ASSFN Podcast

In this episode of the ASSFN Podcast, Dr. Kai Miller (Functional Neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN) talks with cohosts Dr. Robert Ziechmann (Jefferson S&F Neurosurgery Fellow) and Andreas Seas (Duke Medical Student) about surgical decision-making in epilepsy, centered on the principle of concordance—aligning seizure semiology, imaging, and electrophysiology to guide treatment. He reviews how multidisciplinary evaluation, stereo-EEG, and functional mapping shape decisions between resection, laser ablation, disconnection, and neuromodulation.

The conversation highlights challenges in dominant temporal lobe epilepsy, balancing seizure freedom with language and memory preservation, and contrasts approaches in pediatric versus adult patients. Dr. Miller also reflects on advances in imaging, evolving thalamic stimulation targets, and the importance of humility, transparency, and patient-centered counseling in epilepsy surgery. Take a listen to his valuable insights!

In this episode, co-host Andreas Seas interviews Jon Nelson who shares his experience with deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Listen as he shares about the hope this treatment approach gave him and how DBS has transformed his life. This treatment remains investigational, but with the studies underway that can help patients like Jon, we can start to understand the profound impact it can have. 

In this podcast episode, cohosts Danika Paulo and Andreas Seas and featured guest speakers Dr. Dario Englot (Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ASSFN Board Member) and Dr. Shabbar Danish (Chairman and Professor of Neurosurgery at Hackensack-Meridian, ASSFN Board Member) discuss nuances of job contract negotiation as well as advice for rising the ranks to academic and organizational leadership. We discuss differences in academic vs. private practice job contracts, what to look out for, what to ask for, and the timeline and approach to advancing to leadership positions within institutions and organizations. There is a wealth of fruitful information in here for neurosurgeons of any subspecialty as well as for those considering first or subsequent job applications. Take a listen!

In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Danika Paulo, Dr. Harsh Shah and Andreas Seas talk with featured guests, Dr. Sharona Ben-Haim and Dr. Christopher Conner about transitioning from being a neurosurgical trainee to starting practice. Dr. Ben-Haim is an academic functional neurosurgeon at the University of California, San Diego and Surgical Director of Epilepsy as well as a board member of the ASSFN. Dr. Conner is a functional neurosurgeon with a privademic practice affiliated with UConn Health. Both bring valuable and unique experiences and perspectives to our discussion, sharing their insights on the job process, interviewing, contract negotiation, network building, and pitfalls to avoid. While this discussion is primarily relevant to senior neurosurgical residents, fellows and early attendings, there is something to be learned by every neurosurgeon. Thanks for joining us!

In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo, Tessa Harland, and Robert Ziechmann talk about building a functional neurosurgery program with guest speaker, Dr. Peter Konrad. Dr. Konrad is currently the Chair of Neurosurgery at West Virginia University and Executive Director of Integrative Neuroscience & Clinical Innovation at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. He has decades of experience building strong functional neurosurgery programs both at Vanderbilt University and West Virginia University. We discuss topics including how to build referral networks, essential personnel, acquiring necessary OR tools and technologies, challenges, and successes of starting and building a functional neurosurgery program. This episode includes lots of pearls for providers hoping to build a successful functional program and we hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo, Tessa Harland and Robert Ziechmann meet with guest speaker, Dr. Erika Petersen to discuss her work on spinal cord stimulation for painful diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Petersen is the Director of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences and recently published an article in JAMA on SCS for PDN. We discuss indications for this surgery, patient outcomes and experiences, unexpected findings, longer term follow up and how to build a referral network for this intervention. Take a listen for Dr. Petersen's valuable insights! 

In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo and Tessa Harland discuss percutaneous cordotomy with Dr. Konstantin Slavin, Professor and Head of the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Section at University of Illinois Chicago. We discuss the steps and nuances of this interventional pain procedure, indications, ideal patient population, complications and expected outcomes. Although this procedure is rarely performed, it can be effective in the properly selected patient, and we discuss when to treat pain with percutaneous cordotomy versus other interventional procedures including cingulotomy, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pain pumps. Dr. Slavin also shares details of his pain practice and the role this procedure plays in his armamentarium of interventional pain procedures. Take a listen!

In this episode, co-hosts Danika Paulo, Tessa Harland and Robert Ziechmann talk with guest speaker Dr. Julie Pilitsis about the role of organized Neurosurgery, how to get involved and how organizational involvement helps with career building. Dr. Pilitsis holds many roles, currently serving as Dean of Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Vice President of ASSFN and President of the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS). She previously served as professor, chair and division chief of Functional Neurosurgery as well as chair and professor of the basic neuroscience department at Albany Medical College. Dr. Pilitsis is a notable leader in the field of Functional Neurosurgery and we are grateful for her many insights shared in this episode on building a successful academic Functional Neurosurgery career. 

In this episode, cohosts Danika Paulo and Tessa Harland discuss important things to consider when deciding to pursue a Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship with guest speaker Dr. Ellen Air. Dr. Air serves many roles including Residency Program Director at Henry Ford Health System, Secretary Treasurer of ASSFN and Clinical Associate Professor and Co-Director of Functional Neurosurgery at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. We discuss the benefits of fellowship, the typical timeline for application, how to find information about each institutions' fellowship experience, aligning your personal goals with opportunities available at the fellowship, enfolded vs post-graduate fellowship experiences and much more. We hope this discussion is informative for anyone considering pursuing a fellowship focusing in the exciting field of Functional Neurosurgery.

In this podcast episode, host Danika Paulo and featured guest speaker, Dr. Kelly Foote, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, discuss the two most common deep brain stimulation targets for Parkinson's Disease - subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPI). Our conversation covers anatomic and neurophysiologic differences between the two targets, clinical considerations of when and why to choose one target over the other, bilateral vs unilateral implants, differences in cost, and the importance of focusing on the primary symptom that is most bothersome to the patient. Take a listen!