The Brain Tumor Center in the News
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The 2022 list of New York SuperDoctors, published as a supplement to the New York Times Magazine on May 8, 2022, is based on peer nomination, credentials, and achievemen. Janica received multiple nominations, all of which referred to her as thorough, efficient, detail-oriented, and collegial. Today the Department of Neurological Surgery honors three outstanding team members, all of whom are marking their 20-year anniversaries with us. Kimberly Salvaggio, MSN, FNP-BC; Kristin Strybing, MS, FNP-BC; and Suzan Wollard, MMSc, PA-C, all joined the team within a few months of one another between late 2001 and early 2002, during a period of extraordinary growth in the department. Two decades later they are three of our most valued team members, continuing to provide excellent care to their patients and now also offering mentorship and advice to more junior members of the team. On February 3 each year we take a moment to honor women physicians everywhere. The date marks the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, who was the first woman in America to receive a medical degree. Born in England in 1821, Elizabeth moved to the United States with her family as a child. Her desire to become a physician was met with scorn and she was rejected by every medical school she applied to. On "Giving Tuesday" (November 30), the Children’s Brain Tumor Project received a profound surprise from the Cristian Rivera Foundation (CRF)—a donation of $302,120 in support of Dr. Mark Souweidane’s research. The awards, given each year to honor outstanding PAs on each campus of the health system, recognize excellence in the profession and a stellar commitment to patient care. The neurosurgery service at Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center at NewYork-Presbyterian has been ranked #1 in the world by Newsweek magazine. We now rank as the best neuro program east of the Rockies This year, we have a record 15 of our team on the list of 2021 Castle Connolly Top Doctors, showcased in this year’s New York magazine roster of Top Doctors in New York. A record number were named to this prestigious annual list, honoring physicians who are the very best in their field. Dr. Schwartz is the first in the USA to use 5-ALA, which helps distinguish tumor cells from healthy brain tissue around it. In a rare conversation about his personal life, the neurosurgeon-in-chief reveals the surgical complication that could have claimed his own life at age 8, and how he moved on from that to get to his current role The Neurosurgery Outstanding Service Award spotlights members of the department who go above and beyond their assigned duties. The quarterly award recognizes those who exemplify the core values of the department. Dr. Park takes on the leadership of a neurosurgical team that provides world-class care for all conditions of the brain and spine to more than 2.3 million residents of Queens. In this study, Dr. Ramakrishna and team aim to understand how tissue processing in the pre-analytic phase affects downstream tissue analyses. The annual hospital rankings from US News & World Report are out, and once again NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has been named the best in New York. The William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma at NewYork-Presbyterian has awarded a quarter-million-dollar seed grant to Dr. Rohan Ramakrishna, Dr. Howard Fine, and Dr. Dan-Avi Landau to study the impact of genetic alterations on cellular states in glioma. "Across our missions of clinical care, research, and education we will ensure that Brooklyn residents receive world-class neurosurgical attention right at home.” A record 16 faculty members from the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center were named to the 2020 list of New York SuperDoctors, published as a supplement to the New York Times Magazine on May 10, 2020. This list is an elite roster of physicians named by their peers as the very best in their field. A new study has established that patient outcomes continue to improve over time, as surgeons hone the advanced skills required for these demanding procedures. This year's event honored Dr. Stieg and Dr. Schwartz for their contributions to the field This innovative course brought together neurosurgeons, neurologists, and neuropsychologists to explore the multidisciplinary needs of adults and children with neurosurgical disorders. Gleolan, dubbed "the pink drink," aids neurosurgeons by making tumors visible with a hot pink glow under microscopes outfitted with blue-light emitting filters. Babacar Cisse, MD, PhD, describes his amazing journey from Senegal to New York, his struggles to get a foothold in the United States, and his philosophy about taking care of his patients. The annual list names the top primary doctors and specialists in the New York metropolitan area. Dr. Souweidane and his colleagues at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center updated the results of the landmark trial testing convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of a drug directly to the site of the deadly brain stem tumor. These elite physicians are selected by their peers each year as being the best in their field The gift will fund a two-year initiative to expand the lab’s cellular and molecular precision medicine approach to pediatric brain tumor therapy. Her abstract investigates the use of "C’dots" as a vehicle for enhanced drug delivery to the CNS The Department of Neurological Surgery is pleased to welcome Alexandra Giantini Larsen and Andrew Garton to our residency program Dr. Prajwal Rajappa coordinates Dr. Greenfield’s innovative program, in which every pediatric brain tumor patient operated on is offered genomic sequencing and a targeted medicine consultation as part of their standard of care. Dr. Juthani, a general neurosurgeon who specializes in brain and pituitary tumors, will treat patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Queens and at our Manhattan campus. The annual list of “Best Doctors in New York,” published this week by New York magazine, includes eight of our faculty members The Medal of Honor, which is an award recognized by Congress, is given annually to exceptional individuals for outstanding contributions to their field. The annual list, published each May in the New York Times Magazine, is assembled based on peer nomination, credentials, and achievement. Dr. Ramakrishna & Dr. Hussain were honored for their work in gliomas and bioengineered disc tissue. Babacar Cisse, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurological surgery and of neuroscience in the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, has been named as the newest Leonard and Fleur Harlan Clinical Scholar, effective April 1, 2018. The three-year appointment supports an outstanding junior faculty member in the field of neurological surgery and will allow Dr. Cisse to develop his brain tumor research laboratory, which focuses on the development and progression of gliomas. The JNS is among the most respected journals in neurological surgery today Babacar Cisse, MD, PhD, spoke to the young audience about the path he took from his childhood in Senegal to his life as a neurosurgeon in New York today. We welcome Maricruz Rivera and Gary Kocharian, who will be joining our program in June. The award was established in 2015 to support the research efforts of promising neurosurgeon-scientists. Established 2017 Chairman Philip E. Stieg and the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College have established the Michael L. J. Apuzzo Resident Literature Award for Creativity and Innovation for contributions to the peer-reviewed medical literature. The committee is charged with reviewing and prioritizing Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trial concepts, in order to promote the best clinical and translational research for patients with brain cancer. We are very happy to announce the first installment of “From the Annals of Weill Cornell Neurological Surgery” has been published in the October 2017 issue of World Neurosurgery. We are proud to announce the appointments of three new faculty members, who expand our already considerable offerings in the treatment of brain and spine disorders. Dr. Stieg presented results from the Brain Tumor Foundations’s Road to Early Detection initiative, in which patients receive MRI screening for brain tumors in a mobile unit A new program provides comprehensive care to patients diagnosed with metastatic brain tumors and leptomeningeal disease. He is one of seven young physicians selected for the program, which fosters professional development and leadership. The new William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma is being made possible by an initial $5 million gift to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital from William Rhodes. Researchers found how it may be possible to stop the progression of a low-grade, survivable glioma into a high-grade, fatal malignancy. A new partnership with the Animal Medical Center will help advance minimally invasive brain tumor surgery in dogs, and may also teach us a few things about brain tumors in humans. Weill Cornell Medicine is one of only a handful of locations in the United States enrolling patients in this innovative trial for GBM Dr. Mark Souweidane performed a third direct infusion of a cancer-fighting drug into the brain of a young patient — the first time a child has received a third treatment. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is the #1 hospital in New York for the 16th year in a row; Neurology/Neurosurgery is ranked #1 in New York and #3 in the nation The endowed professorship was created to support a promising neurosurgeon early in his or her career Top oncology experts tackle the tough questions about accelerating progress This week’s issue of New York magazine features the annual listing of “Best Doctors in New York,” and the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center is once again proud to have eight members of our team included on the list. This prestigious roster includes Dr. Philip E. The board members will contribute $5,000 each to the “summer sprint” in the CBTP lab The Samuel Jeffers Childhood Cancer Foundation has donated $5,000 to the Children’s Brain Tumor Project (CBTP) to fund a dedicated summer fellow for thalamic glioma research. The fellow will focus on assembling a thalamic glioma tissue repository here at Weill Cornell to provide researchers with tumor samples to study. Dr. Theodore Schwartz and Dr. Mark Souweidane recently presented at the Second Annual International Congress of the Neurosurgery Department of Ain Shams University (AINAS II) in Cairo. The international meeting, which was organized by the university in collaboration with the Egyptian Society of Neurological Surgery (ESNS), brought together experts from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, South Korea, Finland, the United Kingdom, and the United States to bring advanced endoscopic neurosurgical training to local surgeons. Dr. Philip E. Stieg, chairman of the Weill Cornell Department of Neurological Surgery and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, was installed as President of the Brain Tumor Foundation at the "A Taste for Life" dinner on November 10, 2015. Dr. Howard Fine talks with CNN's Rachel Crane about organoids -- miniature brains that will allow researchers to explore new avenues in cancer treatment. We are proud to have five neurosurgeons named to this year's list Dr. Theodore Schwartz recently joined the 2015 Mission: BRAIN trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, where U.S. neurosurgeons provided their expertise to local health care providers and patients. This humanitarian effort, founded in 2011 by Dr. Michael Lawton of UCSF and Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa of Johns Hopkins, brings world-class neurosurgical services and training to under-served hospitals and patients. The project has developed multiple partnerships throughout Mexico and has recently expanded to the Philippines. We are proud to have 8 members of our team on this year's list in New York magazine Dr. Pannullo will serve on the Strategic Planning and Education and Practice Management Committees. While the overall survival rate for children with cancer has improved over the last 50 years, enormous challenges still exist for those with brain tumors. Pediatric neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons understand that a different tack is needed to make progress against these cancers. Dr. Fine is an internationally known neuro-oncologist who has previously served as chief of the neuro-oncology branch of the National Cancer Institute. The Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center now offers frameless, non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery using ExacTrac technology. New position is the gift of David Barnes and his wife, Dr. Ursel Barnes, who made their donation in gratitude to Dr. Schwartz after he removed a brain tumor that was threatening Mr. Barnes’ senses. Dr. Bernardo and his co-investigator, Alex Evins, will use the $10,000 award to investigate the feasibility of creating on-demand intra-operative cranial prostheses. More than 500 participants and hundreds more donors, sponsors, and volunteers came together in the spirit of the project's "powered by families" motto. Jared Knopman, M.D., has been named to the 2014 Rising Stars list, his second consecutive appearance on the list. Introduced in 2013, the Rising Stars list acknowledges doctors who have been practicing for less than 10 years but who have already distinguished themselves among their peers. The list was published on September 28 in a special section of The New York Times Magazine. Neurosurgeon will bring new clinical trials for malignant brain tumors to Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center We are now ranked as the best neurology/neurosurgery practice in New York, the best in the northeast, and the best east of the Mississippi River. FDA approval allows Dr. Souweidane to re-open the trial and enroll additional pediatric brain tumor patients. Dr. Philip Stieg, Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell, was featured on the premiere episode of Season 2 of the ABC series NY Med. In this episode, Dr. Stieg performed surgery to remove a spinal tumor from a man threatened with paralysis. The Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center is proud to count six of our neurosurgeons among the Best Doctors listed in New York magazine’s annual Best Doctors issue. This year’s list includes four of our full-time faculty — Dr. Philip E. Stieg, chairman of the department of neurosurgery and neurosurgeon-in-chief; Dr. The in-patient staff of 2SW has been awarded a 90th Percentile Achievement Award by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for Q42013. This award is given to units whose overall mean score placed them in the 90th percentile for patient satisfaction. Dr. Stieg appeared on the "What Do You Do?" segment to explain what it's like to be a neurological surgeon. Dr. Jared Knopman of the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center has been named to the SuperDoctors list as 2013 “Rising Stars.” The Weill Cornell Pediatric Brain and Spine Center is now enrolling young patients in a new clinical trial testing intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapy drugs in children with certain recurrent brain tumors, including DIPG Dr. Philip E. Stieg, Chairman of the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, has announced that Amanda L. Sacks, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, has been appointed to the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Sacks is a neuropsychologist who specializes in cognitive remediation for deficits caused by traumatic brain injury; brain tumors and cranial surgery; chemotherapy and radiation; and stroke and other cerebrovascular conditions and events. On Saturday, July 27, hundreds of runners and walkers hit the trail for the second annual Miles for Hope “Moving Towards a Cure” race/walk, which benefits the Weill Cornell Pediatric Brain and Spine Center’s research into rare and inoperable brain tumors of childhood and adolescents. The hospital was once again included on U.S. News' prestigious Honor Roll, a designation given to only 18 hospitals nationwide. The Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center is proud to have three of our neurosurgeons included on this year’s list of Best Doctors in New York, as published in this week’s issue of New York magazine. The post-graduate year 1 residents (PGY-1’s) arrive this month to embark on an intensive seven-year training program to become neurological surgeons and neuroscience researchers, studying under some of the top brain and spine surgeons and researchers in the world today. John Boockvar, M.D., was awarded $100,000 by Voices Against Brain Cancer at last night's 8th Annual Sounding Off for a Cure NY Benefit. The award, which covers the period from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, is to support Dr. Boockvar's work investigating “Intra-arterial delivery to the glioma stem cell niche.” This year’s list includes Neurosurgeon-in-Chief Philip Stieg, M.D., Ph.D.; Vice Chairman and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery Mark Souweidane, M.D.; Vice Chairman for Research and Director of Movement Disorders Michael Kaplitt, M.D., Ph.D.; Chief of Spinal Surgery Roger Hartl, M.D.; and spine surgeon Eric Elowitz, M.D. Theodore Schwartz, M.D., has been named to the editorial board of the Journal of Neurosurgery, the official publication of the American Association of Neurosurgeons (AANS) and considered the leading scholarly journal on neurosurgery in the world. CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo will deliver the featured keynote address at Brain Tumor Biotech Summit 2013, speaking on “Innovation in the Changing World Economy.” Bartiromo, who anchors CNBC's "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo” as well as the nationally syndicated "On the Money with Maria Bartiromo," is an award-winning business journalist and author. The presentation was made at the annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) in Washington, DC. Their study compares the relative effectiveness of Cesium-131 versus other common therapies in treating newly diagnosed metastatic brain tumors. Dr. John Boockvar, former Representative Patrick Kennedy, and biotechnology financial analyst Franklin Berger talk about the state of cancer funding, particularly funding for brain cancer research, on the CNBC show Squawk Box. Watch the video: Dr. McCrea's study is titled "The Role of Angiocrine Expression of Notch Ligands in Glioma Progression." Six neurosurgeons from the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center have been named to the Castle Connolly list of Top Doctors for the New York metro area. Dr. John Boockvar made two appearances on The Dr. Oz Show to discuss brain tumors and their risk factors. Watch the videos. We're proud to have six of our neurosurgeons on this first edition of the magazine's list of top doctors. Intracavitary brachytherapy is a minimally invasive technique used to line a surgical cavity with radioactive seeds — cancer-fighting radioisotopes encased in capsules the size of a rice grain — after removal of malignant disease. This procedure delivers high-dose radiation to the tumor cavity margin to prevent recurrence of microscopic disease in patients with malignant brain tumors. Two neurosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center are pioneering an exciting new approach for the treatment of recurrent malignant brain tumors. As reported in this New York Times article published on November 17, 2009, their novel approach to treating these resistant brain tumors is yielding successful results. Follow-up MRI imaging on the treated patients has shown that their tumors have shown a dramatic response to the treatment. Dr. John Boockvar appeared on the CNBC show Squawk Box to talk about his new clinical trial of Avastin for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Watch the video:
20 Faculty Members Named to 2022 List of NY SuperDoctors
It's a No Brainer! Janica Goulbourne Wins Neurosurgery Outstanding Service Award
Score! Three 20th Anniversaries in Neurosurgery
Honoring Women Physicians
Cristian Rivera Foundation Breaks Record with More Than $300,000 Donation to DIPG Research on Giving Tuesday
Jenny Mears Wins PA of the Year, Dr. Ch'ang Named Physician Partner of the Year
#1 in Neurosurgery in the World
U.S. News Ranks Us #1 in New York, #2 in the Nation, for 2021
Top Neurosurgeons in New York Magazine 2021
17 Faculty Members Named to 2021 SuperDoctors List
New Device Produces Sharper Vision for Brain Tumor Surgery
Dr. Stieg Shares His Story
It's a No-Brainer: Honoring Neurosurgery Team Member Jeannie Nguyen
Dr. John Park Named Chief of Neurosurgery at NYP Queens
Dr. Ramakrishna to Study Automated Tumor Preservation System
The #1 Hospital in New York for 20 Straight Years
Dr. Ramakrishna Awarded $250,000 Grant for Glioma Study
Dr. Ramakrishna Appointed Chief of Neurological Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
16 Faculty Members Named to 2020 New York SuperDoctors List
In Minimally Invasive Brain Tumor Surgery, Experience Counts
BTF “Taste for Life” Dinner Honors Leaders in Brain Tumor Surgery
Neurosurgery and Beyond CME Brings Experts Together for Comprehensive Brain Care
Dr. Schwartz Brings New “Pink Drink” to Brain Tumor Surgery
Dr. Cisse Featured on “Good Doctors” Podcast
8 Faculty Members Named Best Doctors in New York for 2019
Dr. Souweidane Presents DIPG Trial Update at ASCO 2019
14 Faculty Members Named to List of New York SuperDoctors
Children’s Brain Tumor Project Secures $1 Million Grant
Dr. Juthani Awarded the American Brain Tumor Association Young Investigator Award
Dr. Stieg Launches New Podcast: This Is Your Brain
Match Day 2019: New Residents in Neurological Surgery
Free Brain Scans This Week in Lower Manhattan
A Personalized Approach for Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients
Brain Tumor Specialist Rupa Juthani, MD, Expands Brain and Spine Center in Queens
Best Neurosurgeons in New York, 2018
Dr. Stieg Awarded Ellis Island Medal of Honor
11 Faculty Members Selected to 2018 List of New York SuperDoctors
Dr. Ramakrishna and Dr. Hussain Honored at AANS 2018
Dr. Cisse Appointed Leonard and Fleur Harlan Clinical Scholar
Dr. Schwartz to Chair Editorial Board of Journal of Neurosurgery
Dr. Cisse Inspires Youth at Junior 100 Career Day
Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery Residents Selected at Match Day 2018
Dr. Cisse Named As Winner of NINDS-CNS Getch Scholar Award
The Michael L. J. Apuzzo Resident Literature Award for Creativity and Innovation
Weill Cornell Medical CollegeDr. Souweidane Named to NCI’s Brain Malignancies Steering Committee
Introducing “From the Annals of Weill Cornell Neurological Surgery”
Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center Adds Three New Experts
Dr. Stieg Presents at 12th European Low-grade Glioma Network Bilbao 2017
New Brain Metastases Clinic Offers Multi-Disciplinary Care
Dr. Ramakrishna Awarded Healthcare Leadership Fellowship
Dr. Ramakrishna to Lead WCM Brain and Spine Center’s Role in New GBM Center
New Paper Shows How Gliomas May Be Stopped in Their Tracks
What Dogs Can Teach Us About Brain Tumors
Second Viral Therapy Clinical Trial Opens for Recurrent Brain Tumors
Three-Time Winner: Dr. Souweidane Extends His Fight Against DIPG
We Are #1 in New York, Again!
Dr. Ramakrishna Named Alvina and Willis Murphy Assistant Professor
Dr. Stieg Hosts NYC Regional “Cancer Moonshot Summit”
8 Weill Cornell Medicine Neurosurgeons Among Top Doctors in New York 2016
Cristian Rivera Board Members Darlene Rodriguez and Andy Epstein to Support CBTP Summer Research
Samuel Jeffers Foundation Funds Summer Medical Student Fellow for Thalamic Gliomas
Drs. Schwartz and Souweidane Speak at AINAS II in Cairo
Dr. Stieg Installed as President of the Brain Tumor Foundation
Dr. Howard Fine on CNN
Newsweek Names Top Doctors for Cancer
Dr. Schwartz Participates in Mission: BRAIN 2015
Best Neurosurgeons in New York, 2015
Dr. Susan Pannullo Elected to AANS Board of Directors
Wide-Scale Brain Tumor Tissue Banking Effort Aims High
Dr. Howard Fine Brings His Neuro-oncology Expertise to Weill Cornell
Frameless Radiosurgery Ushers in New Era of Brain Tumor Treatment
Dr. Schwartz Receives Gift of Endowed Professorship
Dr. Bernardo Wins CTSC 3D Printing Novel Technology Award
Bronxville Road Race for the Children's Brain Tumor Project Raises $100K
Dr. Knopman Named to SuperDoctors Rising Stars List
Dr. Rohan Ramakrishna, Brain Tumor Expert, Joins the Faculty
US News Rates Us Best in NY (Again)
DIPG Clinical Trial Continuation Wins FDA Approval
Dr. Stieg Featured on Season 2 Premiere of NY Med
The Best Neurosurgeons in New York
Neuro ICU Staff on 2SW Recognized for ICU Patient Care
Dr. Stieg on Good Day New York
Dr. Knopman Named as “Rising Star” on SuperDoctors List
New Clinical Trial to Test Intra-arterial Infusion for Malignant Pediatric Brain Tumors
Neuropsychologist and Cognitive Remediation Specialist Amanda Sacks, Ph.D., Joins the Faculty
Moving Towards a Cure
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Ranked Number 1 in New York – Again
New York’s Best Neurosurgeons
Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center Welcomes Three Incoming Residents
Dr. Boockvar Awarded $100,000 by Voices Against Brain Cancer
5 Weill Cornell Neurosurgeons Named to List of 2013 SuperDoctors
Dr. Schwartz Joins Editorial Board of Journal of Neurosurgery
Maria Bartiromo to Deliver Featured Keynote Address at Brain Tumor Biotech Summit 2013
Dr. Theodore Schwartz and Dr. Gabriella Wernicke Present Clinical Findings on Cesium-131 Study
Dr. Boockvar and Patrick Kennedy Appear on CNBC to Talk About Brain Cancer Research Funding
Fourth-Year Resident Heather H. McCrea, MD, PhD, Awarded 2012-2013 NREF Research Grant
6 Weill Cornell Neurosurgeons Named 2012 Top Doctors
Dr. Boockvar Appears on The Dr. Oz Show
Six Weill Cornell Neurosurgeons Named as U.S. News Top Doctors
Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz and Dr. A. Gabriella Wernicke Achieve Breakthrough Use of Cesium-131 for Intracavitary Brachytherapy in Malignant Brain Tumor
Novel Superselective Intraaterial Cerebral Approach Using Avastin Yields Successful Results
Dr. Boockvar Appears on CNBC 'Squawk Box' to Talk About Avastin Trial
