Chief, Neuroscience Institute, Chief, Adult Neurosurgery, and Medical Director, Spine Center, Memorial Neuroscience Institute

Dr. Christopher DeMassi’s dedication for his patients and the field of neurosurgery is exemplified by his commitment to earning the highest level of education and training and applying his expertise to the treatment and healing of neurological diseases. Dr. DeMassi holds a fellowship in neurosurgery and is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. His clinical expertise is focused on the treatment of movement disorders, including deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremors. While his surgical expertise is extensive, he has an established epilepsy surgical practice where he specializes in the use of robotic technology and Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)/NeuroPace in his approach to treating epilepsy. His strong clinical interests expands to areas of complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, brain tumors and head trauma. Dr. DeMassi is the Chief of Memorial Neuroscience Institute, Chief of Neurosurgery and Medical Director of the Spine Center for the Memorial Healthcare System.

Dr. DeMassi earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, where he also obtained a Master of Science degree in physiology and biophysics. He completed an internship in general surgery, a residency in neurological surgery, and a fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. DeMassi also pursued two additional surgical independent study programs at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Medical Center.

Dr. DeMassi has been recognized with several professional awards, including America’s Best in Medicine, Patients Choice Award and Board of Commissioner’s Excellence in Core Values Award. He is an active and contributing member to various medical and surgical associations such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Southern Neurosurgical Society, Florida Neurological Society and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Male

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the surgical treatment of movement disorders
• Epilepsy surgery
• Minimally invasive spine surgery
• Complex adult spinal deformity
• Head and spine trauma
• Surgical management of brain tumors

Education

Georgetown University School Of Medicine, 2004

Residency

University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2011, Neurosurgery

Fellowships

University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, 2012, Spine Surgery

Certifications

American Board of Neurological Surgery-Neurological Surgery

Research

• DBS Research Fellow, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2009

Professional Organizations

• Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons
• AANS/CNS Section on Tumors
• American Medical Association
• North American Spine Society
• Southern Neurosurgical Society
• Florida Neurosurgical Society
• AANS/CNS Section on Spine

Presentations

• “Primary Vertebral Tumors,” University of Miami Grand Rounds, 2011
• “Lateral Ventricular Tumor in Adults,” University of Miami Grand Rounds, 2010
• “Neurosurgery of Psychiatric Disorders: History, Applications and Future Directions,” University of Miami Grand Rounds, 2009
• “Gamma Knife for Vestibular Schwannomas,” University of Miami Journal Club, 2009
• “Optic Pathway Tumors, Treatment and Current Strategies,” University of Miami Grand Rounds, 2008

Awards

• Board of Commissioner's Excellence in Core Values Award
• Medtronic Spine Fellow Academic Grant, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• Depuy Spine Society Academic Grant, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons
• Medtronic Spine Academic Grant, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• Medtronic Functional Neurosurgery Educational Award
• Medtronic Spine Research and Continuing Education Scholarship
• Depuy Spine Neurosurgery Grant
• Lawrence S. Lilienfield, MD, PhD Award, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University