Department of Neurosurgery /neurosurgery/ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:13:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Dr. Upadhyaya Appointed as Clinical Supply Chain Medical Director /neurosurgery/dr-upadhyaya-appointed-as-clinical-supply-chain-medical-director/ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:59:52 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10906 Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya has been appointed as Clinical Supply Chain Medical Director at 黑料网 Health. In this role, Dr. Upadhyaya will collaborate with supply chain leadership to provide strategic guidance and clinical insight across key听initiatives, including the Value Analysis Program, procurement strategies, and other essential areas within the supply chain. Dr. Upadhyaya brings more than … Read more

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Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya has been appointed as Clinical Supply Chain Medical Director at 黑料网 Health.

Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya at the 黑料网 well

Photo: Kurt Nolen, SOC

In this role, Dr. Upadhyaya will collaborate with supply chain leadership to provide strategic guidance and clinical insight across key听initiatives, including the Value Analysis Program, procurement strategies, and other essential areas within the supply chain.

Dr. Upadhyaya brings more than 15 years of clinical experience in neurosurgery, with a focus on complex and minimally invasive surgical spine care, and over a decade of leadership in both academic and non-academic settings. He has led the development of value analysis teams, supported spine surgery certifications across health systems, and worked extensively to align clinical quality with financial stewardship.

Dr. Upadhyaya earned his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and completed certificates in Business Analytics and Sustainability.

Dr. Upadhyaya has practiced in a wide range of healthcare environments and is well positioned to bridge clinical and operational priorities. In this role, he will partner with physician stakeholders across 黑料网 Health and engage with industry collaborators to identify, evaluate, and implement opportunities that enhance quality, improve efficiency, and support evidence-based decision-making related to clinical products and services.

In addition to this leadership role, Dr. Upadhyaya will continue his clinical practice in Chapel Hill.

About Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya
Dr. Upadhyaya is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery. He is Vice Chair of Business Innovation and Strategy and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at 黑料网 Health. He is passionate about research to improve patient outcomes by determining new, minimally invasive treatments and conducting research to improve access to patient care.

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Dr. Upadhyaya Presents at the Taiwan Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Meeting /neurosurgery/dr-upadhyaya-presents-at-the-taiwan-society-of-minimally-invasive-spine-surgery-meeting/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:37:47 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10858 Minimally invasive spine surgeon, Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya traveled to Taichung, Taiwan to present at the Taiwan Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (TSMISS) annual meeting at the China Medical University. TSMISS is a professional organization in Taiwan dedicated to the advancement of minimally invasive spinal surgery and improving patient care. The conference featured presentations and … Read more

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Minimally invasive spine surgeon, Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya traveled to Taichung, Taiwan to present at the Taiwan Society of MinimallyDr. Upadhyaya presenting at TSMISS Invasive Spine Surgery (TSMISS) annual meeting at the China Medical University.

TSMISS is a professional organization in Taiwan dedicated to the advancement of minimally invasive spinal surgery and improving patient care. The conference featured presentations and discussions on minimally invasive spinal surgery. Presenters were invited from all over the world. Dr. Upadhyaya presented on advancing lumbar fusion outcomes.

In addition to his presentation at the TSMISS conference, Dr. Upadhyaya also presented to surgical faculty and residents at the China Medical University on key considerations for building a comprehensive culture of surgical safety. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly thankful for the opportunity to learn from colleagues in Taiwan during my visit with the Taiwan Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and the surgical faculty at China Medical University,鈥 said Dr. Upadhyaya. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially grateful for the generous hospitality and thoughtful conversations shared throughout my time there.鈥

As a guest speaker, Dr. Upadhyaya was presented with a piece of art featuring a ram.

About Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya
Dr. Upadhyaya is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery. He is Vice Chair of Business Innovation and Strategy and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at 黑料网 Health. He is passionate about research to improve patient outcomes by determining new, minimally invasive treatments and conducting research to improve access to patient care.

Dr. Upadhyaya at TSMISS

Dr. Upadhyaya presenting at TSMISS

Dr. Upadhyaya presenting at TSMISS

Dr. Upadhyaya presenting at TSMISS

 

Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Neurosurgery

 

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Patient with a Fractured C2 Receives Lifesaving Surgery at 黑料网 Health /neurosurgery/patient-with-a-fractured-c2-receives-lifesaving-surgery-at-unc-health/ Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:54:10 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10795 After a freak accident that left David with a fractured C2, he was taken by helicopter to 黑料网 Health for spine surgery. 听In November 2024, David left his house to go collect political signs that he had set out around town for a friend. At one of the stops, five miles from his home in … Read more

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After a freak accident that left David with a fractured C2, he was taken by helicopter to 黑料网 Health for spine surgery.

David during a clinic visit

Photo: Kurt Nolen, SOC

In November 2024, David left his house to go collect political signs that he had set out around town for a friend. At one of the stops, five miles from his home in Rocky Mount, David struggled to pull the sign out of the ground. When the sign finally came up, David lost his balance and fell face first onto the side walk. He heard something pop, and thought he had broken his glasses.

David never lost consciousness and was able to clean up the blood on his face before climbing into his truck to drive the five miles home. When his wife, Susan, saw his face, she insisted they drive to the emergency room to make sure that he did not have a concussion. 鈥淚 was still in denial that it was serious,鈥 recalled David.

Susan drove him to the emergency room in Rocky Mount. He was immediately ushered back to a room and ordered an x-ray. 鈥淚 could hear the technicians talking as they were doing the x-ray,鈥 said David. 鈥淥ne said, 鈥榳e鈥檝e got to get a collar on him.鈥欌

During the fall, David had also dislocated two fingers on his left hand. An x-ray showed that his fingers were not broken, and he was given a metal splint.

X-rays confirmed that during the fall, David had broken his C2 vertebrae in his neck, and required immediate surgery. He was told that he needed to be transferred to a trauma center, and Susan insisted that they go to 黑料网 Chapel Hill.

鈥淚 was lucky that I was not paralyzed. The vertebrae was so close to the spinal cord.鈥

David鈥檚 x-rays were sent to Chapel Hill, and the 黑料网 helicopter was dispatched to Rocky Mount to safely transport him. When he arrived in Chapel Hill, David was immediately transported to the ICU. 鈥淚 was still aware and conscious and I knew what was going on,鈥 recalled David. 鈥淚 kept telling my wife that I felt like I couldn鈥檛 breathe and that I would suffocate. A nurse from 黑料网 saw me and said 鈥榟is esophagus is closing up, incubate him immediately.鈥欌

A rapid response team was called and David was then heavily medicated and a tube was placed to help him breathe. On a Sunday morning, while David was sedated by medication, his wife met spinal neurosurgeon Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya. 鈥淢y wife was amazed by him,鈥 said David. 鈥淭he nurses told my wife that I had the top guy to do this surgery. That made her feel great. Dr. Upadhyaya knew his stuff.鈥

Dr. Upadhyaya had a halo placed on David and a 10-pound weight on the back to help lift his C2 vertebrae since it was completely off set and hanging by a shard, digging into David鈥檚 spine. This was done to stabilize David for surgery the following day. 鈥淚 was lucky that I was not paralyzed,鈥 said David. 鈥淭he vertebrae was so close to the spinal cord.鈥

The first time David was conscious and able to meet Dr. Upadhyaya was two days after his surgery. 鈥淲hen he saw how I had recovered, he was grinning,鈥 said David. 鈥淲e gave each other a fist bump and I thanked him for pulling me through all of that.鈥

“Three months later, I am walking around doing everything I could do before.”

After surgery, David spent 10 days in the hospital before being transferred to 黑料网 Hillsborough鈥檚 rehabilitation center. While in the hospital and rehab center, David was determined to be released as quickly as possible to go home, so he pushed himself during his physical therapy exercises. David spent five days in the Hillsborough rehabilitation center before being discharged. 鈥淚 wanted to move along as quickly as I could so that I would be able to be released.鈥

Now, David is back to doing everything that he could do before surgery. He notes that he is discouraged from getting on a ladder, a direction that is easy for him to follow due to his dislike of heights. He goes to 黑料网 Nash near his home in Rocky Mount twice a week for physical therapy and is trying to strengthen his back and posture. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going well and working as it should,鈥 said David.

He notes that the injury to his hand may require surgery since he is still unable to move his two fingers. Despite the slow recovery of his hand, David is pleased with the outcome. 鈥淭hree months later, I am walking around doing everything I could do before,鈥 said David. 鈥淢ost people would not know that I had had an accident at this point because I am doing everything that I have always done.鈥

David is grateful for the care he received at 黑料网 Health, and even more grateful to Susan for insisting they go to the emergency room after his fall. 鈥淗ad she not been there, or had I been home when I couldn鈥檛 breathe, the outcome would be far different. She was watching over me.鈥

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World-renowned Physician Travels to 黑料网 Health for Brain Tumor Care /neurosurgery/world-renowned-physician-travels-to-unc-health-for-brain-tumor-care/ Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:46:21 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10785 鈥淚t is because of Dr Jobe鈥檚 research that many premature infants are alive today, including my older daughter. It has been an honor to take care of Dr Jobe.鈥 Dr. Alan Jobe is a world-renowned neonatologist and frequent invited guest speaker at various symposiums around the world. You would never guess that nearly six years … Read more

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鈥淚t is because of Dr Jobe鈥檚 research that many premature infants are alive today, including my older daughter. It has been an honor to take care of Dr Jobe.鈥

Dr. Soma Sengupta during a clinic visit with Dr. Alan Jobe

Dr. Soma Sengupta with Dr. Alan Jobe in clinic.

Dr. Alan Jobe is a world-renowned neonatologist and frequent invited guest speaker at various symposiums around the world. You would never guess that nearly six years ago, Dr. Jobe was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor and given less than a 20% chance of survival.

Dr. Jobe was out to dinner with a friend when he suddenly lost the ability to use his chopsticks and had to eat with his left hand. The next day, while delivering a lecture to a group of students, a lecture he gave monthly at UC Health in Cincinnati, he lost the ability to speak.

He was rushed to the emergency room under the assumption that he was having a stroke. Imaging revealed that Dr. Jobe had a brain tumor. 鈥淭he doctor came in and said 鈥業 have good news and I have bad news,鈥欌 said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淗e said 鈥榠t鈥檚 not a stroke, but a tumor.鈥欌

Dr. Jobe was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The median survival for a person diagnosed with this diagnosis is 12-18 months, with only about 5% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. Dr. Jobe was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for surgery to remove the tumor that was located in his right frontal lobe.

While in the hospital, Dr. Jobe met with Dr. Soma Sengupta and began to see her regularly for care. Following his resection surgery, he received chemo and radiation therapy under the direction of Dr. Sengupta. After relocating to 黑料网 Health in Chapel Hill, Dr. Sengupta continued to monitor Dr. Jobe鈥檚 progress. 鈥淪he has kept track of me even after she moved,鈥 said Dr. Jobe.

As a world-renowned neonatologist, his research in neonatal lung diseases and neonatal-perinatal medicine has led to the survival of thousands of premature infants, including one of Dr. Sengupta鈥檚 daughters. 鈥淚t is because of Dr Jobe鈥檚 research that many premature infants are alive today, including my older daughter,鈥 said Dr. Sengupta. 鈥淚t has been an honor to take care of Dr Jobe.鈥

In 2023, Dr. Alan Jobe was named the 2024 recipient of the American Pediatric Society鈥檚 John Howland Award, the research honor awarded by the association, recognizing Dr. Jobe for his substantial contributions to advancing child health and the profession of pediatrics. His long list of accolades is well-deserved, recognizing his lasting impact and legacy on research. 鈥淚n 1960, deaths from respiratory distress syndrome was 50% of preterm births and it was 1.6% in 2024,鈥 said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淲e have conquered that disease which was the poster child for neonatal mortality in newborn infants.鈥

Now, Dr. Jobe has defied his 20% chance of survival. He struggles with his balance, which makes it difficult to do anything outside in the yard or take walks. But that doesn鈥檛 stop Dr. Jobe from traveling, bringing his wheelchair and cane along for support. 鈥淚 can still enjoy my life and cook dinner,鈥 said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淚 have no pain from the tumor. I just have residual paralysis. Given my diagnosis, I am doing remarkably well.鈥

Dr. Jobe explains that he is not a candidate for clinical trials, and has had the maximum amount of chemo and radiation for treatment. Rather than live in fear of tumor recurrence, he continues to enjoy life with his wife, and by feeding his mind by proofing manuscripts for academic journals and reading the New Yorker and The New York Times.

While Dr. Jobe knows his tumor may eventually grow back, he is enjoying his life with his wife and traveling all over the world. Dr. Jobe recently returned from Milan, Italy where he was invited to be the guest lecturer at another international symposium. He also plans to travel to Europe with his wife for a cruise later this spring. 鈥淚 have friends all over the world,鈥 said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淚 want to continue to travel.鈥

 

Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, 黑料网 Health Department of Neurosurgery

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Patient with Daily Headaches Receives Brain Tumor Diagnosis /neurosurgery/patient-with-daily-headaches-receives-brain-tumor-diagnosis/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:15:11 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10780 Imaging during an emergency room visit confirmed the presence of a large brain tumor. Lisa was transported by ambulance to 黑料网 Health in Chapel Hill for surgery. Lisa, a mother of four in her late 40鈥檚, experienced occasional sinus headaches and migraines. However, in the summer of 2022, she began having a different type of … Read more

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Imaging during an emergency room visit confirmed the presence of a large brain tumor. Lisa was transported by ambulance to 黑料网 Health in Chapel Hill for surgery.

Medical illustration showing a skull base meningioma

Skull base meningioma. Illustration by Xian Boles, MFA, CMI

Lisa, a mother of four in her late 40鈥檚, experienced occasional sinus headaches and migraines. However, in the summer of 2022, she began having a different type of headache. These new pulsating headaches came on in the mornings, but were mild and only lasted a few seconds. Since she only had one brief headache with mild pain each day and since the headaches did not interfere with daily living, she did not seek medical attention.

One morning, about six months after the daily headaches started, Lisa woke from sleep to a pulsing headache. This time, the headache took longer to resolve and left her feeling 鈥渄azed鈥 and sensitive to light for several hours. She felt better as the day went on, but was concerned about her health.

The following morning, Lisa had a similar headache, but more painful. She could not drive because of the pain, so she had her husband take her to urgent care. 鈥淭he doctor said it looked like my nasal passages were inflamed and I likely had allergies that triggered migraines,鈥 Lisa recalled, 鈥淪o, she prescribed a nasal spray and Imitrex and sent me home.鈥

Lisa went to sleep that night, but two hours after lying down, she woke up with what she described as the worst headache of her life. 鈥淭he pulses were excruciating and relentless, and nothing relieved the pain,鈥 said Lisa. 鈥淚t continued for hours, and I knew I couldn鈥檛 endure another night like that. I still wince when I think of that night.鈥

Her husband drove her to the emergency room at 黑料网 Rex in Raleigh where she received IV pain medication and steroids to manage her pain. A scan showed that Lisa had a large brain tumor causing a buildup of fluid, causing her daily headaches. Lisa was told that the tumor had likely been growing for a while, and her emergency room physicians were surprised that she had not experienced more symptoms. 鈥淭hings moved pretty quickly at that point,鈥 she recalled.

Lisa was told that she would need to have surgery to remove the tumor. 鈥淭he ER doc told us that Dr. Carlos David would be our neurosurgeon. “He raved about him,鈥 said Lisa. 鈥淢y husband looked him up and was very impressed. Knowing this eased our anxiety and shock of having just heard the words 鈥榖rain tumor鈥 and 鈥榮urgery.鈥欌

Lisa was transported by ambulance to 黑料网 Health in Chapel Hill and immediately taken to the neuro ICU. While in the ICU, Lisa and her husband met cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgeon, Dr. Carlos David. 鈥淲hen I met him, I felt like I was in good hands,鈥 said Lisa. 鈥淚 felt very confident that he was more than capable of performing this surgery, and I was grateful to have such a highly-skilled surgeon available when I needed one.鈥

Dr. David told Lisa that she had a large skull base meningioma, a benign brain tumor, compressing her cerebellum and causing obstructive hydrocephalus. 鈥淭he normal fluid paths were blocked by the huge tumor and resulted in a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid, raising her intracranial pressure,鈥 explained Dr. David. 鈥淭his was in addition to the tumor compressing the cerebellum itself resulting in coordination and balance issues.鈥

When Lisa was admitted to the hospital, she also tested positive for Covid, further complicating her hospital stay. 鈥淢y husband had to suit up when he came in to see me,鈥 Lisa said.

Despite needing to dress in personal protective equipment due to her Covid test results, Lisa noted that her care team still went out of their way to ensure that she had everything she needed. 鈥淭hey treated me as a person, not just as a patient,鈥 said Lisa. 鈥淓ven when they had to gown up, they were still very delightful. I really felt at peace the whole time that I was there.鈥

Lisa underwent a retrosigmoid craniotomy to remove the tumor. The complex surgery required meticulous microsurgery to separate the tumor from the brain and critical nerves for swallowing, hearing, and facial movement. In addition to the complexity from the size and structures involved around the tumor, Lisa had significant swelling in her brain from the obstruction of cerebral spinal fluid.

Three days after surgery, Lisa was discharged. She struggled with her balance, and used a walker for a couple of weeks while she recovered. 鈥淭he pain was very mild,鈥 recalled Lisa.

鈥淚t still amazes me that Dr. David was able to drill into my skull and remove this huge life-threatening brain tumor.”

After a few months, Lisa was feeling back to normal and was able to drive again. Looking back, Lisa says that she is still shocked that she had a brain tumor. 鈥淚 remember sitting in the hospital thinking of all the things I was able to do, like learning to wake surf, unaware that a large tumor was growing in my brain,鈥 said Lisa.

Lisa is back to doing everything she did before her brain tumor, without struggling with daily headaches. She goes in once a year for scans to make sure that her brain tumor does not grow back. Lisa is two years out from surgery and there are no signs of reoccurrence. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for the top-notch care I received,鈥 said Lisa. 鈥淚t still amazes me that Dr. David was able to drill into my skull and remove this huge life-threatening brain tumor. I have my life back thanks to him. He鈥檚 my favorite neurosurgeon.鈥

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Department of Neurosurgery Hosts Inaugural Innovation Summit /neurosurgery/department-of-neurosurgery-hosts-inaugural-innovation-summit/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:43:31 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10771 黑料网 Neurosurgery organized the first Innovation Summit in Chapel Hill featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Ricardo Komotar from the University of Miami. 听The Department of Neurosurgery at 黑料网 Chapel Hill hosted the Inaugural Innovation Summit in the Skull Base & Spine Dissection Simulation Center on campus led by Dr Dominique Higgins. The keynote speaker at the … Read more

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黑料网 Neurosurgery organized the first Innovation Summit in Chapel Hill featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Ricardo Komotar from the University of Miami.

Dr. Ricardo Komotar accepting an award from Dr. Dominique Higgins.

Dr. Ricardo Komotar with Dr. Dominique Higgins.

The Department of Neurosurgery at 黑料网 Chapel Hill hosted the Inaugural Innovation Summit in the Skull Base & Spine Dissection Simulation Center on campus led by Dr Dominique Higgins.

The keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Ricardo Komotar, a Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery, Director of the Brain Tumor Institute, and Director of both the Neurosurgery Residency Program and the Surgical Neuro-Oncology and Fellowship Program at the University of Miami. He is considered a leader in the field of neurosurgical oncology and has effectively targeted and treated over 7,000 brain tumors. Dr. Komotar presented on building a successful brain tumor program.

The Innovation Summit also featured presentations from 黑料网 Neurosurgery faculty members, including Dr. Dominique Higgins, Dr. Carlos David, Dr. Vibhor Krishna, and Dr. Michael Galgano. 鈥淚 wanted to showcase technologic advances implemented by the 黑料网 Chapel Hill neurosurgery department,鈥 said Dr. Higgins.

The event was sponsored by Medtronic, GammaTile (GT Med), Stryker (NICO), QuickTome (Omniscient), and TeDan Surgical.

The event was held in the Skull Base & Spine Dissection Simulation Center located on campus. The facility supports over 1,000 hours of educational activities each year. Neurosurgery residents attend a monthly skills lab with cadaver dissection and discussion of surgical approaches. There are also endoscopic simulators for developing flexible endoscopy skills. Each station is equipped with a microscope and surgical instruments similar to what is used in the operating room. The skills lab is directed by Dr. Carlos David, Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Neurosurgery and Director of the residency program.

Dr. Komotar presenting at the Innovation Summit
Dr. Higgins presenting at the Innovation Summit

Dr. Komotar talking with students at the Innovation Summit

Neurosurgery residents in the 黑料网 Health Department of Neurosurgery at the Innovation Summit

 

Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Neurosurgery

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Dr. Sengupta Hosts 2nd Weatherspoon Brain Tumor Symposium at 黑料网 Health /neurosurgery/dr-sengupta-hosts-2nd-weatherspoon-brain-tumor-symposium-at-unc-health/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:34:19 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10739 Division Chief of Neuro Oncology at 黑料网 Health Dr. Sengupta hosts brain tumor symposium funded by the Weatherspoon family to discuss ongoing research and treatment options for malignant brain tumors. 听Dr. Soma Sengupta, Division Chief of Neuro Oncology, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Neurosurgery, and Professor in the Department of Neurology, hosted … Read more

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Division Chief of Neuro Oncology at 黑料网 Health Dr. Sengupta hosts brain tumor symposium funded by the Weatherspoon family to discuss ongoing research and treatment options for malignant brain tumors.

Dr. Soma Sengupta, Division Chief of Neuro Oncology, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Neurosurgery, andDr. Jeremy Rich, 黑料网 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Professor in the Department of Neurology, hosted the 2nd annual Weatherspoon Symposium at 黑料网 Health in Chapel Hill, bringing together brain tumor physicians, researchers, students, and advocates to discuss emerging treatments for malignant brain tumors.

The standard of care for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma has remained unchanged since 2005. Presentations at the symposium highlighted the continued need for brain tumor research support to one day develop a cure for this deadly disease. The symposium was the first of its kind to showcase translational and clinical research talks from 黑料网 Health, MD Anderson, Duke Health, Wake Forest University, Eastern Carolina University, and Mayfield Clinic.

Dr. Sengupta is a physician-scientist and clinical trialist specializing in brain tumor treatment and research. This is her second year organizing the Weatherspoon Symposium, an event made possible by philanthropic donations from the Weatherspoon family. 鈥淗aving lost family and close friends to brain cancer, finding a cure, improving the quality of life, and decreasing financial toxicity are fundamental to my mission of being a neuro-oncologist and an integrative oncologist,鈥 said Dr. Sengupta. 鈥淧atient care should be personalized, yet affordable, and give hope while prolonging life.”

Presenter at the Weatherspoon SymposiumVan and Kay Weatherspoon lost their son to a brain tumor at the age of 28. The Weatherspoon family supports brain tumor research at 黑料网 Health, including multiple professorships and research funds. The family鈥檚 contributions have exceeded $10 million over time, specifically for the brain tumor program.

The event featured presentations from keynote speakers Dr. Jeremy Rich, Deputy Director of Translational Research & Chief Scientific Officer of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Vinay Puduvalli, Chair and Professor in the Department of Neuro-Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center.听 Dr. Puduvalli is actively involved in patient care and clinical trials, and translational research. His team aims to develop novel therapies for patients with primary brain tumors, specifically malignant gliomas. He presented on emerging targets to uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities in glioblastoma.

Dr. Rich spoke on leveraging stem cell biology in brain tumor therapeutic discovery. His laboratory has identified novel therapeutic paradigms in the treatment of advanced cancer, primarily malignant brain tumors. His research team aims to better understand the clinical relevance of cancer stem cells and the interaction with the tumor microenvironment and underlying genetic driver mutations in human cancers.

Jason Binder, a former Pharma Executive and current caregiver to his wife, Tracy, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma, also attended the event. 鈥淎t the symposium, I saw a desire to truly understand the biology of the disease from multiple approaches,鈥 said Jason.听鈥淚 saw many experimental approaches with promise to treat someone like my wife.听I believe these clinicians and scientists will stop at nothing to continue their pursuit.鈥

Jason also voiced his frustration with the slow progress, specifically when it comes to approval of potential treatments andPoster presenters at the Weatherspoon Symposium moving them forward to clinical trials. 鈥淭here are a ton of options but will they see the light of day to go from safety to proof of concept to pivotal trial?听For my wife, maybe not,鈥 said Jason.听鈥淲e’ve already surpassed our life expectancy. I see a hopeful future, but one that is severely uphill.鈥

The symposium also featured presentations from 黑料网 Health faculty, including 黑料网 Neurosurgery faculty members Dr. Sengupta, Dr. Daniel Pomeranz Krummel, Dr. Dominique Higgins, and Dr. Vibhor Krishna.

Dr. Nelson Oyesiku, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Van L. Weatherspoon, Jr. Eminent Distinguished Professor, and Dr. Matt Ewend, Chief Clinical Officer, President of 黑料网 Physicians, and Kay M. and Van. L Weatherspoon Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery, both supported the brain tumor symposium that was collaborative, interdisciplinary, and accessible for everyone. Dr. Robert Ferris, recently appointed Director of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, also gave his full support of the symposium and attended in-person.

Dr. Heather Calderone, Grant Director of Research and Grants at the American Brain Tumor Association also attended the event.

The event included poster presentations from lab members, residents, and fellows, including two attendees from the National Cancer Institute-NIH. Shreeya Bhonge from 黑料网 Chapel Hill Department of Applied Physical Sciences won first place.

For more information on brain tumor research and current clinical trials at 黑料网 Health, visit the brain tumor research page, or visit the website.

 

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Poster presenters with Dr.Sengupta

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Dr. Jeremy Rich talking with other physicians at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

Presenter at the Weatherspoon Symposium

 

Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Neurosurgery

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Dr. Elton Voices Support of First Freestanding Children’s Hospital in North Carolina /neurosurgery/childrens-hospital-surgeon-in-chief-dr-elton-shares-enthusiasm-for-childrens-hospital/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:03:30 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10718 The newly announced joint 黑料网 Health and Duke Health Children’s Hospital is a goal that Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Children’s Hospital Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Scott Elton has worked towards since he joined 黑料网 Health 14 years ago. Dr. Elton shares what the first freestanding Children’s Hospital in North Carolina will mean for pediatric neurosurgery patients … Read more

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The newly announced joint 黑料网 Health and Duke Health Children’s Hospital is a goal that Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Children’s Hospital Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Scott Elton has worked towards since he joined 黑料网 Health 14 years ago.

Dr. Elton shares what the first freestanding Children’s Hospital in North Carolina will mean for pediatric neurosurgery patients and for all children in the state and beyond in this video:

 

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Drs Vibhor Krishna & Daniel Roque Travel to India for Educational Symposium on Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound /neurosurgery/drs-vibhor-krishna-daniel-roque-travel-to-india-for-educational-symposium-on-magnetic-resonance-guided-focused-ultrasound/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:19:30 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10709 Dr. Vibhor Krishna and Dr. Daniel Roque travel to New Delhi to celebrate a landmark development for neurological care in India and present at the 鈥淭ransforming Neuroscience: MR-Guided HIFU 鈥 A Game Changer鈥 Symposium. Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment for Parkinson鈥檚 disease and essential tremor is now available at the All India Institute of … Read more

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Dr. Vibhor Krishna and Dr. Daniel Roque travel to New Delhi to celebrate a landmark development for neurological care in India and present at the 鈥淭ransforming Neuroscience: MR-Guided HIFU 鈥 A Game Changer鈥 Symposium.

Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment for Parkinson鈥檚 disease and essential tremor is nowFocused Ultrasound available at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi thanks to a generous donation from the Vattikuti Foundation. The announcement was made during the 鈥淭ransforming Neuroscience: MRgFUS 鈥 A Game Changer鈥 Symposium.

Essential tremor is the most common type of tremor, affecting up to five percent of people worldwide. MRgFUS is an incisionless treatment for patients with certain movement disorders, including essential tremor and Parkinson鈥檚 disease. MRgFUS can be a safe and effective treatment option for patients who either do not respond to medication or initially respond to medication that eventually becomes ineffective.

Dr. Vibhor Krishna, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Operations at the University of North Carolina (黑料网) Department of Neurosurgery, and Dr. Daniel Roque, Director of the 黑料网 Movement Disorders program and Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Outpatient Operations at the 黑料网 Department of Neurology, presented at the symposium. Both physicians have been instrumental in building the focused ultrasound program at 黑料网 Health. 鈥淭he last few days have been exciting for the focused ultrasound launch at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences,鈥 said Dr. Krishna. 鈥淏esides my affinity as an alum of this institution, I am excited that thousands of the most vulnerable patients will have access to this transformative technology.鈥

Dr. Vibhor Krishna presenting at the symposium

Dr. Vibhor Krishna presenting at the symposium.

The Vattikuti Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Raj and Padma Vattikuti in 1997. Raj Vattikuti immigrated to Detroit to advance his education. The Vattikuti family never forgot their roots in India and have made intentional high-impact gifts in their country of origin. Today, the Vattikuti Foundation鈥檚 work spans the globe, enhancing lives of countless individuals by facilitating medical and surgical advancements, education, humanitarian relief and social empowerment initiatives.

Dr. Vibhor Krishna is a board-certified surgeon-scientist in functional neurosurgery and neuromodulation and is an early adopter of focused ultrasound. His research aims to enhance neuromodulation鈥檚 effectiveness through personalized medicine, develop and optimize minimally invasive neurosurgery, and test emerging surgical treatments in clinical trials. 鈥淭his philanthropic donation from the Vattikuti Foundation will prove to be transformational for the wider adoption of focused ultrasound technology,鈥 said Dr. Krishna.

Dr. Daniel Roque is a board-certified neurologist with a clinical focus on the treatment of movement disorders, including essential tremor, Parkinson鈥檚 disease, and dystonia. His research interests include improvement of different tremors in different diseases through both traditional and innovative methods, and improving quality of life initiatives for patients with movement disorders.

Dr. Daniel Roque presenting at the symposium

Dr. Daniel Roque presenting at the symposium.

黑料网 Health is one of the select few health systems in the United States to have a full spectrum of MRgFUS equipment, both high-frequency (650 KHz) and the investigational low-frequency (220 Khz) MRgFUS for brain interventions. Dr. Krishna and Dr. Roque are actively involved in ongoing MRgFUS research as members of the Carolina Consortium for Ultrasound Brain Imaging and Therapeutics (CCUBIT).

Both Dr. Krishna and Dr. Roque have led various informational webinars on focused ultrasound treatment for patients and caregivers in the southeast region. They have also led virtual and in-person educational sessions for physicians in the coastal region of North Carolina, and for physicians and providers at 黑料网 Health in partnership with Insightec, with Dr. Krishna also receiving research support from Insightec. In addition, Dr. Krishna and Dr. Roque are frequently invited to give presentations at conferences hosted by various healthcare organizations, including the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.

Insightec is a global healthcare company, and a pioneer and leader in focused ultrasound. 鈥淲e are profoundly grateful to the Vattikuti Foundation whose support has enabled us to partner with AIIMS to provide a new therapeutic option for people suffering from movement disorders in India,鈥 said Maurice R Ferr茅, M.D., CEO and chairman of the board of Insightec. 鈥淭his initiative will provide access to incisionless neurosurgery and improve countless lives.鈥

 

 

Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Neurosurgery

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黑料网 Neurosurgery Faculty Members Participate in the 2025 Head for the Cure 5K /neurosurgery/unc-neurosurgery-faculty-members-participate-in-the-2025-head-for-the-cure-5k/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:51:31 +0000 /neurosurgery/?p=10697 黑料网 Neurosurgery faculty members participated in the annual 2025 NC Triangle Head for the Cure 5K race on Sunday, February 23, 2025 to raise money for brain cancer research, and to support brain cancer survivors and their families. The Department of Neurosurgery at 黑料网 Health has a long-standing relationship with the Head for the Cure … Read more

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黑料网 Neurosurgery faculty members participated in the annual 2025 NC Triangle Head for the Cure 5K race on Sunday, February 23, 2025 to raise money for brain cancer research, and to support brain cancer survivors and their families.

The Department of Neurosurgery at 黑料网 Health has a long-standing relationship with the Head for the Cure Foundation.Head for the Cure 5K group photo Money raised through the event supports ongoing brain tumor research at the 黑料网 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. According to the NC Triangle Head for the Cure event page, the event raised over $37,000 this year.

The Head for the Cure 5K also brings the Carolina brain tumor community together to support patients and their families participating in the race. After the race, a photo was taken of brain tumor survivors in attendance. The Keeping the Faith, Legacy of Love, and Special Recognitions portion of the event also recognized survivors and their family members.

The mission of the Head for the Cure Foundation is to inspire hope for the community of brain cancer patients, their families, friends, caregivers and other supporters, while celebrating their courage, spirit, and energy. The organization aims to build awareness about brain cancer, raise funds for research, and ignite hope for all who have faced brain cancer.

Learn more about ongoing brain tumor research at 黑料网 Health.

Photo of brain tumor survivors at the race.

Brain tumor survivors.

Dr. Soma Sengupta and Dr. Daniel Pomeranz Krummel walking in the race.

黑料网 Health neuro oncologist Dr. Soma Sengupta and cancer researcher Dr. Daniel Pomeranz Krummel.

Racers crossing the finish line.

Neurosurgical oncologist Dr. Dominique Higgins speaking to the group.

Neurosurgical oncologist Dr. Dominique Higgins recognizing patients during the awards.

Dr. Yasmeen Rauf speaking to the group.

Neuro oncologist Dr. Yaseem Rauf speaking to race participants.

 

Race participants walking together.

Neuro oncologist Dr. Yasmeen Rauf walking with functional neurosurgeon and husband, Dr. Vibhor Krishna.

 

Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Neurosurgery

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