University of Utah Neurosurgery

11/17/2025

11/04/2025

Over the weekend, the residents practiced their bypass skills on turkey legs in a microsuturing course led by Dr. Robert Rennert, Dr. William Couldwell, and Dr. Karol Budohoski.

A huge thank you to PGY-5 Resident Dr. Leo Kim, who helped to organize the course, and OR coordinator Emily Buckner, who helped arrange the use of microscopes and instruments.

It's great to see our residents grow and develop their skills as surgeons!

11/03/2025

Where you live shouldn’t determine the kind of cancer care you can access.

Two new studies from Huntsman Cancer Institute researchers — Dr. Rachna Malani, Dr. Joe Mendez, and Dr. Randy Jensen — found that glioblastoma patients who live farther from specialized cancer centers are less likely to join clinical trials and may experience slightly worse outcomes.

Our teams are working to change that by bringing care closer to home through telehealth, regional partnerships, and expanded travel support. It’s all part of our commitment to ensure every patient, no matter where they live, has access to the best possible care and research opportunities. https://bit.ly/47TqtIB

10/31/2025

Last week, our University of Utah team—in collaboration with the Tanzania Stroke Project, Road2IR, and the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute—travelled to Tanzania to work with and begin training the inaugural Endovascular Training Program fellows in Dar es Salaam.
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1. Dr. Nguyen, PGY-5 resident, in the operating room with Dr. Frank and Dr. Shakeel from Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute
2. Dr. Karol Budohoski and Dr. Alpha Kinghomella during and after successful flow diversion treatment for a patient with an intracranial aneurysm

10/27/2025

It's a pleasure to have Dr. Carter join us as both CEO and a fellow neurosurgeon!

10/24/2025

Marilyn Starcevich has been traveling to University of Utah from her home in Butte, Montana for years to get the best possible care after her stroke. In 2022, she was introduced to Dr. Mark Mahan, who performed surgery on Marilyn’s nerves to alleviate her pain and allow her to stand with both feet flat to the ground.
“It doesn’t sound like much, but the surgery made a huge [..] improvement to my gait,” she said.
Read the full story at http://bit.ly/4oCtJ0N

Two weeks after her stroke, she was transferred to Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital from a hospital in Missoula, Montana. Four times a year, Marilyn Starcevich and her husband drive more than 400 miles. For the next two months, a multidisciplinary team at the rehab hospital helped her quite literally...

10/22/2025

At 7 years old, Isabel Tirado experienced vision loss and was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a brain tumor that was crushing her optic nerve. Pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Samuel Cheshier, and his team, including Dr. Jeremiah Alt, performed a minimally invasive surgery to remove the tumor.

"Now we could never leave Utah," Isabel's mom shared. "We can't recreate the care team that we have."

Read the full story at http://bit.ly/3L5u2Ta

10/09/2025

Join Shervin Rahimpour, MD, and Epilepsy Foundation Utah for a FREE 🥓bacon🥓 and 🥚“EEGs”🥚 brunch next Saturday, October 18th!

Dr. Rahimpour will discuss surgical options for seizure control. Register now at https://givebutter.com/efutbrunch

Children are welcome, we will have pumpkins to paint!

10/08/2025

Incredible to see the progress and innovation in the field of endoscopic surgery!

The Endoscopic & Percutaneous Spine Program offers minimally invasive spine procedures. These advanced techniques provide patients with better outcomes and quicker recovery.

09/24/2025

September is ! Hydrocephalus is a condition that creates an excess of fluid in the brain and requires surgery to treat. Although many people know hydrocephalus as a condition that affects children, children with hydrocephalus will grow into adults with hydrocephalus, and anyone can develop the condition at any time. We’re dedicated to raising awareness and supporting patients with this condition.

09/22/2025

We’re honored to announce that the Department of Neurosurgery was ranked 25th in the world (and 11th in the United States) in neurosurgical research by EduRank!

Specialties are ranked based solely upon citations of their research contributions. We’re incredibly proud of our team for their dedication to advancing the field.

See the full list at https://bit.ly/4grzbk6

09/19/2025

We’re thrilled to celebrate Taryn Bragg, MD, after her receipt of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance & Human Services Network 2025 Impact Award. As the only full-time, board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon in Nevada, Dr. Bragg has played a critical role in caring for children throughout the state.

A statement provided by a spokesperson shared that “[Dr. Bragg’s] unwavering commitment and clinical excellence have profoundly impacted thousands of children and families, offering not only medical intervention but hope and healing. Her work is a powerful testament to the vital importance of specialized pediatric care and the lasting impact one dedicated professional can have on an entire community.”