Michelle Wilson Bell, MD

Dr. Brett Youngerman is a leading neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive brain surgery and advanced neuromodulation therapies. He is recognized for providing expert care to patients with complex brain and neurological disorders, combining technical precision with a patient-centered approach. Conditions Treated: Dr. Youngerman’s expertise includes pituitary tumors, skull base tumors, and brain tumors; drug-resistant epilepsy; movement disorders including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and hemifacial spasm); cavernous malformations; adult hydrocephalus including Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH); and headache and facial pain syndromes including trigeminal neuralgia and Chiari malformation. Advanced Surgical and Minimally Invasive Techniques: Dr. Youngerman is widely sought for his ability to perform advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques that maximize safety and shorten recovery. These include endoscopic brain and skull base surgery, robot-assisted neurosurgery, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT or laser ablation), stereotactic radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife), and precision brain mapping performed either awake or asleep depending on each patient’s needs. Neuromodulation Expertise: Dr. Youngerman has particular expertise in neuromodulation for epilepsy, movement disorders, and other neurological conditions. He specializes in deep brain stimulation (DBS), responsive neurostimulation (RNS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), offering patients access to the most advanced brain stimulation and recording technologies available. Collaborative, Patient-Centered Care: At Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, Dr. Youngerman works closely with a multidisciplinary team of specialized neurologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists. This ensures that every patient benefits from a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan supported by the latest diagnostic tools, clinical trials, and cutting-edge therapies. Education & Training: Dr. Youngerman earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his neurosurgery residency training and fellowship at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as well as a fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical Center. He also received a Master of Science in Patient Oriented Research from Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. Why Patients Choose Dr. Youngerman: Patients and referring providers choose Dr. Youngerman for his technical mastery, his compassionate, patient-focused care, and his commitment to preserving and improving brain and neurological function while minimizing recovery time. Dr. Youngerman is licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and welcomes new patients and second opinions both in person and through secure video telehealth visits.

Rachael Benson is an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, in the Division of Epilepsy and Sleep. She completed her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis followed by a medical doctorate (MD) at New York Medical College. She pursued her residency in Neurology and fellowship in Neurophysiology and Epilepsy at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Benson specializes in epilepsy and sleep disorders. She has a special interest in pregnant women with epilepsy.

Dr. Ewa Koziorynska is an assistant professor of Clinical Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, in the Division of Epilepsy and Sleep. She is board-certified in Neurology, Sleep Medicine, Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.Dr. Ewa Koziorynska graduated from Pomeranian Medical University in Poland. After her Neurology Residency at UMDNJ in New Jersey she completed a two year fellowship in Epilepsy at Yale University. Prior to joining the faculty at Columbia University Medical Center Dr. Koziorynska was an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at SUNY Downstate, and prior to that at New York University, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. At New York University in addition to working as Attending Physician (Epileptologist) she also trained in Sleep Medicine, at New York Sleep Institute Sleep Disorders Center.Dr. Koziorynska's main areas of clinical interest include the comprehensive management of patients with Sleep Disorders and Epilepsy. Her expertise includes interpretation of Sleep Studies, EEG, Video-EEG monitoring, and intra-operative monitoring.