Duke Health Referring Physicians

My Locations

Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic - Clinic 1L
40 Duke Medicine Cir
Clinic 1L
Durham, NC 27710-4000
Duke Neurosurgery of Raleigh
3480 Wake Forest Rd
Suite 310
Raleigh, NC 27609-7376
Duke Raleigh Hospital
3400 Wake Forest Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
Duke University Hospital
2301 Erwin Rd
Durham, NC 27710

About Me

Learn More About Me

My research and clinical focus is cerebrovascular disease, specifically the treatment of brain aneurysms, brain arteriovenous malformations, carotid disease, Moya-moya and stroke. I also treat patients with brain tumors and spine issues. In general, I like to analyze complex problems and propose simple solutions. In neurosurgery, typically, the simplest solution is the safest. Your safety and best possible treatment is my number one priority. More often than not, you may be surprised to learn that after thorough analysis of all the information, you may not need treatment, but instead careful observation. If treatment is indicated, I provide a comprehensive spectrum of care including radiosurgery, minimally invasive treatment in the cathlab, and open surgery. At Duke, I love to be able to offer these services as a member of a friendly and fabulous team. In addition, I am proud to be able to provide the newest clinical treatment options available. My ultimate goal is to further improve patient experience and outcomes. My hobbies are playing the piano, hiking, skiing and gardening, which I enjoy together with my wife and four children.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages
English, German

Areas of Expertise

  • Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM)
  • Brain Aneurysm
  • Brain Tumor
  • Carotid Artery Disease
  • Cerebrovascular Disease
  • Moyamoya Disease
  • Spine Surgery
  • Stroke

Training

Board Certifications
American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery
Residency
Internship, Neurosurgical Pathophysiology, Gutenberg University (Germany), 2000-2001
Internship, General Surgery/Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, 2001-2002
Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, 2002-2007 (Chief Resident, 2006-2007)
Education
MD, Westfalian Wilhelm's University (Germany), 1999
Fellowship
Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas), 2004
Cerebrovascular Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern, 2007-2008
Endovascular Neurosurgery, State University of New York, Buffalo, 2008-2009

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My research aims to advance treatment for ischemic stroke, brain aneurysm, and arteriovenous malformations. Using intravital video microscopy, I have been able to investigate the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. In 2009, we had initial clinical success in the experimental use of stents in the treatment of acute stroke. Today, stents called "stent retrievers" have dramatically changed our field. Since 2015, stroke catheter interventions have become the standard of care. Other recently designed stents divert the blood flow away from brain aneurysms and make a cure possible even for giant aneurysms through a needle stick in the groin.

Publications and Grants

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Overall Provider Rating
4.75 out of 5
187 ratings, 18 reviews

Patient Reviews

Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Survey and displayed in their entirety.
Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy

Insurance

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below. Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

  • Aetna
    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
  • Ambetter
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
  • CIGNA
    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
  • Duke Group Plans
    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
  • Experience Health
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • First Health
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization
    • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization plans*
    • *This plan is only accepted at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke HomeCare & Hospice.
  • Healthgram
  • Humana
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
  • Medicare
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
  • MultiPlan / Private Healthcare Systems
  • NC Medicaid
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • Healthy Blue
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
  • OneNet PPO
  • Optima Health
    • FAMIS*
    • Optima Family Care (Medicaid HMO in VA)*
    • Optima Individual & Family (On & Off Exchange Plans)
    • Optima Plus (PPO)
    • Optima Vantage (HMO)
    • *Duke Primary Care, Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital are not participating with this plan.
  • TRICARE
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
  • United Healthcare
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.

  • J and J Med Tech EP
  • MicroVention
  • Stryker Corp