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At the Department of Neurosurgery, one of the top-5 neurosurgical practices in the United States, the patient comes first. Our mission is to provide patients with outstanding care by the best neurosurgeons in the country and achieve excellent outcomes. As a department in one of the nation’s top hospitals, and part of the 100-year-old Neurological Institute of New York we offer unparalleled expertise in a broad range of neurological conditions, access to cutting-edge research, and a patient-centered treatment philosophy.
Outstanding patient care from an exceptional, multidisciplinary team
More than 20 surgical specialists and sub-specialists, a dedicated nursing team for neurosurgery patients, labs performing cutting-edge research, and CUMC’s world-class hospital facilities (including a Neuro ICU and unique amenities at our Children’s Hospital), combine to deliver outstanding care, making clear communication about complicated conditions a priority so that patients and their families are equipped to make wise decisions.
Unparalleled technical expertise
The size of our department (more than 20 doctors) enables individual surgeons to focus on their diverse specialties, offering patients extraordinary technical expertise in fields as diverse as aneurysm, pediatric epilepsy, and spinal tumors. As a group, our surgeons are leaders in their fields. Many have published articles in their specialties and perform research that explores new approaches for treating neurological conditions.
Conservative treatment philosophy
We are committed to providing patients with the best, proven approaches for addressing their neurological conditions. As a professional academic practice, we are routinely engaged in clinical research that pushes the envelope. However, our treatment philosophy is essentially conservative: surgery is not always the right solution. Cutting-edge treatments may be minimally invasive or non-invasive.
Better outcomes
Studies have consistently shown that high-volume hospitals deliver better outcomes for surgical patients. The degree of specialization of our surgeons, who perform high volumes of procedures in their areas of expertise, helps secure those better outcomes. In addition, our dedicated nursing team coordinates exemplary pre-op education and post-op care, often resulting in quicker-than-expected recovery times.
A true team effort
The Department of Neurosurgery is not only one of the top practices in the United States; we are also one of the top academic programs, and the great majority of our faculty started out as students here. An advantage of our academic setting and our focus on specialized expertise is that patients are directed to the most appropriate specialist rather than the first available surgeon. We don’t provide incentives for doctors to work outside their specialties; we do promote cross-discipline consultation.
And when we hire new surgeons, we are choosing from the best-of-the-best. We have considerable experience with prospective additions to our group, since they have been students here, so we can easily determine how well they will fit the professional practice, and gauge their commitment to excellence and outstanding patient care. As a result, our doctors work together unusually well, and patients benefit from a true team effort.
Cutting-edge research
Our academic setting provides patients with access to the cutting-edge research being performed at multiple department labs. Patients may have the opportunity to participate in clinical studies and learn how new developments in medicine and technology may apply to their conditions.
Endowed Chairs/Professorships
Research is a large part of our mission here at the Department of Neurological Surgery. This is founded on a tradition that goes back to the early days of the Neurological Institute, a hundred years ago. A number of our neurosurgeons carry on this important work today. Their research is largely funded by private donors and the creation of Endowed Chairs or Professorships.
Meet our Endowed Chairs and learn more about their namesakes here: Our Endowed Chairs
World-class hospital facilities
CUMC, part of New York Presbyterian Hospital, has long been recognized as one of the top hospitals in the U.S. For neurosurgery in particular, CUMC offers a 16-bed Neuro ICU unit, dedicated nursing staff, anesthesiologists, and radiologists, all focused on addressing the unique needs of patients with neurological conditions. At the associated, top-rated Children’s Hospital, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, young patients receive top-notch care in a compassionate environment tailored to their unique developmental and emotional needs.
