Our Expert Team
Led by Keith L. Black, MD, the Department of Neurosurgery boasts an impressive team of physicians, cancer researchers and allied health professionals. Dr. Black, who founded the department in 1997, was recently honored for his pioneering research in brain cancer and his blood-brain discoveries that enable anti-cancer drugs to be delivered directly into the brain. Internationally renowned, Dr. Black and his team of scientists and physicians are unlocking the biologic secrets of tumors and the immune system, all while maintaining busy teaching, clinical and surgical schedules.
Department of Neurosurgery Team
 Keith L. Black, MD Chairman and Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Director, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute |  Frank L. Acosta, Jr, MD Director, Spine Deformity, Department of Neurosurgery |
 Michael J. Alexander, MD, FACS Director, Neurovascular Center; Director, Endovascular Neurosurgery |  Ray M. Chu, MD Neurosurgery |
 Moise Danielpour, MD Director, Pediatric Neurosurgery |  Marshall Grode, MD Clinical Chief, Department of Neurosurgery |
 Jethro Hu, MD Neuro-oncology |  Adam N. Mamelak, MD Co-Director, Pituitary Center |
 Marcel Menahem Maya, MD Neurovascular Radiology |  Chad M. Miller, MD Associate Director, Neurocritical Care |
 Franklin G. Moser, MD Director, Clinical Neuroradiology and Interventional Neuroradiology |  Burak Ozgur, MD Director, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery |
 David Palestrant, MD Director, Neuro-critical Care, Interim Director, Stroke Program |  Surasak Phuphanich, MD, FAAN Director, Neuro-Oncology Program, Department of Neurosurgery and Division of Neurology |
 Barry D. Pressman, MD Chairman, S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center; Chief, Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Radiology |  Jeremy D. Rudnick, MD Neuro-oncology |
 Wouter I. Schievink, MD Director, Neurovascular Surgery |  John S. Yu, MD Director, Brain Tumor Center, Director, Surgical Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Director, Gamma Knife Center |
Principal Investigators
 Julia Y. Ljubimova, MD, PhD Principal Investigator, Molecular Oncology Research Program |  Dwain Morris-Irvin, PhD, MPH Research Scientist |
 Terrence C. Town, PhD Faculty Research Scientist II, Department of Biomedical Science, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute |  Christopher Wheeler, PhD Principal Investigator, Immunology Program |
Multidisciplinary Team
The complex nature of brain conditions requires a special team approach. The Department of Neurosurgery uses the knowledge and skill of renowned specialists to provide complete care for patients. Team members include:
Tumor Board
A unique strength of the Department of Neurosurgery is the Tumor Board, which meets weekly to review individual patient cases and to recommend the best treatments. The Board is a specialized team of neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurologists, neuroradiologists, pediatric oncologists, neuro-oncologists and neuropathologists.
Advanced Patient Care Team
The advanced patient care team at the Department of Neurosurgery consists of a select group of certified nurse practitioners (NP-C) and physician assistants (PA-C). NPs and PAs have completed intensive didactic and clinical training at the graduate school level Advanced practitioners are involved in all aspects of clinical care, from outpatient to inpatient.
The neurosurgical NPs and PAs play an integral role at the Department of Neurosurgery outpatient clinic. They perform new patient, follow up and post surgery health history interviews and physical examinations, and collaborate with the neurosurgeons in interpreting diagnostic tests and developing a treatment plan. The advanced practitioners are available to patients to answer discuss questions and discuss or concerns regarding diagnoses, symptoms, treatment plan, test results, and current research studies.
The primary role of the advanced practitioners is inpatient hospital care. The PAs may act as first assistants to the neurosurgeon in the operating room. They also work in collaboration with the neurosurgeons, residents, registered nurses and ancillary hospital staff to ensure each neurosurgical patients' needs are meet. The advanced practitioners are involved in all aspects of medical management before and after neurological surgery providing continuity in patient care.
Pictured from left to right (top row, then bottom row):
- Shereen Zurnamer BS, PA-C
University of Southern California, Physician Assistant Program
Department of Neurosurgery, Pituitary Program, Dr. Adam Mamelak
Department of Neurosurgery, Spine Program, Dr. Burak Ozgur.
- Suzane Brian BS, PA-C
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Physician Assistant Program
Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Program, Dr. Keith Black. - Rebecca Naor, BS, PA-C
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Physician Assistant Program
Department of Neurology, Neuro-Oncology Program, Dr. Surasak Phuphanich, Dr. Jeremy Rudnick and Dr. Jethro Hu. - Penny Kornbluth MSN, ANPR-BC
California State University of Los Angeles, Adult Nurse Practitioner Program
Department of Neurosurgery, Vascular Program, Dr. Wouter Schievink
Department of Neurosurgery, Neurovascular Center, Dr. Michael Alexander. - Anne Luptrawan MSN, FNP-C
University California of Los Angeles, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Tumor Program, Dr. John Yu and Dr. Ray Chu.
- Kimberly Alva, BSN,MSN, Acute Care NP-BC
University California of Los Angeles, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Department of Neurology, Neuro-critical Care ICU, Dr. David Palestrant and Dr. Chad Miller.
Not pictured:
- Cherry Daniolco, CNS, MSN, RN, Acute Care NP-C
University California of Los Angeles, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Department of Neurology, Neuro-critical Care ICU, Dr. David Palestrant and Dr. Chad Miller.
A Team of Dynamic Support
A highly trained clinical support staff works together with these specialists to ensure a steady flow of care for our patients. Nurses work side-by-side with our neurosurgeons, providing a communications link between specialists and patients throughout the course of treatment and follow-up care. Specially trained nurses oversee data management of clinical trials and patient care. Other nurse specialists provide direct patient care in the clinical settings. In addition, neuro-imaging technicians manage advanced imaging equipment within dedicated operating rooms.
Department's Psychologist
The department's psychologist is available to help patients and family members cope with the stress of diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and illnesses. The psychologist is able to facilitate emotional adjustment to illness through psychological counseling as well as provide neuropsychological screening exams for those patients experiencing difficulty with thinking and cognitive functioning. Patients or their families should call the Department of Neurosurgery office to schedule an individual consultation.
At the Department of Neurosurgery, our patients and their families are often concerned and frightened. We take the time to thoroughly explain everything. Patients are welcome to ask questions and share their concerns. They can expect that we will be sensitive and compassionate. Family involvement is welcome and encouraged.
Patient-Centered Care
The clinical staff is supported by a dedicated administrative support team. Every member of the Department of Neurosurgery prides themselves on their commitment to serving our patients and providing the highest level of care and attention to detail.
In addition to the excellent clinical and nursing care that we offer, the staff has been trained in service excellence. From the initial telephone call to your arrival in the suite, wait in the lobby and escorted walk to an exam room to see the doctor, our staff seeks to provide the highest possible quality of care and attention to your needs. Patients are warmly greeted and their service needs tended to from their first telephone call to checking out. Our staff is well trained in patient service and quality care. Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year awards reinforce our rigorous training program to ensure that all of our staff live up to our high standards. At the Department of Neurosurgery we seek to make your experience visiting our clinic as easy, pleasant and stress-free as possible.
For an appointment, a second opinion or more information, please call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771) or e-mail us.
