Stephen Shafizadeh, MD,Ph.D

About Dr. Shafizadeh

Stephen Shafizadeh, MD, PhD, is an American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) board-certified neurosurgeon-scientist with fellowship and advanced neurosurgical training in skull-base and open cerebrovascular surgery as well as microneurosurgery.

Dr. Shafizadeh had the privilege of receiving his first fellowship and advanced surgical training under world-renowned neurosurgeons, Dr. H. Hunt Batjer, Bernard R. Bendok, and James P. Chandler, in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery. Dr. Shafizadeh proceeded with his second fellowship under world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Ali Krisht, where he continued under his tutelage for over a decade assisting in teaching neurosurgeons from around the country and throughout the world through cadaveric and live surgical courses. Dr. Shafizadeh also has additional training in conservative and operative management of spinal disorders including spinal instrumentation for deformity and degeneration. Dr. Shafizadeh has a keen interest in resident and medical student education and helping advance the next generation of neurosurgical excellence.

Dr. Shafizadeh’s clinical and surgical expertise and interests are in pituitary, vestibular, and skull base tumors; primary and metastatic brain tumors; tumors of the spinal cord and column; cerebral aneurysms; vascular malformations; extracranial to intracranial revascularization/bypass; surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia and hemi-facial spasm; Chiari malformation; cranial and spinal trauma; and skull base fractures and reconstruction.

Dr. Shafizadeh completed the highly competitive dual degree MD and PhD program at The Medical University of South Carolina where his PhD dissertation was in improved survival following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Dr. Shafizadeh completed his internship at University of Chicago; residency at Northwestern University; advanced surgical training/fellowships at Northwestern University and ANI.

Dr. Shafizadeh is an assistant professor at the California University of Science and Medicine in the department of Medical Education. Dr. Shafizadeh’s professional memberships have included the American Association of Neurological Association (AANS) where he is also a fellow, Congress of Neurological Association (CNS), and California Association of Neurological Surgeons (CANS).

Dr. Shafizadeh has received numerous national surgical, clinical, research, and patient care awards. Dr. Shafizadeh is driven by the appreciation and commitment that one’s work is a form of worship and as such must be offered at the greatest level of excellence and humility.