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:

1. Be respectful of others.
2. Post comments that are appropriate and relevant.
3. Not use language that discriminates based on race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.
4. Not post anything that is obscene, abusive, libelous, threatening or otherwise illegal.
5. Not impersonate any other person or allow another person to use your identity to post or view comments.
6. Not post advertisements, business solicitations or spam.
7. Not post materials that are copyrighted or trademarked. All comments and other posts are subject to review by Columbia Neurosurgery. Those that do not abide by these policies will be removed.

Meet Amrita Singh, MD, PGY-3 Resident!Dr. Singh received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Col...
04/15/2026

Meet Amrita Singh, MD, PGY-3 Resident!

Dr. Singh received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Columbia University and earned her MD from Yale University School of Medicine.

Her research focuses on the genetic drivers of congenital hydrocephalus, including the identification of a novel human syndrome published in Brain in April 2024.

Dr. Singh has a strong interest in pediatric neurosurgery and is currently exploring the full breadth of the field during her residency.

Outside of medicine, she is an accomplished violinist with over two decades of training, including study at the Meadowmount School of Music.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Singh!

For Stress Awareness Month, we’re taking a closer look at burnout in neurosurgery through the lens of a large systematic...
04/14/2026

For Stress Awareness Month, we’re taking a closer look at burnout in neurosurgery through the lens of a large systematic review and meta-analysis by New World Neurosurgery journal.

The study found that nearly half of neurosurgeons and residents experience burnout, most commonly presenting as emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a reduced sense of accomplishment.

"Understand that burnout among neurosurgeons has little to do with a failure of individual resilience but much more to do with the system in which neurosurgeons function," says Dr. Gordon Baltuch.

📖 Read the full article in the link below.


https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7413160/?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69dd2fec3465c0091fbd1f9c

04/12/2026

Edward is an active young musician who had been dealing with persistent back and leg pain from an L5-S1 disc herniation.

When conservative treatment stopped working, Taemin Oh, MD offered a minimally invasive surgical option.

Using a microdiscectomy through a small 1–2 cm incision, Dr. Oh was able to relieve the pressure on Edward’s nerve while minimizing disruption to the surrounding tissue.

Edward woke up from surgery with his pain resolved and was home the next day. At follow-up, he shared that he feels like himself again.

Stories like this reflect what is possible with thoughtful, precise care. 💙

More on the story 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_69d42d205d065a8b0fefe659

During National Public Health Week (April 6–12), we’re highlighting how public health principles shape the future of neu...
04/10/2026

During National Public Health Week (April 6–12), we’re highlighting how public health principles shape the future of neurosurgery.

Public health influences how care is delivered, who can access it, and what outcomes are possible.

As a graduate of Columbia Public Health, Brett E. Youngerman, MD, MS, brings a systems-based lens to every patient interaction—combining clinical excellence with a focus on safety, access, and long-term outcomes.

“It’s not just about delivering technically excellent care; it’s about understanding who has access to that care, how patients move through complex systems, and how we can ensure that our treatments are safe and effective at scale.”

From clinical informatics to neuromodulation and patient-centered systems design, Dr. Youngerman’s work reflects how better systems create better care for every patient.

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! 💙

Address

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

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+12123057950

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category