The History of Neurosurgery at New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center

Abstract

The history of the Department of Neurosurgery at the New York Medical College (NYMC) began in New York City in the early 20th century. The purpose of this manuscript is to educate on the history of neurosurgery at NYMC and Westchester Medical Center (WMC) from its early beginnings to its current state as a leader of neurosurgery in the region. Led by notable neurosurgeons, such as Thomas Hoen and Isadore Tarlov, the department provided critical neurosurgical treatments to patients at the Flower-Fifth Avenue Hospital (now known as the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center) and Metropolitan Hospital and was home to research advancements in peripheral nerve repair and spinal cord pathology. The department made the transition to WMC in the 1970s under the direction of Alan Rothballer, and a residency program was instituted by Samuel Kasoff and Richard Rovit in 1991. In 2020, Chirag Gandhi became chair and established fellowships in endovascular neurosurgery and neurocritical care, expanding opportunities for education. Building on this rich tradition, the NYMC/WMC Department of Neurosurgery continues to provide high-quality neurosurgical care while emphasizing resident education and research.