Ziya Gokaslan, MD, is the director of the neurosurgical spine program and vice chair of the neurosurgery department at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. He also serves as a professor of neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery and oncology. He is the past president of AANS/CNS Section on the Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerve and is a member of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, Cervical Spine Research Society and American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Dr. Gokaslan has previously served as the director of the neurosurgical spinal oncology section and deputy chairman of the department of neurosurgery at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed papers and has presented over 200 national and international lectures.
Dr. Gokaslan has a professional interest in the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic spinal tumors, sacral neoplasms and spinal cord tumors. He has also developed numerous novel approaches for resection of pancoast tumors, spinal neoplasms and sacral tumors. He also oversees clinical trials assessing the efficacy of surgery and spinal reconstruction for spinal column tumors.
"The most satisfying aspect of being a spine surgeon is to have the privilege of taking care of my patients with wide spectrum of spinal disorders using the most advanced technology to achieve the best possible result," says Dr. Gokaslan. "Our field is incredibly exciting and constantly evolving! The accurate diagnosis, appropriate and well executed surgical procedure and matching patients' expectations with the expected outcome are all very critical in achieving a successful outcome."
Dr. Gokaslan received his medical degree from the University of Istanbul in Turkey. He completed a residency in neurological surgery and a fellowship in neurotraumatology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He has also completed a fellowship in clinical spinal surgery at the New York University Langone Medical Center.
More articles on spine leaders:
Spine surgeon leader to know: Dr. Dean Karahalios of NorthShore Neurological Institute
Spine surgeon leader to know: Dr. Steven Garfin of University of California, San Diego
Spine surgeon leader to know: Dr. Gregory Carlson of Orthopaedic Specialty Institute