Dr. Sivakumar Jaikumar

What we specialize in at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center is compassionate care – we take care of our patients. It’s complete care. The patients don’t have to go out and find a radiologist. We have the radiation oncologist, the chemotherapy, the surgery, the radiology, we have all kinds of nursing people as well as help getting physical therapy and getting in-the-home assistance. Patients also can expect cutting-edge care because we run such a terrific science program here. I really like working with the patients. No question about it. It’s not that I’m doing some trivial procedure six times a day. When someone comes in with a brain tumor, there’s usually some bonding, and instead of running away from that, I really enjoy it. Dr. Friedman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis. His top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioma, Glioblastoma, Awake Craniotomy, and Laminectomy.

I was drawn to neurosurgery during medical school when I first witnessed the unusually direct and positive impacts it could make for patients. At Duke Health, I now provide surgical treatments to people affected by epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. My background as a surgeon certainly shapes my interactions with my patients, yet I identify them and also myself more as somebody's sibling, friend, neighbor, and daughter or son. I strive to emphasize our shared perspectives because I believe they lead to the foundations of good care: empathy, respect, clear communication, and a strong focus on patient well-being and safety. Dr. Southwell is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis. His top areas of expertise are Seizures, Epilepsy, Brain Tumor, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Awake Craniotomy.

Although I enjoy all facets of neurosurgery, my practice is devoted to caring for patients with spinal-based pathologies ranging from degenerative disease, trauma, and deformity but centered on patients with spinal tumors. I aim to provide a comprehensive patient experience through collaborations with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver the best overall but personalized patient care. I have undergone additional training learning specialized techniques from spine oncology experts around the world in order to bring these potential treatments and strategies to my patients. Dr. Goodwin is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neurofibromatosis. His top areas of expertise are Bone Tumor, Chordoma, Spinal Tumor, Spinal Fusion, and Osteotomy.