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Neurosurgery

Medical College of Wisconsin Neurosurgery

The MCW Department of Neurosurgery advances the field of neurological surgery through world-class adult and pediatric clinical care, groundbreaking research, and innovative education.

Our renowned team utilizes both surgical and non-surgical methods to treat disorders in the skull, brain, spine, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and peripheral nerves.

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Vision and Mission

Vision

Vision

MCW Department of Neurosurgery will advance the field of neurological surgery through world-class care, groundbreaking research, and innovative education.
Mission

Mission

Our mission is to:
• Deliver subspecialty adult and pediatric neurosurgical care that is patient-centered, evidenced-informed, and value-based 
• Conduct research that advances the science of neurologic disease and has a positive translational impact on clinical care
• Promote an environment of education and scholarship for trainees, faculty, and staff

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Education

Promoting an environment of education and scholarship for trainees, faculty, and staff

Learn about our education programs
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Research

Advancing the science of neurologic disease that has a positive translational impact on clinical care

Learn about our research
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Patient Care

Delivering patient-centered, evidence-informed, and value-based subspecialty adult and pediatric neurosurgical care

Learn about patient care we provide

Recent News

See All Neurosurgery News
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MCW Researcher Studying Traumatic Brain Injuries Highlights Need for Better Data in Critical Decision Making

July 10, 2025

Dr. Michael McCrea helped lead an NIH initiative that provides new standards to classify, characterize acute TBI.

Medical College of Wisconsin Researchers Aiming to Rewrite How Brain Injuries are Evaluated and Treated

June 26, 2025

Newly proposed framework marks a major step forward and is expected to improve care for the millions of people affected by a traumatic brain injury each year.

headshot of Ms. Prah

Schmainda Lab Receives ASNR Awards

May 20, 2025

The Kathleen Schmainda lab received two awards at ASNR 2025.

Kajana Satkunendrarajah, PhD

Making Neurons “Dance” to Help Patients Recover

March 13, 2024

MCW researchers study the connection between neurons and music and the potential for treatment for neurological disorders.

Drs. Max Krucoff and Julie Kolinski Named Among Milwaukee’s ‘40 Under 40’

January 11, 2024

The Milwaukee Business Journal has named Drs. Max Krucoff and Julie Kolinski, both Medical College of Wisconsin faculty members, to this year’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list.

Department of Neurosurgery Receives a $3M Continuation Award from the Department of Defense

January 4, 2024

Narayan Yoganandan, PhD, professor of neurosurgery, received a $3 million continuation award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for ongoing research that started in 2021. This brings the total award amount to $8 million.

Sense of Community: MCW neurologist reflects on Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy

Sense of Community: MCW Neurosurgeon Resident Reflects on Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy

November 16, 2023

On call during the tragedy, MCW resident Dr. Omar Hussain was moved by the community’s response.

Creating the Midwest’s first brain injury program for veterans and first responders

Creating the Midwest’s First Brain Injury Program for Veterans and First Responders

November 10, 2023

MCW partners with Avalon Action Alliance to create the BRAVE program.

The future of epilepsy treatments at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

The Future of Epilepsy Treatments at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

June 28, 2023

MCW and its hospital partners provide advanced diagnostics, therapeutic and surgical treatments to improve epilepsy treatment.

Addressing Traumatic Brain Injury Worldwide

October 4, 2022

MCW neurosurgery faculty co-author article published in The Lancet Neurology journal that notes advances made in diagnosing and treating TBI, including biomarkers that may better pinpoint TBI injuries than clinical decisions, and a decrease in mortality among moderate and severe injuries.

MCW neurosurgeon-scientist seeks to unlock the mysteries of the brain through research with tumors

MCW Neurosurgeon-Scientist Seeks to Unlock the Mysteries of the Brain Through Research with Tumors

September 27, 2022

Dr. Max Krucoff is developing surgical techniques to make tumor removals safer and more complete.

A new key to brain surgery

A New Key to Brain Surgery

February 4, 2022

MCW neurosurgeon Nathan Zwagerman, MD, specializes in novel and less invasive surgical approaches to brain surgery.

Neuroscience Institute Formed to Further Research and Advancements in Treating Neurological Disorders

January 11, 2022

Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, has been selected as the founding director of the newly created joint MCW/Froedtert Health/Children’s Wisconsin Neuroscience Institute.

Examining concussion incidence in college football

Examining Concussion Incidence in College Football

September 9, 2021

Recent research sheds new light on how to reduce the incidence of concussion and head impact exposure in college football.

Dr Lee Reimaging Care

Reimagining Care: Max C. Lee, MD

June 26, 2020

In the wake of the global pandemic, MCW faculty, staff and students are reimagining how they provide care and services.

Meet Nathan

Meet Nathan

June 18, 2020

Nathan Zwagerman, MD, specializes in removing meningiomas and other brain tumors using a rare technique.

Joseph Bovi, MD and Jennifer Connelly, MD

Reimagining Care: Joseph Bovi, MD and Jennifer Connelly, MD

May 14, 2020

In the wake of the global pandemic, MCW faculty, staff and students are reimagining how they provide care and services.

Holly Maize, second year MCW pharmacy student with Dr. Bruce A. Kaufman, MCW pediatric neurosurgeon

Paying Care Forward

February 24, 2020

After overcoming severe health challenges as a child, MCW pharmacy student Holly Maize's life has come full circle.

This Is Lucas

Lucas' Story

May 18, 2018

An accident left him a quadriplegic; today he has use of his hands again.

Dr. Marc Lazzaro and Dr. Ann Helms discuss care of an acute stroke patient by members of MCW's stroke, neurointervention and critical care team in the department of neurology.

Where "Time is Brain"

February 6, 2018

MCW's specialized and extensively trained neurointerventional team provide comprehensive care to complex stroke patients at Froedtert Hospital.

Contact Us

Department of Neurosurgery
Medical College of Wisconsin
Hub for Collaborative Medicine
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

 

 

 

Office
414-955-0950

 
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