Weill Cornell Medicine Pediatric Neurosurgery

01/12/2026

The Cristian Rivera Foundation (CRF) reached a historic milestone in its mission to cure diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) with a $365,000 donation, the largest single gift in the foundation’s history, to support groundbreaking research at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Read more at https://neurosurgery.weill.cornell.edu/about-us/news-updates/cristian-rivera-foundation-sets-new-record-365000-gift-advance-dipg-research

01/05/2026

January is Mental Wellness Month.

As we transition out of the busy holiday season, it’s the perfect time to refocus on mental well-being. Our Neuropsychology Services are dedicated to supporting the cognitive and emotional health of every patient we serve.

12/31/2025

A multidisciplinary team at Weill Cornell Medicine, spanning neurosurgery, neuropsychology and clinical research, published two complementary reviews that together provide a comprehensive look at how Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) affects cognition across patients’ lifespans. The work was led by neurosurgery fellow Dr. Mohammed A. Fouda in collaboration with Drs. Jeffrey P. Greenfield, H. Allison Bender and Amanda Sacks-Zimmerman.

Read more at https://neurosurgery.weill.cornell.edu/about-us/news-updates/weill-cornell-medicine-team-publishes-pediatric-and-adult-reviews-cognitive-0

12/23/2025

Dr. Mark Souweidane Reaches Milestone of 300 Endoscopic Colloid Cyst Resections

Dr. Mark M. Souweidane, vice chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and director of pediatric neurological surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital of Children’s Hospital of New York, has achieved a new milestone, completing more than 300 endoscopic resections of colloid cysts – a minimally invasive procedure to remove benign pockets of tissue in the brain.

This accomplishment reflects decades of experience in minimally invasive, endoscopic neurosurgery and a career-long commitment to redefining the best surgical management for these rare brain lesions.

Read more at https://neurosurgery.weill.cornell.edu/about-us/news-updates/dr-mark-souweidane-reaches-milestone-300-endoscopic-colloid-cyst-resections-0

12/16/2025

The Pediatric Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons held its annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 4–7, bringing together pediatric neurosurgery leaders to review new research, health initiatives and best practices.

Dr. Taemin Oh attended on behalf of Weill Cornell Medicine, highlighting the department’s new initiatives in complex pediatric spine care. Michelle Buontempo attended as chair of the Advanced Practice Provider Committee, sharing updates on the committee’s work over the past year.

12/09/2025

From Patient to Pediatric Neurosurgeon-in-Training

Just one month after her Chiari decompression surgery, Addison walked into school on Career Day dressed as… Dr. Greenfield himself, complete with her own little brain prop!

Her strength, spirit, and curiosity inspire all of us.

We’re so grateful to Addison and her family for sharing this moment with us and we’re honored to be part of her healing journey.

Want to learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield and his work with patients like Addison? Visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/faculty/jeffrey-p-greenfield-md-phd

11/19/2025

Expanding care beyond New York!

This month, Michelle Buontempo, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPNP, shared Weill Cornell Medicine’s Pediatric Neurosurgical Craniofacial Program expertise at the New Jersey NAPNAP Annual Pediatric Conference. She highlighted early recognition, imaging, and multidisciplinary care for children with craniofacial differences—helping providers connect families to specialized care.

📍 Learn more about our craniofacial services and schedule an appointment: https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/craniosynostosis

📞 Call 866-426-7787

11/19/2025

We are proud to share that Dr. Mark M. Souweidane, Michels Family Professor of Pediatric Neurological Surgery and Director of Pediatric Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, recently participated in the 14th International Pediatric Conference in Dubai, hosted by KidsHeart Medical Center in affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian Kids/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center.

This global gathering brought together renowned pediatric experts from around the world to collaborate, lead case simulations, and advance the future of children’s health across more than twenty pediatric specialties.

Dr. Souweidane joined international leaders to discuss innovations in pediatric neurosurgery, share clinical insights, and help build bridges for global collaboration in childhood brain tumor research and care.

We are honored to see Dr. Souweidane representing Weill Cornell Medicine on an international stage—continuing his lifelong commitment to advancing neurosurgical care for children and championing new approaches that bring hope to families worldwide.

Looking for expert pediatric neurosurgical care or a second opinion? Learn more about Dr. Souweidane’s work and request an appointment today. https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/faculty/mark-m-souweidane-md

11/18/2025

Supporting the Whole Patient: Neuropsychology in Adult Epilepsy Care

During National Epilepsy Awareness Month, we recognize the vital role of neuropsychology in the comprehensive care of adults living with epilepsy. At Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. H. Allison Bender, PhD, ABPP, brings deep expertise and compassionate insight to her work as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist.

Dr. Bender specializes in evaluating cognitive and emotional functioning in adults with epilepsy, helping patients and care teams better understand how seizures and treatments may affect memory, attention, mood, and overall quality of life. Her assessments are essential in guiding surgical decisions, monitoring recovery, and supporting long-term wellness.

As Dr. Bender shares:
“Neuropsychological care helps us understand the full impact of epilepsy on a person’s life—not just the seizures, but how they think, feel, and function day to day. It’s about supporting the whole patient.”

Working closely with neurosurgeons like Dr. Caitlin Hoffman, who treats both children and adults, Dr. Bender ensures that each patient’s journey is informed by a holistic understanding of brain health and personal experience.

Together, their collaboration reflects Weill Cornell’s commitment to multidisciplinary care, where clinical excellence and empathy go hand in hand.

To learn more about adult epilepsy care and connect with our team, please visit:
https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/condition/epilepsy-adults

11/13/2025

At Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Neurological Surgery, care is more than a mission. It is at the heart of everything we do.

On World Kindness Day, we are reminded that compassion is just as vital to healing as any medical breakthrough. What sets us apart is not only our expertise, but our commitment to treating every patient and every interaction with empathy, dignity, and respect.

While our department is built on education and research, it is our humanity that defines us. From complex neurosurgical procedures to everyday moments of connection, kindness guides our every step.

Today, take a moment to show kindness to someone. It could make a world of difference to them.

If you or a loved one is seeking expert, compassionate neurosurgical care, call us at 866-426-7787. We are here to help.

11/06/2025

11/03/2025

Honoring Excellence in Epilepsy Care: Dr. Caitlin Hoffman

This November, in recognition of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, we celebrate Dr. Caitlin Hoffman’s extraordinary contributions to epilepsy surgery, with a special focus on her work with pediatric patients.

Dr. Hoffman is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of epilepsy and a broad spectrum of pediatric neurosurgical conditions. She leads the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she fosters collaboration across campuses to advance care, research, and innovation.

Her career is defined by remarkable milestones. In 2019, Dr. Hoffman performed Tanzania’s first-ever functional hemispherectomy on a child suffering from intractable seizures—a life-changing procedure that resulted in seizure freedom.

Reflecting on her work, Dr. Hoffman shares:
“Being part of a child’s healing journey is both a privilege and a source of profound fulfillment.”

This month and every month, Dr. Hoffman’s dedication reminds us that meaningful progress in epilepsy care is driven by clinical excellence, compassionate innovation, and a deep commitment to improving lives.

To learn more about epilepsy care at Weill Cornell Medicine or to connect with our team, please visit:
https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/condition/epilepsy-children