Education

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.



A collection of faculty and residents from the Department of Neurosurgery standing in front of ballroom at the 2018 TANS meeting.

TANS 2018

February 15, 2018

Some of our faculty and residents recently attended the Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons (TANS) 2018 meeting.



Sadiya Ahmad standing in front of her research poster and smiling.

Sadiya Ahmad’s Poster

February 3, 2018

Sadiya Ahmad, a third-year PhD candidate, represented the Cell, Genetics, and Molecular Medicine program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences recruitment poster session. Sadiya presented a poster on her thesis project regarding the role of cholesterol homeostasis after brain injury.



Dr. Shaheryar Hafeez demonstrates how to operate the NormaTec Pulse compression device.

NormaTec Pulse compression device In-Service

January 26, 2018

Shaheryar Hafeez, M.D., recently led an in-service for attending nurses featuring the NormaTec Pulse compression device. NormaTec’s peristaltic pulse dynamic compression along with anticoagulant medication should help decrease the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among NeuroICU patients and promote their recovery.



Olga Garza smiling during a clinic visit.

Olga Garza’s Story

October 23, 2017

In 1987, Olga Garza was experiencing severe headaches. After dealing with the pain for three years, she went to the hospital and found out she had a tumor. Although doctors were able to excise most of it, the root could not be removed. In the early 2000s, she began to have serious headaches once again. […]



Dr. Sun and others stand over an anatomical specimen while listening to his instruction.

Spinal Anatomy Lab

October 12, 2017

As part of the department’s weekly education session, Derrick Sun, M.D., took the residents through a spinal anatomy lab to demonstrate advanced surgical techniques for the correction of spinal deformities. Practice sessions like these are unique opportunities for the residents to hone their surgical skills before applying them in the operating room. Special thanks to […]



The Neurocritical Care Team standing around a hospital bed smiling while they practice invasive line placement.

Invasive Central Line Placement Class

September 25, 2017

Our neurocritical care team recently attended their first invasive central line placement class, hosted by Arrow, International, Inc.



Dr. David Wallace smiling in our research lab.

Research Lab 2017

September 11, 2017

David Wallace, MD, PGY-V is spending his research year in the departmental neurosciences lab run by Naomi Sayre, PhD. They are working on a novel antibody to help inhibit inflammation and cellular damage to the central nervous system after trauma. This treatment may one day help patients recover from spinal cord injury. ‘Understanding the injury […]



People in scrubs standing around the cadaver lab with Dr. Sun. One woman adjusts a giant lamp.

Cadaver Lab

August 8, 2017

Derrick Sun, MD, recently presented a lecture to our residents in which he discussed clinical cases illustrating different types of upper cervical spine trauma as well as anatomy and radiology relevant to the upper cervical spine. After Dr. Sun’s lecture, the residents went to the cadaver lab to practice the placement of C2 pedicle screws, […]



Dr. John Floyd smiling after his Grand Rounds presentation.

Grand Rounds 2017

August 4, 2017

Last week, two of our doctors gave presentations during Grand Rounds. John Floyd, MD, gave a presentation on the management of low grade gliomas and Rachel Garvin, MD, gave a presentation on traumatic brain injury guidelines.