Awards & Recognitions – September 2026
Becker’s ’20 Neurosurgeons to Know’
Barrow neurosurgeon Randall Porter, MD, was named one of “20 Neurosurgeons to Know” by Becker’s Spine Review. The list highlights neurosurgeons who are “making an impact on the field through clinical innovation, research, and leadership.”
The article recognized Dr. Porter for his expertise in acoustic neuromas and other skull base tumors, degenerative spine disorders, and spinal trauma. Dr. Porter co-directs the Acoustic Neuroma Program at Barrow Neurological Institute and serves on the Medical Advisory Board for the Acoustic Neuroma Association. He also serves as team neurosurgeon for the Arizona Cardinals.
Becker’s also noted that Dr. Porter has performed more than 10,000 procedures, authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and 40 book chapters, and presented at more than 100 professional meetings nationwide.
Cervical Spine Research Society Grant
Benjamin Rodriguez, MD, a PGY-2 neurosurgery resident at Barrow, was named a 2026 Research Grant recipient by the Cervical Spine Research Society.
As one of only four recipients of this year’s Resident/Fellow Research Grants, Dr. Rodriguez will receive $20,000 in funding for his project, “Targeted Cervical Epidural Neuromodulation for Upper Limb Recovery: Computational Target Identification, Cervical Lead Design, and Prototype Feasibility Assessment.”
The project, for which Barrow neurosurgeon Rory Murphy, MD, serves as mentor and sponsoring CSRS member, will study the use of electrical stimulation for patients with cervical spinal cord injury in the intensive care setting. Specifically, the study will evaluate whether this technology can help regulate blood pressure for these patients and, in the long term, help them with their motor recovery.
Association of Medical Illustrators Award
Barrow Neuroscience Publications received an Award of Merit at this year’s Association of Medical Illustrators conference in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter M. Lawrence, Kristen Larson Keil, Dani VanBrabant, Michael Hickman, and Miranda Stano received the award for their illustrations in “Seven Cavernomas,” the latest “Seven Series” textbook authored by Barrow President and CEO Michael T. Lawton, MD.
The illustrators met with Dr. Lawton nearly every week for more than five years to bring his vision for the 452-page textbook to life.