BOARD CERTIFIED BRAIN AND SPINE SURGEON

Dr. Vikas Rao

Neurosurgical Expertise

Dr. Vikas Rao is a board-certified fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in brain surgery, cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, brain tumor treatments. He is fellowship-trained in the treatment of vascular disorders of the brain and a specialist in the treatment of stroke, brain bleeds, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), carotid diseases, and the ICU care of neurological patients.

In addition to cerebrovascular disease, Dr. Rao has extensive training in the treatment of brain and spine tumors, brain and spine trauma, minimally invasive pituitary and skull base surgery, and minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Rao also has a special interest in hair-sparing brain surgery and always tries to keep patients looking the same pre and post-op.

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Extensive Training and Education

Dr. Rao was born in Orange County but grew up in Claremont, California. He attended the Webb School before attending the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated with honors and double majored in Neurobiology and Psychology. After college he spent two years traveling, volunteering in India, and working in neuroscience laboratories studying functional brain mapping using MRI technology. He then joined the Keck School of Medicine at USC where he continued to focus on the brain and neurological diseases.

After USC, Dr. Rao spent 7 years in Houston training at the Baylor College of Medicine / MD Anderson Cancer Center Neurosurgery residency program. In addition to training in brain and spine surgery, Dr. Rao spent time training in cerebral angiography and catheter based neurosurgical interventions during residency. After finishing residency, he completed a fellowship in Endovascular, Surgical, and Critical Care Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery at the Drexel Neurosciences Institute in Philadelphia, PA. While there, he trained in the latest treatments for stroke, brain aneurysms, and vascular malformations with pioneers in the field.

CURRICULUM VITAE HIGHLIGHTS

Medical Education

Residency & Fellowship

University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Rao attended the Webb School followed by the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated with honors, double majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology.
Keck School of Medicine at USC
Keck School of Medicine at USC
After spending two years volunteering and working neuroscience labs focusing on the brain and neurological diseases, Dr. Rao attended the Keck School of Medicine at USC, focusing on the brain and neurological diseases.
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Rao completed a 7-year Neurosurgery residency program at the Baylor College of Medicine / MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, specializing in:

  • Brain and spine surgery
  • Cerebral angiography
  • Catheter-based neurosurgical interventions

Drexel Neurosciences Institute
Drexel Neurosciences Institute
Dr. Rao pursued his Fellowship at the Drexel Neurosciences Institute in Philadelphia, PA, and specialized in:

  • Endovascular Neurosurgery
  • Surgical Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
  • Critical Care Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
  • Training included the latest treatments for stroke, brain aneurysms, and vascular malformations under pioneers in the field.

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