Neurosurgery Tales

dnan H. Siddiqui is a dual-trained cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeon, clinician-scientist, and technology leader working at the intersection of surgery, stroke care, and innovation. He is Professor and Vice Chair of Neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo, leads one of the busiest comprehensive stroke services in the United States, and directs large NIH-funded research programs focus...

Fourth-year neurosurgery resident  Dr. Subhashree Hari  (P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai) joins Neurosurgery Tales to talk about what residency really looks like inside one of India’s busiest centers: high-volume clinics, learning under national leaders, the first mistake you never forget, and why communication can matter as much as the knife. Subtle cultural contrasts emerge naturally as we discuss...

About Dr. Fernandez-MirandaProfessor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University; Surgical Director, Brain Tumor, Skull Base, and Pituitary Centers; internationally recognized for endoscopic skull base surgery, pituitary and cavernous sinus surgery, and white-matter–respecting approaches. In this episode, Professor Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda, MD (Stanford Neurosurgery) unpacks the decision to leave Spai...

Dr. Daniele Bongetta is Head of Neurosurgery at Fatebenefratelli in Milan, a researcher and educator. Trained at the University of Pavia, he has performed thousands of neurosurgical procedures with expertise spanning brain tumors, spinal and vascular surgery, and traumatic injuries. He co-founded the Neurosurgical Basics course to give residents essential skills often overlooked in traditional tra...

Who owns your brain? Brain tech is here. Headbands track your focus. Stick-on “e-tattoos” read stress in real time. Neuralink implants are already in people. But the law is only now catching up. Chile has written neurorights into its Constitution. Colorado and California have declared brain-wave data “sensitive.” The EU bans emotion recognition in workplaces and schools. Still—outside the clinic,...

A conversation with Dr. Andrew Brunswick, neurosurgeon at Kaiser Permanente, Columbia and NYU trained, as we explore the intersections of finance, surgery, and mindset. In this episode:• From Wall Street to neurosurgery – how his early detour shaped ambition and risk-taking• Why simulation training is essential for rare, high-stakes moments in the OR• The balance between data, protocol, and intuit...

A conversation with Prof. Peter Vajkoczy, Chairman of Neurosurgery at Charité Berlin, as we explore leadership, empathy, surgical philosophy, and life at the edge of medicine. In this episode:• Why arrogance is a risk in neurosurgery — and how humility must be protected• Writing Kopfarbeit: why he chose to share surgical failures as well as triumphs• Why empathy — and even suffering — are essentia...

What happens when doing “everything” becomes too much? In this episode of Deeply Unqualified, I confront the myth of surgical heroism—and the devastation it can leave behind. In this episode:• The cultural obsession with heroic surgery• Data from DECRA, RESCUEicp & JAMA Surgery• Ethical dilemmas: Can survival be a failure?• A personal reckoning with ego, courage, and the limits of medicineThis...

n this episode of Neurosurgery Tales, I sit down with Dr. Z—a board-certified neurosurgeon and one of the most influential medical voices on social media. Dr. Z brings an unfiltered, deeply human perspective to the world of spine surgery, medical training, and what it really means to strive for excellence. We talk about:• The emotional toll and discipline required in neurosurgery• Whether fear of...

In this episode of  Neurosurgery Tales , I sit down with Dr. James K. Liu — internationally renowned skull base surgeon, innovator, and educator — for a deep and personal conversation about what it truly takes to pursue technical excellence in neurosurgery. From the early moments that called him into medicine to high-stakes decisions in the OR, Dr. Liu opens up about the emotional weight of compli...

As artificial intelligence becomes a powerful force in surgical planning and decision-making, neurosurgeons face a profound ethical dilemma: What happens when the machine gets it wrong? In this solo episode of  Deeply Unqualified , Aureliana Toma explores the legal, ethical, and medical consequences of integrating AI into the operating room. We dive into: • AI-powered brain tumor diagnosis (85% ac...

A thought experiment that spirals into something much deeper. In this episode of Deeply Unqualified: • How the father of neurosurgery might’ve used TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram • Why Cushing was already a content creator—just born a century too early • The tension between surgical mastery and digital performance • What we gain—and what we lose—when medicine becomes media • A personal reckoning wi...

A conversation with Dr. Russell Lonser, Chair of Neurosurgery at The Ohio State University, as we explore his remarkable career—from groundbreaking research at the NIH to leading advancements in neurosurgical oncology, drug delivery, and NFL concussion protocols. In this episode: • How does he sustain passion in neurosurgery over decades? • What leadership lessons did he learn transitioning from N...

In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Professor Dr. Lukas Rasulic, a globally recognized leader in peripheral nerve surgery and neurosurgery innovation. As the Head of the Department of Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Functional Neurosurgery, and Pain Management Surgery at the University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr. Rasulic shares his unparalleled expertise and vision for the future of neur...

In this episode, Dr. Alexander Khalessi, Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UC San Diego and President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, shares his extraordinary journey and insights. Dr. Khalessi is a recognized leader in neurosurgery, with groundbreaking contributions to neurovascular surgery, cranial surgery, and neurosurgical education. He has shaped the field by mentor...

In this special episode, I’m joined by Dr. Grigore Zapuhlîh, a pioneer and a leader who has shaped the field in Moldova. We explore his incredible journey, from his early days as a student to his pivotal role in advancing neurosurgery in a transitioning healthcare system. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about resilience, progress, and dedication. Tune in for a deep dive into the life and...

In this episode, Dr. Mustafa Baskaya shares his incredible journey, from medical school in Turkey to advanced training in Japan and the United States, highlighting his philosophy, techniques, and contributions to the field of neurosurgery. We explore: - His transition to the U.S. for neurosurgical training. - Advice for residents and international medical graduates pursuing neurosurgery in the U.S...

In this special episode of Neurosurgery Tales , Prof. Yoko Kato, the first female professor of neurosurgery in Japan and a global advocate for women in the field, shares the journey that led her to neurosurgery, the early mentors who inspired her, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. She discusses the founding of the Women’s Neurosurgical Association of Japan and the...

In this episode, we’re honored to sit down with Prof. Jorge Mura, a leading neurosurgeon who established Chile’s first cerebrovascular fellowship program, shaping the future of specialized neurosurgical training in Latin America. With over 4,000 brain surgeries and a wealth of experience in complex cerebrovascular and skull base procedures, Prof. Mura shares his journey from a young surgeon to a s...

Dr. Ricardo Komotar, one of the world’s highest-volume brain tumor surgeons and a leader in neurosurgery, shares insights on leadership, innovation, and how his philosophy on brain tumor surgery has evolved, especially in balancing aggressive treatment with quality of life for patients. Beyond the OR, Dr. Komotar opens up about his journey, the resilience required for neurosurgery, and even his pa...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sabino Luzzi, an esteemed neurosurgeon from Italy, known for his expertise in neurovascular and skull base surgery and his innovative contributions to the field of augmented reality in neurosurgery. Dr. Luzzi shares his profound experiences and insights gained from years of practice and research. In this conversation, we explore Dr. Luzzi's philosophy on balan...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pablo Rubino, a brilliant neurosurgeon from Argentina, known for his mastery in microsurgical techniques and his contributions to the field of neurosurgery. Dr. Rubino shares his extensive experience and reflections on his journey. In this conversation, we explore the influence of legendary figures like Dr. Evandro de Oliveira, and Dr. Rubino's approach to...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz, one of the nation’s leading neurosurgeons specializing in brain tumor and epilepsy surgery. Dr. Schwartz, based at Weill Cornell, is the Director of the Center for Epilepsy and Pituitary Surgery and Co-Director of Surgical Neuro-oncology. Dr. Schwartz shares insights from his book The Gray Matters, exploring the history and future of neur...

Challenges and Innovations in Neurosurgery: A Conversation with Dr. Gabriel Zada In this episode we sit down with Dr. Gabriel Zada, a distinguished Professor of Neurological Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Internal Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, and Surgical Director at the USC Brain Tumor Center. Dr. Zada brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion. In this episode, w...

In this episode of 'Neurosurgery Tales,' we sit down with Dr. Joao Paulo Almeida, a pioneering neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, renowned for his expertise in skull-based and brain tumors. Join us as Dr. Almeida recounts his unexpected journey from an athletic teenager with aspirations in sports medicine to becoming a leader in neurosurgical procedures and microsurgical anatomy. In this...