Demi Dawkins, MD

POSITION

Neurosurgeon

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

  • Surgery for Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
  • Endovascular Surgery for Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
  • Surgery for Carotid Stenosis including Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Stent Treatment
  • Carotid Dissection Management
  • Stroke Mechanical Thrombectomy
  • Brain Tumors Surgery
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Surgical Treatment of Spinal Tumors
  • Surgical and Endovascular Treatment of Spinal Vascular Malformations
  • Degenerative Spinal Disorders
  • Peripheral Nerve Surgery (including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Ulnar Neuropathy)
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Trauma
  • Neurocritical Care

Dr. Demi Dawkins is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with advanced expertise in cerebrovascular and neuroendovascular surgery, offering both open surgical and minimally invasive endovascular treatment options for complex neurological conditions. Her clinical focus includes the treatment of brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), carotid artery disease, stroke, brain and spinal tumors, spinal vascular malformations,
and complex cranial and spinal disorders. Dr. Dawkins also provides comprehensive care for patients with degenerative spine conditions, peripheral nerve disorders, hydrocephalus, and traumatic neurological injuries.

Dr. Dawkins earned her medical degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and completed her neurosurgery residency at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She then pursued advanced fellowship training in endovascular and open cerebrovascular neurosurgery at the Semmes Murphey Clinic and the University of Tennessee in Memphis. As part of her fellowship, she also completed an international rotation at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, England, further broadening her experience in complex vascular neurosurgery.

In addition to her surgical expertise, Dr. Dawkins is known for her patient-centered approach to care. She prioritizes clear communication and believes patients feel most confident when they are well informed and actively involved in their treatment decisions. She strives to ensure each patient feels heard, supported, and empowered throughout their care journey, often encouraging the involvement of family and support systems as part of the treatment team. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Dawkins’ training and career have shaped both Southern and Midwestern roots. She is proud to call Kansas City home and to serve patients throughout the region with thoughtful, comprehensive neurosurgical care.

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALs

Semmes-Murphey Clinic, Neurovascular Fellowship
Memphis, TN
July 2021-June 2023

Southmead Hospital – North Bristol Trust – NHS, International/Abroad Endovascular Fellowship
Bristol, England
March 2023-June 2023

University of Wisconsin, Neurosurgery Residency and Enfolded Neuroendovascular Fellowship
Madison, WI
June 2014 – June 2021

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Doctor of Medicine
Greenville, NC
August 2010 – May 2014

The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with honors cum laude
Columbus, OH
September 2006 – March 2010

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Peer Reviewed Publications:
1. Nguyen VN, Heiferman DM, Dornbos D 3rd, Johnson KD, Dawkins DW, Moore KA, Khan NR, Hoit DA, Arthur AS. Sequential Flow Diversion After Nitinol Stent Placement for a Large, Matricidal Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm: Technical Video. Interv Neuroradiol. 2022 Sep 16:15910199221127455. doi: 10.1177/15910199221127455. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36113015.
2. Dawkins D, Motiwala M, Peterson J, Gleysteen J, Fowler B, Arthur A, Elijovich L. Head and neck arteriovenous malformations: University of Tennessee Experience 2012-2022. Neurosurg Focus 2022.
3. Krishnaiah B, Dawkins D, Nguyen V, Ishfaq M, Pandhi A, Krishnan R, Goyal N; Tsivgoulis G, Elangovan C, Rubin R, Nearing K, Alexandrov A, Arthur A, Alexandrov A. Yield of ASPECTS and Collateral CTA Selection for Mechanical Thrombectomy within 6-24 Hours from Symptom Onset in a Hub and Spokes System. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases 2022.
4. Dawkins D, Aagaard-Kienitz B, Capel K, Eisenmenger L, Samsonov A, Li Y, Sandoval- Garcia C, Iskandar B. Wide Arterial Sparing Encephalo-Duro-Synangiosis (WASEDS) for Moyamoya: Surgical Technique and Outcomes. Operative Neurosurgery 2022.
5. Leslie-Mazwi T, Jadhav A, Cappuzzo J, Levy E, Brinjikji W, Dawkins D. Predicting the next breakthrough in ischemic stroke therapy. Endovascular Today 2022; 21(6): 45.
6. Saatci I, Dawkins D, Arthur A. Expanding treatment of wide neck bifurcation aneurysms. Endovascular Today 2022; 21(2): 76-82.
7. Chen K, Dawkins D, Orbach DB, Aagaard-Kienitz B. Low-profile sheaths in pediatric neurointervention: a multicenter experience. J NeuroIntervent Surg 2021; 0:1-5
8. Ozaydin B, Dawkins D, Armstrong S, Aagaard-Kienitz B, Baskaya M. Intraoperative application of a new-generation 3D IV-DSA technology in resection of a hemorrhagic cerebellar AVM. Neurosurg Focus Video 2021; 4(1):V10
9. Li Y, Funk C, Dawkins D, Simpson D, Yu JP, Boly M, Ahmed A. Leptomeningeal Enhancement is Associated with Transient Neurologic Deficits after Flow Diversion of Intracranial Aneurysms. World Neurosurg 2018; 120: e94-e99.
10. Kim J, Li Y, Dawkins D, Ahmed A. Fracture and embolization of Distal Guide Catheter During Neuroendovascular Intervention. World Neurosurg 2018; 116: 214-218.
11. Corriveau M, Ahmed A, Dawkins D, Aagaard-Kienitz B, Niemann D, Li Y. The Effect of Flow Diverting Stents on in vivo Intrasaccular Aneurysm Pressure. J of Clin Neurosci 2019; 59: 339-341.

Book Chapters:
1. Dawkins D, Sayyahmelli S, Baskaya MK. Posterior Circulation Aneurysms. Cerebrovascular Surgery – Controversies, standards and advances. Springer Publications, 2021. Print.
2. Dawkins D, Aydin I, Swanson K, Baskaya MK. Supracerebellar Transtentorial Approach to Limbic Tumors. Complex Surgical Cases of the Limbic System. Jaypee Brothers Medical
Publishing, 2017. Print.
3. Ondoma S, Dawkins D, and Resnick D. Art and Science of Guideline Formation. Benzel’sn Spine Surgery Techniques, Complication Avoidance and Management. Elsevier Science Health Science, 2016. Print.

Abstracts:
1. Pitts J, Eisenmenger L, Kuner A, Dawkins D, Dempsey RJ, Gettle L. Intraoperative Ultrasound of Procedural Guidance During Cavernous Malformation Resection Surgery. ASNR Annual Meeting 2020.
2. Dawkins D, Ahmed A, Niemann D, Schafer S, Aagaard-Kienitz B. Intravenous 3D DSA: Ready for Primetime? SNIS Annual Meeting 2020
3. Dawkins, D, Harvey E, Li K, Aagaard-Kienitz B, Niemann D, Baskaya M, Schafer S, Strother C, Ahmed A. Recognition of SAH Patients at High Risk for Symptomatic Vasospasm in the Angiography Suite: Responses to Acetazolamide Challenge. SNIS Annual Meeting 2020
4. Dawkins D, Derenzo S, Porter Y. Identification of New Semiconductors: Synthesis and Band Gap Measurements Using Reflectivity. U.S. Department of Energy Journal of Undergraduate Research. 9 (2009): 166. Abstract.

Presentations:
1. Challenges for Female Neurosurgery Residents Globally. Karachi Spine Women in Neurosurgery Conference, Karachi, Pakistan (teleconference). January 19, 2019
2. Venous Sinus Stenting. SVIN Break, Teleconference. June 26, 2022.
3. US Neurointerventional Training. Brainstorm: A Microvention Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. June 13, 2023.