Ralph Rahme, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.C.N.S. - Division Chief

 "Medicine is like a Tango. It takes two to perform: a selfless doctor and a strong-willed patient. I accept nothing less than full partnership with my patients. We either win together or lose together. We typically win."

"Serving people is not a job, it is a vocation. Neurosurgery is not a profession, it is a lifestyle."

Dr. Rahme serves as Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery and Director of the Neurosurgery Fellowship Program. He is a highly experienced and accomplished academic neurosurgeon who is well-regarded in the neurosurgical community and respected by his peers. He has been in neurosurgical practice since 2012, during which time he has taught medical students, trained residents and fellows, and has produced hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications and presentations at national and international meetings. Dr. Rahme's background is quite unique, including a 13-year extensive training in general and specialized neurosurgery, including neurovascular/neuroendovascular, skull base, neuro-oncologic, and spine surgery. While most of his training was in the US, he has spent several years training in Canada and in Lebanon, his country of birth, which has provided him with a truly unparalleled, diverse clinical experience. Given his unique multicultural background, Dr. Rahme is fluent in several languages, including English, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Italian.

• Complex Cranial Surgery
• Vascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery
• Stroke Care
• Skull Base & Neuro-Oncologic Surgery
• Neurotrauma & Neurocritical Care
• CSF Hydrodynamics
• Spine Surgery

• Professor (Affiliate Medical), CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
• Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA

• 2017-2018: Surgical Neuro-Oncology, Skull Base and Open Vascular Neurosurgery - Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health), New York, NY, USA
• 2014-2016: Neurosurgery - INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, VA, USA
• 2010-2012: Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology - University of Cincinnati/Mayfield Clinic, Cincinnati, OH, USA
• 2009-2010: Neurosurgery - Universite de Montreal/Hopital Notre-Dame du CHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada

• 2008-2009: Universite de Montreal/Hopital Notre-Dame du CHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada
• 2005-2008: Universite Saint-Joseph/Hotel-Dieu de France, Beirut, Lebanon
• 2003-2004: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

• 2002-2003: UMDNJ/New Jersey Medial School (Rutgers), Newark, NJ, USA
• 2001-2002: American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

• 1994-2001: Universite Saint-Joseph - Faculte de Medecine, Beirut, Lebanon

See Dr. Rahme's publications on PubMed

"Every patient deserves to be heard, understood, and treated as an individual, not just a diagnosis. As a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in open cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, skull base surgery, complex brain tumor surgery, and pituitary surgery, I am committed to offering patients access to the most advanced treatment options available, from minimally invasive endovascular and endoscopic techniques to complex open surgical approaches. Facing a neurosurgical diagnosis can be overwhelming. I take time to explain complex conditions in understandable terms, tailor each treatment plan to the individual, and work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care, from diagnosis through recovery."

Dr. Najera is a fellowship-trained academic neurosurgeon specializing in the surgical and endovascular management of cerebrovascular disease, skull base tumors, pituitary surgery, and complex brain tumor surgery. He has trained at world-renowned, prestigious institutions, including University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic Florida, and Albany Medical Center. Prior to joining the program, Dr. Najera served as attending neurosurgeon and clinical instructor in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery at Jefferson + Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters spanning cerebrovascular surgery, skull base anatomy, neuro-oncology, mixed and virtual reality applications in neurosurgery. He is fluent in both English and Spanish, allowing him to serve a diverse patient population.

• Vascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery
• Stroke Care
• Skull Base Surgery, Open & Endoscopic
• Pituitary Surgery
• Complex Brain Tumor Surgery
• Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality in Neurosurgery

• Coming Soon

• 2021-2023: Endovascular Neurosurgery - Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
• 2020-2021: Skull Base & Complex Microsurgery - Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA
• 2020: Surgical Neuroanatomy & Skull Base Surgery (Research) - Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL , USA
• 2016-2017: Surgical Neuroanatomy & Skull Base Surgery (Research) - UPMC Center for Cranial Base Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

• 2010-2015: Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastián, Spain

• 2001-2007: Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Havana, Havana, Cuba

See Dr. Najera's publications on PubMed

Dr. DeMattia is a very experienced and seasoned neurosurgeon who has been in practice in New York City for over 20 years. He directs the neurosurgery program at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, while serving part-time in the Division of Neurosurgery at SBH Health system.

• Cranial Surgery
• Neuro-Oncologic Surgery
• Pituitary Tumors
• Spinal Surgery
• Neurotrauma

See Dr. DeMattia's publications on PubMed

"I believe patient care is the truest version of living art a person can demonstrate. As I realize the important role I have in improving the lives of others, I've learned that the simplest act of kindness can positively impact someone's day. I want my practice to reflect a genuine concern for every person entrusted to our care and to be a source of hope and encouragement."

Born and raised in New York, Dyanne has always felt this calling to help others in need. She started her medical career as a medical assistant, a job she has fulfilled for years. Through hard work and dedication, her medical career flourished further, as she managed to become a physician assistant in Neurosurgery, a field she finds "marvelous". To Dyanne, the greatest privilege is her ability to leverage her years of medical education and experience so she can help and serve the community. Dyanne is bilingual (English, Spanish) and has been a board-certified physician assistant since March 2023.

• 2020-2022: Master of Science and Physician Assistant Studies - Mercy College, Bronx, NY, USA

"Medical knowledge is only one part of proper patient care; the rest is your desire to help. Provide every patient with the type of treatment and care you would want for your own loved one. Every patient matters."

Mary Rose was born, raised, and spent most of her life in New Jersey. However, it was during her undergraduate studies in Biology and Spanish in Dayton, OH that Mary Rose discovered her passion for the medical field and the opportunity to pursue a career as physician assistant. Her desire to help others in need was further bolstered during her time abroad in a medical mission in Guatemala, where she she helped provide medical services in underserved rural areas. Subsequently, Mary Rose worked for some time as an emergency department scribe, allowing her to gain more appreciation for hands-on medical work in high-acuity settings. Mary Rose ultimately enrolled in the PA graduate program at Midwestern University in Illinois, graduating in 2023 and becoming a board-certified physician assistant.

· 2023: Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA

· 2019: Bachelor of Science in Biology - University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA

· 2019: Bachelor of Art in Spanish - University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA