Dr. Ferreira, what drew you to this fellowship opportunity at Phelps Hospital?

Christian Ferreira (CF): The fellowship at Phelps Hospital presented an incredible opportunity to elevate my expertise in neuroendovascular surgery within a truly exceptional setting. Phelps is unique in its combination of state-of-the-art technology and a deeply collaborative environment, making it an ideal place to grow. My experiences with Dr. Serulle and Dr. Gordon at Lenox Hill were pivotal—they treated me not just as a trainee but as a colleague, offering mentorship that was both personal and professional. The chance to continue this journey at Phelps, where excellence and support are intertwined, was too special to pass up.

What excites you about neuroendovascular surgery?

(CF): Neuroendovascular surgery excites me because it merges precision with innovation. The ability to navigate the brain’s intricate vascular structures using minimally invasive techniques offers transformative possibilities for treating conditions like aneurysms and strokes. This field is at the forefront of medical advancement, and being part of it allows me to directly impact patients’ lives through groundbreaking treatments.

What does neuroendovascular surgery offer for patients?

(CF): Neuroendovascular surgery offers a minimally invasive approach to diagnosing and treating vascular conditions of the brain and spine. This technique uses catheters and imaging guidance to navigate through blood vessels, allowing for precise interventions without the need for open surgery. For patients, this means reduced recovery times, fewer complications, and less pain compared to traditional surgical methods. It also enables the treatment of complex conditions that may be difficult or impossible to address through conventional surgery, providing patients with advanced care options that can lead to better outcomes.

What conditions or diseases can you treat with this type of surgery and Phelps’ biplane?

(CF): Neuroendovascular surgery can treat a variety of conditions, including:

1. Aneurysms: By using coils or flow-diverting stents, surgeons can prevent blood flow into aneurysms, reducing the risk of rupture.

2. Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Endovascular techniques can help reduce the size or completely obliterate these abnormal tangles of blood vessels.

3. Ischemic Stroke: Through mechanical thrombectomy, a clot can be removed from a blocked artery, restoring blood flow to the brain and minimizing damage.

4. Carotid Artery Stenosis: Stenting can be used to widen narrowed carotid arteries, reducing the risk of stroke.

5. Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain or spine can be closed using embolization techniques.

Phelps Hospital’s biplane imaging system enhances these procedures by providing high-resolution, real-time 3D imaging. This advanced technology allows for more precise navigation and placement of devices within the vascular system, improving the safety and effectiveness of neuroendovascular surgeries. With the biplane system, the surgical team can visualize intricate blood vessel networks from multiple angles, reducing the risks associated with these delicate procedures and improving overall patient outcomes.

Dr. Gordon, what is the impact for you and your team to have this new fellow?

David Gordon (DG): Having a neuroendovascular fellow, and specifically being able to recruit someone as talented as Dr. Ferreira for the position, is like an injection of steroids into our cerebrovascular program. It elevates our educational platform, provides a foundation for the development of clinical and translational research, and reflects the complexity of cerebrovascular problems that we are able to treat safely for our community, IN our community.

How common is it for hospitals like Phelps to have fellows—especially in this subspecialty?

(DG): The treatment of complex cerebrovascular disease is traditionally performed in academic, tertiary medical centers. Having a subspecialized neuroendovascular fellowship program in a community hospital setting is exceedingly rare. It puts us on the map as a regional center of excellence for our field, and is a testament to the high level of complex, but personalized, care delivered by the entire Phelps team. It is also a testament to the generosity and support of our community in recognizing this need for local, world class services.

Reflecting on your own experience, how did fellowship help you grow in your career?

(DG): My fellowships were absolutely necessary in preparing me for my professional life as a cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgeon. In my opinion, mentorship is the single most important aspect of neurosurgical training. And mentorship in a single, complex discipline is the secret ingredient for excellence. It provides the scaffolding for technical expertise, confidence, and for lifelong education. I am extremely grateful to our donor community for supporting this initiative. Ultimately, this establishes a legacy of high-level cerebrovascular care for our community that will be self-perpetuating.