Reflecting on the past year at Duke Neurosurgery, I am filled with gratitude for the achievements and milestones reached this year. It’s been a year of innovation, dedication, and progress, marking significant advancements in patient care, research, and community impact.
We were honored to be among the first sites in the United States to treat patients with interneuron transplantation for epilepsy, a groundbreaking procedure that holds promise for those suffering from this debilitating condition.
Our functional team has made tremendous strides, treating our 100th patient (and counting) with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for essential tremor. This non-invasive treatment option continues to improve the quality of life for many individuals suffering from this condition.
The Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis successfully established Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month. This initiative is a testament of our commitment to advocate for patients and caregivers, raise awareness, and drive forward the national conversation.
The Brain Tumor Center celebrated a significant victory in the fight against low-grade glioma with the FDA approval of a targeted drug that was shown in clinical trials to more than double progression-free survival. This marks the seventh drug with Duke roots to receive FDA approval, underscoring our role in pioneering life-saving treatments.
We established the Duke Pituitary Center, a new approach to pituitary disorders, teaming up with colleagues in the departments of Head and Neck Surgery, Endocrinology, and Ophthalmology to offer patients the one-stop, multidisciplinary care.
These achievements and many more are a testament to the innovation and unwavering dedication of our faculty, staff, and supporters. As we look to the future, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of neurosurgical care and research, always with a patient-centered approach.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. As chair, I couldn't be more proud of our team. Together, we will continue to make strides to advance the field.
Warm regards,
Gerald A. Grant, MD
The Allan H. Friedman Distinguished Professor
Chair, Duke Department of Neurosurgery