Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD

One of the Most Prominent Neurosurgeons in the World

Founder and President, Atlas Meditech and Neurosurgical Atlas

Jeffrey Schwarz Chair in Neurosurgical Excellence, Neurosurgical Atlas

ATLAS Institute of Brain and Spine, Los Angeles, California

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Saint John's Health Center

Associate Editor-in-Chief, Neurosurgical Focus, Journal of Neurosurgery

Board Member and Feature Editor, World Neurosurgery Journal

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One of the most preeminent neurosurgeons in the world.

Recipient of the Vilhelm Magnus Medal, the highest honor in Neurosurgery. One of only 13 recipients in its history.

Performed 7,500+ complex brain surgeries.

Has pioneered over 30 minimally invasive surgical procedures. Takes on the most difficult surgical cases with optimal results.

Influenced over 100,000 lives.

The Neurosurgical Atlas, the “Bible of Neurosurgery,” founded by Dr. Cohen. 70,000 members and over 3,000 viewers daily.

The Neurosurgical Atlas

Honored with Healthcare Hero of the Year Award.

For advancing surgical care of brain tumors previously considered inoperable. Featured on CNN, CBS, “An Everyday Miracle” book on Amazon.

Mentored hundreds of learners and surgeons.

Founder of one of the most competitive fellowship positions in the country.

Published over 560 neurosurgical-focused publications.

Researched and authored hundreds of scientific, peer-reviewed articles Served as relentless innovator, teacher, and speaker for hundreds of meetings.

Publications

Instills courage in patients, their families, and fellow surgeons.

Countless inspirational patient stories.

See More Here

Obsessed with delivering the best possible surgical outcomes.

Known for extraordinary technical acumen and authentic empathy for patients.

Meet Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD

Play Video: Introduction Video: Care Philosophy

Introduction Video: Care Philosophy

Play Video: Life as a Neurosurgeon: Interview with Aaron Cohen-Gadol

Life as a Neurosurgeon: Interview with Aaron Cohen-Gadol

Play Video: Inspiring Patient Stories: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Inspiring Patient Stories: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Show More Videos

Biography

Dr. Cohen-Gadol (Cohen) is one of the world’s most preeminent neurosurgeons and the president of ATLAS Institute of Brain and Spine. He specializes in the treatment of complex brain and spine tumors, including meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, gliomas, and acoustic neuromas, as well as arteriovenous and cavernous malformations, hemifacial spasm, and trigeminal neuralgia. Neurosurgeons and patients both frequently seek his expert second opinion. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a profound commitment and passion for pushing the boundaries of uncompromising excellence for his patients.

Dr. Cohen has performed more than 7500 complex brain surgeries in his career, more than any other performed by a single surgeon in the United States. These 7500 surgeries have been documented in the Neurosurgical Atlas collection, which is considered throughout the world as the bible of neurosurgery and used by more than 70,000 physicians for the care of their patients. He has introduced over 40 novel surgical techniques that have inspired thousands of neurosurgeons to achieve technical excellence and peak performance in the operating room. 

The Scandinavian Neurosurgical Society awarded Dr. Cohen its prestigious Vilhelm Magnus Medal—referred to as the Nobel Prize in Neurosurgery, 1 of only 13 medals ever awardedfor his preeminent contributions in pioneering brain surgeries that have transformed patient outcomes worldwide. He has published more than 580 peer-reviewed papers in respected journals. These innovations have advanced the field of neurosurgery and the outcome of surgery for many patients.

Dr. Cohen’s vast surgical experience and mastery enable him to offer surgical outcomes for his patients that are not possible elsewhere. The thousands of patients’ lives he has transformed have ingrained in him a deep sense of empathy and humility. He instills the courage required for patients, their families, and fellow surgeons to prevail during the most challenging moments in surgery and health crises.

His surgical philosophy focuses on efficient and minimally invasive surgery; this technique protects normal brain and the patient’s function during surgery. He has developed endoscopic techniques that enable surgeons to remove a brain tumor via the nasal passage without opening the patient’s skull. He also has refined fluorescent technologies that cause brain tumors to “glow,” making it possible for surgeons to remove them more effectively. Dr. Cohen is dedicated to advanced, cutting-edge surgical techniques and technologies that push the boundaries of care for patients. Before coming to Los Angeles, he practiced for 20 years at Indiana University, where he received the Healthcare Hero of the Year award from the state of Indiana. He has been a visiting professor and speaker in Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, Italy, Pakistan, Columbia, China, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico and at almost every major neurosurgical institution on the world.

Outside of work, Dr. Cohen enjoys spending time with his family and makes God, family, and his community/country his top priorities. As a dog lover, he also volunteers and donates his time to perform therapeutic surgery to treat brain tumors in pet dogs.


My Philosophy of Care

“The interest of my patients is the most important consideration in any surgical intervention, and I strive to create a plan of care that I would recommend to my own family.

“I believe in noncompromising excellence and want my patients to be confident that they will have the best possible surgical outcomes compared to those anywhere in the world.”
 

See inspiring patient stories here.

View PDF of his Curriculum Vitae.

“The pursuit of technical excellence in neurosurgery is a passion and not a job. My philosophy has always been to do the best anyone can, rather than do the best I can.”

What Our Patients Are Saying

Dr. Cohen is the best of the best of the best. I had a large tumor (42.85mm x 37.79mm) pressing against my brain. I was referred to Dr. Cohen, who reviewed my scans and gave me the peace of mind that he could remove the tumor. Dr. Cohen was very kind and patient with me and even took the time to have a virtual appointment with my wife and I to answer several questions and concerns we had.

There are many attributes that describe Dr. Cohen: he is incredibly skillful, he has a tremendous bedside manner, he is kind and wants what is best for his patients.

Ramon A.

Dr. Cohen gave me my life back. It’s cliché, but the truest explanation of the amazing work he and his entire team did for me. He performed a very tricky Microvascular decompression of my glossopharyngeal nerve. I have had zero symptoms since surgery!

I am convinced Dr. Cohen is the best of the best, and feel so grateful and lucky to have been and continue to be able to call him my doctor. Someone at this high of a level who remains so friendly and compassionate is not common. You cannot be in better hands than Dr. Cohen and his team. Forever grateful.

Michael S.

Dr. Cohen took care of my son who had an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). Dr. Cohen recommended surgical removal, which was not what neurosurgeons we had seen before recommended. It was a shock, but he walked us through all the options and why he felt surgery was best.

Our son’s case was very complicated and Dr. Cohen was always kind, caring and compassionate. He successfully performed a very intricate surgery that removed the AVM and our son is doing so well! I can’t imagine having any other neurosurgeon!

Lisa S.

I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol for performing my microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery with exceptional skill, completely eliminating my spasms. Dr. Cohen-Gadol is not only a top-notch neurosurgeon but also a soft-spoken yet confident professional who clearly knows his field inside out.

Thanks to Dr. Cohen-Gadol, I’ve regained my confidence and my smile. I am forever grateful for his expertise and the care I received.

Jeanette M.

My son has two birthdays. The second one is because of Dr. Cohen. He is a manifestation of a miracle in the form of a human being. I would trust my life with this man. “Genius” is not even near enough to describe him! He performs super complicated brain and spine surgeries for which he’s internationally renowned.

He is also extremely kind and down to earth and has excellent bedside manners. I would give him all the stars in the universe if I could.

Prima D.

Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol performed surgery on me, and the results were excellent. I regained my full eyesight and have not had any issues. He and his staff have always been professional, courteous, and caring before the surgery and through the follow-up visits.

John and Penny E.

Gallery of Work

Changing patients' lives via surgery has been one of the biggest privileges of my life.
The Operating Room is the Temple where the focus is only the patient.

Previous Fellows

Roberto Rey-Dios

Cleveland Clinic

Nasser Mansour

Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Gina Monaco

Inland Neurosurgery and Spine

Dan Eddelman

Community Health Hospital

Chris Wilson

Neurosurgery Specialists of Tulsa

Mohamed Zaazoue

Washington University in St. Louis

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