Dr. M. Michael Bercu, MD, MSc

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Get to know Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. M. Michael Bercu, who serves patients in Michigan.

Dr. Bercu is a dual trained pediatric and functional neurosurgeon on staff at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, seeing patients at the neurosurgery clinics in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Traverse City. 

A part of Spectrum Health, Pediatric neurosurgery at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital focuses on care that emphasizes people, not diseases. It is the only pediatric neurosurgery program in the region. From congenital neurological conditions to traumatic injury or illness, taking care of children and families is the hospital’s mission and priority. 

Before embarking on his medical journey, Dr. Bercu earned an additional master’s degree in Pharmacology, leading novel research in the field of regenerative medicine and umbilical cord-derived stem cells-based therapies for neurological disorders, including engineering 3D scaffolds carrying differentiated neuronal tissue. After the completion of his medical training and neurosurgical residency, Dr. Bercu further specialized in pediatric and functional neurosurgery, completing two additional fellowships at the prestigious New York University Medical Center (NYU Langone).

Dr. Bercu’s expertise is in complex and advanced neurosurgical procedures, with an emphasis on pediatric and functional surgery using novel minimally invasive techniques, including directional brain neuromodulation, laser ablations, and responsive neurostimulation for intractable epilepsy disorders. Dr. Bercu has published milestone and revolutionary publications in the field of epilepsy treatment and minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of tumors, vascular malformations and others in the pediatric population, marking himself as a promising leader in the field, as evidenced by the excellent outcomes and patients’ satisfaction. At present time he continues to promote and develop approaches and interventions for the neuromodulation of severely injured brain, with additional future implementation of stem cells technologies, thus possibly promoting neuronal regeneration and gain of function. 

Holding active membership status, the doctor is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons and the North American Neuromodulation Society. 

Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Neurologists are licensed medical specialists who diagnose and treat disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles of patients. Pediatric neurosurgeons diagnose, treat, and manage children’s nervous system problems and head and spinal deformities including the following: head deformities, spine deformities, as well as problems and injuries of the brain, spine, or nerves.

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