Dr. Walter is Chief of Neurosurgery at UR Medicine's Highland Hospital and a Professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He obtained his medical degree and completed neurosurgical residency training at Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, where he also completed a National Cancer Institute sponsored fellowship in neuro-oncology.

Following completion of residency training he served on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was named director of adult neuro-oncology, and was recruited to the University of Rochester in 2007.

Dr. Walter performs brain and spinal tumor surgeries at both Strong Memorial Hospital and Rochester General Hospital. He sees patients in clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester General Hospital, and Clifton Springs Hospital, and has special expertise in image guided neurosurgery, radiosurgery, and complex spinal surgery for tumors.

He runs an active clinical research program that is involved in evaluating experimental therapeutics for patients with brain and spinal cancer. He is particularly interested in developing therapies that not only extend survival, but that also improve the quality of life for people afflicted with these diseases. He runs a research laboratory at the University of Rochester that seeks to develop new targets for tumors.

Certified Specialties

Neurological Surgery - American Board of Neurological Surgery

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Neurosurgery (SMD)

Professor - Cancer Center - Joint

Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Residency, Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 1996 - 2001

Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 1995 - 1996

Education

MD | Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA). 1995

Awards

NREF Young Investigator Award. 2003

Blue Ribbon Presentation. 2001

Hunterian Resident Neurosurgical Research Award. 2001

Outstanding Presentation. 2000

Hunterian Medical Student Neurosurgical Research Award. 1995

Alpha Omega Alpha, National Medical Honor Society. 1995

Harry Strong Dennison Award for Medical Student Research. 1994

Sigma Xi, National Research Honor Society. 1990

John Sabin Adriance Award for Highest Rank in Chemistry. 1990

American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry. 1989

Barry M. Goldwater National Undergraduate Research Fellowship. 1989

Phi Beta Kappa, National Honor Society. 1989

Georgia-Pacific Foundation Scholarship. 1986

Tyng Fellowship. 1986

Publications

Journal Articles

Association of Autologous Tumor Lysate-Loaded Dendritic Cell Vaccination With Extension of Survival Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed and Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Phase 3 Prospective Externally Controlled Cohort Trial.

Liau LM, Ashkan K, Brem S, Campian JL, Trusheim JE, Iwamoto FM, Tran DD, Ansstas G, Cobbs CS, Heth JA, Salacz ME, D'Andre S, Aiken RD, Moshel YA, Nam JY, Pillainayagam CP, Wagner SA, Walter KA, Chaudhary R, Goldlust SA, Lee IY, Bota DA, Elinzano H, Grewal J, Lillehei K, Mikkelsen T, Walbert T, Abram S, Brenner AJ, Ewend MG, Khagi S, Lovick DS, Portnow J, Kim L, Loudon WG, Martinez NL, Thompson RC, Avigan DE, Fink KL, Geoffroy FJ, Giglio P, Gligich O, Krex D, Lindhorst SM, Lutzky J, Meisel HJ, Nadji-Ohl M, Sanchin L, Sloan A, Taylor LP, Wu JK, Dunbar EM, Etame AB, Kesari S, Mathieu D, Piccioni DE, Baskin DS, Lacroix M, May SA, New PZ, Pluard TJ, Toms SA, Tse V, Peak S, Villano JL, Battiste JD, Mulholland PJ, Pearlman ML, Petrecca K, Schulder M, Prins RM, Boynton AL, Bosch ML

JAMA oncology.. 2023 January 19 (1):112-121. Epub 1900 01 01.

Time to treatment initiation and outcomes in high-grade glioma patients in rehabilitation: a retrospective cohort study.

Warren KT, Liu L, Liu Y, Strawderman MS, Hussain AH, Ma HM, Milano MT, Mohile NA, Walter KA

CNS oncology.. 2020 December 19 (4):CNS64. Epub 10/28/2020.

Clinical Efficacy of Tumor Treating Fields for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma.

Liu Y, Strawderman MS, Warren KT, Richardson M, Serventi JN, Mohile NA, Milano MT, Walter KA

Anticancer research.. 2020 October 40 (10):5801-5806. Epub 1900 01 01.

Risk factors associated with early adverse outcomes following craniotomy for malignant glioma in older adults.

Rahmani R, Tomlinson SB, Santangelo G, Warren KT, Schmidt T, Walter KA, Vates GE

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2020 May 11 (4):694-700. Epub 11/06/2019.

The correlation of fractional anisotropy parameters with Ki-67 index, and the clinical implication in grading of non-enhancing gliomas and neuronal-glial tumors.

Liu X, Tian W, Kolar B, Johnson MD, Milano M, Jiang H, Lin S, Li D, Mohile NA, Li YM, Walter KA, Ekholm S, Wang H

Magnetic resonance imaging.. 2020 January 65 :129-135. Epub 10/20/2019.

The Impact of Timing of Concurrent Chemoradiation in Patients With High-Grade Glioma in the Era of the Stupp Protocol.

Warren KT, Liu L, Liu Y, Milano MT, Walter KA

Frontiers in oncology.. 2019 9 :186. Epub 03/27/2019.

Patterns and timing of recurrence after temozolomide-based chemoradiation for glioblastoma.

Milano MT, Okunieff P, Donatello RS, Mohile NA, Sul J, Walter KA, Korones DN

International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics.. 2010 November 1578 (4):1147-55. Epub 03/06/2010.

Vascular gene expression patterns are conserved in primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Liu Y, Carson-Walter EB, Cooper A, Winans BN, Johnson MD, Walter KA

Journal of neuro-oncology.. 2010 August 99 (1):13-24. Epub 01/09/2010.

Primary spinal cord glioma: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database study.

Milano MT, Johnson MD, Sul J, Mohile NA, Korones DN, Okunieff P, Walter KA

Journal of neuro-oncology.. 2010 May 98 (1):83-92. Epub 11/07/2009.

Contralateral acute subdural hematoma after surgical evacuation of acute subdural hematoma.

Tomycz ND, Germanwala AV, Walter KA

The Journal of trauma.. 2010 January 68 (1):E11-2. Epub 1900 01 01.

Characterization of TEM1/endosialin in human and murine brain tumors.

Carson-Walter EB, Winans BN, Whiteman MC, Liu Y, Jarvela S, Haapasalo H, Tyler BM, Huso DL, Johnson MD, Walter KA

BMC cancer.. 2009 November 309 :417. Epub 11/30/2009.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for glioblastoma: retrospective analysis.

Biswas T, Okunieff P, Schell MC, Smudzin T, Pilcher WH, Bakos RS, Vates GE, Walter KA, Wensel A, Korones DN, Milano MT

Radiation oncology.. 2009 March 174 :11. Epub 03/17/2009.

Plasmalemmal vesicle associated protein-1 (PV-1) is a marker of blood-brain barrier disruption in rodent models.

Shue EH, Carson-Walter EB, Liu Y, Winans BN, Ali ZS, Chen J, Walter KA

BMC neuroscience.. 2008 February 269 :29. Epub 02/26/2008.

Autologous glioma cell vaccine admixed with interleukin-4 gene transfected fibroblasts in the treatment of patients with malignant gliomas.

Okada H, Lieberman FS, Walter KA, Lunsford LD, Kondziolka DS, Bejjani GK, Hamilton RL, Torres-Trejo A, Kalinski P, Cai Q, Mabold JL, Edington HD, Butterfield LH, Whiteside TL, Potter DM, Schold SC, Pollack IF

Journal of translational medicine.. 2007 December 195 :67. Epub 12/19/2007.

Tumor cells from ultrasonic aspirations of glioblastomas migrate and form spheres with radial outgrowth.

Beckner ME, Jane EP, Jankowitz B, Agostino NR, Walter KA, Hamilton RL, Pollack IF

Cancer letters.. 2007 September 18255 (1):135-44. Epub 05/31/2007.

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid magnesium in severe traumatic brain injury outcome.

Stippler M, Fischer MR, Puccio AM, Wisniewski SR, Carson-Walter EB, Dixon CE, Walter KA

Journal of neurotrauma.. 2007 August 24 (8):1347-54. Epub 1900 01 01.

Local intracerebral administration of Paclitaxel with the paclimer delivery system: toxicity study in a canine model.

Pradilla G, Wang PP, Gabikian P, Li K, Magee CA, Walter KA, Brem H

Journal of neuro-oncology.. 2006 January 76 (2):131-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Plasmalemmal vesicle associated protein-1 is a novel marker implicated in brain tumor angiogenesis.

Carson-Walter EB, Hampton J, Shue E, Geynisman DM, Pillai PK, Sathanoori R, Madden SL, Hamilton RL, Walter KA

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.. 2005 November 111 (21):7643-50. Epub 1900 01 01.

Vascular gene expression in nonneoplastic and malignant brain.

Madden SL, Cook BP, Nacht M, Weber WD, Callahan MR, Jiang Y, Dufault MR, Zhang X, Zhang W, Walter-Yohrling J, Rouleau C, Akmaev VR, Wang CJ, Cao X, St Martin TB, Roberts BL, Teicher BA, Klinger KW, Stan RV, Lucey B, Carson-Walter EB, Laterra J, Walter KA

The American journal of pathology.. 2004 August 165 (2):601-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Polilactofate microspheres for Paclitaxel delivery to central nervous system malignancies.

Li KW, Dang W, Tyler BM, Troiano G, Tihan T, Brem H, Walter KA

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.. 2003 August 159 (9):3441-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor stimulation of glioblastoma cell cycle progression through G(1) is c-Myc dependent and independent of p27 suppression, Cdk2 activation, or E2F1-dependent transcription

Walter, K. A.; Hossain, M. A.; Luddy, C.; Goel, N.; Reznik, T. E.; Laterra, J.

Molecular & Cellular Biology. 2002; 22(8): 2703-2715.

Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor protects against cytotoxic death in human glioblastoma via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- and AKT-dependent pathways.

Bowers DC, Fan S, Walter KA, Abounader R, Williams JA, Rosen EM, Laterra J

Cancer research.. 2000 August 160 (15):4277-83. Epub 1900 01 01.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: prognostic features and outcomes.

Tamargo RJ, Walter KA, Oshiro EM

New horizons : an official publication of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.. 1997 November 5 (4):364-75. Epub 1900 01 01.

A new subarachnoid hemorrhage grading system based on the Glasgow Coma Scale: a comparison with the Hunt and Hess and World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Scales in a clinical series.

Oshiro EM, Walter KA, Piantadosi S, Witham TF, Tamargo RJ

Neurosurgery.. 1997 July 41 (1):140-7; discussion 147-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Interstitial taxol delivered from a biodegradable polymer implant against experimental malignant glioma.

Walter KA, Cahan MA, Gur A, Tyler B, Hilton J, Colvin OM, Burger PC, Domb A, Brem H

Cancer research.. 1994 April 1554 (8):2207-12. Epub 1900 01 01.

Cytotoxicity of taxol in vitro against human and rat malignant brain tumors

Cahan, M. A.; Walter, K. A.; Colvin, O. M.; Brem, H.

Cancer Chemotherapy & Pharmacology. 1994; 33(5): 441-444.

"Stereoselective binding of olefins to a molybdenum center and synthesis of a chiral molybdenum olefin complex"

Kegley, S.E.; Walter, K.A.; Bergstrom, D.T.; Macfarland, D.K.; Young, B.G.; Rheingold, A.L.

Organometallics. 1993; 12(6): 2339-2353.

Books

Operative Neurosurgery (2007)

Chapter: "Reoperative Craniotomy"

Authors: Walter, K. A.

Publisher: Thieme Medical Publishers, New York 2007

Surgery for Parkinson's disease and movement disorders (2001)

Chapter: "Thalamotomy for Treatment of Essential Tremor"

Authors: Walter, K. A.; Lee, J.-I.; Lenz, F. A.

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia 2001

Infections in neurological surgery: diagnosis and management (1999)

Chapter: "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome"

Authors: Walter, K. A.; Clatterbuck, R. E.; Rigamonti, D.

Publisher: Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia 1999

Polymeric site-specific pharmacotherapy (1994)

Chapter: "Drug delivery to the brain"

Authors: Brem, H.; Walter, K.A.; Olivi, A.; Langer, R.

Publisher: J. Wiley, New York 1994

Cerebral Revascularization (1993)

Chapter: "Polymers as controlled drug delivery systems for the brain"

Authors: Walter, K.A.; Brem, H.

Publisher: Med-Orion Publishing, Sunland, CA 1993

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.6

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.8

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.7

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.8

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.8

Patient Comments

I felt relief when Dr. Walter showed me my latest MRI. If PT and the injections don't give me relief for my back pain, then if I have back surgery, I would be in a good position.

Sep 25, 2024

I'm a visit I saw the nurse that brought me in the Nurse practitioner, and then the doctor all very understanding and concerned about my problem

Aug 12, 2024

5.0

All good.

Jun 20, 2024

5.0

Good

Jun 17, 2024

5.0

Excellent service

May 16, 2024

5.0

Dr. Kevin Walter I can't say enough about this man, he gave me my life back!

Apr 26, 2024

5.0

He was very encouraging!

Apr 21, 2024

5.0

Highly knowledgeable and understanding

Mar 30, 2024

5.0

I would highly recommend Dr. Walter.

Feb 18, 2024

4.5

Dr Walter and his staff were very caring and considerate

Nov 04, 2023

5.0

We didn't like why we needed Dr. Walter's care but we are very thankful for his it.

Oct 07, 2023

5.0

If anyone I know needs the kind of treatment I had, I will recommend him.

Jul 22, 2023

5.0

Very satisfied with Dr. Walter.

Mar 25, 2023

5.0

Dr. Walter is extremely courteous. Explained everything to my husband and me.

Jan 28, 2023

Although decided on non-surgical Intervention at present, I would have liked to learn more about what would be Involved If prospective procedures were to be warranted in the future if symptoms (neck pain, head nerve pain, etc) persist. But overall very satisfied with the discussion.

Nov 24, 2022

5.0

Post visit described my physical condition as "aches and pains" when I THOUGHT I was clear I have chronic pain that increases throughout the dayI was provided a RX for pain management clinic

Nov 14, 2022

5.0

AOK!

Oct 22, 2022

5.0

We were so pleased with the staff and Dr Walter. He is so knowledgeable that we felt confident in his knowledge and expertice about my health issue.

Oct 17, 2022

5.0

As I said Dr W is a strar

Oct 07, 2022

5.0

Excellent.

Sep 15, 2022

5.0

Recommend to others

Aug 31, 2022

5.0

Good experience

Aug 28, 2022

5.0

Very good experience.

Jul 06, 2022

5.0

Excellent

May 28, 2022

5.0

Dr. Walter is kind, caring, concerned, very knowledgeable = exceptional!

May 09, 2022

5.0

Very good experience

Apr 25, 2022

5.0

Good

Apr 14, 2022

5.0

GOOD

Feb 19, 2022