UNMH is capable of treating the full spectrum of cerebrovascular disorders including aneurysms, vascular malformations, and ischemic vascular diseases. The team of neurosurgeons and endovascular interventional neuroradiologist makes UNMH the only center in the state of New Mexico that offers these services 24 hours a day.
Cerebral aneurysm repair, including microsurgical and endovascular coiling
Cerebral angiography
Endarterectomy and endovascular stenting
Endovascular embolization
Stereotactic radiosurgery and Gamma Knife for cerebrovascular surgery
Thrombectomy
Intracranial bypass
The 24-bed neuroscience intensive care unit is present at UNMH to care for and monitor cerebrovascular surgery patients post-operatively, and is an excellent setting for cutting-edge research in acute neurosurgical care. As the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in New Mexico, UNMH is best staffed and equipped to care for cerebrovascular emergencies.
Dr. Benson Daitz, MD; Dr. Joanna Katzman, MD; Dr. Eugene Koshkin, MD; Dr. Janet Miller, MD; Dr. Christian Ricks, MD; Dr. Brian Shelley, MD; Meg Shuttleworth, LMHC,PhD
The UNM Comprehensive Pain Treatment Center, located in the Clinical Neurosciences Center, hosts a multidisciplinary program for the treatment of chronic pain. Anesthesiologists, internists, family practitioners, neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, physical and occupational therapists, chiropractors, pharmacists, and nurses collaborate as a cohesive team to deliver the full spectrum of both conservative approaches as well as interventional care for pain management. The UNM Pain Medicine Fellowship through the Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care is housed at this site.
The functional and epilepsy surgery programs are growing as treatments and indications expand. UNMH has both an adult and pediatric Level IV Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. The department’s interests include deep brain stimulation for parkinsonism, spinal cord stimulation for pain, and vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy and depression. The Functional MRI service at SRMC generates pre-operative 3-D modeling which can be used real time in intra-operative guidance to optimize outcomes from these procedures. The Nene and Jamie Koch Comprehensive Center for Movement Disorders, currently under construction, will be a $15 million facility dedicated to a multidisciplinary treatment of movement disorders. Laser ablation is also available for treatment of epileptic foci.
The Department of Neurosurgery, partnering with colleagues at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, treat some of the most complex and difficult brain tumors. When appropriate, our team uses brain mapping and awake brain surgery to preserve memory, movement and speech. We also utilize intraoperative fluoroscopy, laser ablation, and minimally invasive surgical equipment. Our team also offers several new and advanced procedures for spinal cord tumors: decompression and spinal column stabilization, percutaneous cement augmentation, and instrumentation to relieve pain from tumors in the spine.
Dr. Robert Alunday, MD; Dr. Chad Cole, MD; Dr. Christian Ricks, MD; Dr. Huy Tran, MD
UNMH is the state’s only Level I trauma center. At UNMH, helicopters and airplanes bring patients from a 400-mile radius covering over 2 million people with greater than 7,000 trauma admissions annually. Major multiple trauma is routinely managed by a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team. The neurosciences ICU at UNMH is a pioneer in neuromonitoring techniques. The team manages a high volume of complex neuro-trauma including, brain, spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve injury.
With the only fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeons and Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, the pediatric neurosurgery service is located exclusively at the Barbara & Bill Richardson pavilion at UNMH. The full spectrum of pediatric neurosurgical disorders is managed at this facility. Multidisciplinary clinics and conferences are established for pediatric brain tumors, epilepsy, spina bifida, spasticity, and craniofacial disorders. More than 130 pediatric neurosurgical operations are performed each year, including surgery for spinal deformities. With Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation, UNM pediatric neurosurgery is able to provide the full continuum of care for children undergoing neurosurgical procedures. The Ronald McDonald House and Casa Esperanza provide support for families coming from across the state to receive advanced care at UNMH.
The Department of Neurosurgery works closely with the neuromuscular center (neurology), rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, and general trauma to provide comprehensive management of peripheral nerve disorders. Emphasis on tumors and traumatic injuries results in an active clinical research area. The Department has had a long interest in the diagnosis and management of facial pain syndromes, especially trigeminal neuralgia. All procedures are offered for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, including peripheral procedures, microvascular decompression, and radiosurgery.
Dr. Garth Olson, MD; Dr. Bradley Pickett, MD; Dr. Liat Shama, MD
An active multidisciplinary Skull Base Clinic exists in cooperation with the Departments of Otolaryngology, Endocrinology, and Plastic Surgery for the management of all types of skull base tumors including acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumors, and paranasal sinus neoplasms with intracranial extension. Endonasal and trans-sulcal systems are utilized at UNM for minimally invasive tumor removal.
Dr. Chad Cole, MD; Dr. Christian Ricks, MD; Dr. Peter Shin, MD
The Department of Neurosurgery works independently and in conjunction with the departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, General Surgery, Rehabilitation Medicine, Oncology, and Radiology in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of spinal disorders. Neurosurgeons at UNM have the opportunity to utilize minimally invasive techniques and endoscopic laser spine surgery. The UNM Anthony Yeung Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, funded by a gift from UNM School of Medicine Alumni Dr. Anthony Yeung, is dedicated to advancing the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. Neurosurgery residents interested in a Spine Fellowship at UNM can find application information here.
