Dr. Ali Seifi smiling for his staff photo.

HiccAway Article Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association

June 29, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to share the news that a research article examining the efficacy of Dr. Ali Seifi’s HiccAway invention was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Within their study, HiccAway stopped hiccups in nearly 92% of participant cases and was rated favorably when compared with home […]



UT Health Site Recognized as Top Enrolling Site for Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation Registry

June 24, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is excited to share the news that the UT Health site for the Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation Registry was recently recognized as the top enrolling site in the nation. The DBS Registry is a study designed to examine the patient outcomes associated with Boston Scientific’s commercially available VERCISE™ System in […]


New residents stand and pose in front of the department office sign.

Resident Orientation 2021

June 23, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to introduce our three new residents (left to right): Alexander Villahermosa, M.D., Molly Farrell, D.O., and Daniel Smerin, M.D. After their recent orientation, these interns are equipped and prepared to begin their neurosurgical education with us on July 1st. All of us look forward to working with them and […]



Dr. Kaddouh smiling for his profile photo.

Firas Kaddouh, M.D., Appointed to UT Health Faculty Senate

June 16, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to share the news that Firas Kaddouh, M.D., has been appointed to the faculty senate at UT Health. The Faculty Senate of the Health Science Center serves as the representative voice of the faculty on issues that may affect the rights, privileges, responsibilities and welfare of the university’s faculty […]



Team members at a pool party.

Summertime Pool Party 2021

June 15, 2021

Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently hosted a pool party for team members from the Department of Neurosurgery. Relaxing by the pool with burgers, drinks, and a game of cornhole was a great way to start the summer! The team was also fortunate to be visited by Reade De Leacy, M.D., from the Mount Sinai Department of […]




Justin Mascitelli, M.D., Named Website Committee Chair of the Joint CV Section of the AANS and the CNS

June 9, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to announce that Justin Mascitelli, M.D., was recently named website committee chair of the Joint Cerebrovascular Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. All CV Section membership leaders are responsible for promoting and assuring advancement in the diagnosis and the surgical and […]



Residents instruct medical students in suture lab.

Neurosurgery Medical Student Interest Group Suture Lab

June 8, 2021

Residents from the Department of Neurosurgery recently guided medical students through a suture lab. Suturing is a process by which physicians close wounds, repair tissue, and promote healing. Some subjects commonly used for practice during these labs include bananas, oranges, and raw chicken. Suture lab sessions provide medical students with important opportunities to exercise their […]




Dr. Birnbaum Performs Surgery with Comaneci device.

June 3, 2021

Lee Birnbaum, M.D., recently performed surgery to treat an aneurysm using the Comaneci device, an adjustable remodeling mesh that assists physicians with embolization. You can read more about this successful surgery by visiting this link.



Emmanuel Luna smiling for his staff photo

Emmanuel Luna Joins the Department of Neurosurgery

June 1, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is excited to announce that Emmanuel Luna has joined our staff as our business administrator. Before he joined our department, Emmanuel worked as an office manager in the Infectious Diseases Division of the Department of Medicine and an employment coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology. We are all looking forward to […]