Optimal neuro|spine

Episode 27: Becoming a Clinician Scientist in Neurosurgery. A Conversation with Dr. Robert Starke

There is often a gap between what happens in the laboratory and what happens with patients in clinical practice. Yet both experiences are required to advance patient outcomes. This is why we need more doctors like Robert Starke. Dr. Starke is a clinician scientist at the University of Miami with over 700 operations and just as many academic publications in his young career. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Starke to discuss the secrets to his extraordinary success, the grant writing process, a...

Episode 26: Developing Evidence for Optimal Spine Surgery. A Conversation with Dr. Zoher Ghogawala

In the quest to optimize spine surgery outcomes, we need better information and better research. This means better clinical trials and more funding. Join me, as I sit down with Dr. Zoher Ghogawala to discuss his thoughts on clinical trial design, developing the evidence for spine surgery, improving patient outcomes, and the results of his most recent research. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Dr. Ghogawala, his clinical practice, and his resear...

Episode 25: The Evolution and Optimization of Spine Surgery. A Conversation with Dr. Edward Benzel

There are few names as recognizable as Dr. Edward Benzel in the field of spine surgery. He quite literally wrote the book on it. On this episode, I have the distinct privilege of sitting down with Dr. Benzel to discuss a myriad of topics including his experiences in spine surgery and the lessons he’s learned, his evolution as a spine surgeon, safety in spine surgery, and his thoughts on where the field is headed next. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting t...

Episode 24: Traumatic Brain Injury. A Conversation with Dr. Dalton Dietrich

How do we push the ball forward for the research and treatment of traumatic brain injury and other neurological diseases? To answer that question, my guest Dr. Dalton Dietrich will dive into everything he and his team are doing at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Join us as we discuss his work with inflammasomes, secrets for research success, and the most exciting advances in the field of TBI. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Dr. Dietrich discusses his res...

Episode 23: Optimizing Care for Spinal Cord Injury. A Conversation with Dr. Steven Kirshblum

How does greater access to specialized care optimize the treatment of spinal cord injuries? On this episode, Dr. Steven Kirshblum dives into the differences between general and specialized rehabilitation for SCI patients, why specialized care is critical for better patient outcomes, and the challenges of integrating specialized care for spinal cord injuries into the medical system. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Advancements and challenges in the treatment ...

Episode 23: Spinal Cord Injury: Optimizing Care. Conversation with Dr. Steven Kirshblum

Episode 22: Restoring ambulation after paraplegia-Conversation with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch

Episode 22: Restoring Ambulation after Paraplegia. A Conversation with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch

Has the future of spinal cord injury treatment arrived? On this episode, I sit down with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch to discuss their recently published and highly publicized paper on restoring motor function after paralysis. They briefly dive into their protocol, their approach to Epi-Stim, and their answer to the magic wand question. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... A brief overview of the recent paper published by Drs. Courtine and Bloch [2:43...

Episode 21: The American Spine Registry. A Conversation with Dr. Steven Glassman

How do we optimize spinal surgery outcomes? Dr. Steven Glassman believes better data is the answer! On this episode, we discuss the American Spine Registry, what it is, what it's currently being used for, and its potential to provide better evidence for spine surgery, improve patient outcomes, and establish universal best practices. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Getting to know Dr. Glassman, his clinical practice, and why he chose spine research [0:59] Exp...

Episode 20: Unaging - Memory, Aging, and Alzheimer’s. A Conversation with Dr. Robert Friedland

Have you ever misplaced your keys or forgotten a random fact and worried that you had a neurodegenerative disease? What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and simply getting old? On this episode, I sit down with memory and aging expert, Dr. Robert Friedland, to discuss his research, how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, and habits you can start right now to help protect your brain and keep it healthy. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Dr. Friedland’s current clinic...

Episode 19: Optimizing the Neurosurgery Residency and Training Experience From a Chief Resident’s Perspective. A Conversation With Dr. Aurora Cruz

Training to become a neurosurgeon is both incredibly rewarding and incredibly difficult. But is it more difficult than it needs to be and how can we make the experience better? On this episode, I’m pleased to speak with University of Louisville chief resident Dr. Aurora Cruz about neurosurgical training, residency, leadership, burnout, and her advice for prospective neurosurgery residents.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... A day in the life of a modern neurosu...

Episode 18: Insights From a Lifetime of Training Residents and Neurosurgical Research. A Conversation with Dr. Haring Nauta

Few people have as long or as distinguished a career as Dr. Haring Nauta. On this episode, we discuss his observations about neurosurgical residency, neurosurgical training, and how to improve the quality of that experience. We also dive into his exciting work using the punctate myelotomy procedure to treat pain and current research topics. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Diving into the current practice of Dr. Nauta [3:02] What is a punctate midline myeloto...

Episode 17: When Cancer Spreads to the Spine. A Conversation with Dr. Mark Bilsky

One of oncology’s greatest challenges in treating cancer is when it spreads to a different part of the body. When cancer spreads to the spine, it presents unique challenges for doctors creating a successful treatment plan. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing the chief of Oncology at Sloan Kettering, and one of my mentors, Dr. Mark Bilsky. We’ll discuss the logistics of his practice, surgical and non-surgical treatment strategies, as well as recent advances in the field of s...

Episode 16: Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury Research. A Conversation with Dr. Andrea Behrman

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2022 by shedding light on an area of research that isn’t talked about enough: pediatric spinal cord injury. Most spinal cord injury conversations revolve around adults, but children also suffer from injury and face unique challenges in both treatment and research. Thankfully, my guest, Dr. Andrea Behrman is leading the way for both! We discuss her work, her breakthroughs, the current state of pediatric spinal cord injury treatment, and what the future looks ...

Episode 15: Digital Neurosurgery. A Conversation with Dr. Thomas Picht

If you’ve never heard the term digital neurosurgery before, you’re not alone. While it sounds like something out of a space opera, digital neurosurgery is likely the future of medical neuroscience. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Thomas Picht, the first professor of digital neurosurgery in the world. We take a deep dive into everything that digital neurosurgery entails, exciting technological advancements in the field, and the future ramifications of the digitalizati...

Episode 14: Quality Improvement. A Conversation with Dr. Jordan Peck

We constantly talk about quality improvement on this podcast, but what does it actually take? Is one method better than another? Where should hospitals start in terms of improving quality? On this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jordan Peck of Southern Maine Healthcare and the Harvard School of Public Health for a multifaceted conversation about quality improvement in the medical field. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Defining quality improvement in healthcare [...

Episode 13: Four Decades as a Spinal Cord Injury Research Scientist. A Conversation With Dr. Scott Whittemore

It’s not every day that you get to talk to someone with 40 years of research experience in your field. Let alone, someone as distinguished as my guest for this episode. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Scott Whittemore to discuss a myriad of topics from his four-decade career as a spinal cord injury research scientist including stem cell research, proteostasis in spinal cord injured patients, and the reversible silencing of lumbar interneurons. You will want to hear this episode if you are in...

Episode 12: Optimizing Musculoskeletal Care Delivery. A Conversation with Dr. Ryan Grant

Optimizing the quality of patient care is what this podcast is all about and my guest for this episode is challenging the status quo by creating incredible patient experiences. Dr. Ryan Grant left a promising neurosurgery career to start Vori Health, a virtual one-stop-shop for musculoskeletal care. We discuss how he made that transition, the current challenges of the medical system to provide next-level care, and how Vori Health is answering the call for better patient experiences. You wil...

Episode 11: Functional Neurosurgery. A Conversation with Dr. Joseph Neimat

Functional neurosurgery is a small but growing medical field that has had a major impact on the treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. On this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Joseph Neimat, a brilliant neurosurgeon and clinician-scientist helping lead the charge for greater research and innovation in his field. We discuss the evolution of functional neurosurgery, its future in modern medicine, and ways to optimize it for safer and more succ...

Episode 10: Developing Self-Directed Learners in Quality Improvement. A Conversation with Dr. Staci Saner

In the ever-growing, ever-advancing field of medical science, the need for self-directed learners is at an all-time high. This is especially true for both graduate medical students and medical professionals who wish to improve their patient’s quality of care. On this episode, I am joined by the brilliant Dr. Staci Saner to discuss the science of learning and the best methods for developing self-directed learners to further quality improvement in medical care. You will want to hear this epis...

Episode 9: Treating Paralysis. A Conversation with Dr. Susan Harkema

One of the leading scientists researching treatments for paralysis and spinal cord injury is Dr. Susan Harkema. Her work has led to multiple breakthroughs that led to improved function and quality of life for patients that were previously deemed impossible. On this episode, I invite Dr. Harkema to discuss those discoveries, how they came about, and the future of treating paralysis. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Dr. Harkema’s background and training [1:20] ...

Episode 8: The Problem of Polypharmacy in Spinal Cord Injury. A Conversation with Dr. Sara Guilcher

A major issue plaguing spinal cord injury patients and the medical field as a whole is polypharmacy and the over-prescribing of pharmaceuticals. It’s a complicated problem without a “one-size-fits-all” solution. On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sara Guilcher to discuss the impact and risks of polypharmacy as well as some of the ways physicians can help tackle the problem and increase the quality of care for patients with a potential need for multiple medications. You will want to hear thi...

Episode 7: New Insights for the Neuroimaging of Chronic Pain. A conversation with Dr. Vania Apkarian

Chronic pain impacts fifteen to twenty percent of the world and costs the population of the United States somewhere around $500 billion a year. And even though opiates are commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain, the epidemic we’re seeing from opiate addiction is staggering. There has to be a better way! That’s exactly what my guest for this episode has dedicated his life to discovering. Join me for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Vania Apkarian as we discuss what causes chronic pain, ...

Episode 6: Brain Computer Interface (Part 2). A conversation with Dr. Eric Leuthardt

When we think of neural prosthetics, we typically think of devices that enable patients to overcome a deficit in normal function after injury. However, Dr. Eric Leuthardt’s research is challenging us to rethink how humans interact with machines. What if repairing a deficit is just the beginning? What if we could use a neural interface to actually enhance human function? In my fascinating conversation with Dr.Leuthardt, we seek to answer those questions and discuss the future implications of ...

Episode 5: Brain Computer Interface. A conversation with Dr. Jaimie Henderson

Prosthetics are used to help patients recover the normal function of their limbs after injury. What if we applied the same principle to our brains? That's exactly the kind of research Dr. Jaimie Henderson is doing at Stanford University. Alongside his brilliant team, Dr. Henderson is using Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology to help patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries regain the ability to communicate. What’s even more fascinating is that their findings are turning what we ...

Episode 4: Immunotherapy for brain tumors. A conversation with Dr. Michael Lim

Dr. Lim is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors. Prior to becoming Chair of Neurosurgery at Stanford at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Lim was Professor of Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins where he built one of the largest brain tumor practices. Dr. Lim’s research involves the development of immunotherapies for brain tumors and focuses on understanding mechanisms of immune evasion by cancer cells. He has been the Principal...

Episode 3: Spinal deformity surgery. A conversation with Dr. Christopher Ames

Dr. Ames is Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery, Director of Spinal Deformity & Spine Tumor Surgery, Co-director, Spinal Surgery and UCSF Spine Center. He is also Director, California Deformity Institute, Director, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco. He was named to the 2015-2019 Top Doctors lists in San Francisco Magazine, and Castle Connolly named him one of the country's top doctors for both neurosurgery and cancer f...

Episode 2: Safety in spine surgery: Dr. Michael Vitale

In Episode 2 we have a conversation with Dr. Michael Vitale about optimizing safety in spine surgery. Dr. Michael Vitale is Ana Lucia Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair, Quality and Strategy, Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical center, Director, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics.  He is Chief, Pediatric Spine and Scoliosis Service, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Dr. Michael G. Vitale specializes in the non-operativ...

Episode 1: Spinal cord injury-Conversation with Dr. Michael Fehlings

We speak with leading neurosurgeon and spinal cord injury neuroscientist Dr. Michael Fehlings. Dr Fehlings is Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair Research, Department of Surgery, Co-Director, Spine Program, McLaughlin Scholar in Molecular Medicine, University of Toronto. He is also the Gerry and Tootsie Halbert Chair in Neural Repair and Regeneration, Senior Scientist, Krembil Brain Institute and Scientist, McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine Toronto Western Hospital, University Health...