advice Of Doctors
New York - April 1, 2005 - It was announced today that Neil Young will be unable to appear and perform on this year's Juno Awards, set for this Sunday, April 3rd in Winnipeg

Promising Results from First Gene Therapy Clinical Trial for Parkinson's Disease Reported in The Lancet
In what could be a breakthrough in the treatment of neurological disease, a team led by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has completed the first-ever phase 1 clinical trial using gene therapy to battle Parkinson's disease.

About The New York Brain Tumor Center
The New York Brain Tumor Center at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center is one of the country's most innovative and comprehensive brain tumor specialty programs. Created in 2002, The New York Brain Tumor Center provides a truly multi-disciplinary approach to brain tumor treatment and care in a warm, compassionate environment. Hundreds of patients each year seek care at The New York Brain Tumor Center for malignant brain tumors, such as Glioblastoma Multiforme, Anaplastic Astrocytomas and Oligodendrogliomas, and Brain Metastases, as well as for benign central nervous system tumors such as Acoustic Neuromas and Meningiomas.

Dr. Andy Cohen and Don Mattingly make a winning team for sports medicine.
Cutting edge "sports neurosurgery" is able to return the pro to the game… and, for the rest of us, give us back our active lives.

Skull Base Surgery Conference & Skull Base Surgery Interactive Web Site.
The first 3-day Skull Base Neurosurgical Course with 3D technology and Virtual Reality was presented last December by Philip E Stieg, PhD, MD and Antonio Bernardo, MD at Cornell University.

New Honors, Awards and Promotions Announced