Bernard R. Bendok, M.D.

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SUMMARY

The research team of Bernard R. Bendok, M.D., is focused on innovations that can improve surgical safety and outcomes and enhance quality of life for people who have neurovascular diseases or strokes. The focus of Dr. Bendok's laboratory is on innovation of surgical methods and devices, clinical trials, mathematical modeling of neurovascular diseases, and patient-specific simulation.

Focus areas

• Intracranial aneurysms. Dr. Bendok aims to improve the understanding of intracranial aneurysms, including those that have been previously treated with endovascular coiling.

  These types of aneurysms pose a high risk of hemorrhage and life-threatening symptoms. Yet, there are currently no guidelines regarding their microsurgical re-treatment in terms of indications for surgery, technical nuances, clinical outcomes and complications.

  To expand the knowledge on this topic, Dr. Bendok has launched a multicenter retrospective study involving three prestigious health care centers, with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago as the lead institution. Joining his endeavors are Dr. Hunt Batjer at the University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, and Dr. Daniel Barrow at Emory University, Atlanta.

• Brain arteriovenous malformations. Dr. Bendok's expertise in the understanding and treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations has led him to explore the development of these anomalies from a new perspective. Dr. Bendok hypothesizes that blood flow (hemodynamics) plays an important role in the formation, growth and rupture of these vascular malformations.

• Educational contributions. Dr. Bendok's commitment to lifelong learning and teaching has earned him the title of chair of the Simulation Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the educational arm of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS). In this leadership role, Dr. Bendok helps to further the education of developing neurosurgeons and the continuing medical education of board-certified neurosurgeons.

  Since 2007, Dr. Bendok has taken a leadership role in organizing annual resident hands-on endovascular simulation courses for the CNS. He is also a member of the

  Joint Cerebrovascular Section educational committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and CNS, and has organized endovascular resident training courses.

  Dr. Bendok played a leadership role in the organization of CNS University of Neurosurgery webinars, which consist of live presentations led by a panel of experts in various fields of neurosurgery. The webinars are stored online and are free for residents and physicians.

• Innovation and simulation center. In addition to his dedication to resident education, Dr. Bendok is committed to his own learning and to the continued education of his colleagues in the neurosurgery community. He is actively involved in developing and creating the world's first comprehensive open surgical and endovascular neuroscience simulation and innovation center at Mayo Clinic. Within this center, Dr. Bendok and colleagues will continually augment their skills, deepen their knowledge of their field and distinguish themselves as physicians of the highest caliber.
• Patient-specific simulation. While leading biomedical innovation projects, Dr. Bendok works to develop new devices to treat neurosurgical patients. He is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering to devise new ways for 3-D printing of disease models and treatment devices. This research puts new capabilities at the service of patients at Mayo Clinic.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Bendok has earned great distinction as both a clinician and a researcher. Under his direction as department chair, the Department of Neurologic Surgery provides exceptional care to patients who have been diagnosed with a variety of neurovascular anomalies.

Professional highlights

• Section editor, 3-D Video section, Operative Neurosurgery journal, 2015-present
• Chair, Education Division, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2014-present
• Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, 2001-present
• A Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 2015
• William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor III, 2015
• Cerebrovascular member at large, the Joint Cerebrovascular Section, AANS/CNS, 2012-2015
• Member at large, Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2011-2014