Dr. Gardner is the Peter J. Jannetta Endowed Chair of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of the Center for Skull Base Surgery. He specializes in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, pituitary tumors, Neuroendoport brain surgery, and vascular neurosurgery. Dr. Gardner is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Chordoma, Pituitary Tumor, Meningioma, Nerve Decompression, and Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery.

Ajay Niranjan is a Neurosurgery provider in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Niranjan is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Schwannoma, Brain Tumor, Metastatic Brain Tumor, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Rhizotomy. Dr. Niranjan is currently accepting new patients.

L Lunsford is a Neurosurgery provider in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Lunsford is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Meningioma, Acoustic Neuroma, Schwannoma, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Rhizotomy. Dr. Lunsford is currently accepting new patients.

Peter Maria is an Otolaryngologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Maria is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Cholesteatoma, Schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma, and Infant Hearing Loss. Dr. Maria is currently accepting new patients.

Philosophy of care | My goal is treating others as I would like to be treated; the Golden Rule still works. Every person I meet (including colleagues, staff and students) needs to be treated with kindness, compassion and dignity. | Why I entered medicine | I have the ability to change lives and to save lives. | Community involvement | My wife, daughters and I are very active in the church; our faith is incredibly important to us. I believe it is important to build bridges to the community with volunteer work and outreach. | Personal interests | I enjoy working out, hiking, walking the dogs and reading. Dr. Samy is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Cholesteatoma, Acoustic Neuroma, Schwannoma, Mastoidectomy, and Nerve Decompression.

Douglas Bigelow is an Otolaryngologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bigelow is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma, Glomus Jugulare Tumor, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Myringotomy. Dr. Bigelow is currently accepting new patients.

Eric Zager is a Neurosurgery provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Zager is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Hydrocephalus, Neurofibromatosis, Awake Craniotomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Zager is currently accepting new patients.

Michael Ruckenstein is an Otolaryngologist in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ruckenstein is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma, Meniere Disease, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Myringotomy. Dr. Ruckenstein is currently accepting new patients.

Christopher Farrell is a Neurosurgery provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Farrell is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Hydrocephalus, Meningioma, Cerebellum Agenesis Hydrocephaly, Awake Craniotomy, and Septoplasty. Dr. Farrell is currently accepting new patients.

Nina Martinez is a Neurosurgery provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Martinez is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Her top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Neuroepithelioma, Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), and Gliosarcoma. Dr. Martinez is currently accepting new patients.

Jacob Hunter is an Otolaryngologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Hunter 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, Ear Cancer, Mastoidectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Hunter is currently accepting new patients.

Matthew E. Spector, MD, FACS, completed his medical school training at Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University in Chicago. He then went on to the University of Michigan where he completed his residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction. He was on faculty at the University of Michigan for 10 years where he served as the Director of the Head and Neck Oncology Program and Associate Director of the Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship. Dr. Spector is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Throat Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Tongue Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Glossectomy.

Philosophy of care | As a neurosurgeon, I believe in delivering precise, evidence-based care grounded in thoughtful decision-making and deep respect for each patient’s unique experience. My goal is to guide you through complex diagnoses with clarity, compassion and honesty – always prioritizing what is safest, most effective and most aligned with your values. Sometimes that may even mean no surgery at all. Ultimately, I see neurosurgery not just as a technical discipline, but as a human one – where careful listening, deliberate action and lifelong learning are essential to achieving the best outcomes. | Why I entered medicine | I was drawn to biology by a fascination with how the body works – particularly the complexity of the brain. But what ultimately drew me to medicine was the opportunity to apply that science in a way that directly improves people’s lives. I find deep purpose in using the rigor of neuroscience and the precision of surgery to help patients through some of their most challenging moments. Medicine allows me to engage both intellectually and personally – bringing together knowledge, skill and compassion to make a real difference each day. | Community involvement | I’m proud to be joining the Lehigh Valley community and committed to providing the highest level of neurosurgical care right here at home. I will be working to become embedded in the fabric of the medical community of this region such that primary care and specialists are all working together to better educate and take care of those who live here. | Personal interests | I enjoy staying active (running, swimming, biking) and spending time with my family. My wife is a physician as well and we have two young children. Together, my family brings me joy and keeps me grounded daily. Dr. Murayi is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Meningioma, Hemangiopericytoma, Meningocele, Craniectomy, and Rhizotomy.

Constantinos Hadjipanayis is a Neurosurgery provider in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Hadjipanayis is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Glioma, Glioblastoma, Brain Tumor, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and Awake Craniotomy. Dr. Hadjipanayis is currently accepting new patients.

Kiran Talekar is a Radiologist and a Neuroradiologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Talekar is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Brain Aneurysm, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Meningioma, and Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP).

David Friedman is a Radiologist and a Neuroradiologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Friedman is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Stroke, Craniopharyngioma, Brain Aneurysm, and Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP).

Thomas Willcox is an Otolaryngologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Willcox is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Acoustic Neuroma, Infant Hearing Loss, DFNB1, Jones Syndrome, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Willcox is currently accepting new patients.

Jan Drappatz is a Neurologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Drappatz is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Glioblastoma, Astrocytoma, Glioma, and Gliomatosis Cerebri.

Joseph Piatt is a General Surgeon and a Pediatrics provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Piatt is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). His top areas of expertise are Increased Head Circumference, Hydrocephalus, Moyamoya Disease, and Chiari Malformation. Dr. Piatt is currently accepting new patients.

Tara Morrison is a Neurologist and a Hematologist Oncology provider in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Morrison is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). Her top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Ependymoma, and Glioma.