Section of Neurosurgery

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Kenneth A. Follett, M.D., PhD, F.A.C.S.
Ken Follett is Professor and Chief of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Follett is Board Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and the American Board of Pain Medicine. His areas of special interest are stereotactic/functional neurosurgery and neurosurgical pain management. He is the national chair of a multicenter clinical trial of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. In addition to his interest in the clinical applications of DBS for the treatment of movement disorders, he is interested in the basic science and clinical management of pain. He has published numerous articles related to his clinical and research activities and is the editor of the textbook “Neurosurgical Pain Management.” He has given numerous national and international presentations relevant to his areas of interest.  

Dr. Follett has been active in national neurosurgery and pain medicine organizations. He has served on numerous local, regional, and national committees, including those associated with the AANS and CNS. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and is current President of the American Board of Pain Medicine 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska
M.S., Medical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Medical Degree University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska Internship and residency, University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, Iowa  

Membership:
Society for Neuroscience, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association, Midwest Neurosurgical Society, Research Society of Neurological Surgeons, AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Academy of Pain Medicine, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, North American Neuromodulation Society 

Arun-Angelo Patil, M.D.
Dr. Patil is a Professor of the Section of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons in 1980, he specializes in stereotactic surgery, brachytherapy and epilepsy therapy. Dr. Patil has a strong interest in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and is well known for the Patil Stereotactic System II.  

Dr. Patil earned his medical degree from St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India, where he also served his internship. He completed his residency at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Dr. Patil is a native of Bombay, India.

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, St. Xavier's College, Bombay, India.
Medical degree and internship, St. John's Medical College, Bangelore, India. Residency, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. 

Membership:
Congress of Neurological Surgery, Midwest Neurological Society, American Medical Association, American Stereotactic Society Fellow-American College of Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons  

William E. Thorell, M.D.

William Thorell is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His expertise combines two disciplines, namely neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology. Having specialized in endovascular neurosurgery, Dr. Thorell offers patients a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of neurovascular diseases. Conditions in the past that would have required open surgery now have the benefit of Dr. Thorell’s skills utilizing advanced imaging and microcatheter technology. He provides individualized neurosurgical care to patients with cerebral aneurysms, vascular malformations, strokes and brain hemorrhages, carotid and vertebral stenoses, tumors, and spine and peripheral nerve diseases. Other clinical areas of special interest to Dr. Thorell are normal pressure hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation. Dr. Thorell has been instrumental in forming an inter-disciplinary stroke team, the Nebraska Stroke Center, right here at the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Thorell is a native of Denver, Colorado. 

Dr. Thorell graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with distinction. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with highest distinction, where he also completed his internship, residency, and served as Chief Resident. He accomplished a two-year fellowship in endovascular neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Arts, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Medical Degree, UNMC; Residency, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Chief Resident.
Fellowship, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Cleveland, Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Midwest Neurosurgical Society, American Stroke Association, and Metro Omaha Medical Society 

For more information about Dr. Thorell and his procedures, click here.  

Peter J. Lennarson, M.D.

Peter Lennarson joined the Section an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in July, 2005. His areas of special interest include traumatic brain injury, brain tumor surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and teaching.  

Dr. Lennarson completed his Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Spanish, from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. He earned his medical degree the University of Wisconsin Medical School. Dr. Lennarson completed his internship and residency at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. 

Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Lennarson joined the United States Air Force and maintained a general neurosurgical practice while stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio. In 2004, he was deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and was charged with establishing neurosurgical services at the 332^nd Medical Group's Air Force Theatre Hospital in Balad, Iraq.  

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Medical Degree, University of of Wisconsin Medical School
Internship and residency, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 

Membership:
Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Midwest Neurosurgical Society, and Metro Omaha Medical Society

Michele R. Aizenberg, M.D.

Dr. Aizenberg is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is board-eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Aizenberg has completed fellowship training in Neurosurgical Oncology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and has a special interest in primary and metastatic tumors of the brain and spine.  

Utilizing special imaging and surgical techniques, Dr. Aizenberg is able to resect tumors in eloquent areas of the brain in ways to help prevent neurologic deficits. By individualized care, the best approach is determined for each patient so that they have maximal outcome. She works closely with radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, and neuropsychologists to provide the most comprehensive care for oncology patients. With this multi-disciplinary approach, comprehensive Neuro-Oncology care can be provided for patients with central nervous system tumors.  

Credentials:  
Bachelor of Science, University of California, Davis  
Medical Degree, St. George’s University  
Internship, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island  
Residency, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.  
Fellowship, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX  

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, AANS/CNS Section on Tumors, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Society for Neuro-Oncology  

Daniel L. Surdell, M.D.

Daniel Surdell is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  

Dr. Surdell graduated Cum Laude from Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Surdell completed his internship and residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. He accomplished a one-year fellowship in neuroendovascular and a one-year fellowship in cerebrovascular surgery, both at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
Medical Degree, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Residency, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
Fellowship, Neuroendovascular Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Fellowship, Cerebrovascular Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine 

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Sandeep Agrawal, Ph.D.
Dr. Agrawal is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Agrawal specializes in spinal cord injury. The research in his laboratory focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroprotective strategies and neuropharmacological interventions for the treatment of spinal cord trauma. This involves the study of electrical properties of spinal cord in normal and pathological states. Of particular interests are the mechanisms of membrane ion channel regulation by excitatory aminoacids and immunemediators in relation to second messengers.  

Dr. Agrawal received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Lucknow, India. He then went on to complete his masters in pharmacology and Ph.D in neuropharmacology, both at the University of Lucknow, India. Dr. Agrawal is a native of Lucknow, India.  

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Lucknow, India.
Masters and Ph.D. degree, University of Lucknow, India. 

Membership:
National Neurotrauma Society, Society for Neuroscience, International Brain Research Organization, International Neurotrauma Society, Midwest Neurosurgical Society   

Leslie C. Hellbusch, M.D.
Partner Dr. Leslie C. Hellbusch has been in private practice since 1977. Board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, he specializes in both pediatric and adult neurosurgery. Dr. Hellbusch is Vice-Section Chief for Neurosurgery and a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He directs the neurosurgery resident training program at Methodist and Children's hospitals.  

Dr. Hellbusch cares deeply for children and actively participates in clinics at Children's Hospital where he has chaired committees, served as hospital officer and as a member of the Board of Trustees. Widely published for his work with brain and spinal cord illness and injury, Dr. Hellbusch has made regional and national presentations. 

He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a member of the Innocents' Society at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. His medical degree is from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, where he also served his internship. Dr. Hellbusch completed his neurosurgery residency at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. He is a native of Columbus, Nebraska. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Innocents' Society.
Medical Degree and Internship, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.  

Membership:
American Medical Association; Nebraska Medical Association; Metropolitan Omaha Medical Society; American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Pediatric Section of American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Midwest Neurological Society; Omaha-Midwest Medical Society; Nebraska Academy of Neurologists and Neurosurgeons; Rocky Mountain Neurosurgical Society; and Nebraska Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics  

Douglas J. Long, M.D.
Douglas J. Long joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 1990. Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, he specializes in spinal instrumentation, trauma management, cerebral vascular surgery and neuro-oncology, treating both adults and children. A Clinical Assistant Professor at UNMC in Neurosurgery, Dr. Long serves on a wide range of hospital committees in Omaha. He is currently Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Long has a special interest in cerebral vascular disease and the treatment of brain tumors. He is a member of the skull base team treating complex tumors from a team approach involving specialists in the field of neurootology, head and neck cancer and plastic/ reconstructive surgery. Dr. Long established and chairs the multidisciplinary Neuro-oncology Conference at the Methodist Cancer Center for brain tumor patients and complex tumors involving the spine. In addition to the surgical treatment of brain tumors, he is involved in the decision-making process and treatment of stereotactic radiosurgery and brachytherapy of brain tumors. He regularly addresses primary care physicians and physician assistant groups on neurosurgery.  

He graduated from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln where he was on the Dean's list and earned his medical degree from UNMC. He served his internship in surgery at the University of Missouri Health Sciences Center in Columbia Missouri, where he also completed his residency in neurosurgery and served as chief resident. Dr. Long is a native of Alma, Nebraska. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska- Lincoln; Dean's List.
Medical degree, UNMC.
Internship and residency, University of Missouri Health Sciences Center.  

Membership:
American Medical Association; Nebraska Medical Association; Metropolitan Omaha Medical Society; American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Midwest Neurosurgical Society; Omaha-Midwest Medical Society; Congress of Neurological Surgeons; North American Skull Base Society; and Nebraska Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics 

Stephen E. Doran, M.D.
Stephen Doran joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 1996 and is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Doran is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UNMC in neurosurgery.  

A strong advocate of personalized care and dignity for all patients, Dr. Doran's special areas of interest include spinal instrumentation and stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, with a specific interest in complex spine stabilization for trauma, tumor and degenerative disease of the spine. He has received national recognition for his research in gene therapy related to the central nervous system and has been integrally involved in the utilization of Pallidotomies in the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease. Dr. Doran has published articles in leading neurosurgical journals and textbooks, as well as having spoken at national meetings regarding specific neurosurgery procedures. With an acute interest in endoscopic and thorascopic approaches to the spine, Dr. Doran has sought additional training in these minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Doran treats both adults and children and is a native of Grand Island, Nebraska. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois; summa cum laude
Medical Degree, UNMC; with high distinction.
Residency, University of Michigan Medical Center; and Chief Resident.  

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Midwest Neurosurgical Society 

John S. Treves, M.D.
John Treves joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 1999 and is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Treves is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  

Dr. Treves practices all areas of neurosurgery and has special interest in pain management and spinal instrumentation surgery . Dr. Treves has published articles in many neurosurgical journals and has lectured nationally.  

Dr. Treves graduated with a bachelor and masters degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he also completed his internship, residency, and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Treves is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Masters Degree, Tumor Biology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
Medical Degree, UNMC;
Residency, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Chief Resident.  

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association, Nebraska Medical Association, Metropolitan Medical Association Society, Midwest Neurosurgical Society, Association for Academic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care   

Mark J. Puccioni, MD
Mark Puccioni joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 2001 and is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Puccioni is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Puccioni has special interest in pediatric and minimally invasive surgery.  

Dr. Puccioni graduated with a bachelor degree from the Creighton University in Omaha. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he also completed his internship, residency, and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Puccioni is a native of Omaha, Nebraska. 

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
Medical Degree, UNMC;
Residency, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Chief Resident.  

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Nebraska Medical Association, Metropolitan Medical Association Society, American College of Surgeons, AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care and Section on Tumors, Midwest Neurosurgical Society   

Wendy J. Spangler, MD

Wendy Spangler joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 2003 and is board-eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Spangler is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Spangler has a special interest in spine. 

Dr. Spangler graduated with a bachelor degree from the University of Southern California . She earned her medical degree from the Harvard Medical School where she graduated cum laude. Dr. Spangler completed her residency at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix , Arizona . She also completed a spine fellowship at Barrow’s. Dr. Spangler is a native of Hastings, Nebraska .  

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Medical Degree, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Residency, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Spine Fellowship, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix , Arizona  

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Arizona State Neurosurgical Society, and Joint Section on Tumors of the AANS 

Bradley S. Bowdino, MD

Bradley Bowdino joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 2005 and is board-eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Bowdino is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Bowdino practices all areas of neurosurgery, with emphasis on minimally invasive surgery.  

Dr. Bowdino graduated with a bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with High Honors. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he also completed his internship, residency, and served at Chief Resident.  

Credentials:
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
Medical Degree, UNMC; Residency, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Chief Resident 

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Midwest Neurosurgical Society 

Keith R. Lodhia, M.D.

Keith Lodhia is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Lodhia joined Midwest Neurosurgery in 2005 and is board-eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Lodhia has completed a clinical fellowship in complex spine surgery. 

Dr. Lodhia graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with Distinction. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he graduated with Highest Distinction and Valedictorian.  

Credentials:

Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
Master of Science, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Medical Degree, UNMC; Residency, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Chief Resident 

Membership:
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Midwest Neurosurgical Society