Department of Neurosurgery

Department Chair: Stephen T. Onesti, M.D.
(718) 270-2111 Fax: (718) 270-3922

Departmental Office: (718) 270-2111
Emergency Services: (718) 245-3131

The Department of Neurological Surgery at University Hospital of Brooklyn provides tertiary neurosurgical care as a referral and educational center for the regional area.  The faculty is directed by Stephen T. Onesti, M.D., Professor and Chair of the Department.  Dr. Onesti is well-known for his interests in spinal surgery, including minimally invasive surgery and cervical degenerative disk disease, as well as surgical treatments for chronic pain.

Dr. Mark Thompson, a fellowship trained, board certified neurosurgeon with an interest in traumatic injury of the spine, is Vice-Chairman of the Department and Chief of the Neurosurgery Service at Kings County Hospital.  Dr. Thompson may be reached at 718-245-4709.

Dr. Ethan A. Benardete, a board certified neurosurgeon, is fellowship trained in pediatric neurosurgery.  Dr. Benardete is Director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Director of the Epilepsy Surgery Service.  Dr. Benardete is Director of Vascular Neurosurgery which includes the treatment of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and extracranial arterial disease.  In addition, he has a strong interest in transsphenoidal and skull base surgery in adults.   Dr. Benardete may be reached at 718-270-4335.

Dr. Ali Sadr is a board certified neurosurgeon who is Vice Chief of Neurosurgery at Kings County Hospital and Director of Skull Base Surgery at Downstate.  Dr. Sadr may be reached at 718-270-4141.

Dr. Nicholas Post is a neurosurgeon based at University Hospital of Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital.  Dr. Post’s areas of interest include neurovascular surgery, surgery for brain tumors, peripheral nerve surgery, and spine surgery.  Dr. Post may be reached at 718-270-3972.

Dr. Maria Li is a board certified general neurosurgeon affiliated with the Department. She has over 8 years of experience in practice and has taken advanced training in cerebrovascular and spine surgery. Her other interests include Gamma knife and surgery for epilepsy, brain tumors, facial pain and hemifacial spasm. Dr. Li may be reached at 718-270-4141..

Dr. Sundeep Mangla, a fellowship trained interventional neuroradiologist, has a joint appointment if the Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiology.  He is Director of the Interventional Neuroradiology Service, which includes treatment of vascular, oncological and traumatic diseases of the brain and spinal cord.  Dr. Mangla may be reached at 718-270-4141. 

Erin Wagner, P.A., is director of the Physician Assistant service within the Department.  She can be reached at 718-270-4554.

Rhonda Besunder and her assistant Maria Catalano are the Departmental Administrators.  They can be reached at 718-270-4366.  Lois Cooper may be reached regarding billing inquiries at 718-270-6108.