Robert J. Dambrino, IV, MPH, MD
Assistant Professor
Department:
SOM-Neurosurgery
Email:
rdambrino@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 984-1001
Biography
Dr. Robert J. Dambrino IV is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he specializes in open and endoscopic skull base surgery, neurosurgical oncology, and complex cranial surgery. His practice includes the treatment of pituitary tumors, meningiomas, chordomas, vestibular schwannomas, and other skull base lesions, as well as microvascular decompression for cranial nerve disorders and the surgical management of brain and spinal cord tumors.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Dr. Dambrino earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center before completing his neurosurgery residency and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Economics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in Open and Endoscopic Cranial Base Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is proud to bring his subspecialty training back home to care for patients in the state where he grew up.
An active clinical researcher, Dr. Dambrino has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and presented his work at national and international meetings, with research spanning skull base tumor genomics, neurosurgical outcomes, and health policy and economics in surgery. His contributions have been recognized with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Neurological Surgery Resident Research Award, the Steven Voland Neuro-Oncology Research Award from the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and Mississippi State University's Reveille Award, honoring the university's Top 25 Young Alumni.
Dr. Dambrino is committed to advancing the field through education, serving as invited faculty for skull base dissection courses that train fellow surgeons and trainees. He is active in national organizations, including the North American Skull Base Society, where he serves on the Education Committee.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys time with his wife and two young children, along with cooking, traveling, hiking, fishing, and playing guitar.
Education
| University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Fellowship, Open and Endoscopic Cranial Base Surgery | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Residency, Neurological Surgery | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, MPH, Master of Public Health | Health Policy and Economics | 2023 |
| University of Mississippi School of Medicine, MD, Medicine | |
| Mississippi State University, BS, Biomedical Engineering |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Reveille 25, Mississippi State University Alumni Association | 2025 |
| Resident Research Award, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Neurological Surgery | 2024 |
| CSNS Socioeconomic Fellow, Council of State Neurosurgical Societies | 2022 |
| Steven Voland Neuro-Oncology Research Award, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center | 2022 |
| George Allen Resident Education Award, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Neurological Surgery | 2021 |
| Miller-Pittman Medical Scholarship, UMMC School of Medicine | 2018 |
| Neurosurgery Merit Award, UMMC School of Medicine | 2018 |
| Meyer and Genevieve Falk Endowment Award, UMMC School of Medicine | 2017 |
| Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, UMMC School of Medicine | 2017 |
| Gold Humanism Honor Society, Arnold P. Gold Foundation | 2017 |
| Medical Student Research Program Summer Fellowship, UMMC School of Medicine | 2015 |
| Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America | 2005 |
Professional Membership and Service
| North American Skull Base Society, Member | |
| Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Member | |
| American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Member |