Neurology/Neurosurgery

Inspiring the next generation of physicians, researchers and other health personnel is a big part of OHSU’s mission. There are lots of ways to do this. Catlin Gabel is a local Portland school with a long and distinguished history of experiential learning. Every year Catlin puts on a unique event to interest students in science and health care. Six-grade students at Catlin participate in ‘surgery day’ and have an opportunity to handle and use real … Read More

Doernbecher is not the country’s largest children’s hospital, but I think it is one of the best. The reason? Great people. That’s why I am so proud to be joined by one of the top young pediatric neurosurgeons in the country who began her practice at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital this week. Lissa Baird, M.D., graduated from Brigham Young and earned her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She underwent residency … Read More

Every day I come to work I am amazed at the privilege of caring for babies and little children. It is the most rewarding aspect of my career that parents, faced with fear and anxiety for the health of their precious children, put their confidence in our team to give them the best care possible. Dawson Tucker is a great example. Born with hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, this beautiful boy needed the surgical … Read More

Keep toy magnets, tablet computers, electronic devices with magnetic fields away from a programmable shunt In 1955 a child with severe spina bifida and hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, was born to John W. Holter, a toolmaker in Stamford, Conn., and his wife. Charles Casey Holter, like other children at the time, did not survive this severe congenital disorder. His condition, however, prompted his father to invent the first hydrocephalus shunt valve, allowing the … Read More

Mario and Edie Campagna are a precious commodity in our state. Committed Oregonians, they have worked hard their entire lives to build a wonderful state and then continued watching out for Oregon through wise and active philanthropy. Mario Campagna was educated at what was then the University of Oregon Medical School here on Marquam Hill. Successful in school, he was called to the Mayo Clinic to train in neurological surgery, a new and cutting-edge specialty … Read More

OHSU Doernbecher has a distinguished record for removing some of the most difficult tumors faced by pediatric neurosurgeons. One of the toughest, a rare tumor called craniopharyngioma, is tucked deep in the center of the head, between the carotid arteries emerging from the skull base, the vision nerves, the most sensitive areas of the base of the brain, and the brainstem (see photo 7a). Our novel report of using a newer skull base surgical approach … Read More