Faculty

Dr. Mascitelli performs first case at Advanced Diagnostic Center.

Dr. Mascitelli Performs First Case at Advanced Diagnostic Center

January 22, 2021

The Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to announce that Justin Mascitelli, MD, recently performed the very first case at UHS’s Advanced Diagnostic Center. The Advanced Diagnostic Center is a state-of-the-art medical facility that will be the new home for UHS patient cases involving cardiology, vascular surgery, and neuroendovascular surgery. Congratulations to Dr. Mascitelli and all […]



Neurosurgery Faculty Members Make 2021 Top Doctors List

January 21, 2021

Several faculty members from the Department of Neurosurgery were recently included in San Antonio Magazine’s 2021 Top Doctors list. San Antonio Magazine compiles this annual list to recognize physicians in our community who have earned sterling reputations among their peers for their superior standard of care. Congratulations to all our physicians who were honored in […]


Dr. Alexander Papanastassiou smiling for his staff photo.

Dr. Papanastassiou Wins President’s Translational and Entrepreneurial Research Fund Award

September 22, 2020

The Department of Neurosurgery is excited to share the news that Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., was recently named a winner of the President’s Translational and Entrepreneurial Research Fund 2020 Awards. Dr. Papanastassiou’s winning project, the “Rook Procedure Scheduler,” is a software platform that streamlines booking surgeries and procedures. It also manages conflicts and pre-authorization.



Dr. Alexander Papanastassiou smiling for his staff photo.

“D’s on Keys” Free Virtual Event Available to Public This Saturday

September 14, 2020

Department of Neurosurgery faculty member Alexander Papanastassiou, MD, will be performing at “D’s on Keys” this Saturday (September 20th) at 11 am. “D’s on Keys” is a fundraising event for Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW), a local performing arts organization. This virtual broadcast of their annual show will honor the first responders and healthcare workers in our community […]



Dr. Ali Seifi smiling for his staff photo.

Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, FNCS, Invents Device to Stop Hiccups

September 11, 2020

Department of Neurosurgery faculty member Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, FNCS, has invented a device to stop hiccups. Dr. Seifi’s device forces users to exert effort to suction water. Negative pressure in the chest pulls down the diaphragm, which activates the phrenic nerve. When water comes into the mouth and swallowing occurs, the vagus nerve is […]



Dr. Lee Birnbaum smiling for his staff photo.

Lee Birnbaum, M.D., Promoted to Professor

September 2, 2020

The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to announce the promotion of Lee Birnbaum, M.D., to the position of professor. Dr. Birnbaum is a board-certified neurologist in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at UT Health. His dual training in neurology and endovascular neurosurgery provides him with a unique perspective when treating vascular disorders of the […]



Dr. Justin Robert Mascitelli smiling for his staff photo.

Dr. Mascitelli Co-authors Paper Examining Mechanical Thrombectomy during COVID-19 Pandemic

September 1, 2020

Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently co-authored an article in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery titled “International experience of mechanical thrombectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from STAR and ENRG.” Dr. Mascitelli and his co-authors observed a low rate of COVID-19 among stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in low-COVID burden counties. They also reported that more […]



Faculty Members Publish Article Examining Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality

July 31, 2020

Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, FNCS, recently coauthored an article for the Journal of Stoke and Cerebrovascular Diseases titled “Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.” The study concluded that mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with posterior circulation aneurysms and […]


Faculty members Publish Article Presenting Postmarket Analysis of New Microstent

July 24, 2020

Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Lee Birnbaum, M.D., and Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently coauthored an article for the American Journal of Radiology titled “Multicenter Postmarket Analysis of the Neuroform Atlas Stent for Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms.” Their article presents a multicenter analysis of the Neuroform Atlas, a new microstent designed to assist in […]


Drs. Mascitelli and Morton Win 2020 Faculty Teaching Awards

July 22, 2020

The Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to announce that Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ryan Morton, M.D., have won the 2020 Teaching Awards for core faculty and adjunct faculty, respectively. These accolades are awarded by the residents of our department in recognition of an outstanding level of distinction in teaching as well as a true commitment […]