UNC Department of Neurosurgery

UNC Department of Neurosurgery Leaders in pediatric neurosurgery, spinal neurosurgery, and skull base surgery, including pituitary

We are proud to share that Dr. Carlos David served as a keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Ozarks Neuroscience Education...
11/13/2025

We are proud to share that Dr. Carlos David served as a keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Ozarks Neuroscience Education (ONE) Clinics.

He presented “Contemplation of a Last Mohican or Last Gasps of a Neanderthal: The Future of Open Vascular Neurosurgery,” offering insight into how the field is evolving and why open vascular techniques continue to matter.

The ONE Clinics brings together physicians, residents, fellows, and neuroscience nurses for a three-day program built around focused lectures and hands-on cadaveric training. Dr. David’s keynote represents an important recognition of his expertise and reflects our department’s commitment to advancing neurosurgical education nationwide.

Today, we honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces — with special gratitude to the veterans...
11/11/2025

Today, we honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces — with special gratitude to the veterans of North Carolina. Your dedication, courage, and sacrifice make it possible for communities like ours to thrive.
At the UNC School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, we are proud to serve those who have served our country.
We’re also deeply grateful to the veterans within our UNC Neurosurgery family — our faculty, staff, trainees, and patients — whose leadership and resilience inspire us every day.

Photo by: Kurt Nolen, SOC.


Pediatric nurse practitioner Kristi Hildebrand recently represented UNC Neurosurgery at the International Society of Ped...
11/07/2025

Pediatric nurse practitioner Kristi Hildebrand recently represented UNC Neurosurgery at the International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery ISPNeurosurgery (ISPN) conference in Lyon, France — sharing her work on pediatric firearm safety and rare neurological conditions with colleagues from around the world.

“I delivered an oral presentation on Firearm Safety in Pediatrics: A Comparative Review of the U.S. and Global Practices, highlighting the importance of addressing firearm safety in pediatrics,” Hildebrand said. “I also presented a poster on Spontaneous Subgaleal Fluid Collections in Pediatric Patients, contributing to global discussions on this rare condition. Our department’s participation in ISPN is more than a showcase of research — it’s an opportunity to strengthen international collaboration, share knowledge that improves outcomes, and reinforce UNC’s leadership in pediatric neurosurgery and advocacy.”

By engaging in international forums like ISPN, UNC Neurosurgery continues to advance pediatric care through collaboration, innovation, and shared learning — all in service of improving outcomes for children everywhere.

A patient-centered first at UNC NeurosurgeryWhen Marlene learned she needed a cyst removed from her lumbar facet joint, ...
10/21/2025

A patient-centered first at UNC Neurosurgery

When Marlene learned she needed a cyst removed from her lumbar facet joint, her biggest concern wasn’t the surgery — it was the anesthesia.

Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya, Director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Motion Preservation Program, and Dr. Sam Blacker, Director of Neuroanesthesia, listened carefully and developed a plan focused on her comfort and safety.

With support from a multidisciplinary team, UNC Neurosurgery performed its first awake spine surgery in October — allowing Marlene to remain awake, calm, and pain-free throughout her procedure.

“I was awake and comfortable,” Marlene said. “The team prepared me for every step. I could not have asked for more caring or skilled hands. Success! Pain-free! A+.”

This milestone reflects the future of neurosurgical care — one where innovation, teamwork, and trust come together to give patients safer, less invasive options for treatment and recovery.

“Awake spine surgery under spinal anesthesia can be a safe, viable option for appropriately selected patients,” Dr. Blacker said. “It’s another way we can optimize outcomes and patient experience.”

Dr. Upadhyaya added, “This was a patient-centered milestone made possible by meticulous planning and collaboration. It’s not just a technical first — it’s a model for innovation that enhances comfort, safety, and recovery.”

At UNC Health, advances like this demonstrate what’s possible when expert teams work together to push the boundaries of care — always with the patient at the center.

Photos by: Kurt Nolen, SOC.

Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Kimberly Hamilton joined the fun at the Grand Opening of the Pittsboro Skate Park! 🛹 She team...
10/06/2025

Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Kimberly Hamilton joined the fun at the Grand Opening of the Pittsboro Skate Park! 🛹 She teamed up with Safe Kids Chatham to spread the word about helmet safety and keeping kids protected while they ride!

Dr. Vibhor Krishna attended the Focus Forward Neuro Innovator Summit, hosted by Insightec in Dallas, TX, where he presen...
09/29/2025

Dr. Vibhor Krishna attended the Focus Forward Neuro Innovator Summit, hosted by Insightec in Dallas, TX, where he presented his talk, “Targeting: Distinctions between MRgFUS vs. DBS and TDPD vs. ET.”

The summit highlighted the therapeutic potential of Focused Ultrasound, particularly in advancing treatment options for essential tremor.

Photos by Kelsey Wertman

INSIGHTEC

We are proud to announce that two of our APP's represented Neurosurgery at the APP awards as finalists. Our Pediatric Ne...
09/26/2025

We are proud to announce that two of our APP's represented Neurosurgery at the APP awards as finalists. Our Pediatric Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner, Kristi Hildebrand, MSN, CPNP-AC, CNRN and our Functional Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner, Susan Cavanaugh, DNP, AGNP-C, CCRN were both finalists in their categories. Kristi was a finalists for the Excellence in Leadership Award and Susan in the Outstanding New Candidate Award. We could not be more proud of their hard work and accomplishments!

Headshots by Kurt Nolen, SOC
Ceremony Photos by Dr. Scott Elton

Happy National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week! We want to take this special week to recognize and celebrate the i...
09/24/2025

Happy National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week! We want to take this special week to recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of our APPs. Your expertise, compassion, and commitment to providing outstanding patient care make a huge difference every day.
Thank you for everything you do to support patients and the healthcare team. We truly appreciate your efforts and are grateful to have such talented and caring professionals as part of our community. You are valued today and always!

Dr. Dominique Higgins had the privilege of attending the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Cancer Center, where Dr. Sh...
09/16/2025

Dr. Dominique Higgins had the privilege of attending the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Cancer Center, where Dr. Shelley Earp (pictured) was honored for his remarkable leadership. The event also featured Nobel Laureate Dr. William G. Kaelin Jr., who spoke about von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Dr. Higgins is proud to collaborate with colleagues in advancing research and care for VHL patients.

Learn more about the VHL clinic:
https://unclineberger.org/vonhippellindau/


UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Please join us in celebrating and recognizing Kristi Hildebrand, MSN, CPNP-AC, CNRN (Neurosurgery), for the incredible c...
09/16/2025

Please join us in celebrating and recognizing Kristi Hildebrand, MSN, CPNP-AC, CNRN (Neurosurgery), for the incredible care she provides to her patients and their families. 💙

Recently, a family shared:
“Kristi has been absolutely wonderful—knowledgeable, kind, and understanding of a new parent’s fears. She was always prompt in answering our questions and truly put our minds at ease.”

Thank you, Kristi, for your compassion, responsiveness, and the trust you inspire every day. Your dedication makes a lasting difference to our patients, and to the Department of Neurosurgery! ُ

Dr. Vibhor Krishna had the honor of attending the XXI Brazilian Congress of Neurosurgery in beautiful Campos do Jordão! ...
09/15/2025

Dr. Vibhor Krishna had the honor of attending the XXI Brazilian Congress of Neurosurgery in beautiful Campos do Jordão! He delivered his talk on Focused Ultrasound Ablation to Treat Neurological Disorders—highlighting this innovative, non-invasive treatment option—and connected with colleagues from around the world to advance research, education, and collaboration in neurosurgery.

As we continue our celebration, we are especially proud to recognize Dr. Carlos David and Dr. Matthew Ewend for an extra...
09/10/2025

As we continue our celebration, we are especially proud to recognize Dr. Carlos David and Dr. Matthew Ewend for an extraordinary milestone, 20 consecutive years on the Castle Connolly Top Doctors list! This remarkable achievement reflects their unwavering dedication to patients, their leadership in advancing the field of medicine, and their lasting impact on our community.

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170 Manning Drive (Admin Office)
Chapel Hill, NC
27514

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UNC Neurosurgery - About Us

Adult Neurosurgery| Pediatric Neurosurgeons| Brain Tumor Treatment | Skull Base Surgery| Spinal Neurosurgeons| Epilepsy Surgery| Scoliosis Surgery| Pituitary Tumor Treatment

UNC Neurosurgery offers brain tumor treatment, epilepsy surgery, scoliosis surgery, and treatment for spinal deformities and diseases, brain aneurysms and cerebrovascular disease, spine and head trauma, hydrocephalus, pituitary tumors, and treatment options for other conditions of the brain and spine in North Carolina. Our neurosurgeons are experts in skull base, spinal neurosurgery, and pediatric neurosurgery. UNC Neurosurgery looks first to nonsurgical and minimally invasive procedures that meet patient care goals when possible.

Skull Base Surgery in North Carolina

Our nationally recognized neurosurgeons are leaders in minimally invasive skull base surgery, and when patients choose to visit UNC’s Skull Base Center, they are choosing the best skull base surgical team in the southeast region.