Department of Neurosurgery

Spine Tumor & Chordoma Center

Overview:

The Chordoma Center provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with chordoma and other complex primary spinal tumors. As one of the few high-volume referral centers in the region, we offer advanced diagnostic imaging, precision surgical techniques, and state-of-the-art radiation and systemic therapies tailored to each patient’s disease biology and functional goals.

The Chordoma Center also offers specialized expertise in the management of skull base chordomas, which require highly coordinated, multidisciplinary care. Our team integrates advanced endoscopic and open skull base surgical techniques with neuronavigation, intraoperative imaging, and neurophysiologic monitoring to achieve maximal safe resection while preserving critical neurovascular structures. Treatment plans are individualized through close collaboration with radiation oncology to incorporate high-dose proton or particle therapy when indicated. By combining surgical innovation, precision radiation strategies, and long-term surveillance protocols, the Center provides comprehensive care for patients with these rare and anatomically complex tumors.

Our integrated team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, neuroradiologists, and rehabilitation specialists collaborates through dedicated tumor boards to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care. The Center is also a leader in clinical trials, translational research, and outcomes innovation, advancing new therapies while improving quality of life and long-term survivorship.

Ziya L. 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
Adetokunbo A. Oyelese, MD, PhD

Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair, Strategy and Business Development, Director, Norman Prince Spine Institute, Director, Spinal Surgery Division
Patricia Leigh Zadnik Sullivan, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Center for Spine Tumor & Chordoma Research, Member, Legoretta Cancer Center
Christine K. Lee, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Center for Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Co-Director, Skull Base Surgery, Director, Translational Skull Base Laboratory
Basit Jawad, MD

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery, Otolaryngologist

Neuro-Oncology

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, Brown University Health Cancer Institute
Howard P. Safran, MD

Professor of Medicine
Sasmit Sarangi, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology
Eric T. Wong, MD

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

Neuropathology

Douglas C. Anthony, MD, PhD

Professor of Neurology, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Suzanne M. De La Monte, MD

Professor of Neurosurgery, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
John E. Donahue, MD

Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Michael Punsoni, MD

Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Clinician Educator
Harry Rosenberg, MD

Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Neuroradiology

Jeffrey M. Rogg, MD, FACR

Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging, Director, Neuroradiology, Medical Director, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital
Glenn A. Tung, MD, FACR

Professor of Diagnostic Imaging

Medical Oncology

Christopher Azzoli, MD

Jeffrey A. Brown and Barbara Horovitz Brown Associate Professor of Translational Medicine
Ariel Birnbaum, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Clinician Educator
Maria Constantinou, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Thomas Ollila, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Radiation Oncology

James Brindle, PhD

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Thomas A. DiPetrillo, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Jaroslaw T. Hepel, MD

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, Director of Stereotactic Radiosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital
Paul Koffer, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Kara Leonard, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Associate Program Director, Radiation Oncology Residency, Tufts University School of Medicine
Yakub Puthawala, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Mark Rivard, PhD

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Esther Yu, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

Plastic Surgery

Reena A. Bhatt, MD

Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, Attending Physician
Loree K. Kalliainen, MD

Associate Professor , Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgeon, Lifespan Physician Group Plastic Surgery
Daniel Kwan, MD

Assistant Professor, Chief of Reconstructive Surgery, Lifespan Physician Group
Paul Liu, MD

Professor, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital
Amy Marie Maselli, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Albert S. Woo, MD, FACS

Assistant Professor, Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital

Pain Management & Physical Rehabilitation

Ross Barker, DO

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
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 Y. Li, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Attending Physician
Laert Rusha, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Attending Physician
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.