Expanding motion-preserving spine care We are proud to announce that Dr. Brenton Pennicooke recently performed the very first TOPS (Total Posterior Spine) procedure within the BJC system by a WashU Medicine provider. The procedure, performed at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, offers a motion-preserving alternative to traditional spinal fusion. This milestone represents an important step in […]
WashU Welcomes Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon The Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery at WashU Medicine is pleased to announce that Alex P. Michael, MD, FACS, has accepted a full-time faculty appointment and will join the department this July. Dr. Michael is a board-certified neurological surgeon with advanced training in both neurosurgical and orthopedic techniques, allowing […]
Congratulations to our own Dr. Kumar Vasudevan on being named Christian Hospital’s 2025 Physician of the Year! Dr. Vasudevan is recognized for his compassionate care, clinical excellence, and innovative treatments for complex spine and brain conditions. His leadership and commitment to community health truly embody the spirit of this award. In addition to his surgical […]
Marathon Success Thanks to Skilled Care Despite suffering an injury months before the race, an 80-year-old St. Louis woman completed the 2025 Boston Marathon. Her recovery was made possible by our very own Dr. John Ogunlade. His exceptional care enabled her to return to running and achieve this incredible feat. Watch the video to learn […]
Ray described as a “Colossus” in the field of Neurosurgery by Dr. Gregory Zipfel Wilson Zachary Ray, MD, MBA, Executive Vice-Chair, Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery, Chief of Spine Surgery, Professor in the Departments of Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Biomedical Engineering, was installed as the Henry G. & Edith R. Schwartz Professor of Neurological Surgery. […]
The Department of Neurosurgery at Washington University is excited to announce that John I. Ogunlade, DO, will join the spine division in July 2022. Ogunlade will lead the spine endoscopy team at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and other community hospitals. “Dr. Ogunlade’s expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery will give patients access to a surgical […]
Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopedic Surgery Paul Santiago, MD, is known for walking through the halls saying “yo yo yo whaas upppp” and “hi, good morning, it’s Paul.” Santiago is well liked by his patients, colleagues and staff. “He is really well liked by his patients because he always spends a large amount of time […]
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 […]
Washington University spinal neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital performed the first navigated robotic-assisted minimally-invasive spine surgery in Missouri on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Wilson Zachary Ray, MD, and Ammar H. Hawasli, MD, PhD, used the technique for a spinal fusion procedure on a 79-year-old patient from St. Louis. The operation took less than 2 hours, and […]