Podcast Miniseries: Cultivating a Culture – Growing a Healthy Neurosurgical Workplace

Ep. 4: Begin Again

Guest: Nicholas Theodore

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker & Chris Newman

Join hosts Brian Gantwerker and Chris Newman with Dr. Nicholas Theodore—friend, inventor, mentor, and now Chairman of Neurosurgery at Banner Health. He shares the story behind his return to Arizona, reflecting on the pivotal roles of timing, opportunity, and intentional decision-making in shaping his career.

The experts on this guideline podcast discuss updated recommendations for radiation therapy in the treatment of patients with Low Grade Gliomas (LGG) as well as the impact of newer WHO molecular classifications of LGG.

J. Bradley Elder, MD

Simon S. Lo, MD

May 2026 Journal Club Podcast

Title: The Timing of Diskectomy as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients With Lumbar Disk Herniation: A Cohort Study on Varying Durations of Preoperative Symptoms

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2026/05000/the_timing_of_diskectomy_as_a_predictor_of.10.aspx

Author: Peter Solar

Guest Faculty: Ali Baaj

Resident Planner: Matheus Pereira

Moderator: Kimberly Hoang

Title: CNS Innovation Institute Podcast: Shepherding the Next Generation of Neurosurgical Innovators and Leaders

Panelists: David Dornbos, Garni Barkhoudarian, Mohamad Bydon

Description: The neurosurgical field continues to evolve at a rapid pace with novel innovations and paradigm-shifting trials coming out nearly constantly. This podcast will highlight the impact of the changing landscape and the new CNS Innovations Institute, which will provide the tools for young innovators to continue to inflect the field in a positive way. This transformative program from the CNS will foster iterative growth in the field and enhance our ability to care for neurosurgical patients.

Title: Wellness Podcast: Art as Therapy

Guests: Katie Denisova and Dr. Kathryn Ko

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Lara Massie

In this episode of the CNS Wellness podcast, we have two guests who have each used art in their own way to promote their own emotional and psychological well-being. Dr. Katherine Ko, a neurosurgeon, who sees her art as an extension and complement of her career, and Katya Denisova, an operating room nurse who uses her art as an abstract escape from the pressures of being a healthcare worker.  We learn how people can use art, or any form of creative expression, to help find solace.

April 2026 Journal Club Podcast

Title: How Do Neurosurgeons Cope With Complications? Results of a Nationwide Survey

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2026/04000/how_do_neurosurgeons_cope_with_complications_.4.aspx

Authors: Keenan Piper and Theresa Williamson

Guest Faculty: William Thorell

Resident Planner: Laura Zima

Moderator: Martin Pham

Series Title: Conversations in Neurosurgery

Ep. 2: How to be Successful in Private Practice as a Neurosurgeon

We will explore what it takes to be successful in private practice as a neurosurgeon, and discuss some real life examples.

Title: LITT for GBM

Guest Faculty: Ashish Shah, MD

Hosts: Chris Newman, MD and Seth Oliveria, MD

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashish Shah of the University of Miami to explore the roles for and limits of Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) in glioblastoma. We explore standard use cases, “inoperable tumors”, blood-brain barrier disruption, clinical trials, and of course areas of active controversy.

The development of up-to-date evidence and consensus based clinical care guidelines and algorithms for pTBI provide guidance to care providers in the prehospital and emergency medicine, surgical and intensive care settings.

Brad Elder, MD

Randy S. Bell, MD (CAPT (ret), MC, USN)

Gregory W. J. Hawryluk, MD, PhD

March 2026 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Neurological Outcomes and the Role of Timing in the Surgical Management of Patients With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Without Fracture and Dislocation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2026/03000/neurological_outcomes_and_the_role_of_timing_in.3.aspx

Authors: Mohamad Bydon

Guest Faculty: Steven Roth

Resident Planner: Zachary Sorrentino

Moderator: Kimberly Hoang