The Penn Difference: Neurosurgery

The depth and breadth of the Penn Neurosurgery program and the experience of Penn's neurosurgeons is unmatched in the greater Philadelphia region. The department's renowned physicians, programs and services are recognized both regionally and throughout the nation.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian the highest in the region for neurosurgery. In addition, Philadelphia magazine's Top Docs consistently lists more neurosurgeons from Penn Medicine than any other Philadelphia area hospital or health system.

Complete Spectrum of Care

Penn neurosurgeons have access to the latest knowledge in the field and the most cutting-edge technologies, including the most extensive neurodiagnostic and imaging facilities, the most advanced surgical techniques and management strategies in the region, and cutting-edge research that enables them to give their patients the best care that is available.

Penn physicians are committed to research and are leaders in the development and testing of the latest treatment approaches. Thus, the latest research discoveries are immediately applied to patient care. Penn Neurosurgery ranks first in the region and in the top 10 nationally in neurosurgical research and funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Multidisciplinary Team

Depending on the diagnosis, every patient case is discussed at regularly scheduled multidisciplinary conferences and a personalized treatment plan developed. Teams including, but not limited to, neurosurgeons, neurologists, otolaryngologists, neurointensivists, neuroanesthesiologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists collaborate to ensure that the best care is available to every patient.

Milestones and Achievements

• The Penn Gamma Knife® Center at Pennsylvania Hospital recently treated its 1,000th patient, a milestone that took just four years to reach. This makes Pennsylvania Hospital one of the most active Gamma Knife centers in the region.
• The Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery's expert neurosurgeons and neurologists are world leaders in performing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a breakthrough surgical procedure for patients with movement disorders. Penn Medicine is the largest treatment center in the United States, performing more than 1,000 DBS procedures.
• The Penn Neurocritical Care Unit is one of the most technologically advanced and sophisticated neuro-critical care units in the nation and is the only academic facility of its kind in the region.
• Penn Neurosurgery is recognized nationally as a primary referral center in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, including aneurysms, stroke, carotid artery atherosclerotic disease and rare disorders such as cavernous and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and congenital disorders in the brain, brainstem and spinal cord.
• The Penn Neuro-oncology Program provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with tumors of the brain and spinal cord and other cancer-related neurological, central and peripheral nervous system problems. Each case is reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team of world-renowned experts from the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, oncology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, rehabilitation medicine, neuro-psychiatry and social work. 
• The Penn Stroke Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania was awarded certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). It was the first hospital in Philadelphia to become certified as a comprehensive stroke center. This new level of certification recognizes the significant resources in staff and training that comprehensive stroke centers must have to treat complex stroke cases. 
• The Penn Spine Center is a regional and national leader in providing quality spine care. Utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach, the program ensures a through consideration of both surgical and nonsurgical treatment for the most complex spine disorders. Independence Blue Cross has designated the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital as Blue Distinction Center(SM) for Spine Surgery. One of the hallmarks of Penn's acclaimed neurosurgical spine surgery program is the careful evaluation, precise diagnosis and individualized treatment plan each patient receives.
• Penn neurosurgeons are part of a team of specialists from Penn's Center for Cranial Base Surgery who evaluate and treat tumors of the head, neck and face, as well as other complex disorders at the cranial base. The latest innovative and minimally invasive surgical procedures and state-of-the-art imaging allow many of these tumors, previously inaccessible, to be successfully treated.