Department of Neurosurgery

Norman Prince Spine Institute

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Norman Prince Spine Institute

Overview

https://www.youtube.com/embed/B69Ec9BqalA

Brown University Health

 

The Norman Prince Spine Institute, an international leader in spine care

The Norman Prince Spine Institute at Rhode Island Hospital and Newport Hospital, is made up of surgeons and clinicians who are dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of patients suffering from a wide range of disorders of the spine and spinal cord. Our team includes world-class experts utilizing a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach that uses innovative surgical and nonsurgical techniques specifically designed and individualized for each patient.

Our multidisciplinary team offers a full complement of effective treatment options and services, including:

  • Surgical treatment
  • Medical management
  • Spine-specific physical and occupational therapy
  • Interventional procedures
  • Complementary and alternative medical options
  • Behavioral health services

Highly specialized physicians provide services ranging from surgical intervention to minimally invasive spine surgery, injections, and other interventions, including:

  • Discectomy
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Vertebroplasty
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery
  • Spinal cord stimulators
  • Percutaneous or open spinal instrumentation and fusion for back and neck pain
  • Radical tumor resection and reconstruction
  • Spinal reconstruction for traumatic spine injuries
  • Highly complex spinal deformity correction with osteotomies
  • Disc replacement
  • Intrathecal pumps
  • Dynamic stabilization

Conditions we treat:

  • Congenital spinal disorders
  • Degenerative disc disease (Spondylosis)
  • Disc herniation
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Cervical radiculopathy
  • Lumbar radiculopathy (Sciatica)
  • Low back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Post-laminectomy syndrome
  • Tumors of the spine: Chordomas, Spinal Cord Tumors, Sacral Tumors
  • Spine trauma or injury
  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteopenia

Spine Surgery Booklet (PDF)

“ We have what we feel is a very comprehensive and sophisticated spine program in that it is multi-disciplinary and multi-subspecialized and entirely patient-centered. ”

Adetokunbo A. Oyelese, MD, PhD

Our Team

Department Chair

  • Ziya Gokaslan, MD, FAANS, FACS

    Ziya Gokaslan, MD, FAANS, FACS

    Julius Stoll, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, Clinical Director, Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute, President, Neurosurgery Foundation

Directors

  • Adetokunbo A. Oyelese, MD, PhD

    Adetokunbo A. Oyelese, MD, PhD

    Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair, Strategy and Business Development, Director, Norman Prince Spine Institute, Director, Spinal Surgery Division
  • Keith-Austin Scarfo, DO, MS

    Keith-Austin Scarfo, DO, MS

    Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Chair, Pain and Opioid Stewardship Committee, Medical Director, Norman Prince Spine Institute, Director, Intrathecal Pump Program, Vice President, Rhode Island Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, Inc.

Neurosurgery Clinical Faculty

  • Joaquin Q. Camara, MD

    Joaquin Q. Camara, MD

    Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Director of Neurosurgery, Newport Hospital
  • Deus Cielo, MD

    Deus J. Cielo, MD

    Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, Director, Peripheral Nerve Surgery Division, Co – Director of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program, Director, Memorial Hospital Neurosurgery Program
  • Curtis E. Doberstein, MD

    Curtis E. Doberstein, MD

    Professor of Neurosurgery, Executive Vice Chair, Clinical Operations, Director, Cerebrovascular and Skull-base Surgery Division, Director, Neurosurgery Residency Training Program
  • Jared S. Fridley, MD

    Jared S. Fridley, MD

    Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Spinal Outcomes Laboratory, Director, Center for Innovative Neurotechnology for Neural Repair (CINNR Lab)
  • Maria Guglielmo, MD

    Maria Guglielmo, MD

    Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Neurosurgery at Kent Hospital, Director, Neurosurgery Pain Program
  • Petra Klinge, MD

    Petra Klinge, MD, PhD

    Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Division Director, Center for Surgical Treatment of the Developing Brain and Spine
  • Tianyi Niu, MD

    Tianyi Niu, MD

    Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Spinal Deformity Surgery
  • Prakash Sampath, MD

    Prakash Sampath, MD

    Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Robotic Neurosurgery, Director, Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Director, Neurosurgery at Roger Williams Medical Center
  • Albert E. Telfeian, MD, PhD

    Albert E. Telfeian, MD, PhD

    Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair, Quality Improvement, Director, Center for Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Spinal Surgery, Vice President, Neurosurgery & Neurosurgical Innovation
  • Alexios Carayannopoulos, DO, MPH

    Alexios Carayannopoulos, DO, MPH

    Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Director, Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, President, American Academy of Osteopathic Examiners, President, Rhode Island Society of Pain Physicians
  • Justin Li, MD

    Justin Y. Li, MD

    Attending Physician
  • Laert Rusha, MD

    Laert Rusha, MD

    Attending Physician
  • Patricia Leigh Zadnik Sullivan, MD

    Patricia Leigh Zadnik Sullivan, MD

    Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Center for Spine Tumor & Chordoma Research, Member, Legoretta Cancer Center
  • Ross Barker, DO

    Ross Barker, DO

    Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery Clinical Staff

  • Allison Malo

    Allison Malo

    PA-Norman Prince Spine Institute
  • Rose Moriarty

    Rose Moriarty

    NP - Norman Prince Spine Institute
  • Dylan Godyn

    Dylan Godyn

    PA - Norman Prince Spine Institute

Neuro-Oncologists

  • Heinrich Elinzano, MD

    Heinrich Elinzano, MD

    Associate Professor of Neurology and Medicine, Clinician Educator, Co-Director, Brain Cancer Committee, Co-Director, Brown University Oncology Research Group, Neuro-Oncology Medical Lead, Lifespan Cancer Institute
  • Eric T. Wong, MD

    Eric T. Wong, MD

    Professor of Neurology, Medicine, Neurosurgery & Radiation Oncology, Director of Medical Neuro-Oncology

Neuroradiologists

Psychiatrist
Elizabeth McLaughlin, PhD

Physiatrists
Keith Scarfo, DO
Claudia Wheeler, DO

Radiation Oncologists
Jarek Hepel, MD
Tim Kinsella, MD
Thomas DiPetrillo, MD

Research

Neurosurgery Department

  • Spinal Surgery Outcomes Laboratory
  • Center for Innovative Neurotechnology for Neural Repair

Other Collaborations

Borton Lab – BioMed Engineering

Recovery

Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at Newport Hospital

Known throughout the region for unique programs, excellent outcomes, and patient-focused care, the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at Newport Hospital has been providing comprehensive rehabilitation services for decades. Our program has a history of extremely high patient satisfaction scores and is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center