Craniosynostosis

07/25/2024

Danna Yanez recently traveled from Mexico to San Antonio to seek treatment for her 16-month-old daughter, Camila, who was diagnosed with left side coronal suture craniosynostosis.

The Craniofacial Team at UHS, including Drs. Izabela Tarasiewicz, Joshua Stone, and Christian Stallworth, performed her surgery, which was sponsored by the non-profit organization Fresh Start Surgical Gifts.

As you can see from her two week follow up photos, Camila is doing well after her successful surgery. The Craniofacial Team was happy to see her smiling face!

03/05/2024

Our team is excited to announce that the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) has voted to fully approve the University Health San Antonio Cleft & Craniofacial Clinic as a Cross-Specialty Team.

We are now listed as an approved team on the official ACPA site, which you can visit using the link below.

This distinction demonstrates that our clinic upholds the high standards set by the ACPA regarding the provision of interdisciplinary care to individuals and families affected by cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial anomalies.

Amir Azarisamani MD (Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery); Tuan Nguyen, MD (Plastic Surgery); Lance Thompson, MD, DDS (Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery)

08/01/2023

The Department of Neurosurgery is sad to share the news that David F. Jimenez, MD, Founding Chair for the Department of Neurosurgery, Long School of Medicine, and internationally renowned Pediatric Neurosurgeon, passed away at his home in El Paso, Texas on May 25th, 2023.

Dr. Jimenez was a pioneer in minimally invasive cranial surgery, especially endoscopic craniosynostosis surgery in infants. His work was transformational and changed standards of care across the world. He published over a hundred publications and numerous books, with his latest in 2022 titled: Endoscopic Craniosynostosis Surgery: An Illustrated Guide to Endoscopic Techniques 1st Edition.

Neurosurgery at UT Health San Antonio was a division of General Surgery, and the founding Chair was Dr. Jim L. Story in 1967 at the Robert B Green Hospital in downtown San Antonio. Later, in 2003, the Division of Neurosurgery closed and the residency program was closed. At this time, Dr. Jimenez, was serving as Chair of Neurosurgery in Missouri and was recruited to San Antonio. One of his requirements in his recruitment was to reorganize Neurosurgery into its own independent department. Indeed, this was agreed upon by the School of Medicine and, in 2004, Dr. David Jimenez became the Inaugural Chair for the Department of Neurosurgery, paving the way for future success.

Under his leadership from 2004-2016, a number of strategic initiatives were accomplished. One of his first tasks as Chair and Program Director, was to reopen and re-credential the residency training program. This was accomplished in 2005 with approval for one resident slot per year, for a total of seven residents. Over the years, this grew to seventeen total residents, with enfolded spine and neuro critical care fellowships. Dr. Jimenez was able to grow the department, develop a dedicated Neuro Critical Care program, and expand Neurosurgery care throughout the community, leading to the first stroke center certification in San Antonio.

Dr. Jimenez left a lasting impact on the lives of his patients, their families, and the history of our institution. We hope you will join us in celebrating his life and legacy. In memory of his accomplishments and impact on the Department of Neurosurgery, Long School of Medicine, the department has opened a permanent fund for Advancement and Educational Support for the Neurosurgical Residency Program, the “Dr. David F Jimenez Educational Fund.”

If you would like to contribute to this fund, please follow the link below and select it from the designation dropdown menu:

https://makelivesbetter.uthscsa.edu/neurosurgery

03/06/2023

In the 2021 issue of Salute, the official magazine of the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio, Mark Miller, MD, and Izabela Tarasiewicz, MD, were interviewed about their pediatric patient, Alessia Gonzalez.

Alessia was born with Apert syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes premature fusion of the bones of the skull, hands, and feet. Thanks to the multidisciplinary environment at UT Health, Alessia’s surgeries and treatment plan were overseen by a wide array of specialists who worked together to ensure that she had the best outcomes possible.

You can read the full article detailing Alessia’s story by visiting the link below:

When Alessia was born, she was diagnosed with Apert syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes premature fusion of the bones of the skull, hands and feet. Mark A. Miller, DMD, MD, FACS, pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgeon with the School of Dentistry, worked with a multidisciplinary team to per...

03/02/2023

Last May, Mark Miller, MD, and Izabela Tarasiewicz, MD, were interviewed by KENS 5 for a news segment about Mirlee Janice Ramirez, a child born with Apert syndrome.

Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by malformations of the skull, face, hands, and feet. Mirlee needed surgical intervention within her first months of life to correct the premature fusing of bones in her skull, a disorder that is also known as craniosynostosis. Mirlee’s parents contacted the multidisciplinary team at UT Health and UHS because their physicians are at the forefront of treatment for the management of complex disorders like Apert syndrome and craniosynostosis.

You can learn more about Mirlee’s story and the progress she has made with her parents by watching the video below.

Flor Ramirez worked at KENS 5, and we're helping her raise awareness about this rare, hardly known, genetic disorder that often goes unnoticed until birth.

02/28/2023

Mirlee Janice Ramirez was born with Apert syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by malformations of the skull, face, hands, and feet. In her first months of life, Mirlee needed multiple surgeries to correct the premature fusing of bones in her skull, a disorder that is also known as craniosynostosis.

Mirlee’s parents contacted the multidisciplinary team at UT Health and UHS because their physicians are at the forefront of treatment for the management of complex disorders like Apert syndrome and craniosynostosis.

You can learn more about Mirlee and the journey she is taking with her parents by reading the article below.

Flor Ramirez worked at KENS 5, and we're helping her raise awareness about this rare, hardly known, genetic disorder that often goes unnoticed until birth.

02/16/2023

Alessia was diagnosed with Apert Syndrome, a condition that causes the bones in the head, hands and feet to fuse together abnormally. Her parents searched for specialists who could treat this rare birth disorder and found our team at University Hospital. After several successful surgeries, Alessia has a bright future ahead of her.

You can learn more about her journey by visiting the link below:

https://www.universityhealthsystem.com/pediatrics/services/neurosurgery ► Alessia was diagnosed with Apert Syndrome, a condition that causes the bones in the...

05/06/2022

The Department of Neurosurgery would like to express our respect and appreciation for all the nurses who contribute so much to the success of our clinics.

Your expertise and care make our community a happier and healthier place. Thank you!

04/27/2022

The Department of Neurosurgery would like to express our gratitude and admiration for all the administrative professionals who contribute so much to the success of our workplace.

Thank you for making UT Health San Antonio a better and brighter place in which to work!

04/18/2022

April is Multiple Birth Awareness Month, so we wanted to share one of our favorite pictures of our patients. Please share your favorite pictures of your multiples - we'd love to see them! These cuties are actually part of a trio, but only two needed cranial remolding therapy.

One contributing factor for deformational plagiocephaly is multiple birth infants. Other factors may include:

-Prolonged supine position (on their back)
-Insufficient time on their tummy when the baby is awake
-Congenital muscular torticollis or neck weakness
-Breech birth

03/30/2022

To all the fine physicians who work at the Department of Neurosurgery, UT Health San Antonio, and beyond, we wish you a happy Doctors’ Day!

We are grateful for your compassion, your dedication, and your tireless commitment to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Thank you!

01/01/2022

The Department of Neurosurgery wishes you a happy and healthy new year! Be safe and be well in 2022.