Author: Brian

Washington University faculty start International Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board for global collaboration

Survivorship among brain tumor patients is much higher in the U.S. than in other parts of the world. This reality is something Washington University School of Medicine faculty seek to mitigate through a new initiative called the International Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board. Started by Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Mohamed Shebl Abdelbaki, MD, and Pediatric Neuro-oncologist […]

Thrombectomy Center opens in St. Peters

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital has opened its Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, a first in our region. Washington University neurosurgeons and colleagues in neurology and neuroradiology are prepared, with the latest technology, to offer emergent endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke at this conveniently located community-based center. The facility has an on-call neurovascular and neuro-interventional team that is […]

Cerebral Palsy patient gains mobility through Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery

Cerebral palsy patient Alexa Reed prepares for the removal of her PERCS cast and the first step toward learning to use her new legs, now free from spasticity.

For the first four years of her life, Alexa Reed struggled with muscle tightness and everyday activities such as walking. Her daily struggle was deeply concerning for her parents, who didn’t understand what was wrong.   “From the time Alexa was old enough to walk, we knew something was different,” said Amy Reed, Alexa’s mother. “People […]

Clinical trial focused on restoring arm, hand function after spinal cord injury

Chad Pritts with his wife Melissa, son Chase, and daughter Brooklyn.

After being thrown from an ATV, Chad Pritts cushioned his son’s fall, preventing major injuries for his five-year-old. Pritts, however, wasn’t so fortunate. The father of two was left paralyzed from the chest down, unable to do things he used to take for granted: bathing, eating, dressing, and helping, even playing, with his children.   He […]

Meet our new people

We’re excited to welcome our new Advanced Practice Providers and staff to the Department of Neurosurgery. Advanced Practice Providers  Brittany HeitkampNurse Practitioner, Pediatric Neurosurgery Keith PattenNurse Practitioner, Pediatric Neurosurgery Jared ThatcherPhysician Assistant Melissa WallisNurse Practitioner Joe WalshPhysician Assistant Staff Julianna Amaral PassipieriDivision Administrator,Neurotechnology Division Nick BagbyClinical Service Representative II Wendy BettisPrecertification Coordinator Noman Bin AbidPostdoc […]

Pediatric neurosurgeon, Washington University alumnus Roland joins Department of Neurosurgery

Jarod Roland, MD

Jarod Roland, MD, is joining the Department of Neurosurgery at Washington University as director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program on Dec. 1. As assistant professor, he will share appointments in the Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Pediatrics, Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Neuroscience.  “We are so very excited about Dr. Roland joining our team,” says David […]

Q&A with alumnus and pediatric neurosurgeon Amy Lee

Amy Lee, MD, pictured with her family, is Division Chief of Neurological Surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital and a Washington University alum.

Department of Neurosurgery alumnus Amy Lee, MD, FAANS, is the Division Chief of Neurological Surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital. At UW Medicine, she is also Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery Associate Residency Program Director Director, Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship Lee completed her neurological surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes Jewish Hospital and a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship […]

Deep brain stimulation stops tremor symptoms and improves lives

Bill and Jo Ann Trefts, pictured with grandson EJ, both lived with essential tremor for decades before being treated with deep brain stimulation.

“I started shaking in 5th grade,” says Jo Ann Trefts, who suffered from tremors for decades until being treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Her husband Bill Trefts also developed essential tremor at a young age. In his case, the shaking developed as a college student. He was majoring in music and playing the organ. […]

Making a difference

The Making a Difference program provides a unique way to recognize staff who go above and beyond to advance the Department of Neurosurgery mission to provide the best neurosurgical patient care possible. Each month, three nominees are randomly selected and receive a Visa gift card.  We would like to give a huge thank you to […]

Meet our new fellows

The Department of Neurosurgery welcomes five new fellows: Mohammed YT AlGhamdi, MD, FRCSC, Ryan Jafrani, MD, Abdulbaki Kozan, MD, Kasra Rahbar, MD, and Lakshminarayan “Ram” Srinivasan, MD, PhD.  Mohammed YT AlGhamdi, MD, FRCSCPeripheral Nerve Fellow AlGhamdi completed his residency at the University of Ottawa and completed medical school at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi […]