Dr. Wilford Risteen joined the staff of the University Hospital after World War II but was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict. Dr. Louis O. J. Manganiello followed in 1951 and practiced until retirement in 1988. Both surgeons were conservative but introduced diagnostic techniques developed during the thirties and forties, including pantopaque myelograms, ventriculograms, pneumoencephalograms and, in later years angiograms. Dr. Risteen became well known for his stellate ganglion blocks, a procedure popular in his day.

     Dr. Pomeroy Nichols joined Dr. Manganiello as a preceptor in 1952 and became known as the “Dean of Neurosurgery” at the University Hospital. He and Dr. Manganiello separated their practices in 1954. It was soon afterwards that Dr. Kenneth Carrington joined him. Dr. Ernest Daniels later joined Dr. Manangiello.

     When the Medical College of Georgia opened its own hospital in 1955, Dr. Moretz was appointed Chairman of the Department of Surgery and he appointed Dr. George Smith Chief of Neurosurgery in 1956. Dr. Smith was well known for his efforts to treat tic douloureux medically as well as for leading in the development of an anterior approach to cervical discectomy and for developing the first power driven cranial perforator. Dr. Smith was a dynamic individual who attracted large numbers of patients and housestaff. Under his direction, an approved training program was organized. Dr. Ernest Daniels was the first trainee to complete the program.

     Dr. Smith and his wife and mother were killed in a tragic plane crash in 1964, after which Dr. Marshall Allen took over the reins. Although there were tough years at first, the program grew in numbers of cases, staff and, indeed, approval before he retired after 29 1/2years at the helm in 1996.
During Dr. Allen’s tenure, the greatest changes were (1) Strengthening of the academic program, (2) Reducing the number of participating hospitals so that only the Medical College and the Veterans Administration Hospitals now participate, and (3) Developing areas of special interest, i.e. vascular, pediatric, spinal, and functional neurosurgery. The strongest of these areas was doubtlessly FunctionaI Neurosurgery, headed by Dr. Herman Flanigan, who joined the faculty in 1982 and remained active until his retirement in 1992. Dr. Joseph Smith trained in the area under the tutorship of Dr. Flanigin and now heads that service. It was at the time of Dr. Allen’s retirement that the neurosurgical service at the Dwight David Eisenhower Medical Center was moved into the VA Hospital and became an integral part of neurosurgical service and training program. During Dr. Allen’s tenure, he made strong efforts to maintain rapport with the former trainees.

     Upon Dr. Allen’s retirement, Dr. Dennis McDonnell was appointed chief of the service for a period of five years after which Dr. Mark Lee was appointed chief. Under his leadership, the service has continued grow stronger and expand. The service was awarded departmental status in 2002. Currently, neurosurgery is negotiating to expand even further by incorporating services at other hospitals.

     As of June 2004, members of the full-time faculty, aside from Drs. Lee and Smith, include Drs. John Vender, Alfredo D. Voloschin, Haroon Choudhri, Samuel Macomson and Cargill Alleyne. Drs. David Floyd and Ellen Shaver who are on active duty in the U. S. Army and assigned to the Augusta V.A. Hospital ably assist the services of this faculty. In addition, three non-MD’s hold faculty appointments for related services and research.

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