Dr. Jaishri Blakeley is the Marjorie Bloomberg Tiven Professor of Neurofibromatosis in Neurology, Oncology, and Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, director of the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center and director of the Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program (NTAP). She is an active clinician-scientist specializing in the care of people with NF1, NF2, LZTR1, SMARC1 schwannomatoses, and primary brain tumors. Her research expertise in the development of clinical trials for nervous system tumors and specifically, early clinical-translational studies including tumor pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic investigations, imaging biomarkers for rare nervous system tumors, and incorporation of patient-focused, functional endpoints into efficacy studies. She has been the national or international leader of 7 clinical trials focused on therapies for glioblastoma, NF1 and NF2. In 2012 she cofounded the NTAP to dramatically shift the landscape of NF1 via necessary, efficient, and expert discovery, translational and clinical research. NTAP focuses on therapeutics, fosters collaboration, facilitates open and timely sharing of results, and streamlines the research process to accelerate therapies for plexiform and cutaneous neurofibromas. Through NTAP, Dr. Blakeley has supported and collaborated with more than 80 laboratories and research teams across the globe enabling meaningful therapeutic development for NF1-associated neoplasms and supporting the development of an exceptional community of clinician scientists focused on NF1 via the Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research. Her research and programmatic efforts are all in the service of improving outcomes for the patients with NF1, NF2, schwannomatosis, and primary brain cancer for whom she is honored to provide care. Dr. Blakeley is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Her top areas of expertise are Neurofibromatosis, Schwannomatosis, Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), and Laminectomy.

Dr. Allan Belzberg is a neurosurgeon specializing in surgery of the peripheral nervous system. As Director of Peripheral Nerve Surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, he treats tumors including schwannoma, neurofibroma and nerve sheath tumor. Dr. Belzberg performs surgical repair of nerve damage caused by trauma as well as neurosurgery on carpal tunnel, peroneal nerve and other peripheral nerve conditions. Dr. Belzberg also directs the Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and co-directs the Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Belzberg currently sees patients at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center located in Baltimore on Wednesdays and the Green Spring Station location on Fridays. Dr. Belzberg is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Schwannomatosis, Neurofibromatosis, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Osteotomy, and Rhizotomy.

Dr. Ahlawat earned a Bachelor of Arts with magna cum laude at New York University. She completed both her Medical Degree as well as residency training in diagnostic radiology at Rutgers University’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Ahlawat completed her Pediatric Radiology Fellowship at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC and went on to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD to do a Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology. After completion of her fellowship, Dr. Ahlawat joined as faculty in the Diagnostic Division of the department of Radiology at the Johns Hopkins University. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in the Johns Hopkins University Department of Radiology and Radiological Science. Dr. Ahlawat’s expertise is Diagnostic Radiology with additional training in pediatric and musculoskeletal radiology. Dr. Ahlawat specializes in high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of peripheral nerves, specifically detection and characterization of peripheral nerve injury; MR imaging of peripheral nerve tumors and peripheral nerve tumor syndromes; whole body MR imaging in the setting of peripheral nerve tumor syndromes; and advanced MR techniques such as quantitative diffusion weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping in characterization of bone and soft tissue tumors. Dr. Shivani Ahlawat also serves as the Director of the Musculoskeletal Fellowship Program. Dr. Ahlawat is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Her top areas of expertise are Schwannomatosis, Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), and Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).

Prashant Chittiboina is a Neurosurgery provider in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Chittiboina is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Cushing's disease, Hemangioblastoma, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Syndrome, Pituitary Tumor, and Laminectomy.

Dr. Laura M. Fayad serves as the Chief of Musculoskeletal Imaging. She is a Professor in the Johns Hopkins University Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Department of Oncology, and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Fayad is also the Director of the Translational Research Program in the Department of Radiology. Dr. Fayad earned a Bachelor of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Science at Stanford University, and M.D. C.M. degrees at the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. She completed residency training at Columbia University and MRI Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University. She specializes in diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology. In addition to routine sports medicine and spine applications, Dr. Fayad protocols and interprets specialized examinations in the areas of peripheral nerve imaging, tumor imaging, and rheumatology. Her primary area of research focuses on novel imaging techniques for musculoskeletal tumors, with her work including well over 100 publications that have been cited more than 1,500 times. Dr. Fayad is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Her top areas of expertise are Schwannomatosis, Neurofibromatosis, Liposarcoma, and Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).

Lee Akst, M.D., specializes in treating the larynx (voicebox), in particular the treatment of voice and swallowing disorders. He is a leading laryngologist in office-based procedures such as vocal fold injection augmentation, pulsed KTP laser treatment, and laryngeal botox injection. In the operating room, Dr. Akst specializes in phonosurgery for the treatment of vocal cord disease, with emphasis on voice restoration and improvement. A strong focus of his practice involves the use of pulsed angiolytic lasers, which allow for subspecialized care of laryngeal papillomas, laryngeal dysplasia, and early vocal cord cancers while preserving the quality and strength of the voice. Dr. Akst is a national leader in the field of laryngology and serves in leadership roles for the American Laryngological Association, the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He lectures extensively on the treatment of laryngeal disease, teaching other physicians how to care for patients with voice and swallowing concerns. His research interests include the development of robotic laryngeal surgery, the study of voice and swallowing complaints in the elderly, and the advancement of pulsed lasers for the treatment of laryngeal diseases with a focus on leukoplakia. This provider is registered with the Florida Department of Health to perform telehealth services for patients in Florida. Dr. Akst is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Spasmodic Dysphonia, Laryngitis, Perichondritis, Endoscopy, and Laryngectomy.

Alexander Hillel specializes in the medical and surgical management of patients who have scar tissue blocking their larynx and/or trachea, a condition called laryngotracheal stenosis. This condition occurs in patients who have had prolonged intubation, an autoimmune disease or a rare disease called idiopathic subglottic stenosis. He also treats patients with voice and throat problems, including spasmodic dysphonia and swallowing difficulty. After he earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Hillel completed his residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a fellowship in laryngology and airway surgery at the Emory Voice Center. Dr. Hillel directs a laboratory that seeks to better understand why scar forms in the larynx and trachea. In an effort to improve treatment, he and his team investigate the relationship between the immune system, bacteria and other antigens and scar formation in the airway. He has led a number of clinical trials to improve treatment for subglottic stenosis, including the first interventional study for idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Researchers in Dr. Hillel’s lab are also testing drugs that may halt the progression of, or reverse, scar formation, and they have engineered a drug-eluting stent that is being tested to translate to patients with subglottic stenosis. He holds sponsored grants to conduct his research from the National Institutes of Health, surgical foundations and the medical device industry. In addition to clinical and research work, Dr. Hillel has a leadership role within the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, serving as the vice director of education. Dr. Hillel is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Spasmodic Dysphonia, Subglottic Stenosis, Perichondritis, Laryngectomy, and Endoscopy.

Otolaryngologist Vaninder “Vinny” K. Dhillon specializes in endocrine surgery, laryngology, otolaryngology, parathyroid diseases and surgery, swallowing disorders, thyroid diseases and surgery, and voice problems. She treats both children and adults. After earning her medical degree from Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Dr. Dhillon completed a residency in otolaryngology at Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center. Dr. Dhillon’s research interests include the role of voice outcomes in patients after thyroid and parathyroid surgery when there is concern for vocal fold weakness or paralysis, evaluation of the role of office-based treatment on vocal fold paralysis, as well as neurogenic recovery of vocal fold paralysis. Dr. Dhillon is also interested in treatments for neurogenic chronic cough, which is refractory to other medical intervention. Dr. Dhillon is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Her top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Nerve Damage, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), Thyroidectomy, and Parathyroidectomy.

Carlos Romo, M.D., is a neuro-oncologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Romo specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors, including glioblastoma, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, neurofibromas, and schwannomas among others. Dr. Romo earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico and completed his Neurology residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he served as chief resident. He then completed a Neuro-oncology clinical and research fellowship in a joint program between The Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Romo additionally trained as a clinical pharmacology fellow at The Johns Hopkins University and completed training on clinical cancer research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In his research, Dr. Romo studies drug pharmacokinetics and the blood-brain barrier, and investigates better ways to reach tumors in the central nervous system. Dr. Romo also studies treatments for patient with neurofibromatosis. In addition to patient care and research, Dr. Romo teaches and mentors medical and undergraduate students to help develop a future generation of neurologists. Dr. Romo is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), Schwannomatosis, and Astrocytoma.

Sunil Gupta is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Cumberland, Maryland. Dr. Gupta is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Hypertension, Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Craniectomy, and Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass Surgery. Dr. Gupta is currently accepting new patients.

Jignesh Tailor is a General Surgeon and a Neurosurgery provider in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Tailor is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Choroid Plexus Cyst, Hydrocephalus, Hydrocephalus due to Congenital Stenosis of Aqueduct of Sylvius, Rhizotomy, and Awake Craniotomy.

Kalpesh Vakharia is a General Surgeon and an Otolaryngologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Vakharia is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Facial Paralysis, Bell's Palsy, Recurrent Peripheral Facial Palsy, Laryngectomy, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Vakharia is currently accepting new patients.

George Weiner is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Dr. Weiner is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Hypertension, and Familial Hypertension. Dr. Weiner is currently accepting new patients.

John Heiss is a Neurosurgery provider in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Heiss is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Chiari Malformation Type 2, Syringomyelia, Chiari Malformation, Laminectomy, and Posterior Fossa Decompression.

Chetan Bettegowda is the director of the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery. He offers comprehensive treatments for adult patients with benign and malignant brain tumors, specializing in the treatment of patients with primary brain tumors such as gliomas, meningiomas and pituitary tumors. He performs both open surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with metastatic tumors to the brain, and also provides stereotactic radiosurgery for other neurological disorders, including spinal tumors, trigeminal neuralgia and skull-base tumors. Dr. Bettegowda is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Trigeminal Neuralgia, Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Rhizotomy, and Microvascular Decompression.

Dr. David M. Yousem is the associate dean for professional development in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Radiology and Radiological Science. He specializes in neuroimaging. Dr. Yousem received his B.S. and M.D. degrees at the University of Michigan. He completed a radiology residency at Johns Hopkins and a two-year fellowship in neuroradiology at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his M.B.A. at Johns Hopkins University in 2003. Dr. Yousem's expertise spans the full gamut of neuroradiology techniques including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, myelography, CT guided aspirations and biopsies, functional MRI, diffusion and perfusion imaging, MR/CT angiography, and 3-D reconstructions. He is a noted authority on disorders of the brain, spine, head and neck, olfaction, cranial neuropathies and neurodegeneration. Dr. Yousem has authored or edited four books—Neuroradiology: THE REQUISITES, Head and Neck Case Review, and Radiology Business Practice: How to Succeed, and Non-Interpretive Skills Case Review, all published by Mosby/Elsevier—and has edited four journal issues. He has published over 250 peer reviewed articles over 50 chapters in books and has lectured on five continents. Dr. Yousem has an RSNA Educator Award sponsored on line course containing over 30 lectures on the Business of Medicine available to the public at https://webcast.jhu.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/Full/2facf598655b40ecaf3e7ee71698b86421. This is currently used by residency programs across the country to fulfill ACGME requirements for business of radiology content. He served as President of the American Society of Neuroradiology in 2008-2009 and as the Secretary of Treasurer of the World Federation of Neuroradiological Societies from 2011 to present. He sits on many of national radiological societies committees. Dr. Yousem has completed two marathons (best time: 3 hours, 54 minutes), a half Ironman, and a full Ironman (2.5-mile swim followed by 112-mile bike ride and then a 26-mile run) competition. Videos David M. Yousem e-Radiology Learning - Neuroradiology Pearls and Pitfalls (1 of 4) e-Radiology Learning - Neuroradiology Pearls and Pitfalls (2 of 4) e-Radiology Learning - Neuroradiology Pearls and Pitfalls (3 of 4) e-Radiology Learning - Neuroradiology Pearls and Pitfalls (4 of 4). Dr. Yousem is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Hydrocephalus, Congenital Cardiovascular Shunt, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, and Embolectomy.

Dr. Sachin K. Gujar is an Assistant Professor and Magnetic Resonance Section Chief in Johns Hopkins Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences. His area of clinical expertise is Neuroradiology. He earned his M.B.B.S. (medical degree) from Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in Pune, India. After completing a radiology residency (M.D.) at the same college, he completed a two-year neuroradiology fellowship at the University of Michigan, and subsequently was on faculty at University of Michigan for over 5 years. Dr. Gujar has been a member of the Johns Hopkins Neuroradiology faculty since 2008. Dr. Gujar’s areas of clinical interest include all aspects of adult neuroradiology, including head and neck radiology, spine and spinal cord disorders, and cerebrovascular diseases, with particular interest in brain tumor imaging, physiologic imaging, and Functional MRI. He has published numerous articles on various topics in Neuroradiology. Dr. Gujar is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Hydrocephalus, Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation, Stroke, and Microvascular Decompression.

Laryngologist Simon Best specializes in voice and airway disorders, including the comprehensive care of professional voice-users and performers. He treats patients diagnosed with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal cancer, precancerous vocal cord dysplasia, benign laryngeal lesions (polyps, cysts, nodules), and laryngeal and tracheal stenosis. He has expertise in the operative management of vocal cord disorders, including Blue Light laser surgery and office-based management of vocal cord papilloma, dysplasia and vocal cord paralysis. Dr. Best earned a medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine and completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He undertook fellowship training in laryngology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Best has a particular clinical and research interest in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and sees patients from across the country for specialized care for this disorder. He offers operative and office-based laser for papilloma, utilizing the Blue Light laser, which allows for precise excision of papilloma while preserving underlying vocal function. Dr. Best is also a pioneer in the adjuvant use of bevacizumab for RRP, helping many patients break the cycle of repeated surgeries. The Best Laboratory studies RRP and the development of novel immunotherapies to target the underlying viral infection. This research is conducted in collaboration with the head and neck cancer and cervical cancer research groups at Johns Hopkins, which also study human papillomavirus-related diseases. In addition, Johns Hopkins is a site for ongoing clinical trials in DNA immunotherapy, the goal of which is to eliminate the causative viral infection that leads to RRP. Dr. Best is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Nerve Damage, Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Laryngectomy, and Gastrostomy.

Dr. Creighton is an ear and lateral skull base surgeon. Dr. Creighton graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and earned his M.D. from Emory University. He completed a general surgery internship at the Mass General Hospital and residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Harvard. Following this he completed a fellowship in neurotology and lateral skull base surgery at Johns Hopkins. His clinical practice specializes in surgical and medical management of middle ear, inner ear, skull base and facial nerve disorders. These include skull base tumors, vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas), hearing loss, cholesteatoma, cochlear implantation, stapedectomy, CSF leaks and ear drum perforations. He is trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic approaches to the ear for cholesteatoma and ear drum perforations, which reduces the need for visible incisions, and performed the first in office tympanoplsty repairs at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Creighton is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Acoustic Neuroma, Schwannoma, Infant Hearing Loss, Mastoidectomy, and Septoplasty.

Henry Brem is a Neurosurgery provider in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Brem is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Gliosarcoma, Glioma, Brain Tumor, Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery, and Osteotomy.