BIOGRAPHY
Specialty
Neurosurgeon & Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Medical School
Brown University with Distinction
M.P.H. Harvard University Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology
M.Sc. Brown University Neuroscience
Residency
Boston Institute of Neurosurgery at NEMC, Tufts University Medical School
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University Medical School
Lahey Clinic, Lahey Clinic Foundation
Post Doctorate Training
Pediatric Neurosurgery, McLane Children’s Hospital, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Texas
Complex and Reconstructive Spine Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University Medical School
Functional and Pain Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School
Certification
Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery
Republic Of Cyprus Medical License
Unrestricted acceptance into General Medical Council and specialty registry in the UK
Texas Medical License
Athens Medical License (Athens, Greece)
Board Certified by the Greek Board (EU) of Neurological Surgery
Illinois Medical License
American Board of Neurological Surgery Written Board Certification Exam
Rhode Island Medical License
National Board of Medical Examiners
United States Medical Licensing Examinations: USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 3
Awards
Member of SOLAS
Multiple Philanthropic Donations in honor of MD to the Scott and White Foundation
Oliver Smith Award, New England Medical Center
First student at Brown University to complete an M.D. and two additional graduate degrees (M.M.Sc. & M.P.H.) within the four years of medical school
M.D. with academic distinction. Graduated from medical school in the outstanding category, the highest academic category at Brown University
Stanley Aronson cash prize for the graduating medical student who excelled in the neurosciences
Elected full member to SigmaXi honors science society
New England Hellenic Medical Society research award
First student at Brown University to be awarded a Master in Medical Science from the department of Neuroscience
Publications
CT-Guided, Ethanol Sympatholysis for Primary Axillary – Palmar Hyperhidrosis, Tsitskani M., Friehs G., Zerris V., Georgiades C., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2016 Dec. 39 (12): 1722 – 1727
The effect of spinal osteotomics on spinal cord tension and dural buckling: a cadaveric study. Safain MG, Burke SM, Riesenburger RI, Zerris V, Hwang SW. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015 Apr 17:1-8.
Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the thoracic spine. Roguski M, Safain MG, Zerris VA, Kryzanski JT, Thomas CB, Magge SN, Riesenburger RI. J Clin Neurosci. 2014 Oct; 21(10):1679-85.
Robin BN, Chaput CD, Zeitouni S, Rahm MD, Zerris VA, Sampson HW. Cytokine-meidated inflammatory reaction following posterior cervical decompression and fusion with BMP. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Nov 1; 35(23):E1350-4.
Risenburger RI, Hwag SW, Zerris V, Wu JK, Mahn K, Kilmo Jr P, Mignano J, Thompson CK, Yao KC. “Outcomes Following Single Treatment Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia with Minimum 3 Year Follow-up.” J Neurosurg. 2009 Sep 25.
Heilman CB, Zerris VA. Images in clinical medicine. Combined – system disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009 Jun 18; 360(25):2655.
2007 G. M. Friehs, M. C. Park, V. A. Zerris, M. A. Goldman, G. C. Norén, P. Sampath. Stereotactic Radiosurgery For Functional Disorders. Neurosurg Focus. 2007; 23(6):E3. Review
V. A. Zerris, K. James, C. B. Heilman. Comparison of the mechanical and biologic properties of three bovine derived dural substitutes. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2007 Apr 26.
C. M. Schirmer, V. Zerris, A. M. Malek. Electrocautery-induced ignition of spark showers and self-sustained combustion of onyx ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. Neurosurgery. 2006 Oct; 59(4 Suppl 2):ONS413-8.
Zerris VA, Noren GC, Shucart WA, Rogg J, Friehs GM. Targeting the Cranial Nerve: Microradiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia with CISS and 3D-flash MR Imaging Sequences. J Neurosurg. 2005 Jan; 102 Suppl: 107-10.
Chaves C, Freidberg SR, Lee G, Zerris V, Ries S, Chavali R. Cerebral vasospasm following intracranial hypotension caused by cerebrospinal fluid leak from an incidental lumbar durotomy. Case report. J Neurosurg. 2005 Jan; 102(1):152-5
G. M. Friehs, V. A. Zerris, C. L. Ojakangas, M. R. Fellows, John P. Donoghue. Brain-Machine and Brain-Computer Interfaces. Stroke. 2004 Nov; 35(11 Suppl 1):2702-5.
V. A. Zerris, D. Annino, C. B. Heilman. Nasofrontal Dermoid Sinus Cyst: Report of Two Cases. Neurosurgery. 2002 Sep; 51(3): 811-4; discussion 814.
V. A. Zerris, Z. Zheng, G C. Noren,, A. Sungarian, G. M. Friehs. Radiation and Regeneration: Behavioral Improvement and GDNF Expression after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in the 6-OHDA Rodent Model of Hemi-Parkinsonism. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2002; 84:99-105.
C. B. Heilman, V. A. Zerris. Transient choroid plexus cysts and benign asymmetrical ventricles: a case suggesting a possible link: case report. Neurosurgery. 2003 Jan; 52(1):213-5.
Vasilios A. Zerris, MD MPH, MSc, FAANS
Page 5
M. Rosenberg, V. Zerris, J. Borden. Gamma knife radiosurgery for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. J Mass Dent Soc. 2001 Fall; 50(3):40-3, 49.
Selected Abstracts:
2013 V. A. Zerris. Management of spinal injuries. 7th Conference of the Hellenic Society for Trauma & Emergency Surgery. Athens, Greece, 2013
V. A. Zerris. Monitoring of head injuries. 7th Conference of the Hellenic Society for Trauma & Emergency Surgery. Athens, Greece, 2013
V. A. Zerris. Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery. 4th International congress in Cyprus. Cyprus, 2013
Zerris VA. Calcified Thoracic Disks: Minimally Invasive, Transthoracic, Vertebral Body Sparing Approach. Society of University Neurosurgeons. Istanbul, 2011
G. M. Friehs, V. A. Zerris. Deep Brain Stimulation and Chronic Spinal Pain. World Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Boston, 2009
R. I. Riesenburger, V. A. Zerris, K. C. Yao, F. G. Barker. Long-term Outcomes for Trigeminal Neuralgia after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. Congress of Neurological Surgeons, San Diego, 2006.
G. Friehs, R. D. Penn, M. C. Park, M. Goldman, V. A. Zerris, L. R. Hochberg, D. Chen, J. Mukand, J. D. Donoghue. Initial Surgical Experience with an Intracortical Microelectrode Array for Brain-Computer Interface. Congress of Neurological Surgeons, San Diego, 2006.
V. A. Zerris. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Malignant Metastatic Brain Disease. Hygeia Hospital-Harvard Medical International Cancer Symposium.
V. A. Zerris. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Occular Melanoma. Hygeia Hospital-Harvard Medical International Cancer Symposium.
V. A. Zerris, J. D. Donoghue, L. H. Hochberg, G. M. Friehs. BRAINGATE: Turning Thought into Action: First Experience with a Human Neuro-Motor Prosthesis. Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Boston, 2005.
M. C. Park, V. Zerris, L. Hochberg, John Donoghue, J. A. Mukand, G. Friehs. BrainGateTM: First Experience with an Implantable Human Neuro-Motor Prosthesis. North American Neuromodulation Society, Washington DC, 2005
V. A. Zerris, D. Annino, C. B. Heilman. Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery of Clivus Lesions. New England Neurosurgical Society, Boston, 2005
Zerris VA, Noren GC, Shucart WA, Rogg J, Friehs GM. Targeting the Cranial Nerve: Microradiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia with CISS and 3D-flash MR Imaging Sequences. 12th Leksell Gamma Knife Society Meeting, Vienna/Austria, 2004.
V. Zerris, J. Arle, J. Shils, R. Alterman. Effects of Pallidotomy on the Parkinsonian Subthalamic Nucleus. Quadrennial Meeting of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, New York, 2003.
C. B. Heilman, N. Blevins, V. A. Zerris, D. Poe. Facial Nerve Manipulation During Jugular Foramen Surgery. 14th North American Skull Base Society Meeting, Memphis, 2003.
V. A. Zerris, C. B. Thomas, S. N. Magge. Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Thoracic Spine: Case Report and Review of the Literature. New England Neurosurgical Society, Newport, 2002.
Vasilios A. Zerris, MD MPH, MSc, FAANS
C. B. Heilman, V. A. Zerris. Transient Choroid Plexus Cysts and Benign Asymmetric Ventricles: A Case Report Suggesting A Possible Link. New England Neurosurgical Society, Vermont, 2002.
V. A. Zerris, C. B. Heilman. Combined System Disease. New England Neurosurgical Society, Vermont, 2002.
C. B. Heilman, V. A. Zerris. Nasofrontal Dermoid Sinus Cyst: Report of Two Cases. New England Neurosurgical Society, Massachusetts, 2001.
Friehs GM, Zerris V, Sungarian A, Zheng Z, Radiation and Regeneration: Histochemical and Behavioral Effects in the Parkinsonian Mammalian CNS; Leksell Gamma Knife Meeting, Squa Valley, CA, April 14-17, 2000
V. A. Zerris, G. C. Noren, Z. Zheng, B. Ponte, G. M. Friehs. Effects of Striatal Gamma Knife Lesioning on Behavioral Testing and GDNF Expression in Hemi-Parkinsonian Rats. LINAC Radiosurgery Meeting, Florida, 1999.
V. A. Zerris, G. M. Friehs. Effects of Striatal Gamma-Knife Lesioning on the Dopaminergic system in Hemi-Parkinsonian Rats. Fifth World Hellenic Biomedical Conference, New York, 1998.
Friehs GM, Smeaton S, Sungarian A. Zerris V, Huber R, Wojcik B, Stopa E. Evidence for Radiosurgery-Induced Regeneration in the Striatum of 6-OHDA Hemiparkinsonian Rats. Abstract for 8th International Leksell Gamma Knife Society Meeting, June 22-25, 1997 in Lyon, France
G. M. Friehs, S. Smeaton, V. A. Zerris. Dopamine and Acetylcholine levels in 6’-Hydroxydopamine treated Rats after Striatal Gamma-Knife Lesioning. -Knife Conference, France, 1997.