Once we encounter an injury, our body heals itself. While the tissues, muscles, and bones can heal completely, traumatic injury to the brain can lead to all sorts of complications down the road, and the fact that some symptoms only begin to surface months after the injury only makes the damage to the nervous system scary. Besides injuries, some people are born with neurological diseases. Fortunately, neurologists are able to diagnose and provide appropriate treatment for these diseases, and here are some of the best neurologists in San Francisco.
Dr. Gary M. Abrams
Dr. Gary Abrams is one of the most experienced neurologists in San Francisco, and he has been in practice for over 35 years. He has a keen interest in developing efficient methods for pre-existing treatments. Dr. Abrams completed his medical school in Pittsburg, and following that, he traveled to New York for his specialty training in Neuroendocrinology.
Specialization
Dr. Gary Abrams specializes in all types of strokes and the treatment of chronic neurological disorders, especially the ones resulting from injuries. Having been working in this field for over three decades, Dr. Abrams is quick to assess the delayed effects of a stroke or brain dysfunction after a traumatic injury. Moreover, he actively participates in research work to develop novel methods for cognitive rehabilitation.
Education and Certification
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Doctor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
- Residency in Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
- Fellowship in Neuroendocrinology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Experience
- Over 35 years of experience in the medical field
- Medical Director/Chief of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Services, Helen Hayes Hospital, New York (1986-1993)
- Associate Professor, Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York (1987-1995)
- Associate Attending Neurologist, Columbia University Medical Center, New York (July 1987-June 1995)
- Attending Neurologist, University of California, San Francisco (July 1995-Present)
- Professor, Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (July 1995-Present)
- Rehabilitation Section Chief, San Francisco VA Medical Center (July 2000-June 2021)
Achievements
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors (2010-2021)
- Superdoctors (2015)
- Fellow, American Academy of Neurology
- Member, American Society of Neurorehabilitation
- Member, Society for Neuroscience
Website
Dr. Rachman Chung
Dr. Rachman Chung is an outstanding chiropractic neurologist. He has been living in San Francisco since 2000. Being a chiropractic neurologist, not only does he deal with neurological disorders, but he also carefully diagnose his patients depending on their physiological abnormalities or injuries. Moreover, he believes in patient education, therefore, he actively organizes events where he teaches the public about the diagnosis of neurological diseases and familiarizes them with the advancements in this field. Apart from his professional life, Dr. Chung is a huge fan of skating, as he proudly states on his official website, and before becoming a chiropractor, he used to participate in competitive skateboarding. Although he no longer partakes in skateboarding, he actively enjoys riding a bike and kite surfing.
Specialization
Dr. Rachman Chung specializes in both neurological disorders and chiropractic. Besides providing state-of-the-art treatment, Dr. Chung also utilizes the latest technology in his practice. Videonystagmography or VNG is one of the modern treatments that utilizes sensors and cameras to assess dizziness and imbalances in the brain following an injury. Treating migraine is Dr. Chung’s specialty, and he has treated numerous patients suffering from this disorder. Additionally, he deals with concussions, dizziness, vertigo, and chronic neck pain.
Not All #Migraine Meds Safe for Pregnant Women, Review Finds https://t.co/xujZj9nQUR pic.twitter.com/VaFE7NI7IT
— Dr. Rachman Chung (@AskDrChung) April 1, 2016
Education and Certification
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Doctor of Chiropractic, Cum Laude, California Palmer College of Chiropractic (West), San Jose
- Chiropractic Neurology, Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies, Florida
- Residency in Functional Medicine, Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies, Florida
- Fellowship in Traumatic Brain Damage and Recovery, Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies, Florida
- American Chiropractic Neurology Board
Experience
- Over 15 years of experience in the medical field
- Chiropractic Neurologist, Dr. Rachman Chung, DC, DACNB, FACFN, San Francisco (March 2006-Present)
- Chiropractic Neurologist, Azzolino Chiropractic Neurology Group (January 2009-January 2018)
- Owner, NeuroAxis Health, San Francisco (January 2018-Present)
Achievements
- Fellow, American College of Functional Neurology
Website
Dr. Gary A. Belaga
One of our most frequent problems is the treatment of headaches. Ninety percent of people will have headaches of some sort, and a significant percentage of these patients have headaches that are so unmanageable that they have to have some assistance. Well, headaches are complicated, and each one is unique, and they have to have a treatment that’s tailored to their specific problem.”
Easily one of the most experienced neurologists in San Francisco, Dr. Gary Belaga, is an excellent physician. He is a great listener, and he carefully listens to his patients before giving his medical opinion. Dr. Belaga became a neurologist because he is an extremely compassionate person, he believes in healing with care, and people with neurological disorders need compassion as much as the treatment. Moreover, all of his patients admire him for his care-oriented philosophy.
Specialization
Although Dr. Gary Belaga specializes in Adult General Neurology, he also deals with specific conditions like migraine and headache disorders. Dr. Belaga has a clinical interest in the treatment of movement disorders with neurotoxins. He has invested many hours experimenting with botulinum neurotoxin type A, one of the most biologically poisonous substances; however, it is known as the miracle poison, as it is highly beneficial in muscle spasms, migraines, and movement disorders.
Education and Certification
- Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, College Park
- Doctor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
- Internship, South Baltimore General Hospital, Baltimore
- Residency, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Experience
- Over 45 years of experience in the medical field
- Teaching Faculty, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine (1974-1985)
- Chief, Division of Neurology, South Baltimore General Hospital, Baltimore (1974-1985)
- Neurologist, Gary A. Belaga, MD, San Francisco (1985-Present)
Achievements
- Fellow, American Academy of Neurology
- Member, San Francisco Neurological Society
Website
Dr. Brian Thomas Andrews
My goal is to provide my patients with the highest caliber of neurosurgical care. My experience and expertise enable me to offer highly individualized treatment options, as well as the ability to care for some of the most complex neurosurgical problems.”
Dr. Brian Andrews is an excellent doctor carrying out his practice in San Francisco. Being a neurologist, he solely focuses on the disease, talking to patients about their life is not his priority, and he doesn’t need to because his exceptional skills speak for him, which led him to become the chairman of the Department of Neurosciences at California Pacific Medical Center. Dr. Brian is also quite fond of writing, as he has published two fiction novels: Knife Under Fire and The California Mille, in addition to writing medical publications.
Specialization
Dr. Brian Andrews specializes in minimally invasive surgeries for neurological diseases. He also has a clinical interest in spinal stenosis, brain and pituitary tumors. Dr. Brian has also successfully treated intracranial injuries, which is a form of traumatic injury that results from an object penetrating the skull and damaging the brain tissues.
Education and Certification
- Bachelor’s Degree, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- Doctor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Internship, University of California, San Francisco
- Residency, Moffitt Hospital University of California, San Francisco
- American Board of Neurological Surgery
Experience
- Over 30 years of experience in the medical field
- Attending Neurosurgeon, University of California, San Francisco (January 1987-January 1997)
- Attending Neurosurgeon, St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco (January 1988-Present)
- Attending Neurosurgeon, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco (January 1988-Present)
- Chairman, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco (August 2000-August 2007)
- Chairman, California Pacific Neuroscience Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco (January 2008-Present)
Achievements
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors (2003-2021)
- Best Doctors (2005-2021)
- NCQA Back Pain Recognition Program Award Winner (2007)
- Guide to America’s Best Surgeons (2008-2021)
- Patients’ Choice Award (2008)
- Talk of the Town Award (2010-2021)
- Marin Magazine’s Top Doctors (2013-2021)
Website
http://www.pacificneurosurgery.com/
Dr. Marta San Luciano
The joy of practicing medicine for me is connecting with my patients and improving the quality of life for those affected with neurological illnesses.”
Dr. Marta San Luciano is originally from Spain where she completed her bachelor’s as well. Following that, she moved to New York for her master’s and medical training. She possesses outstanding skills when it comes to treating neurological disorders, and another great thing about her is that she loves to connect with her patients. This physician-patient relationship allows her to provide personalized care for her patients.
Specialization
Dr. Marta San Luciano specializes in the treatment of neurological disorders with a minimally invasive approach. While she treats all movement disorders, she is excellent in treating facial movement disorders due to neurological damage, such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm, which are losing function of the eyelids and involuntary twitching of the facial muscles, respectively. Her primary approach to treat such conditions is Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS. In this, electrodes are implanted in certain areas of the brain that stimulate the brain via electric signals.
Education and Certification
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Doctor of Medicine, University of Navarre School of Medicine, Spain
- Master’s Degree in Clinical Research Methods, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
- Internship in Internal Medicine, Metropolitan Hospital, New York
- Residency, Boston University Medical Center, Boston
- Fellowship in Movement Disorder, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Experience
- Over 10 years of experience in the medical field
- Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York (July 2010-May 2012)
- Assistant Professor, Neurology, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco (February 2012-July 2018)
- Associate Professor. Neurology, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco (July 2018-Present)
Achievements
- Member, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
- Member, American Academy of Neurology
Website
Dr. Jonathan Scott Katz
A well-known neurologist in San Francisco, Dr. Jonathan Katz welcomes patients of all age groups in his clinic. He approaches each patient in a friendly manner and makes sure that they are cared for. Offering personalized treatments to his patients is important for Dr. Katz, and he carefully designs the treatment with the convenience of each patient in mind.
Specialization
Dr. Jonathan Katz specializes in neurophysiology and he deals with all the malfunctions of the nervous system. He has a clinical interest in electromyography, motor neuron diseases, myasthenia gravis, neuromuscular disease, neuropathy testing, peripheral neuropathy, poliomyelitis, radiculopathies, and spinal muscular atrophy.
Education and Certification
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Doctor of Medicine, Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans
- Residency in Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
- Internship, Miriam Hospital, Providence
- Fellowship, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Experience
- Over 20 years of experience in the medical field
- Neurologist, Sutter Health, San Francisco (Present)
Achievements
- Member, American Academy of Neurology
Website
Dr. Edward F. Chang
Dr. Edward Chang is an amazing physician. Despite him only being a neurologist for a decade, he has already become the chair for the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California. He completed his medical education and training at the University of California as well.
Specialization
Dr. Edward Chang specializes in the preservation of vital areas of the brain that control speech and motor functions. He also deals with the diagnoses and treatment of epilepsy in adults, brain tumors, hemifacial spasms, and general movement disorder. Dr. Chang also extensively researches the mechanism of the brain related to speech and learning to provide better treatment to his patients.
Education and Certification
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Doctor of Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco
- Internship, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco
- Residency in Neurosurgery, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco
- American Board of Neurological Surgery
Experience
- Over 10 years of experience in the medical field
- Co-director, Center for Neural Engineering and Prostheses, University of California, San Francisco (Present)
- Neurologist, University of California, San Francisco (Present)
Achievements
- The Blavatnik National Laureate for Life Sciences (2015)
- Chair, The Department of Neurological Surgery
- Member, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
