News

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.



Pablo and Amanda Gonzalez smiling with their daughter, Alessia, in clinic.

Craniofacial Clinic

September 18, 2017

Last Tuesday, Pablo and Amanda Gonzalez brought their daughter, Alessia, to the very first craniofacial clinic. Alessia has Apert syndrome and came to the clinic for a follow-up after having two craniosynostosis surgeries. The clinic is unique because it gives families a chance to meet with many specialists in one visit. The doctors and their […]



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.    



Veronica Cuevas smiling brightly.

Veronica Cuevas’ Story

August 1, 2017

Veronica Cuevas was at a trampoline park with her friends when she did a back flip and landed on her feet. Immediately, she knew something was wrong. “I had a sharp pain on the base of my head. I couldn’t hear. I couldn’t walk to get water or anything. It was the worst pain I […]



Patient Christian Ehrhard smiling during a clinic visit.

Christian’s Story

July 21, 2017

Earlier this year, Christian Patrick Ehrhard suffered a major stroke while getting ready for work in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was rushed to San Antonio, where he underwent an emergency thrombectomy for an occlusion of his internal carotid artery, one of the main vessels supplying blood to his brain. This procedure, in which a microcatheter […]



A participant standing in a clinical room during our "Fundamentals of Neurosurgery" boot camp.

The Society of Neurological Surgeons Boot Camp

July 18, 2017

Our PGY 1 residents recently had the opportunity to attend a “Fundamentals of Neurosurgery” boot camp course hosted by the Society of Neurological Surgeons. The course is designed to help neurosurgery residents who are transitioning from medical school by educating them about professionalism, communication, and basic procedural skills.