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    Last Updated: 01/09/2026

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    MediFind found 6 doctor with experience in Craniosynostosis near Saint Petersburg, FL. Of these, 4 are Experienced, 1 are Advanced and 1 are Elite.

    Location
    LocationClose
    6 providers found
      Matthew D. Smyth
      Elite in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery
      Elite in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery

      Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care, St. Petersburg

      Saint Petersburg, FL 
       (0.4 miles away)
      Languages Spoken:
      English
      Offers Telehealth

      Dr. Smyth is chief of the pediatric neurosurgery division at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and director of the pediatric neurosurgery fellowship program. His specialties include pediatric neurosurgery, with sub-specialization in pediatric epilepsy surgery and craniofacial surgery with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques. In addition, Dr. Smyth is a professor of neurosurgery in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Before joining the Johns Hopkins All Children’s medical staff, Dr. Smyth was the Appoline Blair Professor of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Smyth earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. He completed a general surgery internship in the Department of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. He then completed a residency in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California in San Francisco, where he was chief resident. Dr. Smyth completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Smyth is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. His top areas of expertise are Craniosynostosis, Syringomyelia, Chiari Malformation Type 1, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Craniectomy.

      George Jallo
      Advanced in Craniosynostosis
      Neurosurgery
      Advanced in Craniosynostosis
      Neurosurgery

      Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care, St. Petersburg

      601 5th Street South, Suite 500, Suite 500, 
      Saint Petersburg, FL 
       (0.4 miles away)
      Languages Spoken:
      English, Aramaic, French
      Offers Telehealth

      Dr. Jallo is the vice dean and physician-in-chief at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. He also is the David M. Goldenberg Family Endowed Chair in the Institute for Brain Protection Sciences and a professor of neurosurgery, pediatrics and oncology with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Jallo joined Johns Hopkins in 2003 as a pediatric neurosurgeon. In 2013, he became the pediatric neurosurgery division director at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Dr. Jallo moved to Johns Hopkins All Children's in 2015 to launch the Institute for Brain Protection Sciences, a multidisciplinary institute that unites clinicians, researchers and educators focused on promoting optimal neurodevelopment and caring for children with injuries and illnesses that can affect the brain. His areas of expertise include tumors of the brain and spinal cord, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring for eloquent tumors, use of minimally invasive technologies such as endoscopy and keyhole surgery and surgical treatment of epilepsy. Dr. Jallo has published more than 245 peer-reviewed scientific articles, 89 book chapters and is co-editor of five textbooks on pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric epilepsy surgery and neuroendoscopy. In addition, Dr. Jallo has been principal investigator for NIH and private foundation grants focused on treatment of pediatric central nervous system tumors and other neurosurgical challenges. Dr. Jallo earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia Medical School and completed his residency in neurosurgery at New York University Medical Center and fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Beth Israel Medical Center, Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery, in New York. Dr. Jallo is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. His top areas of expertise are Ependymoma, Spinal Tumor, Subependymoma, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Laminectomy.

      Shassan Akbari
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery

      Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care, St. Petersburg

      601 5th Street South, Suite 500, Suite 500, 
      Saint Petersburg, FL 
       (0.4 miles away)
      Languages Spoken:
      English, Urdu

      Dr. Akbari specializes in pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He joined the medical staff in 2022. He also is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also is director of Clinical Research in the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery in the Institute for Brain Protection Sciences. Previously, Dr. Akbari was an attending physician at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Akbari earned his medical degree and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He also completed a residency in neurosurgery and served as chief resident at Washington University. He completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham. Dr. Akbari is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. His top areas of expertise are Chiari Malformation Type 1, Chiari Malformation, Chiari Malformation Type 2, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Laminectomy.

      Learn about our expert tiers
      Stephen A. Rottgers
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery

      Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care, St. Petersburg

      Saint Petersburg, FL 
       (0.4 miles away)
      Languages Spoken:
      English

      Dr. S. Alex Rottgers is a pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is also an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Rottgers received his undergraduate degree in biology and philosophy from Rice University in Houston and his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, graduating with highest honors. He completed his residency in plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and performed a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Rottgers joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2015. He currently serves as the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Director of the Cleft/Craniofacial Team, and Co-director of the Vascular Anomalies Clinic in St. Petersburg. Dr. Rottgers's research interests include outcomes research of patients with cleft lip and cleft palate, craniosynostosis, and vascular anomalies. He is interested in 3-D surgical planning and modeling of the craniofacial skeleton for treating patients with deformities. Dr. Rottgers is a member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery, and American Academy of Pediatrics. He is now serving as the Vice President of the Florida Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association. Dr. Rottgers serves as a journal reviewer for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, and PLOS ONE. He has received numerous awards for his exceptional performance, including the 2018 Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Best Consulting Physician, the American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association Paul Black Junior Investigator Award, and the Baylor College of Medicine L. Leighton Hill Excellence in Pediatrics Award and the S. Carl Harvey Memorial Award for excellence in gross anatomy. Dr. Rottgers is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. His top areas of expertise are Micrognathia, Baller-Gerold Syndrome, Lambdoid Synostosis, and Craniosynostosis.

      Ernesto J. Ruas
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      General Surgery

      Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care, St. Petersburg

      Saint Petersburg, FL 
       (0.4 miles away)
      Languages Spoken:
      English, Spanish

      Dr. Ruas specializes in plastic surgery and cleft and craniofacial surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and is the director of plastic surgery resident education. He joined the hospital staff in 1990. He is a clinical professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Ruas earned his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed general and plastic surgery residencies at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He completed a fellowship in maxillofacial trauma and microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction at The Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Systems Services (MIEMSS) and a craniomaxillofacial surgery fellowship under Dr. Fernando Ortiz-Monasterio in Mexico City. Dr. Ruas is fluent in Spanish. Dr. Ruas is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. His top areas of expertise are Metopic Ridge, Plagiocephaly, and Craniosynostosis.

      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      Neurosurgery
      Experienced in Craniosynostosis
      Neurosurgery
      601 5th St S, 5th Floor, 
      St Petersburg, FL 
       (0.2 miles away)
      Languages Spoken:
      English

      Gerald Tuite is a Neurosurgery provider in St Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Tuite is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniosynostosis. His top areas of expertise are Chiari Malformation, Chiari Malformation Type 1, Syringomyelia, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Spinal Fusion.

      Showing 1-6 of 6

      Last Updated: 01/09/2026

      What is the definition of Craniosynostosis?

      Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more sutures on a baby's head closes earlier than usual.

      The skull of an infant or young child is made up of bony plates that are still growing. The borders at which these plates intersect are called sutures or suture lines. The sutures allow for growth of the skull. They normally close ("fuse") by the time the child is 2 or 3 years old.

      Early closing of a suture causes the baby to have an abnormally shaped head. This may limit brain growth.

      When should I see a Craniosynostosis doctor near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

      • Your primary care provider recommends it. 
      • Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 
      • Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 
      • You need specialized testing or procedures. 
      • You want a second opinion.  

      What should I consider when choosing a Craniosynostosis doctor near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

      How does MediFind rank Craniosynostosis doctors near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

      What types of insurance are accepted by Craniosynostosis doctors near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

      How can I book an appointment online with a Craniosynostosis doctor near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Craniosynostosis doctor search results page. 

      Why is it important to get a second opinion from a different Craniosynostosis doctor?

      Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

      How can I prepare for my appointment with a Craniosynostosis doctor near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

      • Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 
      • Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 
      • Family history of disease 
      • List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 
      • Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  
      • List of questions and concerns 
      • Your insurance card 

      You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

      What questions should I ask my Craniosynostosis doctor?

      Here are some sample questions: 

      • Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 
      • What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 
      • What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 
      • Are there other specialists I need to see? 
      • What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

      How can I learn about the latest clinical trials and research advances my Craniosynostosis doctor may know about?

      MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

      MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

      Can I filter my search to show male or female Craniosynostosis doctors near Saint Petersburg, FL?

      Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Craniosynostosis doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

      Can I filter my search to find a Craniosynostosis doctor that offers video calls?

      Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Craniosynostosis doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

      Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

      By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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