
Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Surgery | More
Ralph Cannon Professor of Surgery Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
UChicago Faculty Physicians Open for more information
UChicago Faculty Physicians hold faculty positions with the University of Chicago and provide care for patients on the academic health system’s main campus in Hyde Park and in care centers throughout the Chicago region.
CloseDavid M. Frim, MD, PhD, is an internationally recognized clinical neurosurgeon and neurosciences researcher who specializes in the care of children and adults with congenital neurosurgical problems. In addition, his clinical interests extend to the treatment of brain and spine tumors, epilepsy and pediatric spine disorders. His innovative approaches to hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, syringomyelia and myelodysplasia/tethered cord syndrome attract patient referrals from national and international sources.
Dr. Frim performs the following neurosurgical procedures with expertise whether treating problems that are simple or complex:
- Craniotomy
- Laminectomy
- Skull base surgery
- Spinal cord untethering
- Neuroendoscopy
- Hydrocephalus shunting
- Pediatric disc removal or spinal fusion
Dr. Frim has built a large, well-respected clinical practice that encompasses all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery with an added emphasis on adults with “pediatric” or congenital problems. In addition, he has developed expertise in brain and spine tumors (especially tumors associated with genetic syndromes such as neurofibromatosis with acoustic neuroma), endoscopic and stereotactic brain surgery and surgical epilepsy.
An active medical researcher and educator, Dr. Frim serves as principal investigator on laboratory and clinical studies related to brain injury, intracranial pressure dynamics, and cognitive outcome after treatment of hydrocephalus and Chiari syndrome. He has received support from the National Institutes of Health and other sources for these projects. Dr. Frim has also served as Residency Program Training Director in neurosurgery at the University of Chicago and maintains a busy schedule of lectures and educational presentations on neurosurgical topics.
Areas of Expertise
- Pediatric Epilepsy
- Pediatric Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors
- Congenital Anomalies in Adults
- Concussion & Brain Injury
- Neuroendoscopy
- Epilepsy
- Craniofacial Anomalies
- Congenital Anomalies in Children
- Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
- Chiari Malformation
- Hydrocephalus in Children
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Medical Education
- Harvard University Medical School
Internship
- Massachusetts General Hospital
Residency
- Massachusetts General Hospital
Fellowship
- Boston Children's Hospital
Memberships & Medical Societies
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons
- American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- Society of Neurological Surgeons
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Chicago Neurological Society
- Aetna HMO (specialists only)
- Aetna POS
- Aetna PPO
- BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only)
- BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only)
- BCBS PPO
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna POS
- Cigna PPO
- CountyCare *see insurance page
- Coventry Health Plan PPO
- Great West PPO
- Aetna Better Health *see insurance page
- Medicare
- Multiplan PPO
- PHCS PPO
- United Choice Plus POS/PPO
- United Options (PPO)
- United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only)
- United W500 Emergent Wrap
To Request an Appointment
Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM) - Hyde Park
Request an Appointment at Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM) - Hyde Park
Comer Children's Hospital - Hyde Park
Request an Appointment at Comer Children's Hospital - Hyde Park
NorthShore University HealthSystem - Evanston
Request an Appointment at NorthShore University HealthSystem - Evanston
To Refer a Patient
Refer a Patient