Category

Faces of Neurosurgery

Stroke Month: Continued Progress in Research and Patient Care

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthOne Comment

On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds. Acute ischemic stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. and around the world. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that in 2016 there were 5.5 million deaths attributable to cerebrovascular disease worldwide — 2.7 million of those deaths were from ischemic stroke. May is National Stroke Awareness Month and provides the opportunity to remember patients who are survivors of this dreaded disease and highlight the physicians and researchers at the forefront of progress to improve care and outcomes in stroke. Read More

May 29, 2020
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Life as a Medical Student During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthNo Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused sweeping systemic changes to the landscape of medicine and society as a whole in the few short months since the virus arose. The pandemic has impacted all medical specialties, and those still in training have experienced significant disruptions to their education. Medical schools were quick to respond to the spread of the virus to keep medical students safe. The first warnings from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (URSMD) administration came in early March — students were informed that those who intended to travel during spring break might be required to quarantine upon their return. At the time, the magnitude of the impending pandemic was unknown, and social distancing measures were still on the horizon. Read More

May 22, 2020
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COVID-19 and Neurosurgical Training: Impact on the Next Generation of Neurosurgeons (Part II)

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, GME, Guest PostNo Comments

What started as a brief segment on the evening news has consumed our daily lives as COVID-19 spreads across the globe. As health care facilities became inundated with critically ill patients, the nation’s intensivists, internists, emergency medicine physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists took to the front lines to fight this invisible enemy. With years of education behind us and at the cusp of the most significant health crisis in recent history, many residents are apprehensive of the future. What would be our role? Would we have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical care supplies to care for the sick? How can we keep ourselves and families safe? Read More

May 20, 2020
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COVID-19 and Neurosurgical Training: Impact on the Next Generation of Neurosurgeons (Part I)

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthNo Comments

In early March, our neurosurgery team at Mount Sinai Medical Center noticed a handful of COVID-19 cases admitted to our medical intensive care unit (MICU), which is just down the hall from the neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU). The daily news from Asia and Europe was certainly not encouraging, but we proceeded with our normal routine — morning rounds, surgery and academic conference. Read More

May 18, 2020
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Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic and in a Changing Health Care System

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthNo Comments

The COVID-19 crisis has produced seismic changes in the practice of neurosurgery. For weeks elective surgeries have been eliminated and shelter in place orders implemented. Patients still develop herniated discs with neurologic deficits, present with brain tumors and need neurosurgical treatment. Telemedicine has provided one option for remaining connected to our established patients and caring for new patients during the pandemic. Read More

May 13, 2020
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Neurosurgery, COVID-19 and Health Disparities: Perspectives from a Minority Provider

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthNo Comments

COVID-19 has had a tremendous global impact and has taken the lives of many people. It has halted economies and disrupted our educational system. It has strained health care resources and has expedited health policy reforms. One particular impact of COVID-19 that troubles me as a minority provider is the disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups. COVID-19 has further illuminated existing health disparities in our society. Read More

May 11, 2020
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Answering the Call: From Neurosurgeon to Critical Care Physician During COVID-19

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthNo Comments

With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the nation, some regions of our country are encountering a shortage of health care providers to look after the surge of hospitalized patients. As personnel resources are strained, neurosurgeons are being asked to care for critically ill patients — including ones that do not have neurological diagnoses. Read More

May 6, 2020
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We believe we’re through the peak of the surge, but we’re not ready to declare victory yet.

Steven N. Kalkanis, MD, FAANS
May 1, 2020
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Keeping Neurosurgical Practices Operating During COVID-19 and Beyond

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, Guest Post, HealthNo Comments

Altair Health has been providing life-saving care in the state of New Jersey since 1958. We have grown significantly since that time, and Altair Health now employs nearly 150 people —   providing them with health care and retirement benefits, as well as rewarding work taking care of patients with neurosurgical disorders. The current pandemic has been a stark reminder that we are, after all, a small business dependent on professional reimbursement to keep our team and their families safe and employed during this crisis. Read More

April 29, 2020
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A Memorial Tribute to The Most Interesting Man in the World: James T. Goodrich, MD, PhD

By COVID-19, Faces of Neurosurgery, PediatricsOne Comment

The passing of James T. Goodrich, MD, PhD on March 30, 2020, was a devastating blow — not only to the neurosurgical community, but to his many friends throughout the world. Jim was a kind and compassionate man who was revered by many. He was always willing to help others and traveled extensively to help those who needed his expertise. He was a great teacher, surgeon and student of medical history. His accomplishments were many and varied. Read More

April 27, 2020
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