News
Department of Neurosurgery Hosts Virtual “Meet and Greet” for Residency Program
September 29, 2020
The UT Health Department of Neurosurgery will be hosting a virtual “Meet and Greet” session on October 8th at 5:30 pm CST for anyone who would like to learn more about our residency program. To register for this event, click this link. More information about the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine […]
Welcome, Dr. Cullinan!
September 28, 2020
All of our team members would like to take a moment to welcome Patrick C. Cullinan, D.O., NBPNS, FCCM, FACOEP, FACOI, to the Department of Neurosurgery and the division of Neuro-Critical Care at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Cullinan is triple boarded in critical care, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. He has an extensive work history […]
Neurosurgery Shining Stars Award Winner – Amelia (Amy) Gutierrez.
September 25, 2020
We are pleased to share the news that the winner of August’s Neurosurgery Shining Stars Award is Amelia (Amy) Gutierrez. Amy is a nurse case manager for Drs. Floyd and Papanastassiou. She has been a member of our team since September 2018. Everyone who works with Amy greatly appreciates her positive attitude and commitment to […]
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.
“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 […]
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 […]
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. 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 […]
Neurosurgery Shining Stars Award Winner – Maria Paz
August 13, 2020
We are pleased to announce that the winner of our very first Neurosurgery Shining Stars Award is Maria Paz. The Shining Stars Award was established to recognize the efforts of staff members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to our department. Maria has been a valued member of our team since 2016. She started with us as […]
Welcome, Ashleigh Johns!
July 27, 2020
The Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to announce that Ashleigh Johns, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, has joined our neurocritical care team as a nurse practitioner. Ms. Johns attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Texas […]