Department of Neurosurgery

Comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS & FACULTY

WHAT WE DO

The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Department of Neurosurgery provides comprehensive care for:

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WHO WE ARE

Neurosurgeons treat patients who have injuries or disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute neurosurgeons treat both adult and pediatric patients and is at the forefront of pediatric neurosurgery with three pediatric neurosurgeons. Our team has grown to become a national destination for complex surgeries and expanded research infrastructure for innovations in technology.

Our neurosurgeons are leaders in:

    • Robotic technology
    • Minimally invasive procedures
    • Laser ablation
    • Focused ultrasound
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    HIGH-PERFORMING IN NEUROSURGERY 

    The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute’s Department of Neurosurgery has received U.S. News & World Report’s High Performing designation for 2023-2024. Each year, U.S. News evaluates hospital performance in both complex and routine care to support patient decision-making for acute and chronic conditions.

    Evaluations are based on criteria that includes patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, the availability of advanced technologies, nursing quality, specialty-specific certifications, services for patients and their families and expert opinions of specialists in the field.

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    Amber’s story

    When WVU Tech volleyball coach Amber Linville experienced frequent, debilitating headaches, she was surprised to learn a tumor was the cause. Surgeons at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute helped her find relief.

    Brain-Computer Interface Research

    In 2023, the RNI’s Department of Neurosurgery, in partnership with Precision Neuroscience Corporation, successfully completed five first-in-human procedures in a pilot clinical study of Precision Neuroscience’s neural implant system. During the study, a team of RNI neurosurgeons led by Peter Konrad, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, temporarily placed the Precision system, called the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, on the brain of a patient undergoing resection of a brain tumor.

    AT THE FOREFRONT OF NEUROSURGERY

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    LEADING INNOVATION

    The WVU Department of Neuroscience partnered with Precision Neuroscience Corporation for a first-in-human pilot clinical study of the company’s neural implant system. The study was designed to record and map the brain’s activity in unprecedented detail, signaling a major step toward restoring meaningful function to millions of people suffering from neurological illnesses and disorders.

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    FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (FUS) WORLD LEADER

    The WVU team has become a world leader in non-invasive focused ultrasound (FUS) procedures for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. The team is also pioneering innovative research with first-in-the-U.S. clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease and addiction.

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    IORT NATIONAL LEADER

    As the first site in the U.S. to treat a glioblastoma patient with intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT), WVU is a national leader for brain tumor cases, allowing for immediate radiation after surgery. Christopher P. Cifarelli, MD, PhD, has been published in peer-reviewed journals and developed an international IORT patient registry.

    NEUROSURGERY FELLOWSHIPS

    The WVU Department of Neurosurgery offers two fellowship training programs. Each is nationally accredited by the Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training (CAST).

    The one-year Stereotactic and Functional Fellowship provides an intensive surgical experience in all areas of functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, combined with collaborative clinical and didactic training in neurology, psychology, psychiatry, neurophysiology, and radiology.

    The WVU Department of Neuroradiology, in conjunction with the Department of Neurosurgery, offers a CAST-certified fellowship in Neurointerventional Surgery or Endovascular Neurosurgery. The duration of the fellowship is one to two years, depending on the applicant’s previous training and experience.

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    FACES OF RNI

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    “The field of neurosurgery is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and I aim to show young women it is not only possible, but natural, to pursue a career in the field. The RNI provides the culture and support to accomplish that.”

    KIMBERLY HAMILTON, MD
    Neurosurgeon

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    “The RNI offers unique collaboration between ophthalmology, ENT, radiation oncology, neuro-oncology, and neuroradiology. We focus on providing minimally invasive, patient-specific plans to provide the best possible outcomes with quality of life as the focus.”

    JEREMY LEWIS, MD
    Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery

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    “The RNI has allowed me to further the care of patients with epilepsy, movement disorders, stroke, traumatic brain injury and many other conditions of the nervous system. The incredible culture of innovation, collegiality, and patient care make this a wonderful place to work. “

    NICHOLAS BRANDMEIR, MD, MS
    Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery