Education

Dr. Derek Samples smiling next to a banner with his name.

Derek Samples, M.D.

August 31, 2018

We recently talked with Derek Samples, M.D., to ask him to describe his residency with UT Health Neurosurgery: “I have a strong interest in pediatric neurosurgery. I’ve been working with Dr. Tarasiewicz to get a new project off the ground that involves the design and analysis of a rodent model of tethered cord syndrome. The […]



Neurosurgery-research-laboratory-staff

Research Laboratory staff

August 20, 2018

Meet UT Health Neurosurgery’s research laboratory staff! The research mission of the Department of Neurosurgery has two goals: first to maintain a rigorous, translational, and impactful research program that investigates different issues relating to neurosurgery and neurology. The second goal of our research mission is to effectively educate and train the next generation of investigators […]



Drs. Michael McGinity, Shane Hawksworth, and Asif Maknojia standing together and smiling. They are standing left to right in order of descending height.

Graduation 2018

July 9, 2018

The Department of Neurosurgery recently celebrated the graduation of this year’s chief residents: Drs. Michael McGinity, Shane Hawksworth, and Asif Maknojia. During their ceremony, we had the opportunity to recognize the hard work they have dedicated to our department during their residency. We would like to wish each of them a wonderful future ahead!



Drs. Victoria Fischer, Jonathan Fisher, and Vaidehi Mahadev smiling and wearing white coats in the Department of Neurosurgery conference room.

New Residents

June 29, 2018

The Department of Neurosurgery would like to introduce our newest residents Victoria Fischer, M.D., Jonathan Fisher M.D., and Vaidehi Mahadev, M.D. We look forward to a wonderful future ahead.



Dr. Derrick Sun and others working hard in the anatomy lab.

Anatomy lab

June 6, 2018

Derrick Sun, MD, recently met with our residents to discuss the workflow associated with navigated, minimally-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). Afterward, the group gathered at our anatomy lab to practice the “free-hand” technique for lumbar pedicle screw placement, meticulous disc space preparation, and expandable TLIF cage insertion. Stations were made available for residents to […]



Graduate Student Kristi Guerrero peers into a microscope.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Kristi Guerrero

April 24, 2018

Kristi Guerrero is a graduate student in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program at UT Health San Antonio in the lab of Dr. Naomi Sayre. Double-majoring in chemistry and molecular biology, she graduated cum laude from Texas Lutheran University. Before beginning her graduate studies, she spent time doing laboratory research in both industry and academia. Now, […]



Resident Training

April 16, 2018

Dr. Josh Beckman, who is an adjunct clinical assistant professor at SAMMC, was invited to teach our residents on the techniques of performing eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF). XLIF is a minimally invasive way of performing lumbar fusion surgery for various conditions affecting the spine including degenerative, traumatic, infectious or neoplastic conditions. It involves approaching […]


Dr. Ali Seifi and Dr. Robert Hromas flank William Chase Johnson as he holds his UT Health San Antonio Dean's Research award for his research project.

Passport 2018

April 10, 2018

Under the mentorship of Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, William Chase Johnson, MS3, received The UT Health San Antonio Dean’s Research Award. For his project: “Reevaluating the Weekend Effect on SAH: A Nationwide Analysis of the Association Between Mortality and Weekend Admission.”



Dr. John Floyd standing next to Dr. David Wallace while he holds a rectangular award made out of what appears to be glass.

Best Resident Presentation TANS 2018

February 27, 2018

David Wallace, MD was awardedat the Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons 2018 Annual Meeting held in Houston, Texas this year. His paper co-authored with Interim Chairman John Floyd, MD and Chief Resident Michael McGinity, MD proposes a novel method and results to manage surgical site infections after brain tumor surgery. This method aims to expedite […]



Two people dressed in scrubs lean over the blurred out image of a cadaver in the cadaver lab.

Cadaver Lab

February 20, 2018

Recently, as part of the department’s residency education, our doctors trained in the cadaver lab. Some of their training included practice sessions for neurocranial and skull-based surgery. These sessions provide valuable opportunities for the residents to hone their surgical skills before applying them in the operating room.