Norton Neuroscience Institute is a regional leader in the field of neurosurgery. Our providers use leading-edge, minimally invasive procedures to treat the most complex neurologic conditions to improve patients’ lives. Our multidisciplinary approach brings together a team of professionals to provide disease-specific, patient-centered care.

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons have experience from nationally recognized training centers. Our neurosurgeons work collaboratively with neurologists, neuropsychologists, therapists and other specialists to support our neurology centers. Whether patients are experiencing seizures, headache, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or memory loss, the neurosurgery team provides a surgical perspective to provide a customized care plan — just for you.

Cranial Neurosurgery

Cranial neurosurgery is used to:

• Give doctors access to the brain to remove a brain tumor, abnormal tissue, blood or blood clots
• Relieve pressure after an injury or stroke
• Repair a brain aneurysm or skull fractures, or treat other brain conditions

In collaboration with our neuropsychologists, we perform functional MRI scans and “awake” surgeries when appropriate to ensure that we are protecting essential brain tissue.

Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery

Functional and restorative neurosurgery focuses on techniques to assist patients with symptom control across a range of conditions, including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and face, neck, back or nerve pain. Face pain patients may be offered microvascular decompression, minimally invasive nerve ablation or incision-free radiosurgery.

Neuromodulation via implantation of brain stimulators is a major part of functional and restorative neurosurgery for epilepsy and movement disorders. Spinal cord and nerve stimulation are used to reduce pain caused by failed back surgery and even diabetic neuropathy.

Endovascular and Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

In addition to providing lifesaving care for patients with acute stroke and hemorrhage, our endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgery team works to reduce the risk of stroke or brain bleed in the first place. Our neurosurgeons are trained in both open and minimally invasive techniques to repair carotid and vertebral stenosis, cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations using state-of-the-art options, including radial artery approach, transcarotid artery revascularization and radiation therapy.

Meet Our Specialists

Shawn W Adams, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(161)

Duane W Densler, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(155)

Kimathi W Doss, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(288)

Mahan Ghiassi, MD

Endovascular Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(101)

John E Harpring, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(260)

Dimitri Laurent, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(100)

Abigail J Rao, MD

Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Functional Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

(121)

George H Raque, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(158)

Christopher B Shields, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(228)

David A Sun, MD, Ph.D.

Functional Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

(170)

Nathaniel R Toop, MD

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(23)

Tom L Yao, MD

Endovascular Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

(135)

Kaylee T Bui, APRN

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(50)

Trinity D Gilmore, APRN

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(33)

Amy L Hayden, APRN

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(72)

Victoria J Shipman, APRN

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(19)

Elizabeth D Venegas, APRN

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(170)

Hannah J Young, APRN

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(65)

Richard Ayden Chapman, PA-C

Neurosurgery

(3)

Jessica R Giesel, PA-C

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

Effie E Lary, PA-C

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(41)

Michael S McCool, II, PA-C

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

Sara B Seifert, PA-C

Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery

(347)

Christopher T Shelburne, PA-C

Neurosurgery

(19)

Leading the Region in Neurological Care

• Breakthrough essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease treatment: We are the first health care system in Kentucky  to offer high-frequency focused ultrasound to treat these conditions without any incisions.
• Slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease: We are the first health care system in Kentucky to offer lecanemab and a leader nationally in the application of this cutting-edge drug.
• Highest level of stroke care
  • Four Norton Healthcare adult-service hospitals are DNV-certified for stroke care, reflecting the highest standards in rapid treatment and outcomes.
  • Four adult-service hospitals have earned American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines awards for exceptional stroke care, including multiple Gold Plus and Honor Roll designations.
• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists collaborate to provide innovative treatment of brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has met the high standards to achieve Center for Comprehensive MS Care designation by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a Level 4 center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.
• Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance accepted; families with income equal to or less than 350% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for financial assistance.
• Communicate with your provider, refill prescriptions, make appointments and more with the free Norton MyChart account.