Ioannis Karampelas
MD FAANS
Adult & Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery,
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS)
Fellow, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS)
U.S.-trained (ACGME), Case Western Reserve University, USA
Fellowship training in Neurosurgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Center, USA
Ioannis Karampelas is an Adult & Pediatric Neurosurgeon with extensive experience across leading academic centers in Europe and the United States. He holds dual certification with a Greek Neurosurgery board specialty title and Board Certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS), and he is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS).
After graduating from Semmelweis University (Budapest), he returned to Greece and trained in General Surgery and Neurosurgery for two and a half years. He then moved to the United States, where he continued his clinical and research work at recognized academic centers. He completed full ACGME-accredited Neurosurgery residency training at Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals of Cleveland, one of the nation’s historic academic neurosurgical programs.
During residency, he trained across the full spectrum of modern Neurosurgery under internationally recognized leaders including Warren R. Selman, MD and Alan R. Cohen, MD. This was complemented by dedicated fellowship training in Clinical Neurosurgical Oncology & Skull Base Surgery at Roswell Park Cancer Center and in Pediatric Neurosurgery Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center / Weill Cornell in New York—one of the world’s leading cancer centers.
His U.S. clinical career continued as an Attending Neurosurgeon and later as a Director of Neurosurgery at major hospitals, including St. Cloud Hospital, North Colorado Medical Center, and the Medical University of South Carolina – Florence Medical Center (MUSC). Today, as Director of Neurosurgery and Founder of Neuroknife, he brings to Greece a standard of care reflecting top U.S. academic centers, with expertise in neurosurgical oncology, pediatric and neonatal neurosurgery, cerebrovascular disease & malformations, complex spine pathology, and functional neurosurgery, including the treatment of neuralgias and neuropathic pain.
Short Bio
Ioannis Karampelas graduated from Semmelweis University (Budapest, 1996) and began his clinical career in Greece, where he trained in General Surgery and Neurosurgery at major public hospitals, including “Evangelismos” General Hospital of Athens. During this period, he obtained the Greek board specialty title in Neurosurgery, laying the foundation for his subsequent international career.
He later moved to the United States and was selected for an ACGME-accredited Neurosurgery residency program at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. There, he completed a second full neurosurgery residency, training across cranial, spine, and pediatric neurosurgery under internationally recognized mentors including Warren R. Selman, MD and Alan R. Cohen, MD.
In parallel, he completed advanced fellowship training in Clinical Neurosurgical Oncology & Skull Base Surgery at Roswell Park Cancer Center, and in Pediatric Neurosurgery Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering / Weill Cornell in New York. Throughout his career, he has served as an Attending and Director of Neurosurgery in major hospitals in the U.S. and Greece, and he holds dual certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) and a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS), in addition to the Greek Neurosurgery specialty title—distinctions reflecting long-standing, documented clinical and academic excellence.
Education & Training
Medical Education
- MD – Semmelweis University, Budapest (1996)
Board Certification & Credentials
- Board Specialty Title in Neurosurgery – Greece (2009)
- Neurosurgery Residency – Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals of Cleveland, USA (2008–2014)
- Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) – 2021
Neurosurgery Training (USA)
- Neurosurgery Resident – Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH (2008–2014)
- Surgery Resident – New York Medical College, St Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan, New York, NY (2007–2008)
- Fellow – Pediatric Neurosurgery Research – Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY (2006–2007)
- Fellow – Clinical Neurosurgical Oncology – Department of Neurosurgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY (2005–2006)
Neurosurgery Training (Greece)
- Neurosurgery Trainee – “Evangelismos” General Hospital, Athens (2002–2003)
- Surgery Trainee – “A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, Athens (2000–2001)
Professional Experience
United States
- Director of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina – Florence Medical Center (2024–Present)
- Assistant Professor, Academic Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina – Charleston, USA (2024–Present)
- Director of Neurosurgery, North Colorado Medical Center, Greeley, CO (2019–2024)
- Attending Neurosurgeon, St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, MN (2017–2019)
- Neurosurgery Resident, Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH (2008–2014)
Greece
- Director of Neurosurgery, 3rd Neurosurgery Department, MITERA Hospital
- Scientific Associate, Athens Medical Center (2014–Present)
- Director of Neurosurgery, HYGEIA Hospital
- Adjunct Attending, Neurosurgery Department, “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital of Athens (2014–2017)
- Private Practice Neurosurgeon, Euroclinic of Athens (2010–2022)
Clinical Expertise
Dr. Karampelas has extensive experience in the management of complex disorders of the brain, spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system in newborns, children, and adults—applying protocols and techniques used at leading U.S. centers.
Brain Disorders
Brain and posterior fossa tumors, cerebrovascular malformations and aneurysms, pituitary pathology, traumatic brain injury, and hydrocephalus (neonatal and adult), using modern microsurgical and endoscopic techniques, neuronavigation, and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring.
Pediatric & Congenital Conditions
Myelomeningocele, spina bifida, diastematomyelia, congenital CNS anomalies, choroid plexus tumors, and complex malformations—delivered within specialized pediatric pathways and multidisciplinary boards.
Spine & Spinal Cord
Cervical myelopathy, cervical and lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spinal trauma, tumors and deformities, using contemporary stabilization techniques and, where appropriate, minimally invasive approaches.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery & Neuropathic Pain
Brachial and lumbosacral plexus disorders, entrapment syndromes and peripheral nerve tumors, as well as procedures for neuropathic pain, with the goal of maximal functional recovery.
Watch Dr. Karampelas at MUSC
A brief overview of his clinical work at the Medical University of South Carolina – Florence Medical Center.
Academic Work
- 24 published articles in international peer-reviewed medical journals, with focus areas including neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular disease, traumatic brain injury, and spine disorders.
- Participation as speaker and author at international and global neurosurgical meetings, presenting on microsurgery, neuro-oncology, and skull base surgery.
- Ongoing educational engagement and participation in continuing medical education programs, aiming to align clinical practice with the most current international evidence.
Professional Societies & Affiliations
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) – Fellow (FAANS)
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
Partner Hospitals in Greece
Contact Dr. Karampelas
For evaluation of a complex case or a second opinion, you may contact his office directly or through partner hospitals.
Mobile (US): 001 917 797 1363