The UConn School of Medicine has elevated its Division of Neurosurgery to its own department, now independent from the Department of Surgery.

“Neurosurgery as a discipline has grown 350% in clinical cases and 210% in net revenue since 2017, and most recently, showed a 14.9% increase in revenue from 2023,” according to an announcement from UConn Health leadership Dec. 13.

Almost seven years ago is when Dr. Ketan Bulsara arrived from Yale to build the UConn Health Division of Neurosurgery as its chief. He continued to build on the foundations created by Dr. Richard Simon, chief of staff and the first operating neurosurgeon at UConn Health, and Dr. Hilary Onyiuke, founder of the Comprehensive Spine Center and now vice chair of clinical affairs in the Department of Neurosurgery.

“This change recognizes the amazing growth of neurosurgery at UConn Health, its depth of clinical excellence, and the establishment of a successful neurosurgery residency program,” says Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, UConn Health CEO and executive vice president for health affairs. “All of this occurred under the leadership of Dr. Ketan Bulsara, who will continue to lead what is now the department. It also reflects our support for excellence and the growth on the horizon.”

Only 2% of U.S. hospitals offer residency training in neurosurgery.

Bulsara is internationally renowned for his expertise in the most advanced neurosurgical interventions. He is on a short list of neurosurgeons in the world with dedicated dual fellowship training in skull base/cerebrovascular microsurgery and endovascular surgery. He has trained with pioneers in neurosurgery nationally and internationally, and has been a contributor to many national and international guidelines and standards.

His many accolades recognize Bulsara’s clinical and scientific contributions in cranial, spine, and peripheral nerve surgery. In 2024 alone, he was elected to membership of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery, was inducted into Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, elected as chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons Joint Section of Cerebrovascular Surgery, and invited by The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services to serve a second term as an advisor to its Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Committee.

“The pioneering work of Dr. Richard Simon followed by the steady leadership of Dr. Hilary Onyiuke laid the foundation for creating this department,” Bulsara says. “We are truly fortunate that they have continued to play a pivotal role and helped guide us to this landmark achievement. It is also truly an honor and a privilege for me to work with and learn from all our talented and motivated faculty and staff who embody the excellence of UConn Health and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.”

The Brain and Spine Institute at UConn Health, located adjacent to UConn Health’s main campus at 5 Munson Road in Farmington, offers neurosurgery — both cranial and spine — as well as orthopedic spine, neurology, and neuroradiology services.

Learn more about the UConn Health Department of Neurosurgery.