UNC Department of Neurosurgery

01/09/2026

At UNC Neurosurgery, our Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) program is centered on one thing: patients.

We’re proud to share a new video that highlights the real experiences of individuals living with movement disorders and how deep brain stimulation has helped them reclaim daily life, independence, and hope.

This short film offers a patient-centered look at care, innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration within UNC’s Deep Brain Stimulation program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOFujEA5SSg&t=1s

What if tremors no longer controlled your life? In this video, patients share their powerful journey with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)—from the decision to m...

01/07/2026

This week, Dr. Carlos David, Chief of Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery and Director of the Skull Base Skills Laboratory at UNC Neurosurgery, is serving as guest faculty at the Spetzler Microneurosurgery Course at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. David will be teaching advanced skull base approaches and delivering grand rounds as part of this nationally recognized course, which emphasizes microneurosurgical anatomy, operative technique, and hands-on surgical education.

We’re proud to see Dr. David representing UNC Neurosurgery and helping train the next generation of neurosurgical leaders.

Photo by Kurt Nolen, SOC

01/05/2026

We are extending the submission deadline until this Saturday, January 10

med.unc.edu/neurosurgery/e…

We look forward to reviewing your work!

12/22/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Dominique Higgins, MD, PhD on becoming a diplomate of the American Board Neurological Surgery through achieving board certification in neurological surgery.

Dr. Higgins is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of Adult Neurosurgical Oncology at UNC Health. He specializes in the surgical treatment of brain tumors, including glioblastoma, and is actively engaged in research focused on advancing care for patients with malignant brain tumors 🧠🔬
Board certification represents a significant professional milestone and reflects a commitment to rigorous training, clinical excellence, and the highest standards of patient care.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Dr. Higgins on this well-earned achievement.

Photo by Kurt Nolen, SOC

12/19/2025

Thank you to our admin and staff for sharing holiday cheer with UNC Children's - North Carolina Children's Hospital 🎁 Happy Holidays!

12/09/2025

We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya, who has been accepted as a member of the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS), one of the world’s premier communities dedicated to advancing cervical spine science and improving patient outcomes. CSRS is known for its rigorous, peer-reviewed research and selective membership.

Reflecting on this achievement, Dr. Upadhyaya said:
“Becoming a member of the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) has been deeply meaningful both personally and for our research mission at UNC Neurosurgery. CSRS is a premier global community dedicated to advancing cervical spine science and improving patient outcomes. Membership opens the door to meaningful collaboration with leaders in the field and helps accelerate the translation of high-quality evidence into clinical practice.”

This milestone highlights Dr. Upadhyaya’s leadership in spine research, clinical innovation and academic excellence. Please join us in congratulating him on this outstanding accomplishment and his continued commitment to advancing neurosurgical care in North Carolina and beyond.

12/08/2025

📣 Save the Date: March 21, 2026
UNC Neurosurgery is hosting the Deep Brain Stimulation & Focused Ultrasound Symposium of the Carolinas at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. This event will bring together clinicians, trainees, scientists and engineers from across the Carolinas to advance collaboration in neuromodulation.

We are currently seeking event sponsors at the Gold ($10,000), Platinum ($5,000) and Silver ($3,000) levels, each offering recognition and exhibit opportunities.

To be included in event materials and receive 2025 tax-year credit, sponsorship commitments are requested by Dec. 31, 2025, with funds received by Feb. 28, 2026.

For details, please contact Dr. Vibhor Krishna at vibhor_krishna@med.unc.edu.

We look forward to a dynamic and collaborative symposium. 🧠✨
https://www.med.unc.edu/neurosurgery/event/seeking-sponsors-for-our-upcoming-deep-brain-stimulation-focused-ultrasound-symposium-of-the-carolinas/

12/03/2025

UNC Neurosurgery is now accepting submissions for the 4th Annual NeuroSpine Forum, a virtual event open to orthopedic and neurosurgical faculty, fellows, residents, and students.

We’re seeking research abstracts and short surgical videos (5–7 minutes). The majority of the program comes directly from submitted work, so your participation — and sharing this call within your networks — is essential.

🗓 Deadline: Extended to Jan. 10, 2026
📍 Virtual event (half-day or full-day depending on submissions)
🔗https://www.med.unc.edu/neurosurgery/event/open-submissions-for-4th-annual-virtual-neurospine-conference/

We look forward to reviewing your work and showcasing innovation across the spine community.

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.

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.

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.

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.