When it comes to brain and spine care, Lakeland Regional Health delivers advanced neurosurgical treatment right here in the community.
Focused on stroke and aneurysm care
As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, LRH is equipped to treat life-threatening conditions, like: brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformation, and carotid stenosis. These can be addressed either through endovascular or open surgical techniques — both available locally.
A team of specialists
With an interdisciplinary team of neuro-specialists, each bringing a unique set of skills, LRH provides comprehensive care across the neurological spectrum.
Dr. Davide Croci, Site Medical Director of University of South Florida Neurosurgery at Lakeland Regional Health and Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at LRH, focuses on skull base and cerebrovascular surgery (read: treatment of aneurysm, skull base tumors, brain tumors and pituitary adenoma, and complex spine conditions), and is known for his patient-centered approach. Plus, he is fluent in four different languages.
“I am dedicated to developing a customized, comprehensive plan so patients feel confident before, during, and after surgery. I build a relationship of trust with each patient to address their unique health goals.”
Dr. Gabriel Flores-Milan is fellowship-trained in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery, as well as complex spine surgery. His focus includes the treatment of aneurysms, skull base tumors, brain tumors, pituitary adenomas, and complex spine conditions. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he connects effortlessly with patients, ensuring they feel cared for and at ease.
In the field of spine surgery, he is at the forefront of innovation, invested in minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic spine surgery. He is fluent in both Spanish and English, and he’s well-known for his ability to connect effortlessly with patients, ensuring they feel cared for and at ease.
“I am committed to providing care in neurosurgery that puts patients first — I believe in a comprehensive approach to health, helping to guide choices that go beyond just surgical options.”
Dr. Michael Campanelli brings 20+ years of experience to the team. He is recognized for his work with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and has a special interest in dementia related to normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Dr. Jose Torres Gluck brings many years of experience in the treatment of degenerative spine conditions and brain tumors.
Board-certified neurointerventional surgical radiologist Dr. Martin Radvany specializes in treating brain aneurysms, stroke, and other vascular conditions. With 25+ years of experience, he’s contributed to medical textbooks, published widely, and helped pioneer endovascular techniques.
“We are here to support you every step of the way, providing the highest level of care tailored to your needs.”
Innovative tools, safer surgeries
The neurosurgery team leverages state-of-the-art technology to provide safer procedures, faster recoveries, and better outcomes for patients.
For complex cranial procedures, the team uses advanced 3D modeling to visualize a patient’s unique anatomy before surgery. In one recent case, a 3D model of a skull and aneurysm was created to guide a delicate operation, allowing the surgeons to plan with precision and improving patient safety.
The neurosurgery team is at the forefront of minimally invasive spine surgery in Polk County. They recently performed the region’s first prone transpsoas (PT) interbody fusion — an innovative procedure that allows access to the spine with reduced trauma to surrounding tissue — and successfully treated a patient with severe radicular pain using endoscopic lumbar discectomy, a minimally invasive approach that resulted in immediate relief and minimal downtime.
They also implemented the use of Gleolan at LRH for brain tumor resections. Gleolan is an imaging agent taken prior to surgery that causes malignant tumors to glow red under a special light, while healthy brain tissue appears blue. This enhanced visualization empowers surgeons to remove tumors with greater accuracy, preserving healthy brain function and improving long-term outcomes.
From brain to spine, Lakeland’s neurosurgeons are setting new standards in care with cutting-edge tools and groundbreaking techniques.
