Academic title: Assistant professor of neurosurgery; director of minimally invasive cranial and skull base neurosurgery; director of neurosurgery education
Joined the USA College of Medicine: July 1, 2020
What does your position in the USA COM/USA Health entail?
Neurosurgery has come a long way in helping people manage complicated brain-related issues over the past century. This evolution has further paced along recently with more innovations and bringing about minimally invasive brain surgery. I am excited to lead this transformation of neurosurgical practice into minimally invasive cranial and skull base surgery at USA. This fits very well into the excellent infrastructure already provided by our department, which includes pediatric, functional, epilepsy and complex spine disciplines within neurosurgery.
Most common surgeries we have introduced in the past year are eyebrow incision craniotomies, endonasal surgeries for skull base through nostrils in collaboration with ENT department, fluorescence-guided resection of metastatic and malignant brain tumors, and surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia/hemi-facial spasms through a burr hole.
In addition, with the help of my colleagues we continue to escalate the academic involvement and contribution in neurosurgery and with the increasing diversity/volume of neurosurgical cases, we are actively working towards the starting a neurosurgical residency program.
What is your favorite or most rewarding part of your position?
The best part of building a minimally invasive cranial program and practice is the fact that it is a team sport. To be able to work towards our goal, the support and expertise from my partners, exceptionally talented group of nurse practitioners/physician associates, OR staff and the USA Health leadership has been invaluable. Moreover, there is so much multidisciplinary collaboration needed for our specialty, which ensures the best possible experience for our patients and makes their experience holistic. Also, training and providing mentorship to our medical students and expanding their neurosurgical perspective is thrilling and gratifying. We are hoping to expand this experience to neurosurgery residency soon.
What is your advice for medical students?
When I was a medical student, someone gave me the advice that if you are confused between specialties, the experience of your passion search is incomplete and you need to dig deeper. This is exactly what I would recommend to the next generation. Knowledge, experience, passion and hard work will always bring clarity in your decision making. Failures don’t exist; only the opportunity to reflect and improve does.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
Mountains and beaches, unplanned vacations with family! My two favorite hikes are Mt. Shasta, California, and Mt. Stratton, Vermont. My favorite wellness retreat is Boone, North Carolina. Running for me is therapeutic.
