News

Laddie the Therapy Dog posed with the Neurocritical Care staff.

Laddie, the Therapy Dog

June 14, 2019

Laddie, a therapy dog from Paws Up Pet Therapy, visited the Neurocritical Care staff this afternoon to relieve some stress and make everyone smile. Laddie enjoys herding cats, giving high fives, and being treated to the occasional Whatburger Justaburger patty.



Screenshot of the 2019 Resident Wellness newsletter featuring the residents from the Department of Neurosurgery.

Resident Wellness Newsletter

June 5, 2019

Graduate Medical Education periodically publishes a newsletter with helpful articles, tips, and resources compiled together to promote resident wellness. The most recent edition of their newsletter featured the Department of Neurosurgery’s residency program with an article written by Drs. David Wallace and Alexander Papanastassiou. You can read the newsletter and learn more about resident wellness […]



Dr. Garvin accepting her award and smiling.

Excellence in Teaching Award

June 3, 2019

All of us at the Department of Neurosurgery extend our best wishes to Rachel Garvin, M.D., F.N.C.S., for winning the 2018-2019 Diane Solomon, MD, Award for Excellence in Teaching as voted by the neurology medical students at UT Health San Antonio. Congratulations, Dr. Garvin!



Service Award Ceremony

May 31, 2019

John Floyd, M.D., recently presented Jean-Louis Caron, M.D., FRCS(c), FACS, and Viktor Bartanusz, M.D., Ph.D., with employee service awards. Dr. Caron is celebrating 15 years of service to UT Health and Dr. Bartanusz is celebrating 10 years of service to the university.


Dr. Birnbaum stands and speaks about stroke with KENS 5.

KENS 5 Segment with Dr. Birnbaum – Additional Stroke Risk Factors

May 24, 2019

Dr. Lee Birnbaum was recently featured in another KENS 5 story. During the segment, he explained how smoking and estrogen-based oral contraceptives can contribute to a person’s overall risk for stroke. You can read or watch the story here.



Dr. Birnbaum stands and speaks about stroke with KENS 5.

KENS 5 Segment with Dr. Birnbaum – Stroke Risk Factors

May 23, 2019

During his interview with KENS 5, Dr. Lee Birnbaum discussed the risk factors for stroke among young people. He also addressed a news headline that recently circulated about a man from Oklahoma who suffered a stroke after popping his neck. You can read or watch the story here.



Dr. Birnbaum stands and speaks about stroke with KENS 5.

KENS 5 Segment with Dr. Birnbaum – One Stroke Patient’s Story

May 21, 2019

Dr. Lee Birnbaum was recently interviewed by KENS 5 for their informative story about stroke patient Mario Herrera. During the segment, Dr. Birnbaum stressed how crucial timing can be during the treatment of stroke. You can read or watch the story here.



Dr. Ali Seifi smiling in front of a poster for the 15th Emirates Critical Care Conference.

Emirates Critical Care Conference

April 17, 2019

Earlier this April, the director of our neuro ICU, Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, was invited to be a guest speaker at the 15th Emirates Critical Care Conference in Dubai. This annual meeting, sponsored by the Neurocritical Care Society and the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine, brings together prominent specialists and […]



Neurocritical Care Team posing for a group photo after their simulation lab taught by Drs. Seifi and Garvin.

Simulation Lab

April 15, 2019

The Neurocritical Care Team recently had a simulation lab for invasive lines. The session, taught by Rachel Garvin, M.D., FNCS, and Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, covered a wide range of techniques health care professionals use among critically-ill patients to diagnose infections, relieve pressure, deliver medications, and facilitate breathing.



Patient Sandra Holquin sitting in a chair and smiling.

Sandra’s Story

March 14, 2019

Sandra Holquin suffered from chronic pain throughout most of her life. “I couldn’t walk or even do household chores,” she told us during a recent visit. “Epidural and steroid injections would help, but the pain would always come back.” During an appointment at the pain clinic, she was referred to Alexander M. Papanastassiou, M.D., who […]