Established in 1968, the Department of Neurosurgery at Boston Medical Center is a full-service clinical and academic program that provides advanced treatment for patients with a broad spectrum of diseases and disorders of the brain, nerves, spine and spinal cord. Our team includes highly experienced neurosurgeons who subspecialize in all major areas of neurosurgery. We have multidisciplinary programs in trauma, neuro-oncology, and cerebrovascular disease that provide our patients with a broad spectrum of treatment options. We work with our colleagues to provide our patients with the highest level care in a truly compassionate environment.
- Our neurosurgeons have extensive experience in using state-of-the-art technology and innovative surgical methods to treat patients with a wide variety of brain, nerve and spine conditions.
- BMC offers patients access to the newest clinical treatments in this specialized field, using the advanced image-guidance and minimally invasive techniques to provide safe and successful treatment of complex brain tumors, aneurysms, movement disorders (including Parkinson's disease), epilepsy, and spine diseases.
Our Department has a long-standing tradition of providing the finest neurosurgical care possible to all residents of this region regardless of ethnicity, race or economic status.
Our patients benefit from the truly collaborative nature of our practice and from the cumulative expertise of the entire department.
We share Boston Medical Center’s commitment to exceptional care, without exception and are proud of our outcomes, and the trusting relationships we have established with our patients. Our outpatient clinic is located in Boston Medical Center’s beautiful Shapiro Center in Boston’s historic South End.
Contact Us
Suite 7C
Shapiro Center 617.638.8992
Treatments & Services
Complex Spinal Fusion Surgery
The Department of Neurosurgery at Boston Medical Center provides comprehensive surgical treatment of the spine, back and neck. Treatment for brain and spine problems depends on the severity of the problem or injury.
Cyberknife® Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a non-invasive surgical procedure that uses special equipment to deliver high-energy particles, such as x-rays, to treat illnesses such as cancerous and non-cancerous brain and spinal tumors, as well as arteriovenous malformations and trigeminal neuralgia.
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Boston Medical Center’s Neurosurgery Department provides comprehensive surgical treatment of the spine, back and neck. We use a variety of traditional surgical and minimally invasive techniques to treat trauma, degenerative conditions and congenital problems.
Pediatric Neurosurgery
At Boston Medical Center, our pediatric neurosurgeons are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders or injuries of the brain and spinal cord in infants, children and young adults. Our team of skilled pediatric surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and other professionals use the latest equipment and surgical techniques to deliver expert care to your child in a compassionate environment.
Surgery for Pain
Chronic pain can be debilitating and can take an emotional toll on you and your family. The neurosurgeons at Boston Medical Center may help you get relief. We are experts in the management and treatment of chronic pain. We offer interventional techniques, implantable devices and open surgery to treat a range of conditions, including chronic regional pain, failed back surgery, post-laminectomy, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and trigeminal neuralgia.
Our Team
Our neurosurgeons are all full-time staff members at Boston Medical Center and appointed to the faculty at Boston University Medical School. They are involved in patient care, teaching and research to further the knowledge and treatment of neurosurgical conditions. We also work closely with other departments in the hospital, such as neurology, radiology, otolaryngology and orthopedics to coordinate your care and treatment. Together, we provide advanced diagnostics as well as treatment of a broad spectrum of brain and spine diseases.
We are proud to offer an ACGME accredited neurosurgical residency program with our partners at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. During their seven years of training, residents spend equal amounts of time at BIDMC and BMC, six months at Boston Children’s Hospital, and one year conducting research. To find out more, please visit the neurosurgical residency program website.
James W Holsapple, MD, FAANS
Emanuela Binello, MD, PhD, ScD, FAANS
Hormuzdiyar H Dasenbrock, MD, MPH
Anand K Devaiah, MD
Jose Alcibiades Fernandez Abinader, MD
Ribhu T Jha, MD
Pratik Rohatgi, MD
Urvashi Upadhyay, MD, FAANS
Neurosurgical Residents
- Andrew Powers, MD
- Charles Mackel, MD, JD
- Anirudh Penumaka, MD, MS
- Aristotelis Filippidis, MD, PhD
Patient Resources
Neurological Patient Resources
For more information on various neurological diseases and conditions visit the following links:
Neurological Patient Information
Donate to the Department of Neurosurgery
Residency and Fellowship Information
Neurosurgical Residency Program
The combined Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) Neurosurgical Residency Program provides residents with a unique opportunity to train at three of the busiest medical centers in New England, all of which treat patients with some of the most complex neurologic conditions. During their seven years of training, residents spend equal amounts of time at BIDMC and BMC, six months at Boston Children’s Hospital, and one year conducting research.
Pre-Residency Fellowship
Pre-residency fellows are integral members of the neurosurgical neurocritical care teams. Duties include managing floor and ICU patients, night call, and assisting in the operating room and outpatient clinic, which together provide broad clinical exposure in the neurosciences.