Four awardees received Department Seed Grants for health equity research
January 10, 2022
The Department of Neurosurgery has funded four projects investigating outcomes related to equity in neurosurgical patients. Congratulations to our four recipients, Dr. Kelly Mahaney, Dr. Disep Ojukwu, Dr. Adela Wu and Dr. David Dadey. A $5,000 grant will be distributed each year for three years, for a total of $15,000. These projects are intended to develop into larger research projects over time that will be eligible for larger grant funding at the regional or national level.
Seed Grant Awardees
David Dadey, MD
Project Title: Investigating racial and gender disparities in the radio surgical treatment of cranial and spinal neoplastic disease in the COVID-19 era
Co-Investigators: Steven Chang MD, Tene Cage MD
This group noticed how although socioeconomic disparities are known to impact the utilization of radiosurgery, there’s limited discussions addressing the influence of the macroeconomic practice patterns. They plan to address the known disparities and extend these to the developing world.
Kelly Mahaney, MD, MS
Project Title: Are there racial or socioeconomic disparities in the neurosurgical care received by preterm infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus in California?
Co-Investigators: Arokoruba Oboba Cheetham- West
Disep Ojukwu, MD, MBA, MPH
Project Title: A nationwide study of the impact of race and socioeconomic status on treatment and outcome among elderly patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery
Co-Investigators: Atman Desai, MD, MA, FAANS
This project will help determine if racial disparities exist in the surgical management of lumbar spine diseases among elderly patients. The spinal conditions of interest are lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, degenerative scoliosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Adela Wu, MD
Project Title: Reducing Racial and Cultural Inequities in End-of-Life Care for Neurosurgical Patients
Co-Investigators: Gordon Li MD, Michael Lim MD, Michael Jin BS
This group is working to understand the landscape of advance care planning and end-of-life care among neurosurgical patients.