Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery

Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery A world leader in neurological and spine health. Excellence in patient care, cutting-edge research, and training. Join us in advancing neurosurgical health.

Welcome to the Department of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where exceptional patient care, innovative research and cutting edge technology converge in a world-class academic environment for the treatment of neurological diseases. Columbia Neurosurgery’s vision is to provide clarity and the best possible outcomes for all of our patients – and we want you to be a part of that effort. Columbia Neurosurgery’s page is an online information platform provided to the community for educational purposes only. Any and all comments are monitored and reviewed to ensure they comply with our commenting guidelines. If you have specific neurosurgical-related health condition, please call your healthcare provider for examination, or contact us through our website at www.columbianeursurgery.org. By viewing or posting comments, links or other information on Columbia Neurosurgery’s page, you agree to:

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This Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a new frontier in movement disorder care: bilateral PTT with focuse...
04/06/2026

This Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a new frontier in movement disorder care: bilateral PTT with focused ultrasound.

At Columbia Neurosurgery, Gordon Baltuch, MD is now performing this new incisionless treatment for appropriate patients with Parkinson’s disease tremor, helping improve symptom control without traditional open surgery.

Using focused ultrasound, bilateral PTT precisely targets brain circuits involved in tremor—offering a noninvasive option with no incisions, no implants, and often rapid recovery.

Dr. Baltuch has already successfully performed several of these new procedures, including for a patient who traveled from overseas to receive treatment at Columbia—underscoring the growing global interest in this breakthrough approach.

This is what Parkinson’s innovation looks like:
⚡ Precision
⚡ No incision
⚡ Faster recovery
⚡ Expanded treatment options

For more information on Dr. Baltuch's Parkinson's work, visit the link below.


https://doctors.columbia.edu/us/ny/new-york/gordon-h-baltuch-md-phd-710-west-168th-street?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69d427385d065a8b0fefd42d

At Brain Waves 2025, we were honored to welcome Fred Barker, MD, Director of Cranial Base Surgery at Massachusetts Gener...
04/02/2026

At Brain Waves 2025, we were honored to welcome Fred Barker, MD, Director of Cranial Base Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group for a powerful keynote on where neurosurgical oncology is headed next.

Dr. Barker’s talk highlighted a major shift: breakthroughs in targeted therapies and immunotherapy are fundamentally changing how brain tumors are treated — in many cases reducing the need for highly morbid surgery altogether.EK therapy…

The message was clear: the future of neurosurgery is already here. 🚀 And it’s increasingly multidisciplinary, precise, and patient-centered.

We’re deeply grateful to Dr. Barker for sharing his insight, leadership, and vision with our community.

Watch the full keynote at the link below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYad4ucAOvg&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69cebb4646b67a02c808cbfb

When conservative treatment stopped working, surgery was the only option left for one young patient suffering from sever...
03/31/2026

When conservative treatment stopped working, surgery was the only option left for one young patient suffering from severe back and leg pain.

He went home the day after his procedure. Pain-free after his recovery.

At Columbia Neurosurgery, Taemin Oh, MD uses minimally invasive spine surgery to treat complex conditions in children and adolescents—helping patients recover faster and get back to living their lives.

🔗 Full story at the link below

https://www.neurosurgery.columbia.edu/news/minimally-invasive-spine-surgery-offers-faster-recovery-children-newyork-presbyterian-morgan-stanley-childrens-hospital?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69caabfde6a9f24975b89f12

Happy Doctors’ Day to our team of physicians, including our faculty and resident—and to the many partners in medicine we...
03/30/2026

Happy Doctors’ Day to our team of physicians, including our faculty and resident—and to the many partners in medicine we collaborate with every day in service of our patients.

Thank you for your dedication to advancing care, research, and innovation in neurosurgery. 💙

March is .More than 60 million people worldwide live with essential tremor — yet many people don’t realize their sympto...
03/29/2026

March is .

More than 60 million people worldwide live with essential tremor — yet many people don’t realize their symptoms have a name.

Essential tremor can make everyday activities, like writing, eating, hobbies you love, more difficult. But treatment options are available, and many patients find meaningful relief with the right care.

If you or someone you love is experiencing tremor symptoms, visit the link below to learn more from Dr. Gordon Baltuch.



https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/focused-ultrasound-helps-people-essential-tremor?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69b8331cc40e81e621230bcd

#1 in the nation!NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center has been named the #1 health ...
03/27/2026

#1 in the nation!

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center has been named the #1 health system in the U.S. by Castle Connolly Top Doctors, with 15+ Columbia Neurosurgery faculty recognized as Top Doctors.

Dr. Peter D. Angevine
Dr. Gordon H. Baltuch
Dr. Jeffrey N. Bruce
Dr. Dean Chou
Dr. E. Sander Connolly
Dr. Neil A. Feldstein
Dr. Sean D. Lavine
Dr. Christopher E. Mandigo
Dr. Grace K. Mandigo
Dr. Paul C. McCormick
Dr. Guy M. McKhann
Dr. Raymond F. Sekula
Dr. Michael B. Sisti
Dr. Robert Solomon
Dr. Christopher J. Winfree

This recognition is peer-driven and grounded in clinical excellence, outcomes, and leadership across specialties from brain tumors to cerebrovascular, spine, and functional neurosurgery.

Proud to be part of a team shaping the future of neurological care!

https://www.neurosurgery.columbia.edu/news/newyork-presbyterian-columbia-university-irving-medical-center-named-1-health-system-castle-connolly-columbia-neurosurgery-faculty-recognized-top-doctors?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69c6bc7a4213bbfe0af97b6f

03/24/2026

Living with seizures can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, especially when medications aren’t enough.

Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) is an advanced treatment option offered at Columbia Neurosurgery for certain patients with epilepsy.

The small implanted device works like a “smart monitor” for the brain. It continuously tracks brain activity and delivers gentle stimulation only when it detects patterns that could lead to a seizure — helping reduce how often seizures happen.

Our team takes the time to carefully evaluate each patient and build a personalized treatment plan. For many, RNS offers new hope, greater independence, and a better quality of life.

If you or a loved one is struggling with seizures, our specialists are here to help explore your options.

Learn more in the link below.
https://www.neurosurgery.columbia.edu/patient-care/specialties/epilepsy-and-seizures?utm_content=sked_69c2cb3068225b9e8cb5d8f3&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

Today is !We’re thrilled to welcome three new residents joining the Columbia Neurosurgery team!Please join us in congra...
03/20/2026

Today is !

We’re thrilled to welcome three new residents joining the Columbia Neurosurgery team!

Please join us in congratulating:

🧠 Vardhaan Ambati, MD, MS
Medical School: University of CA San Francisco School of Medicine

🧠 Harrison Howell, MD
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

🧠 Alexander Kim, MD, PhD
Medical School: University of CA, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

We’re proud to welcome these future neurosurgeons to our community and look forward to the contributions they’ll make to patient care, research, and the field of .

Join us in welcoming them to the Columbia Neurosurgery family! 💙

From in-utero intervention to minimally invasive spine surgery, Columbia Neurosurgery is redefining pediatric care.Throu...
03/19/2026

From in-utero intervention to minimally invasive spine surgery, Columbia Neurosurgery is redefining pediatric care.

Through collaboration at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, our team is advancing fetoscopic repair for spina bifida — a minimally invasive prenatal approach designed to improve long-term neurological outcomes.

During Awareness Month, we also recognize advances in the surgical management of spasticity and complex neurological conditions. Neil Feldstein, MD, provides comprehensive pediatric neurosurgical care, including treatment for children with cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and brain tumors.

Alongside him, Taemin Oh, MD, leads innovation in pediatric spine surgery with motion-preserving and minimally invasive techniques for complex spinal deformities.

From fetal intervention to advanced brain and spine surgery, we’re expanding what’s possible for children and families.

Dr. Neil Feldstein is the Program Director for the Columbia Neurosurgery Residency, and has been training neurosurgeons ...
03/18/2026

Dr. Neil Feldstein is the Program Director for the Columbia Neurosurgery Residency, and has been training neurosurgeons at Columbia Neurosurgery for over 30 years.

He's listed a few common characteristics of the top trainees and practicing neurosurgeons.

Would you add anything? 💬

*CORRECTION: "Appreciation of 3D anatomy"

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting nearly 1 million people...
03/15/2026

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting nearly 1 million people in the U.S.

MS care is primarily managed by neurologists, but neurosurgeons play a critical role when patients develop:

• Structural spinal cord compression
• Severe spasticity
• Complex neurological symptoms requiring surgical evaluation

At Columbia, the Multiple Sclerosis Center and Division of Neuroimmunology are advancing:

• Translational research
• Clinical trials
• Imaging innovation

This includes work through the National MS Brain Bank research to better understand disease progression

Through collaboration across neurology, neurosurgery, and imaging science, Columbia continues to push forward comprehensive, research-driven care for patients living with MS.

03/13/2026

In his keynote, Michael Sisti, MD reflects on 44 years in practice and over 8,000 primary brain tumor surgeries.

Rather than accepting technical limits, Dr. Sisti calls for “surgical consilience” — the unity of optical, biological, electrical, and mechanical innovation into a single, more powerful surgical approach.

Key takeaways:
• Treat the survivor. When cure is not yet possible, precision, safety, and profound doctoring matter most
• Real-time tumor identification deep in white matter where standard visualization falls short
• Functional preservation in eloquent brain regions through continuous mapping
• The future of GBM care lies in AI-driven tissue analysis and advanced robotics

The message: Surgical progress is not just about doing more. It’s about building better tools so skill can translate into speed, accuracy, and safer outcomes.

Full video in the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?utm_content=sked_69b4304b67c598a533af6226&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&v=p57b-YF8n3U

Address

710 W 168th Street, Fl 4th
New York, NY
10032

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+12123057950

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